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
Brainless bimbo is right. Megan Kelly gets on my nerves. If she was half as smart and cute as she thinks she is, well she isn’t.
Newt *could* have really damaged Cain last night if he wanted to. When Cain had the deer-in-the-headlights look on some of those questions and told Newt to go first, Newt simply could have said: “No.... it’s your turn.” Cain’s response at that point.... if he had one.... would have been quite cringe-worthy. He was lucky he was on stage with a friend.
Obama will not bail Cain out like Newt did.
Cain gets stronger with each debate.
He’ll demolish Obama. And he’ll make his teleprompter jokes with flawless timing.
Cain will defeat Obama, in a landslide.
“We need to be prepared for Holder to be arrested for obstruction of justice,”
Never in a million years would that happen. He’s black and he’s a democrat; criminal activity is what they do. They always get a pass. But, if you’re right, I’d be thrilled!
“Obama couldn’t last 30 seconds in a debate like this without his teleprompter.”
He’d find a way around it. If Teleprompters are taboo, then he’ll opt for something in his ear to receive info. Or maybe he could bone up on those goofy hand signals the “Occupy” freaks are using. In the end, though, he’d never consent to an open debate/discussion ‘cause he knows he’d fail miserably.
“Megan Kelly gets on my nerves. “
Maybe the reference was to Gretchen Carlson, not Megyn. She’s the usual bimbo in the morning, I think.
Both get on my nerves. Carlson especially to the point of no consideration given and I don’t watch the morning and hardly at all otherwise. Can’t stand them.
Romney network.
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