Having watched the debate on Saturday, I was curious to see what another debate so soon afterword would bring. What it brought was candidates challenging Mitt Romney. This made me very happy. It is good to see the other candidates stand up for themselves, rather than let the richer man beat up on them. Since I waited so long to write about it, I cannot pretend that the events of Monday morning have not in some small part effected how I am reacting. Mitt is sliding in the polls, just a little bit. This is due to a great comment made by John Huntsman. Early in the debate Huntsman had a very strong moment when he said that he would put his country first. He then mentioned the fact that he has two sons in the Navy, who serve their country and do not care whether the president is a Republican or a Democrat.
I found that even though Romney dodged (poorly I might add) tough questions, the candidates did give answers that had some substance in them.
So what did they say? To those who have been following the candidates there are no real surprises.
HUNTSMAN: Still endorses the Paul Ryan budget.
SANTORUM: Wants means tested Social Security, this means that wealthy seniors would get less benefits. Believes that food stamps and Medicaid should be given to the states as a block grant. This means that no federal guidelines would be given to the states. Right now states are required to cover all health and dental benefits to children who qualify for the program. Some states do more for adults, some states do less. States like Utah could very well decide that the program will not cover all health needs for children. He also wants to put a limit on how long a person can receive benefits. This breaks his own rule of letting states decide, and also opens up the very real possibility that families who are out of work for long periods would go without.
GINGRICH: Believes that major cuts to social programs can be avoided if the government would enforce welfare fraud laws.
The candidates were asked whether it was un-American to ask for government assistance, none of them said that it was not. Rick Perry came close when he said that people want jobs they don't "clamor" for benefits.
Santorum sounded a bit hypocritical when he talked about Iran being a theocracy that we could not tolerate that kind of government, when days before he had said that the U.S needs a "Jesus candidate".
Romney looked like an out of touch elitist when he said that it made him happy that Ted Kennedy had to mortgage his house in order to beat him. He followed this up by saying that he "liked" firing people who worked for him.
Well, the real race begins soon, so we will have to wait and see if another candidate can unseat Romney.
Showing posts with label Republican debate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Republican debate. Show all posts
Monday, January 9, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
NH Republican debate.
The republican candidates debate two times this weekend before they participate in the primary on Tuesday. I have watched tonight's debate, and have some reaction to how it went.
My overall impressions are these: 1) It seems that the other candidates are not that committed to beating Mitt Romney. They were given ample opportunistic to draw him out and contest his record, but they did not. Santorum and Gingrich made a few weak swipes, but no real effort. I am not asking that they be nasty, I am just asking that they ask the questions of him that their supporters want asked. 2) Can Mitt just answer a question? I know, it's normal for a politician to dodge questions, but Mitt seems to have his dodge question setting on "high". 3) There have been no recent mentions of Tea Party events yet they still look to impress this group. This should concern moderate Republicans.
Now to the candidates themselves.
Santorum again advocates cutting all social programs.
Huntsman In favor of term limits in congress. I like this idea as well.
He is the only candidate that has experiences outside of the United States.
Romney Says that Obama made one mistake after another when it came to foreign policy. I find this interesting considering that Obama aided the people of Libya, used the information gathered to find Osama Bin Laden.
Says that Obama cut defense spending. This is not true, though he as advocated doing so he has signed a new bill that allocates over sixty billion dollars in new spending. He said that America needs to be able to fight two wars at once. His only solution to create jobs is cutting regulations that protect workers. He does not believe that Americans have a right to privacy implied in the constitution. This will be a problem among some Republicans and moderates and independent voters.
Perry We need to use natural resources that are found on federal lands.
Romney came off as at least somewhat sympathetic to gay couples. All candidates still stand by the ridiculous idea that marriage as one man one woman is three thousand years old. This is simply not true, perhaps these men aught to read the bible instead of just waving it around. This would have been a great time to bring up that marriage for Romney and Huntsman included polygamy until a few hundred years ago.
Paul This was my favorite moment of the night, so I will quote it as directly as I can. "A person who has not gone to war has no business sending men and women to war.: Ron Paul
This was said to Newt who did not go to war. This was a lovely moment.
