Posted on 10/18/2011 7:08:00 PM PDT by smoothsailing
Bryan Preston
October 18, 2011
There were two Ricks on debate stage tonight, and both came in loaded up and ready to hunt. Rick Santorum threw a blizzard of punches at Mitt Romney early over his claim that as president, Romney, the author of RomneyCare, would repeal ObamaCare. The punches landed and the damage showed on Romney’s face. Rick Perry came in loaded up to speak aggressively for his energy plan, and spoke with an energy and conviction that has not come through in previous debates. Romney came under the most intense fire he has faced in any of the 2011 debates and while he handled it well, the criticisms of his record are legitimate and will sting. Romney’s red face as he tried to to redirect the examination over to Newt Gingrich revealed that he knew the night wasn’t going well for him.
Herman Cain also faced the toughest questioning of any debate so far, regarding his 9-9-9 tax plan, and handled it mostly with his usual humor and wit. The former talk radio host can engage in an open debate with the best of them, but his lack of depth showed in spots. He didn’t seem to know the details of his 9-9-9 plan early on. Cain did do well when discussing his ideas for reforming health care: No mandates, but focus on market-based reforms like allowing purchase across state lines. Nothing new, but nothing wrong with any of it either.
Perry also hit Romney directly for “hypocrisy” for having hired illegal aliens. Romney laughed and denied, but the story has been out there since 2007 or thereabouts. Romney lost his cool, for the second time. Perry scored another direct hit, and Mitt turned red again. The ice man melted.
Perry also did well on the question of securing the border: It’s about a fence, plus other security measures including technology and boots on the ground. Bachmann got in a jab about the president’s illegal alien relatives who keep popping up in the news, before moving on to declare that she would build a fence along the entire border. There is actually less policy daylight between most of the candidates on the border than the stage arguments suggest, but the arguments drew out some personalities, and it’s hard to see Romney benefiting from the exchange.
Tonight’s was the most lively debate, and does have the potential to change the race a bit. Perry came to fight and from tax policy to spending to funding the UN, showed that his issue knowledge is broad. Romney wasn’t prepared to take hits from so many other candidates. Romney’s packed supporters in the audience and other blogs provided some soundtrack to back their man up but I doubt it did much good. Romney’s cool broke too many times for his own good. His whining about being talked over, when he isn’t shy about interrupting others, was entertaining but revealed a thin skin. Romney probably had his best moment during the religion debate, but that’s such tired ground now and Romney has so overreached on that issue that it’s unlikely to make any difference.
This was Perry’s best night. He took control when he needed to, threw the president’s and his competitors’ words against them at opportune moments, and showed a strong and knowledgeable presence going toe to toe with Romney. Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann also had good nights. Gingrich can speak brilliantly on any policy thrown at him. His brief closing statement showed that he is among the adults in the room. Santorum spoke very well on values. Cain and Romney took sustained fire and handled it unevenly. Cain was at his worst on the question of whether he would contemplate releasing terrorists held at Gitmo in exchange for an American hostage. There is simply no way to justify his answer to Wolf Blitzer, earlier today. Ron Paul was, infuriatingly, Ron Paul, capable of saying things at the edge of brilliance but coupling them with statements that make little sense or betray a hole in his moral thinking. While I admire his logical mind, I don’t admire some of the places it takes him.
The clear winner tonight was Rick Perry. He looked like a seasoned leader who has found his voice, at last. Newt Gingrich came in a strong second, Cain and Santorum follow him and Romney follows them. He was strong in spots but had trouble keeping his cool, an d had no good answers to explain his own policy history. Passion is one thing; all of the candidates brought that tonight. Edging close to revealing a Hulk moment is something else.
There was something else different about tonight’s debate. In past debates, Romney’s press team has easily outpaced all of the other campaigns combined in the number of press releases they sent out while the debate continued. Not so, tonight. The Perry press team must have rolled over the Romney team 8 to 1 or more. From the top on down, the Perry team is moving with a new energy.
“UH huh. So wheat growers will not pay tax. Flour processors will not pay tax. Bakeries will not pay tax.
Grocery Stores will not pay tax. Just little ole you going in to buy your loaf of bread will be paying tax.”
Umm, this isn’t hard, but all taxes in this country are paid by the consumer. The growers and processors and bakers have never paid any tax.......their buyers and customers have. The taxes that GE and Starbucks and GM and Microsoft pay? All from the pockets of their customers. That, most exceedingly simple and obvious, is why any and all tax increases are on the vast middle and consuming class. The rich don’t pay anything. You and I do.
“The booing was orchestrated by Mittbott LDS’ers.”
