 |
|
|
|
May 4, 2007 5:30 AM
Was There A Rendezvous With Destiny?
All 10 arguably major Republican presidential candidates took part in a 90-minute debate last night at the Reagan Library in the Los Angeles suburb of Simi Valley. The event was cablecast on MSNBC and shown on the Internet at politico.com. Ronald Reagan’s name was endlessly invoked, of course. But how often was President George W. Bush cited? Virtually not at all, until brought up by moderator Chris Mathews at the end of the debate. Of the top tier of candidates, Romney may have scored the best, if only on style points. He looks the part, and smoothly refocused questions to make his points, which emphasized his socially conservative and free market-oriented views. With so many candidates on stage, any contradictions between his recent social liberalism and his current social conservatism went unaddressed. McCain seemed a bit hyper at first, but settled down and presented himself as the candidate most resolute on Iraq, still a popular stance among more conservative Republican voters. When Romney was, in a rare instance of confrontation, reminded that he’d said catching Osama bin Laden wasn’t all that big a deal, McCain said that he would chase him “to the gates of hell.” If there was a surprise at the event, it was how little Rudy Giuliani registered. He seemed rather diffident at times, as when he allowed that it would be “okay” if Roe v. Wade were overturned, a somewhat odd stance for a politician who is pro-choice. Giuliani, not unlike Barack Obama, is a politician who does best when he has the stage to himself and can speak at length on topics and in a way of his choosing. Neither situation existed at this debate. The other candidates seemed mostly like clutter on the stage, taking up precious time and space. None is as impressive as the Democratic second tier, and none matched the entertaining bombthrowers of the Democratic third tier. Three of them acknowledged that they don’t believe in evolution. The format was rushed at last week’s Democratic debate in South Carolina, with eight candidates sharing 90 minutes. It was even worse with 10 candidates dividing up the 90 minutes, although the moderators made the event seem livelier than it would have otherwise. It was the first encounter for this group of candidates, which is off to a problematic start and probably needs more seasoning in a series of issue forums, which the Democrats have already had. John McCain began as the frontrunner, but declined precipitously before seeming to regain his stability and now seems on the verge of something of a resurgence. Rudy Giuliani stumped the skeptics by running and rocketing into the lead. But he has not developed his message much beyond what it was in February, and has slid some in the polls. Mitt Romney has raised megabucks, but is mired in single digits and contradiction. The most talked about candidate, at least at the moment, Fred Thompson, wasn’t there. He hasn’t declared his candidacy. But he will be in Reagan Country tonight for a showcase Orange County Republican dinner. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan was there, as was Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who would be a frontrunner for president but for the fact that he can’t run as a foreign-born citizen. Schwarzenegger was asked to introduce the event, but declined, content to sit with Nancy Reagan. He had decided beforehand that he wouldn’t speak to the press. Which was probably just as well. The aura of Reagan loomed over that field like the giant Air Force One looming over them. Comments (49)Jonas Blane :Wilbur :So which three deep thinkers rejected evolution? Bill Bradley :Yes, I did write that, Jonas. Giuliani started off very well in February. Bill Bradley :Three presidential candidates raised their hands when Mathews asked who doesn't in believe in evolution. I think they were Senator Sam Brownback, former Governor Mike Huckabee, and Congressman Tom Tancredo. Ann :What kind of numbskull doesn't believe in evolution? Capitol Boy :That was sure embarrassing. Wilbur :Well, that makes 4 out of 10 who are wasting the money, then, because fringe element religiosity isn't going to play in the middle. larry :The widely-published formal photograph showing the participants lined up at the beginning of the debate makes them look like the door prize winners at the undertakers convention. Sacramento Solon :Bill Bradley : I think they were Senator Sam Brownback, former Governor Mike Huckabee, and Congressman Tom Tancredo. Perhaps they didn't understand the question. Brasky :Solon: You mean, "Perhaps they didn't BELIEVE the