Gop Debate

[goldenchild17]

Just putting it up for comments/questions/whatever. Opening question, there was just a question asked regarding which candidates did/didn't believe in evolution. Any idea who raised their hands to the negative?

[Didymus]

In my books, McCain goes way down, Giuliani goes even lower than he was, T. Thomson goes down.


Romney goes up a little, I liked how he talked about doing more to actually support the pro-life movement instead of just voting in their favor. He talked up family values much more than I thought.

Brownback was SUPERB... Unfotunately, I still think he doesnt have a high enough chance. We'll see though. He definitely did alot to up his own support, especially by making it known that he supports his felloe GOP candidates.

McCain gave the wrong answer for that stem cell question. Hes down to the bottom for that. (Giuliani is still to liberal for me to see him as a good republican. He struggles too much for the conservative vote.)

Thomson looked like an idiot on the stem cell question. They specifically said EMBRYONIC and still he decided to dance around it. I think he's against the immorality, but he's an idiot for not being more adamant in his words.

The overall Roe v Wade answers were good, but too many want it overturned because their conservatives (to the states) not so much because we need to protect life. Romney and Brownback were pretty strong though.

Overall I liked Huckabee and Tancredo, not so much Hunter and Paul.

[Didymus]

I still wish Fred was there. I think I like him the most.

Oh well, I need to be patient.

[Didymus]

[quote name='goldenchild17' post='1263581' date='May 3 2007, 09:13 PM']Just putting it up for comments/questions/whatever. Opening question, there was just a question asked regarding which candidates did/didn't believe in evolution. Any idea who raised their hands to the negative?[/quote]


I was hoping Brownback wouldnt, but I think he did. No big deal I guess, but I hope people wouldnt confuse it and conclude that that is the official Catholic stance. (to outright oppose evolution)

The subject was changed pretty quick.

[goldenchild17]

[quote name='Didymus' post='1263611' date='May 3 2007, 09:47 PM']In my books, McCain goes way down, Giuliani goes even lower than he was, T. Thomson goes down.
Romney goes up a little, I liked how he talked about doing more to actually support the pro-life movement instead of just voting in their favor. He talked up family values much more than I thought.

Brownback was SUPERB... Unfotunately, I still think he doesnt have a high enough chance. We'll see though. He definitely did alot to up his own support, especially by making it known that he supports his felloe GOP candidates.

McCain gave the wrong answer for that stem cell question. Hes down to the bottom for that. (Giuliani is still to liberal for me to see him as a good republican. He struggles too much for the conservative vote.)

Thomson looked like an idiot on the stem cell question. They specifically said EMBRYONIC and still he decided to dance around it. I think he's against the immorality, but he's an idiot for not being more adamant in his words.

The overall Roe v Wade answers were good, but too many want it overturned because their conservatives (to the states) not so much because we need to protect life. Romney and Brownback were pretty strong though.

Overall I liked Huckabee and Tancredo, not so much Hunter and Paul.[/quote]

I agree, I think Brownback was not only the best by way of position but as a speaker and making his points as well. I think Giuliani really hurt himself. I don't know but for me he just didn't come across as having a really good grasp on the issues, or at least didn't speak well to them.

Edited May 4, 2007 by goldenchild17

[goldenchild17]

[quote name='Didymus' post='1263614' date='May 3 2007, 09:52 PM']I was hoping Brownback wouldnt, but I think he did. No big deal I guess, but I hope people wouldnt confuse it and conclude that that is the official Catholic stance. (to outright oppose evolution)

The subject was changed pretty quick.[/quote]

I was just wondering who the other two were (I'm pretty sure he did) but I wasn't sure who the other two were. Not a necessary position for my vote, but for me I'd consider it as a tiebreaker issue.

[Didymus]

My problem is I dont know the exact order they went in on stage. I know the general vicinity, but I couldnt tell either with that brief shot from the right side whose hands were up.

[goldenchild17]

That's why I need to get tivo...

[goldenchild17]

[quote name='Didymus' post='1263646' date='May 3 2007, 10:27 PM']My problem is I dont know the exact order they went in on stage. I know the general vicinity, but I couldnt tell either with that brief shot from the right side whose hands were up.[/quote]

ok apparently it was Brownback, Tancredo and Huckabee

[1337 k4th0l1x0r]

In short about the debate (warning, long post), it was about what I expected, thus in some ways thought it was great and in others disappointed.

The bad:
1) Chris Matthews was a HORRIBLE moderator, if you can even call him that. He let the candidates consistently overrun their time and wasn't very assertive of taking back the mic except when an excellent point was being made. Did you notice how Guiliani's stumbling was usually allowed to go on for 10 seconds while the lesser known candidates got cut at 1 sec. They should have muted the mic 3 seconds after the red light came on.
2) Chris Matthews's liberal bias - and that of MSNBC during the commentary afterward - was showing through tonight. He badgered Giuliani in the middle of his responses, which is a big no-no for debate moderators. The yes/no evolution question was designed to split the GOP base watching at home, namely try to alienate the Evangelicals, but I think it backfired.

The good, or at least intersting stuff that happened:
1) Giuliani stumbled as expected. This debate was mainly a way for the little guys to either step up or get out and for the top three to get balanced out. I knew Giuliani would be hammered on abortion and I think the way he treated was unfair compared to the other candidates. However, he knew what was coming and should have had some prepared statements in mind. He looked like a deer in headlights.
2) McCain was McCain. He came out firing on most questions but overall I don't think he'll improve much. Some of his policies like McCain-Feingold will come back to haunt him.
3) Romney actually looked impressive. He answered the abortion question in such a way that could comfort some voters. He appeared presidential.
4) Paul was the monkey wrench I expected him to be. Like him or not, he set himself apart and had a memorable performance.
5) I think Thompson and Huckabee were very strong and presented themselves well.
6) The non-top 3 candidates still have work to do, but they at least will be recognizeable. This will be good for the republicans.

[1337 k4th0l1x0r]

I meant Gilmore and Huckabee in my previous post. Too darn many candidates.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

Brownback all the way. I think he'll be president...maybe not in '08, but someday.

[Lounge Daddy]

Ya, Romney seemed to have performed very very well - and Rudy seems to have lost points simply on his Abortion stance.
Those two stars are the ones that seem to have shined last night.

Sad thing is, Rudy's abortion stance has been the consistent one.

[Lounge Daddy]

[quote name='1337 k4th0l1x0r' post='1263952' date='May 4 2007, 01:05 AM']I meant Gilmore and Huckabee in my previous post. Too darn many candidates.[/quote]

eh, the others are not even on the radar. It's like the Dem debate - who knew anyone other than Edwards, Mrs. Bill Clinton, and Obama were running.
I wonder what keeps the 4th and 5th tier candidates in a race like that sometimes.

[isilzha]

Why did they ask Romney what he thought of the Catholic Bishops denying communion to pro-abortion politicians. Why would he even care? There was at least 2 Catholics up there with very different views on abortion, why not ask one of them? Oh wait, that would have required some sense.