Now should FDT supporters be banned from participation?
Kidding… Kidding… I kid because I love folks!
As always, let us vigorously but civilly debate tonight’s event -and as always, leave for the night as friends.
We had nearly 700 comments for the last debate. Of course, the big sites like Redstate had almost…oooooh, I won’t go there.
September 5th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Prediction: Huckabee will dominate (he always does).
September 5th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Prediction,
Ron Paul will win the debate.
Paul’s e-guerrillas will make sure that every poll is spammed to his advantage till he has an insurmountable lead.
So there you have it..
September 5th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
I suppose if the FDT supporters can keep stay level-headed in this conversation (think Fred’s ad), they can contribute to the conversation.
Bobblehead Fred = Dean Scream?
September 5th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Oh yeah, another debate. Yet more rehashed talking points. Man, am I excited. I’ll read about anything new int he NEWspapers.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
I’ll really get excited when the debates narrow down to 4 or 5 candidates. Too many candidates, too little time. This entire event is primed for canned 30-second responses.
Either way, there is not enough time to really get to know most the candidates. Perhaps that will change when the others drop out.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Can you watch the debate on the internet? If so, where?
September 5th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
You can watch on foxnews.com
September 5th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
when are you guys going to post the Brownback St. Anselm pick? That’s a defining moment for him…
September 5th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Brian:
No.
Bobblehead Fred = Wesley Clark 2004.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
pick = pic
September 5th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Wow. Watching Greta Van Susteren’s pre debate show is thrilling. She’s just…sitting there looking down. Talking to someone off camera. No sound. Ooh! She played with a Sharpie! Top notch.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
How many people here believe that tonight’s debate could alter the race significantly barring some Lloyd Bentsen/Dan Quayle epic exchange?
September 5th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
To Kavon or whoever can control this:
Can you keep the Debate Open Thread at the top of the blog? Maybe change the post time so that it stays above all these other new posts?
September 5th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
I doubt much will change because of this debate. I think there’s a very very good chance there will be a Bentsen/Quayle esque exchange though. My guess is Romney goes after Rudy and McCain gets nastier.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
JS #16,
Nope… I was hoping that other posters would refrain from posting until the end of the debate.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Oops, sorry Kavon. Actually, I was in the process of posting before this was up.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
… and didn’t notice it until I was done.
Speaking of which, the comments section on both of those posts are closed
September 5th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Do you want me to remove them until after the debate?
September 5th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Would Tommy be able to move the timestamps of his posts back under the Open Thread?
September 5th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I’ll take them down and repost them later after the debate.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295883,00.html
Smart work in the preview by Giuliani. Avoids discussing differences with his GOP rivals and instead bashes the Dems. Correctly points out their lack of executive experience (don’t think Brownback would be too happy with that - isn’t foreign policy meant to be what matters? ;))
September 5th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Looks like Brownback is edging towards going after Huckabee on economic issues… now that will be interesting…
September 5th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Nice one Tommy
September 5th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Wasn’t Brownback the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture or something? Lol
September 5th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Also from the preview, the GOP NH chairman was obviously very unhappy iwht FDT, and predicted his absence would not be forgotten by NH voters. What do people think about this? Is FDT likely to be punished for his deliberate post-debate entrance?
September 5th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
They have been removed, to be reposted after the debate.
For those who missed the one that was somewhat newsworthy.
“Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) endorses Thompson”
September 5th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Is Greta a Huckabee person? She’s very complimenting of him.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
JayPe,
Possibly, I have no idea what it will happen, as Thompson’s position has not been tested in recent elections. It depends if he is planning on ceding NH and focusing specifically other early states.
I was against him skipping the debate, but I’m not his campaign manager.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
‘Wasn’t Brownback the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture or something? Lol’
I believe he was the Kansas head of the Institute for the Prevention of Sleeping Disorders. People who had trouble sleeping would invite Brownback over to give a speech, and everybody would sleep like a baby when his speech began.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
I expect this debate will be much like the others, with Romney and Rudy leading the pack, and Huckabee following them in terms of performance.
I think this is McCain’s last stand, if he can not pull off a big performance tonight, I predict he will be out within the month.
Also, any speculation as to why Romney opted to skip the pre-debate walkthrough?
September 5th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Kavon #16,
I don’t think that there will be serious race defining event in tonights debate.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Awakened, that would be a successful program if people actually would bother to show up to see him speak.
Anyone else mortified for him over that?
