Posted on 11/06/2011 5:30:38 AM PST by SeekAndFind
The debate didn’t really use a Lincoln-Douglas model, and we ended up hearing from the moderators far too much, but both Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich delivered on their promise to give America a substantive debate on the biggest issues of this cycle. For 90 minutes, the two men discussed entitlement reform and associated issues, and even if the two only rarely disagreed, the format allowed for lengthy responses, nuanced proposals — and plenty of opportunity to hit Barack Obama’s performance as President.
Who won? It’s pretty clear that Gingrich had the better of this debate. He had better command of both the issues and the facts, offered plenty of corroborative studies and resources, and managed to make all of it accessible to the average voter. Cain did well at times, but twice had to ask Newt to handle questions first, which isn’t exactly a confidence builder. Cain seemed confused about the difference between defined-benefit and premium-support approaches on Medicare, getting confused between pension plans and health care later on the same point. While Cain discussed philosophical approaches to these issues confidently, Gingrich had actual data at the ready, and the difference was telling.
Mostly, I think the voters won this debate. We finally had 90 minutes of substantive discussion of the real issues in entitlement reform, offered in positive terms from two of the men who want to lead this country. With media “moderators” out of the way, we put aside slogans and soundbites and the sniping that broadcast outlets love to provoke to write stories on the fluff rather than the issues.
This could set a standard for debates in the future, but only if Republican voters demand to see the other candidates in similar forum models. I’d love to see Rick Santorum and Ron Paul debate foreign policy, for instance, or Mitt Romney and Rick Perry debate economic policy, for 90 minutes with no moderators and no media needling. That would produce real choices for voters, and strip away the gotcha strategies to find out which candidates have substance and which have really good tailors.
Let’s take a poll to see what readers think. Note that I left off “the American people” as one of the choices. I’d like to get a real sense of who people think won between the two candidates on stage.
CLICK ABOVE LINK TO VOTE ON THE POLL
Back when AGW was the thing very few of us were calling BS on AGW. Lots of folks were sucked in by the bad science and media blitz. Newt has backed way off as real science shows the warming is slowing/stopped/never happened. Newt screwed up on AGW and he has admitted he screwed up. Now the question becomes are you willing to forgive him for that screw up or would you rather continue to beat him about the head and shoulders forever over an admitted mistake?
They both reside in the same state? Where did you hear that?
We won.
Virginia's in Georgia? Didn't know that.
There’s never been a question that Gingrich is a far more knowledgeable policy wonk than just about anybody. The bigger question: can Newt get himself elected. His problem is that he has zero charisma. He doesn’t excite anybody. You can claim that pols shouldn’t be elected on personality, but the facts are personality counts. For example, I’m sure Gingrich would probably have bested Reagan is this style of “debate.” But Reagan had that something that excited people and made them get behind him. Gingrich doesn’t have that. A great answer man, but no leadership qualities.
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Interesting point: Politico's maneuver against Cain this week may have actually helped Newt. When they dig up this stuff, enough of the populace may respond "What?? This kind of mudslinging, again? Enough!"
The People of the United States of America won.
Amen !
Islam won, and will continue to win unless and until it is destroyed.
Thank you very much!
I typed this on a previous post.
Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa , Mea Maxima Culpa.
I swear I meant Newt not Mitt.
Now I know how obama feels when he talked about his mooselimb religion instead of his Christian religion on the georgie porgie TV show. Nah, not really, that prick really meant mooselimb.
Agreed!!!
The People won, but I liked Newt the best.
At this point, I would like to see a Newt/Cain ticket. I believe these two guys would make a great team and both of them work their tails off to get our country turned around.
Cain 12.87% (897 votes)
Gingrich 68.05% (4,744 votes)
Neither won 8.72% (608 votes)
Unsure/No Opinion 10.36% (722 votes)
Total Votes: 6,971
Coming into this I didn’t know a whole lot about Newt as I’m a younger adult. Now that I’ve had a chance to listen to the debates and “gothcha’s” it’s pretty clear that Newt is the unquestioned champion of this group. I’ve read the stories about the baggage and quite frankly, I don’t care. This is about bringing America out of an age of depression and back into the light. Newt does’t make me stand up and shout when I watch him but, I can’t turn my head away either. He get’s my vote. Gingrich/Cain 2012
RE: At this point, I would like to see a Newt/Cain ticket.
How’s the country going to view a two-man Georgian ticket?
Both men are intellectually competent and articulate. Cain is light-years more trustworthy. This should be an easy choice.
Not to bag on Newt’s debate performance or his message in general. Those were excellent. Glad to see the intellectual side of conservative getting some airtime.
Well, I guess we could scratch Cain off, but I kinda like the guy.
Seriously, I fail to see where this would matter.
I am starting my first cup, so I’m a bit slow, but where each of them reside is consistent with the requirements of the constitution.
Both are good men, both better than what sits in the White House Now. Newt did sightly better and I could support him, but I could also support Cain as well. Both men could best Obama in a debate (if the MSM didn’t stack the deck against them).
Oh how I pray you are correct. I enjoy your optimism.
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