Reagan Library Republican Presidential Debate: January 30, 2008 (Official Thread)

CNN ^ | January 30, 2008

[khnyny]

Reagan Library Republican Presidential Debate: January 30, 2008

SIMI VALLEY, California (CNN) -- Republican presidential hopefuls will face off Wednesday night without a familiar face as ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is expected to drop out and endorse front-runner Sen. John McCain.

The remaining candidates will take the stage in a debate -- sponsored by CNN, the Los Angeles Times and Politico -- beginning at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday.

The event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, follows McCain's Tuesday night win in the Florida primary.

McCain topped former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney 36 percent to 31 percent in the hotly contested race.

Giuliani placed third with 15 percent of the vote, followed closely by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee with 14 percent, and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas was fifth with 3 percent.

Giuliani is expected to end his White House bid and endorse McCain at a campaign event in California later Wednesday, Republican Party sources said.

Minus Giuliani, the debate will be a four-candidate affair -- McCain, Romney, Huckabee and Paul -- with CNN's Anderson Cooper moderating.

[Womp Rat]

Me three. I am tired of being told I have to choose between socialism and less socialism. I want to vote for the Free Market, to rollback the welfare state, the RKBA, to vote for Free Speech, for a strong economy, and to empower Individuals and not the State.

I am voting for Ron Paul, and have sent him some money.

He'll obviously never win, but it's a good thing to do on principle, to let him know that we support him on his stand for a return to real American values in the face of such overwhelming opposition from the media and other conservative-lites pushing the status quo.

It also lets other politicians know that we've had enough, and we're not going to tolerate their BS anymore. No more votes by default just because you're a Republican and no more campaign donations.

You know, Ron Paul is not a very good politician. He looks a little goofy, and he has trouble with his public speaking and debating, often having difficulties slowing down and staying on topic. This doesn't make his positions any less valid, but unfortunately it does make it difficult for him to effectively bring these important issues to the table. Hopefully we can get better politicians up to the national level in the future who share our views.

[La Enchiladita]

Excellent post, Pajamajan. I am keeping the faith.

I also feel the absolutely worst case scenario is BILL CLINTON BACK IN THE WHITE HOUSE WITH “NOTHING TO DO.”

[La Enchiladita]

Excellent. I saved it to my youtube favorites.

[La Enchiladita]

I really don’t think Obama is a “natural” politician. I do think he is very polished and well spoken when he gives a speech. But unlike Reagan...he is not good with on the spot questions. I might be wrong...

You are right. Obama-rama is only good at rhetoric. Absolutely no substance. Zero.

[La Enchiladita]

Sorry to hear that, but thank God it was caught at an early stage. You are not alone here on FR; I pray a swift recovery for you.

[devane617]

Thank you! Since this process started last October I have been amazed at how many young women and men have cancer. The cancer center I go for treatments is so busy that it reminds me of an airport. The vast maority of people/patients I see daily are 30’s - 50’s(early.)

[La Enchiladita]

I see you’re in Texas. You have some good places for cancer treatment there; some of the best in the country. All the best to you.

[Kellis91789]

You have to choose between someone who has flip-flopped on being pro-life or someone who has flip-flopped on being pro-amnesty.

Romney won’t make Roe vs. Wade any worse, and there is some hope he will choose Justices that make it better. McCain will definitely push amnesty through.

I’ll take my chances with Romney rather than certain disaster with McCain.

[voicereason]

You and me both. I just don't understand the big fascination with McCain.

The news media reported on Florida as if McCain swept the entire State. Yet he got less than 40% of the voting block that was supposedly only made up of Republicans. It is amazing how they ignore the fact that just over 60% DIDN'T vote for McCain.

[Polybius]

You have to choose between someone who has flip-flopped on being pro-life or someone who has flip-flopped on being pro-amnesty.

What about the Iraq War with the catastrophic strategic consequences that would come about if we Cut & Run?

McCain has NEVER flip-flopped on doing what it takes to WIN THE WAR even when Bush, Rumsfeld, the conservative pundits, the media, the Democrats and a glass-jawed American Home Front wanted no part of The Surge that is now winning the war.

Published: Wednesday December 27, 2006 .......... Novak: McCain's 'aggressive surge' stance backfiring

Do we really want a Commander-in-Chief with ZERO military experience who is 110% committed to whatever 51% of the latest poll says that the American voters want?

I want to win this unpopular but strategically vital war and Romney does not have what it takes to do such a job.

[conservativeinferno]

Sometimes I feel like a lighthouse of reason and common sense in sea of idiocy. As the American polity becomes less critical, less astute, and more prone to platitudes, looks, and false promises, I ask myself if we will ever see a true conservative President.

Don’t worry, I WILL fight on and NEVER lose hope by giving in to the mental disease that is liberalism.

[khnyny]

Sometimes I feel like a lighthouse of reason and common sense in sea of idiocy.

LOL. What a great post, but it sounds like you've been listening to Rush a little too much, lol.

Btw, I know how you feel and your tag line is pretty funny.

NEVER LOSE HOPE!

[floriduh voter]

McCain is full of it. He can fool Floridians apparently,but hopefully, Florida is an anomaly. Our Governor NEVER does any work and the media talks to him about a VP slot.

[floriduh voter]

John McCain didn't even UNDERSTAND the "timetable quote". Mitt clearly was against the enemy laying in the weeds. McCain kept harping when he clearly didn't understand the quote to begin with.

McCain's stubbornly WRONG.

[floriduh voter]

Huckabee complimented Romney. I hope they hook up.

www.evangelicalsformitt.org

[floriduh voter]

Yes, Ron Paul bashing doesn’t help. I’ve spoken to some RPers and they can’t stand McAztlan either.

[floriduh voter]

I think he’s unstable and probably on meds but last night, the mean Mr. McCain came out. And not only was he mean, he was LYING and his facts re: Romney were DIRTY LIES. When McCain did the push polls on Monday, then I heard first hand that he was a liar, a dirty one.

[floriduh voter]

Romney’s contributions have gone way up since Florida’s shady election. The map looks wrong that they showed locally. It had to be wrong. Romney got a blue sliver in the middle and McCainiac got the rest of the state in green. Romney’s total was more than a sliver. I guess the media is propagandizing even in their graphic representations.

[floriduh voter]

You thought McCain was on meds too? Too bad medical records are private under the HIPPA Act. I spose McCain voted in favor of it for a reason.