September 5th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Glad to be on board with you tonight over at Backroads.
I really wish they would eliminate all rules but time limits and just have the mics lose power at 15 seconds past the answer.
Really “Lincoln-Douglas” debate. Anyone who wants to be President should want the chance to kick some intellectuall ass.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
ACT, I saw on Fox that Romney just wanted to relax or something because he “already knew what he was going to say” and just needed to prepare himself further.
Urhm. Whatever.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Awakened:
Good one #33, funny. I’ve always maintained that Brownback sounds an awful lot like Al Gore.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Anyone else having trouble getting Fox’s Live Stream to load?
September 5th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Stepped away for a moment…
Don’t worry about it Tommy. You don’t have to remove the posts. People will find this thread.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Hmm… low speed will load for me, but high speed won’t.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
“Also, any speculation as to why Romney opted to skip the pre-debate walkthrough?”
I guess the best debaters are already prepared enough and should yield resources and time to the other candidates. You know, to help make it more fair.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
MetroRepublican:
Their servers are probably getting slammed about now. Keep trying, but if it fails, get a TV nearby..
September 5th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
And there we had the Fred commercial on Fox. They went ahead with the bad, head-bobbing version.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Whoa, Just saw the FDT Ad on Fox. Too bad he’s not in the debate..
September 5th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Just saw the Thompson ad. It comes off a lot better on TV than on youtube.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Ooh, the Fred commercial.
the
FrEd cOmMeRcIaL. FredThompson
Does formatting work here? We shall see.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Nope, formatting doesn’t work. I tried doing subscript and superscript with Fred Thompson’s name above, which would have been funny.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Just saw fred’s ad. still stinks. looked even worse on tv.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Tommy- agreed. But it still draws attention to the fact he’s skipping the debate.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
My feed actually works great for once.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Bill, pithy comments. Shut up so we can get to the good stuff…
September 5th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
would be sweet to have thompson in the debate. really too bad he’s not here.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Ouch FoxNews.com has a big article entitled “Fred’s Follies” under the video link. Punishment for blowing off their debate?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Saw the Fred ad, can’t remember a thing he said except “I’ll be talking about this on my website tomorrow”.
not impressed, with the ad or the candidate
September 5th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
I’m not expecting terribly much from this debate. I do expect someone will question Romney about his somewhat publicized “Iraq is a mess” comment earlier this week. Hopefully he’s prepared for it. Other then that, not too worried or excited. But, it’ll likely be fairly interesting.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Yessss, Brit Hume! Go Brit.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
“First in the Fall” - that’s a pretty far reach to try to add relevance to this debate.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
I sure do like Brit Hume. I don’t think that there is a better journalist.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
I wish Fox would grow a set and actually let Novak do the questioning.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
wow, what a jab.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
“Campaigns should be about more than thirty-second spots.”
Uh…a dig at his own event?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
was that statement by the NH GOP guy a swipe at Fred?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
OUCH!!! Painful words from NH GOP chair.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Mr. Collin: 1
Fred Thompson: Zip
September 5th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
ACT, definitely.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Also, I’d expect some awkward “what do you think about Michigan and Wyoming moving up?” questions. That could have potentially serious ramifications.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Sam looks like he had a late night last night…
September 5th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Tom Tancredo … Paul … Hunter … RUDY. Ru-dy! Ru-dy! Ru-dy! … Willard … McCain gets nice applause … Brownback gets applause from the six people who attended his speech last night … and The Man Who Built The Wall.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
I like how Rudy, Romney, and McCain all raised their eyes and smirked, as if they were blown away by how much applause they got. Lol
September 5th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
already after thompson. brit looks mad at him.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
yeah, the first question on FDT. That’s retribution baby!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Brit hits a home run on the first pitch
September 5th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Huckabee was scheduled for Leno? Was he? Really?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Huck line wasn’t funny, surprisingly.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Huck rules…
September 5th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Huckabee, always with the good jokes.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Huckabee scores!!!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Thompson is from Lawrenceburg, not Nashville.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
TLG, Nah, just a joke.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
McCain’s line was much funnier!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Paul still seems so unpolished. In every debate, he’s become so spastic.
McCain … ouch! Hahaha.