Do not turn this into a religious thing. It’s hollow, petty, and boundless. It’s also the refuge of those without any other excuse. You debase yourself and your argument when saying such things.
Wrong. He's gonna win this. America will be back on track. Buncha thin skinned weirdo's on here.
Nailed “mandate-loving” Romney more than once. Thank God!
Amen to that!!!!!!
Actually if Perry said all that he’d be the biggest joke since Herman Cain!
“UH huh. So wheat growers will not pay tax. Flour processors will not pay tax. Bakeries will not pay tax.
Grocery Stores will not pay tax. Just little ole you going in to buy your loaf of bread will be paying tax.”
Umm, this isn’t hard, but all taxes in this country are paid by the consumer. The growers and processors and bakers have never paid any tax.......their buyers and customers have. The taxes that GE and Starbucks and GM and Microsoft pay? All from the pockets of their customers. That, most exceedingly simple and obvious, is why any and all tax increases are on the vast middle and consuming class. The rich don’t pay anything. You and I do.
“The booing was orchestrated by Mittbott LDS’ers.”
Do not turn this into a religious thing. It’s hollow, petty, and boundless. It’s also the refuge of those without any other excuse. You debase yourself and your argument when saying such things.
Did you eat the worm when yiu finished that bottle. ROFLOL.
I like Rick Perry and I am as honest about that as possible. Mr Perry served his country in the best way he could. So did I. Which is why I greatly respect him and support him.
The man has a level of integrity that only comes from having served his country. It is a sacrifice that those of us who have done so, fully understand, hold dear to our hearts and will defend to the very end. As well as we defend each other. (Brothers in Arms.)
Perry has also served his state as Governor as well and has done a stellar job in the process. The state of Texas is on top because in part, Mr. Perry has made a large contribution to that effort. Nobody can deny that fact. It speaks for itself and is on the record for all to see.
Will this help Perry win the election? There is a very strong possibility it will. Mainly because everything Mr. Perry is, is based on honesty and truth. These are facts that will not be denied in the end. In the end, you can't hold a good man down for very long.
The SALES tax only triggers at the point of sale. But the flat income tax on business profits is passed along - that's why the flat income tax is defined as a subtraction method vat.
Now, a vat alone is ok - but not with personal income tax and a national retail sales tax. Cain is a smart man and he will change this.
Oh...I just checked your posting history.
You appear to be one of those acolyte-for-one-candidate-only-trash all-of-the-others types.
I didn’t check back far enough, but likely a Palin-bathwater-drinker until a couple of weeks ago?
Anyway, I don’t really talk to you guys - too much like trying to reason with an irrational thirteen-year-old with a bigtime schoolgirl crush.
I do poke fun at y’all every now and then, though.
Have a good night!
It’s wearing real thin. My guess is right now his support is a mile wide and an inch deep. He knows it too.
That's what we need, a fighter. A man with solid principles. Throw your panties in the grass and get on the Perry train. This is a real man that has laid the foundation for businesses to create jobs and wealth. He only gets mad when people attack him. GO AMERICA !!!
Sometimes I get lucky and the underdog comes through!
Yeah, I know Cain's got just three paid employees up here in NH but the money's been flowing in these past few weeks and maybe I'll get on the payroll myself before too long! If so, I'm going to get my border collie a "Cain 2012" sweater even though I normally detest people who put their dogs in clothing.
Hey, I'm a jilted Palin guy so let me have my fling with Herman Cain. I'll eventually support the GOP nominee so long as it's not Mitt Romney or Ron Paul!
Disagree. Perry is a disaster. He is a RINO of the highest order and the only thing he came up with was illegals on Romney’s lawn. LOL. Give me a break.
Sudan Land is so depressed about Perry. Yeah, whatever you say, Sudan Land. We freakin BELIEVE it.
Correct. I’m only arguing against the woefully misinformed who insist on claiming that the sales tax is a VAT.
And yes, my understanding is that phase 2 of 999 ultimately does away w/ both the personal and corporate income taxes—described here: http://www.hermancain.com/999plan
No matter what. This is going to be an interesting primary season and quite frankly I hope that once the nominee is chosen we all band together (not Romney) and support him or her. That is what I love about us. We can have disagreements and disagreements but when it gets down to the wire we come together. I love that. Good luck to you and Perry (he is a good man).
That’s what I thought. And I am glad.
For the record then: Perry is against anchor baby law.
Great!
Thank You.
Post #227 - Well done! :-)
Thanks smoothsailing.
Who Won Tonights Debate?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2794799/posts
White House accused of Barack Obama ‘green screen’ trickery
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2794805/posts
Newt deserves a lot of credit for pointing out that Herman Cain is at least addressing a huge problem. Washington picking winners and losers in the code has run it’s course.
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