question." Brasky :Fred Thompson won by not showing-up. What a circus. Sacramento Solon :Brasky, No, I meant "understand"...it was a very deep question and perhaps it went over their heads. Do you realize how insulting it is to Apedom for those three to be considered evolved from them? Apes, monkeys, chimps across the globe would be up in arms if that were true. You think we are in it deep in Iraq...'taint seen nothing yet until you get the monkeys pissed. And they would be very much so if those three were in considered even a distant part of their family. Yes, they would! Wilbur :Tommy Thompson is now recanting his response that it is OK for employers to fire someone for being gay. Says that HE didn't understand THAT question either. Wilbur :Just saw the clip of Giuliani waffling on abortion. That was beyond bad, it was awful. Wilbur :How can Giuliani NOT have a polished talking point on that, his most obvious vulnerability in the primaries? I thought he supposedly had a good organization! Capitol Boy :It was an embarrassing time for several candidates. richard locicero :Guiliani's problem is simple. He is for gay rights (when one of his wives threw him out of Gracie Mansion he moved in with a gay couple in Brooklyn), he is pro-choice (even favors public funding) and he opposed bans on late-term abortions, and he is very pro-immigrant rights (all that Ellis Island stuff, you know). Now how does he win in a primary race where the bulk of the voters are on the other side of all these issues. And that doesn't get to his messy private life, Bernie Kerik, etc. Rudy has some real problems. Best to take the fifth! Sullihan :The historic debate yesterday was between Sarko and Sego. The other one was valuable only in injecting Charles Darwin into the campaign. richard locicero :And on evolution, it could have been worse. Up in Utah the State GOP Committee just voted on a resolution from a Central Utah County Chairman that Illegal Imiigrants were "Satan's Minions" intent on "Destroying Christian What numbskull doesn't believe in evolution? Try Dubya. Wilbur :The oppo guys are going to need bigger hard drives for their youtube stuff.... Bill Bradley :How so? >Sullihan : Jonas Blane :No wonder the Republican party is dragging its feet on global warming. 3 of the Presidential candidates don't believe in evolution! Brasky :These were questions written so people watching the debate on TELEVISION could understand them. If you can’t understand THAT, what hope do you have negotiating a missile treaty? When these guys go through the drive-thru, do they have to ask the clown “Do I want fries with what?” Bill Bradley :They were mostly easy questions. I don't think anybody misunderstood the evolution question. NickM :Having seen Jenny Oropeza in action, I have a hard time believing she evolved from anything. Bill Bradley :She was the one who gave me the notorious Democratic strategy to balance the state budget after the dot-com bubble burst. They would just get Republicans to go along with tax increases. Barbara :They were easy questions ...geared to only giving conservatives some info...there was nothing there to encourage the DTS vote...of course the Republican State Party has made it clear it does not want our vote in the primary...The ShiaSunni question was VERY interesting and Rudy did a good job in 30 seconds! I wonder if McCain could have answered it correctly ...I am not so sure. Ann :Maybe Chris Matthews should talk slower so the slow-minded can follow along. Mike :For the record, Simi Valley is a city in Ventura County, not Los Angeles county. We are no more a "suburb of Los Angeles" than Santa Barbara. Bill Bradley :Actually, Simi Valley is a suburb of LA. Your city is filled with members of the LAPD. Barbara :I am mystified why any Reep military loving voter thinks any of the positions displayed by the top 3 last night show even an understanding of the present situation in the military much less a love and support for it. McCain's blind allegiance to the Bush surge policy, his faith that Petraeus has finally the answers to "victory" is especially unnerving and even sad. I happen to believe the above sounds right and it is why I find all the Reeps so disingenuous on Iraq and security issues in general right now and I never felt that way before...Especially McCain...he loves and supports the military no doubt but he appears to be as limited as Bush on facing reality. He should be listening to his friend Hagel and his colleague Sen Webb and it appears Admiral Fallon... Here are two excerpts from the UN report that bring home the grim reality of Iraq ..complete report is in the link.