They’re beating up on Bobblehead Fred, they are!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Huckabee looks like he is going to wet himself he is so happy to get that question.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Well, that didn’t take long.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Huckabee could have been sharper on Fred than that. It was a chance to squash Fred before the race starts.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Great joke, McCain! Did I miss something? Is this SNL?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
McCain scores!!! “Past his bedtime”
September 5th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
80 — What a lame joke, though!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Romney reuses old joke.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Another thing about McCain — he downplayed his own age at the same time. So that was good.
Romney: Elect me because I like to campaign!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Wow, for once I disagree with Romney, he says the FDT will bring “vigor” to the race.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Hahaha! Score one, Rudy! I like that.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Metro, I noticed the Romney rehash. McCain’s joke was excellent.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
guliani’s delivery of his jab was lackluster. but good point.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Nice one for Rudy too. These guys are on the ball tonight!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Hey, can someone post the link to the streaming video feed on Foxnews.com (NOT the one with the “peoplemeter” - it won’t play on my computer for some reason).
September 5th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Rudy does a nice jab that’s funny, friendly, and highlights his own experience.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Romney should not be playing so nice with Thompson, about the last thing Thompson is going to bring into this race is vigor.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
I think mccain’s jab was by far the best.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Rudy was classy and strong.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Rudy’s my man.
Here comes a chance for Rudy to clarify the illegal immigration issue…hope he gets a question about it. Or that Mitt says something about him here so he can reply.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Rudy’s the frontrunner.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Giuliani gives the best Fred answer! Wow!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Rudy wins the Thompson question IMHO.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Rudy had better get to reply to this.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
URL For the streaming feed PLZ!!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Michael, see #24.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Score one for Romney.
Rudy is dodging the question.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
I think Romney needs to cool his attacks on Rudy on immigration. His record is superior to be sure, but not terribly spectacular.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Rudy had that answer all ready. Very good. Wish he’d said something about appealing to the INS, though.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Rudy didn’t get to all the points needs to make.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
McCain showing a pulse tonight.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Romney gets hurt for ddging questions and now in trouble for answering the specific ?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Rudy got his chance to reply, he dodged the question. He did not explain why he welcomed and encouraged to come to NYC. He said that he wanted them in NYC.
He needed more time to explain himself. He came off bad & a bit flustered. He should have saw this coming after Romney’s question.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Romney leads in NH and 2 attacks on him!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
“With these 11 million people [here illegally], let’s have them registered, know who they are….those that are here paying taxes and not taking government benefits should begin a process towards application for citizenship.”
Lowell Sun, 3/30/06
-Romney
September 5th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
chris wallace has it out for romney
September 5th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Rudy made the strongest points, but I wish he would have had time to respond directly to his quote about “we want you in our city”
September 5th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Micheal,
Go into the politics section on Foxnews.com and you will see the link.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
I’ve seen one too many debates between this field. I’d prefer to see one involving only Rudy, Romney, Fred, McCain, and Huckabee.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
what a softball, ‘is the governor playing politics”
September 5th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Nice one, Tommy.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
The Immigration issues as totally sunk McCain.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Boring candidate is boring.
John McCain, that is.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Tommy…key is begin process…not automatically gete amnesty!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Kavon,
Rudy’s answer was reasonable, but there was virtually no applause. Mitt got quite a bit of applause. Rudy answered the question deftly, but there’s simply no way to come out “ahead” in a Republican debate defending sanctuary cities.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Romney should have been allowed to defend his record from McCain - like Rudy had the opportunity to defend against Romney.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Man, our guys are drawing blood this time! Wasting no time.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Huckabee needs to get his own line.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
oh, and as for Rudy’s quote from 1994 — isn’t that the year that Romney supporters like to say is irrelevant..?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Huckabee’s answer is kind of rambling… he’s not on his top game tonight…
September 5th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Great answer by Huck.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Huckabee stole Newt’s line. Not a terribly cohesive answer all in all though.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
I love Huck, but comparing packages (who have no will) to people (who do have a will) seems like an illustration that doesn’t work
September 5th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
The end was great.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
I love Huck. Absolutely love him. However, he has perhaps made the biggest flip-flop of any candidate on the immigration issue. Let’s be honest.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Huck borrowing from Newt.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Ok, so now Huckabee’s the fiscal liberal, weak on terror, weak on immigration social conservative candidate.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Tommy #116,
Romney’s position is still that. I happen to agree with that position. Identify, locate, document, then begin the process at the end of the line - not the front.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
mean spirit?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Tancredo very impressive, calling out Huck on immigration
September 5th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Wow, that’s the most animated I’ve ever seen Tancredo.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Tancredo really getting his schtick across this time.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
I think Huck will first stop obesity, then put barcodes on the illegals so FedEX can keep track of them
September 5th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Yes! Hunter built that border fence!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Tancredo’s doing better this time. Less stuttering, more concise speaking. His time on the campaign trail’s probably been helping him.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
This question is a softball to Hunter.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
I’m sick of that line about the “scraggly little fence on CNN.” Aye. It’s like McCain and the drunken sailor story.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
clever line for Hunter!!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
“OK, then why would you turn a blind eye to illegal immigrants invading our country and coming in and basically breaking our laws?’ the caller asked.
