Republican debate

[MillCreek]

I worked late and did not get home in time to see the Republican debate. How was it?  Any surprises or notable comments?

[Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas]

Romney did very well. It was essentially him and Perry.

[zxcvbob]

Romney did very well. It was essentially him and Perry.

I'm watching the rebroadcast now.  Romney and Perry are pretty much the only ones allowed to talk.

[lupinus]

Yes it was more or less the Mitt Perry show. Nothing really unexpected said or put out there.

I really don't think anyone gained or lost ground off of this one.

[zxcvbob]

Afterwards Chris Matthews was talking to one of them; I think it was Rick Santorum.  He wanted to know why none of the candidates brought up evolution.  Santorum told him that Matthew's guys chose the topics and asked the questions, and Santorum only got about 3 or 4 questions the whole night anyway.  Matthews was like "why didn't you just ignore the questions and talk something you wanted to talk about... like evolution?"   

I stayed up way too late last night watching this crap.

[AZRedhawk44]

There was so much smug good hair in center-stage.  And fake smiles.

I felt like Ray Wise was trying to make a deal for my soul.




I don't trust the two obvious favorites.  At all.

Perry will be OK with Amnesty.

Romney will be OK with Obamacare.

Both are patently, obviously "for sale."


Debate is on youtube in 3 parts.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BZ-XuHjBAA
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMjwVVkFl4g
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxLKGvMkDXM

[Balog]

My previously low levels of optimism have sunk to record lows.

[Jamie B]

My previously low levels of optimism have sunk to record lows.

I share your fear and pain.

Slick, smarmy, and slimy!

[zxcvbob]

Governor Goodhair vs. Governor Flipflop.  (all the real candidates were just there to provide occasional comic relief)

[AJ Dual]

Governor Goodhair vs. Governor Flipflop.  (all the real candidates were just there to provide occasional comic relief)

Perry at least seems to make convincing changes when the constituency demands it.

If my choice is between the two of them, I'd pick Perry, because there's at least a chance he can be steered.

[Rosalyn]

It does really seem like it will either be Romney or Perry. I think Bachman is slipping and Republicans won't vote for Paul. As for the rest of them, I don't know why they were there. I think they need to reduce the invitees to four or less for the next debates. Gingrich seems to be following the Palin route and constantly bringing up the 'Gotcha questions' and how the MSM is out to pit them against each other and make Obama look good. I mean, I get it already but we need to see them 'debate' rather than badmouth Obama. I want to see each contender separate themselves from the others and I think Perry and Romney did that with their takes on social security.

[AZRedhawk44]

On a positive note... I did notice that Romney and Perry were "center stage."   

But... Bachman and Paul were both right next to Romney and Perry.  All the other candidates were on the outside of those four.

Paul has made enough noise that he is not being treated as the crazy uncle that gets seated at the kid's table for weddings and funerals, anymore.

[longeyes]

Romney.  Perry.

Perry.  Romney.

Come 2013 it won't matter who is in the White House unless he/she can muster the courage to do the right thing--and in the face of an America that is, in my view, terminally divided culturally.  I am not holding my breath.

[seeker_two]

Yes it was more or less the Mitt Perry show. Nothing really unexpected said or put out there.

I really don't think anyone gained or lost ground off of this one.

True....I listened to it on radio instead of watching it....and it seemed like the panel focused mainly on Romney, Perry, and Bachmann....they just gave "throw-away" questions to the rest....and Gingrich was just a total embarassment (yes, Newt....the primaries ARE the time for Republicans to disagree with each other....even though you'd just rather have the GOP RINOS coronate their candidate without a public vote....  )

Saddest part was that Cain was the ONLY candidate who actually proposed a specific plan (the 9-9-9 Plan)....and he's the one least likely to get the GOP blessing.... 

I expect that, by the end of October, it'll be a three-person race....and by February, the GOP will batter Bachmann out of the race....although the big wild card now is to see who Palin throws her support network to.....

[Lee]

There really needs to be a third party...one with sane, normal people involved in it....people who really want to do what is best for the US for the next 100 years...and not, what is best for them for the next 4 years.

[seeker_two]

There really needs to be a third party...one with sane, normal people involved in it....people who really want to do what is best for the US for the next 100 years...and not, what is best for them for the next 4 years.

....And their first POTUS candidate will get RFK'd before the election even happens....