"The international community provided billions of dollars for recovery and development programs for Iraq, but many of these were not implemented because of the deteriorating security situation. The following figures indicate that daily living conditions were worsening despite all the efforts made in the field of reconstruction: an estimated 54% of the Iraqi population is living on less than US$ 1 per day, among whom 15% is living in extreme Barbara :Victory in Iraq remains both possible and necessary." Was that McCain who said that? ...I think he did...woops! No, it was Frederick Kagan of th neo-con castle, the AEI Interesting, the UN was not the only report published on 4/25...AEI/Kagan also published a report... More Kagan ...and sadly McCainisms below" "Establishing security in Iraq is an overriding American national interest. It is by far the most important objective the United States must pursue in the Middle East and is rivaled by few other American security objectives around the world." "Every failure, whether the abandonment of Beirut in the 1980s or of Afghanistan and Somalia in the 1990s, has carried a high price for the United States and its allies. Successes, such as Bosnia and Kosovo, have also been costly, controversial, and criticized, but they averted disasters that for years seemed inevitable. With the president's recent decision to change American strategy in Iraq, to appoint a new civilian and military team to execute the new strategy, and to recommit American resources to the effort, success is much more within our reach. The price will still be very high, but as is often the case, the price of failure would be far higher." . . . [www.aei.org/publications/pubID.2...] P.S. Love how the neo-cons appear to be taking credit for the successes in Bosnia and Kosovo... RM 'Auros' Harman :"P.S. Love how the neo-cons appear to be taking credit for the successes in Bosnia and Kosovo..." ...despite having sniped throughout those campaigns at President Clinton, and the general who successfully waged them, Wes Clark. Sacramento Solon :Bill Bradley : Really, you're kidding me. Perhaps I should have ended my comments with a :-)... Bye Barbara :RM A Harmon exactly...my thinking when I read this stuff...the neo-cons are the ultimate revisionists, the ultimate Drs. of Disinformation Jerry Carroll :This lot sounds like a collection of Democrats. Small surprise they didn't like what they saw. You best think how you can get a greater -- dare I say it? -- diversity of readers and opiners. Jonathan Hemlock :You sound afraid to say how great you thought the debate was. Even Michelle Malkin and others of your persuasion thought it was pissed poor. Barbara :jerry Carroll:You best think how you can get a greater -- dare I say it? -- diversity of readers and opiners.
Ann :Republicans are afraid to have independents vote in their primary. Heck, they're afraid to have Republicans vote in their primary. lol Bill Bradley :I should probably replace all posters here with a much more diverse crew. Brasky :rookies... Sacramento Solon :Perhaps he doesn't understand that we have envolved into a higher group than your normal one. We be diverse... Bill Bradley :On a lighter note, prompted by Mitt Romney's little adventure the other day, this weekend I'll share my choice in the category: Favorite Novel for a Presidential Candidate. Capitol Boy :Forest Gump? NickM :Bill - that could be forgiven as a spin attempt if the person had a decent reputation. During Oropeza's State Senate race last fall, she left a page of her notes behind after a luncheon speech. The person who picked it up is a Dem, but isn't exactly close to her, and showed it around. Her staff spells words out for her like they sound so that she won't mispronounce them. We're not talking about especially difficult words either. Oropeza was fighting to get "asalt weapons" off our streets and "led paint" out of our homes. English is her first language too. Bill Bradley :She's not running for president, is she? NickM :Not this time. Just Congress. Bill Bradley :Enough. You're missing the point. Bill Bradley :Incidentally, NWN hit 29,000 comments last week. Comments have been archived for this page. |
Pajamas MediaSocialized Medicine Looks Inevitable Former CIA Agent in Iran Comes In from the Heat Pinning Down Obama on Iraq Beheading Hitler Richardson and Romney Lead PJM Veepstakes Next Clash of Titans: Microsoft vs. Adobe Abortion Is a No-Win Issue for Obama The Sky Is Falling — and Warming! Everybody Panic!
Support Pajamas Media; Visit Our Advertisers
Support Pajamas Media; Visit Our Advertisers
RSS FeedsADVERTISEMENT
|
digg this
del.icio.us![[www.venganza.org/images/wallpape...]](http://www.venganza.org/images/wallpapers/DINOSAURhq1.jpg){kind=link}
They were a bunch of bores. I thought you wrote that Giuliani was a very good candidate.
May 4, 2007 06:00 AM