Huckabee said that he wasn’t, and that he believes illegal aliens who try to vote or try to apply for welfare benefits should be arrested.
“If they’re caught as illegal aliens, I don’t have any problem with sending them back,” Huckabee said.
But the governor did not back down on his positions in support of certain benefits for the children of illegal aliens, such as allowing prenatal care for pregnant immigrants and his proposal to offer scholarships to undocumented children who graduate from an Arkansas high school.
He also criticized Senate Bill 206 by Sen. Jim Holt, R-Springdale, that would impose new restrictions on illegal immigrants in Arkansas. The governor’s comments were in response to a caller who expressed concern about the bill’s effect on plans for a Mexican consulate’s office in Little Rock.
“I don’t think that bill is going to pass,” Huckabee said. “If it were to pass, it might have an impact but … the impact would be greater than even the Mexican consulate.”
He said the bill could hurt the state’s ability to recruit industries based in countries outside the U.S., such as Toyota or Nestle, a Swiss company.
http://www.arkansasnews.com 03-02-05
September 5th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
boring. hunter could be so great, but he is so uncharismatic.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Man, it sounds like you guys are ahead of me in the stream…
September 5th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
TLG He said it again and it’s a huge fence!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
I agree with Hunter, but Hunter’s not really addressing the claims that it’s impractical to maintain a fence in the middle of the desert.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Hunter is too low in the polls to go after. Besides, most like the guy - they just don’t support him.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
I should say that I love Hunter’s gusto on this issue.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Mellow, Fox Cable is at least 15 sec ahead of the stream.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Matthew:
“Want a GOP debate liveblog?”
Just what do you think this? We have one already..
September 5th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Rudy’s nice and polished tonight. Best of his debates so far.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
#153- how could it beat the commentary here?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
That comes from the process of uploading the video to the server, then having it streamed to the computers of individuals.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
I love Carl Cameron, but this restaurant thing makes me want to see the YouTube snowman come back as the gimmick….
September 5th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
I may repeat this each and every time McCain speaks: Boring candidate is boring.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
McCain nice use of webster!!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Brian #160,
Thanks Man!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
So Far:
Romney
Rudy
Tancredo
McCain
Huckabee
September 5th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
TLG, Rudy’s very polished and on top of his game tonight, he just needs to hook the emotions and shoot the zingers so he can get headlines tomorrow morning. It’s sad that having a polished performance isn’t enough to “win” a debate, but that’s how it works. =\
September 5th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
I agree ACT…way to go Romney against the Z Visa
September 5th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Romney just attracted Hunter’s ire.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Brownback is getting muted- I love this!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
McCain is a little off his game so far. He’ll pick it up.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
The Craig question!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
zzzzzzzzzz someone shake my cage in about 45 seconds when he is done
September 5th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
What is with Brownback’s hair!?!?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Romney did get a few jabs in on Rudy there. I don’t think Rudy can run or defend his prior position there on immigration & sanctuary cities.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
booooorrrrrinnnngggggg
September 5th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
TLG: Brownback is growing a fro?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
He just needs a little hair pick in there.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Ugh…. Rudy should have been allowed to respond to Romney’s half truths and mischaracterizations.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Go Dunc!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
nice dig hunter!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Brownback is right on Social Issues, but his position on Iraq is too much for me to tolerate.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Thats 2 good lines for Hunter!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
This is what I mean. I’m all for “families” as Brownback states. He just comes of like a loon.
