Finally, A "Debate" Worthy of My Time

[Waitone]

I'm no fan of Huckabee but he has just moderated a republican "debate" worthy of my time.  Format is simply 3 Attorney's-General (FL, VA, and OK) questioning candidates one at a time.  Fixed time for each, no obnoxious grandstanding moderators, and some pretty hard-nosed questions.  Huckabee stayed out of the mixed except for breaks.

A few observations
--Gingrich demonstrates once again he was the smartest guy in the room.
--Santorum demonstrates why he is so deservedly ignored by just about everyone
--Romney reinforces his status as a twister of knobs and pusher of levers at the federal level.  He is a technician, not an ideas kinda guy.
--Paul sticks to his constitutional principles and whiffs a floating, high inside softball pitch as to specifics.  He reaffirms my view that his destiny is Secty of Treasury.  By taking on the FED, Paul will advance his libertarian / constitutional agenda far beyond what he could do as president.
--Rick Perry either didn't understand a question or he holds to a dangerous interpretation of the president's power.
--Bachmann makes me question the purpose of her run.

My view is we need to elect someone who will swing a huge wrecking ball through DC.  I don't see a candidate who will wield it to my satisfaction.  Closest candidate would be Gingrich.  Only problem is I can't tell if his ball is a Nerf Wrecking Ball or something more substantial. 

You can see the entire debate right here
http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2011/12/video-watch-the-entire-huckabee-gop-presidential-forum/

[wmenorr67]

Even if you could find a person like that for President, without a Congress to push/back up nothing will happen.

Best chance for a wrecking ball through D.C. is through the House and Senate.

[Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas]

I liked the debate style, too. Blondie had weird elocution, but Cuchinelli was great. From Ann Coulter:
"Cuchinelli for President 2020! (Unless we run Newt, then -- in 2016.)"

[gunsmith]

I enjoyed it too, except for the lack of any Second Amendment discussion.

[makattak]

I liked the debate style, too. Blondie had weird elocution, but Cuchinelli was great. From Ann Coulter:
"Cuchinelli for President 2020! (Unless we run Newt, then -- in 2016.)"

One of the few politicians I'm proud to have met. And, in person he seems genuine.

[zxcvbob]

Ron Paul needs to release a short list of VP candidates he is considering.  He is so old, there is little chance he would live out a 4 year term (even tho' he seems to be in great shape), so we need to know who his protege is -- to pick up the ball and run with it when he's gone.

If he doesn't have a plan for succession, we need to know that too (it's pretty much a disqualifier, IMHO)

[TommyGunn]

Ron Paul needs to release a short list of VP candidates he is considering.  He is so old, there is little chance he would live out a 4 year term (even tho' he seems to be in great shape), so we need to know who his protege is -- to pick up the ball and run with it when he's gone.

If he doesn't have a plan for succession, we need to know that too (it's pretty much a disqualifier, IMHO)

Done already; it's in the Constitution.  One of those pesky amendments.

[zxcvbob]

Done already; it's in the Constitution.  One of those pesky amendments.

He doesn't get to pick the Speaker of the House or the President Pro Tem of the Senate, but he picks everyone else -- most importantly the VP and the Secretary of State.  He needs to telegraph his VP choice, and it needs to be an ideological choice, not a politically-expedient one.

[wmenorr67]

Why should he name it who it is this far out.  Too many deals that need to be made.

Unless everyone else is going to name their proposed running mates he shouldn't have to either.  No need to tip hands this early.

[MechAg94]

Sounds like an interesting debate format.  I really don't like seeing the media asking the questions.