Well that's pretty much it.
My overall impressions are these: 1) It seems that the other candidates are not that committed to beating Mitt Romney. They were given ample opportunistic to draw him out and contest his record, but they did not. Santorum and Gingrich made a few weak swipes, but no real effort. I am not asking that they be nasty, I am just asking that they ask the questions of him that their supporters want asked. 2) Can Mitt just answer a question? I know, it's normal for a politician to dodge questions, but Mitt seems to have his dodge question setting on "high". 3) There have been no recent mentions of Tea Party events yet they still look to impress this group. This should concern moderate Republicans.
Now to the candidates themselves.
Santorum again advocates cutting all social programs.
Huntsman In favor of term limits in congress. I like this idea as well.
He is the only candidate that has experiences outside of the United States.
Romney Says that Obama made one mistake after another when it came to foreign policy. I find this interesting considering that Obama aided the people of Libya, used the information gathered to find Osama Bin Laden.
Says that Obama cut defense spending. This is not true, though he as advocated doing so he has signed a new bill that allocates over sixty billion dollars in new spending. He said that America needs to be able to fight two wars at once. His only solution to create jobs is cutting regulations that protect workers. He does not believe that Americans have a right to privacy implied in the constitution. This will be a problem among some Republicans and moderates and independent voters.
Perry We need to use natural resources that are found on federal lands.
Romney came off as at least somewhat sympathetic to gay couples. All candidates still stand by the ridiculous idea that marriage as one man one woman is three thousand years old. This is simply not true, perhaps these men aught to read the bible instead of just waving it around. This would have been a great time to bring up that marriage for Romney and Huntsman included polygamy until a few hundred years ago.
Paul This was my favorite moment of the night, so I will quote it as directly as I can. "A person who has not gone to war has no business sending men and women to war.: Ron Paul
This was said to Newt who did not go to war. This was a lovely moment.
Well that's pretty much it.
Monday, June 13, 2011
CNN Republican debate
It is 8:00 MST, I have just finished watching the live Republican debate.
so lets get right to it.
What I liked
1. I liked that Herman Cain said that states should decide the gay marriage issue. He was the only person among a seven member panel, who all say they are for more states' rights, to actually stand up for states rights. His comment proves that he is willing to stand on his principles even if it means that states do something that to his mind is not right.
2. I liked that Ron Paul took a strong stance on ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
What I didn't like
Well I was not surprised by anything, except the statements above.
1. Pawlenty didn't stand by his "Google test". When a question was asked about NASA Pawlenty, and all of the others, wanted to save it in some form. Does he not know about Virgin airlines?
I am not going to write a whole lot more, except to say the following.
These candidates are essentially the same person. There is nothing for anyone to get excited about. There is plenty for independent, and moderate Republican voters to be concerned about. Without exception the entire panel (if you'll pardon my language) masturbated the radical right, and the Tea Party. They were unwilling to depart from the die hard lines that have been drawn for them .
As I watched, I could not help but think of the line from Dante. "Abandon all hope ye who enter here."
so lets get right to it.
What I liked
1. I liked that Herman Cain said that states should decide the gay marriage issue. He was the only person among a seven member panel, who all say they are for more states' rights, to actually stand up for states rights. His comment proves that he is willing to stand on his principles even if it means that states do something that to his mind is not right.
2. I liked that Ron Paul took a strong stance on ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
What I didn't like
Well I was not surprised by anything, except the statements above.
1. Pawlenty didn't stand by his "Google test". When a question was asked about NASA Pawlenty, and all of the others, wanted to save it in some form. Does he not know about Virgin airlines?
I am not going to write a whole lot more, except to say the following.
These candidates are essentially the same person. There is nothing for anyone to get excited about. There is plenty for independent, and moderate Republican voters to be concerned about. Without exception the entire panel (if you'll pardon my language) masturbated the radical right, and the Tea Party. They were unwilling to depart from the die hard lines that have been drawn for them .
As I watched, I could not help but think of the line from Dante. "Abandon all hope ye who enter here."
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