Conservatism needs someone who can articulate & defend their positions in such a way that they don’t come off like Brownback does.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
ACT,
Have you ever said Romney wasn’t in first?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Rudy makes good points about practical reasons for offering basic social services to illegals, but he needs to better explain the “We want you” quote.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Brownback is the world’s most uninspiring human.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
nice jab vs. Giuliani
September 5th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Romney sounds like Bush 2000 on abortion.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Is it the government’s job to build families, or parents and churches?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Rudy, on that quote, JS, should say that he’s come around on the issue, just like how Romney’s changed his views since his 1994 debate.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Thank you, Brian.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Good answer by Romney. His delivery seemed rehearsed though.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Excellent job by Romney..shows concern for woman as well
September 5th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
i don’t think romney did well with that question. he looked nervous and didn’t do well on that question.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
The first 45 seconds of Romney’s answer was excellent. The last 20 was fairly awful. The hearts and minds line recalls Bush. And he shouldn’t be using the “there’s two lives involved here” line until after the primaries.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Tommy,
They are all rehearsed.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
“Romney sounds like Bush 2000 on abortion.”
Yes, he does - because he is right, and Bush was right, we have to work to change hearts and minds in order to ban abortion.
–
“Is it the government’s job to build families, or parents and churches?”
Its the Government’s job to help strengthen the nation - and a strong nation requires strong families.
–
Nice of Huckabee to take the high road.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Where has the Huckabee whole life pro-life argument been my whole adult life? It’s very compelling.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Huckabee is definitely off tonight.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Ugh…. Romney once again shows why he’s the nominee for the 2000 version of the Republican Party.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Was Romney the mayor of Boston….
September 5th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Rudy does a good job of refuting anecdotes with facts.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Rudy jabs Romney. Even looks directly at him.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Woah,
Rudy getting called out on his social liberalism some. He answered the gun control question much better than the sanctuary city question.
By the way, I think the make-up guy did a poor job on Rudy.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
i agree with matt
and rudy’s jab was weak. romney wasn’t even elected in 2000
September 5th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Another good, polished answer from Rudy.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Huckabee’s biggest problem (besides current polling numbers) is that very little of what he says now is fresh. It sounds like stuff he thought up while he was governor, and that he’s used almost all of it up.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Brian,
Huckabee doesn’t support prosecuting mothers. I happen to agree with him, but those are his words.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
I didn’t think it was a jab. I just think he looked at him because of the association.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Good answer by Rudy.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
But yes, Jon is right — trying to use Boston as a counterexample as a jab at Romney struck me as weird for that reason.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
199 - It was Brownback’s argument. As much as you might not like him, at least give him the credit for bringing “pro-life whole-life” to the main stage. The county is better off because of it.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Paul: “I has a pen! See? See? See!?”
September 5th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
I didn’t like Guiliani’s gun answer.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
“Ugh…. Romney once again shows why he’s the nominee for the 2000 version of the Republican Party.”
Which is…? A party that wants to protect life? Sorry Kavon, but 60%+ of the GOP opposes abortion, and those who support it likely rank it low on the priority list.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
(Enter Twilight Zone theme)
September 5th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
I guess that Paul is for deregulation of Airline security.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
good point ron paul. i agree
September 5th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
People who haul around money in armored trucks?
Who the — ? How odd.
Probably a Paul supporter.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Doesn’t discharing a firearm in an airplane depressurize the cabin…? I never understood that quote by Ron Paul.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
What bugs me about Paul is that he sounds like a liberal - what I mean that is when he gets going, he whines. His voice raises and he talks fast. He whines..
September 5th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
hate this cutting to the cafe idea.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Good answer by Paul.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Yay– applause!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
“Which is…? A party that wants to protect life? Sorry Kavon, but 60%+ of the GOP opposes abortion, and those who support it likely rank it low on the priority list.”
Thankfully, Rudy doesn’t need sixty percent of the vote to win, and not all of that sixty percent will refuse to support Rudy for it.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Sad response from UNH crowd, booing Brownback. You can dislike the guy for his boringness, but don’t be so rude.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
The marriage rates have plummeted — GOOD. We need more SERIOUS marriages, not as many marriages as possible, Senator Brownfro.
Was glad to hear some support for gay marriage in the room.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
brownback is right but boring and ANNOYING.
whiny, whiny. one candidate issue. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
September 5th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
A commercial break!? What is this, a cable network?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Agree with Brian. On the other side though, he sure does like BIG government.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
I’m gonna hit the can brb
September 5th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
“Yay– applause!”
..for both positions.
I myself, even as a supporter of traditional marriage, would rather not see us have to resort to a Constitutional amendment, but, when you have people like the MASS supreme court going forcing Gay marriage on the population, what choice do you have?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Brownback always sounds like the essence of a Theocrat. Romney can pull almost pull off those treacly family values cliches. As can Huckabee. Brownback doesn’t even come close.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
These are good commercials. Supporting of the war etc..
September 5th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
“I’m gonna hit the can brb”
Thanks for sharing that one.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
TLG - I think his point was more about the children being born out of wedlock than the marriage point.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
’senator brownfro” HILARIOUS!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
ACT Blog, ironically, a solid majority of Massachusetts citizens now support it. So it isn’t really force.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
229 - Brownback is keeping the pro-life and pro-marriage message of the party in the party’s platform. You might not like his personality, but try to at least appreciate what he has done in this race: working to ensure that the party stays pro-life.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
So far:
1. Rudy
2. Romney
3. Hunter
4. McCain
5-8. meh
September 5th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
What choice do you have? The first Constitutional Amendment DISenfranchising Americans, rather than extending rights?
I don’t think so. Too many Republican families have gay members, and they encourage them to find a life partner, i.e., to be married.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Hannity: “You can vote on who won tonight”
Announcement (PeeWee’s Big Adventure style): Paging Dr. Paul. Paging Dr. Paul
September 5th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Matt #241,
Really? Why Rudy over Romney at this point?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Boring candidate is still boring.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Just listening to McCain, I think his tone is more appropriate for a funeral eulegy than a Presidential debate.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
McCain is REALLY uncomfortable attacking Rudy..
September 5th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Yeah, we know mccain. alright. next.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
I don’t see anyone running away with this thing yet.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Yes, ACT - McCain sounding very somber there..
September 5th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
actually a good point by mccain. if i were him i would continue to pound on that.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Rudy: “I want McCain’s support after he drops out!”
September 5th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
McCain really didn’t touch Rudy’s creds though you’ll notice.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Nice McCain answer.
Kavon,
Romney hasn’t had any terribly impressive answers. Solid, but nothing spectacular. Rudy has been really pretty clear and cogent all night. He seems more comfortable.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
guliani, 9 on othe 0 to 10 sunlass tanning lotion scale.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Uhh, that isn’t what George Will said. But, oh well. Just speaking too quickly, I guess.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
NICE answer, Rudy. NICE.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Giuliani fibbed. He’s only running because of 911. Take 911 away and there’s no way a pro-abortion, pro gay unions candidate is considered for the Republican nomination.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Hey, I’m a Romney supporter too, but there’s some people on here that give us all a bad name when they just throw frivolous attacks out at every other non-Romney candidate.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Yeah… I think Hizzoner discovered self-tanner.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
TLG,
George Will is the same guy who told Reagan that Springsteen would support him.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
good answer by romney
September 5th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
This is likely to be another debate where Rudy and Romney come away smiling, which is how it should be, the two strongest candidates (though I disagree with Rudy on social issues, I don’t deny that he is a strong candidate) sharing a win. Keep in mind, any time Romney does as well as those polling above him - its a win for Romney.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
TLG, “most successful episode of conservative governance” is what he meant, not “most conservative episode of governance,” but I think people get the point: He’s a damn good conservative leader.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
How can anyone not like Romney’s answer on the surge?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Rudy was just on a weeklong vacation.
Moderator slams Romney, saying Hillary is to his right on Iraq!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
The PeopleMeter on the Fox News stream is pretty interesting.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Excellent answer by Romney. His first strong answer of the night.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
There’s some fiery words from McCain! “No, not ‘apparently.’” I like.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
mccain got romney on that one.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
cwpete, because there is no gravitas to the answer.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
econ #258: No, Rudy’s NOT running on 9/11. Look at his campaign message. It’s not about 9/11. It’s about national security and fiscal discipline. True, 9/11 thrust Rudy into the spotlight and he might not have gotten as much attention if not for 9/11, but Rudy is NOT running on 9/11.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
McCain comes accross as too edgy and jumpy - too quick to take offense at statements that say the same thing he does.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
I agree with McCain on this answer. He’s right. There’s no ‘apparent’ about it. We cannot let the nuts takeover and let Iraq be worse off.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
What a great answer from McCain! Finally, something good from him.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
FINALLY McCain comes to life defending The Surge!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Better answer by McCain. I’d tend to agree that Romney is too mealy-mouthed on Iraq. The surge is clearly succeeding militarily. There’s no particular reason Romney should continue to stick by his “apparently” modifier.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Romney got hurt by that one.