Redstate

Fred listed quite a few programs that he thought were worthy of deficit spending. He should have stopped after mentioning the military. I found his answer to be off message.

It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.
- Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1792

Eh, I'm not sure either one won. But it was a pleasant exchange nonetheless. I see a relationship budding...

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
-Winston Churchill

that's all.

I want a Romney-Thompson alliance to defeat the Giuliani-Huckabee alliance.

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
-Winston Churchill

nt

I'm surprised he doesn't start his answers with a short poem and end with a prayer...
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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.

n/t

Is have his three-item answers all start with the same letter, or spell out a word.

"When I was growing up in Hope, I learned early on to always listen to Mom. That's why my three-step budget-solving program is designed with her in mind
More
Of your
Money."

After the election maybe we can do lawyer jokes :>)
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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.

everyone is taught in English101 at College.

"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way."
John Paul Jones (letter to M. Le Ray de Chaumont,16 Nov.1778)

That's why he's not a major player there....

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
-Winston Churchill

...but he gets big time points on that one. Bravo Senator McCain.

“.....women and minorities hardest hit”

Kudos to McCain on his robust pro-free market stance.

The global warming segment where McCain, Giuliani, and Romney all endorsed Global Warming was depressing.

have never been his problem. The problem is that he uses his "stones" to stand against his own party too often.

I wonder something.

Lots of us here - myself included - go on about being Conservatives first and Republicans second. In other words, that our principles should come before party loyalty. Yet, many seem to lambaste JMac for doing the same thing - standing by his own principles rather than the party line when he thinks that's what's called for.

Now I know that often his principles do not match up with some on this board. But we should be clear that the disagreement is over principle and not over some perceived apostasy from the Republican platform. And to the extent that people criticize him simply because he is not a "good Party man" I think it is a case of the pot calling the kettle black, as many of us aren't "good Party men" either.

I can go along with that assessment. I shouldn't have mentioned party in my comment. It was the fact that when he's strayed, he's strayed to the liberal side of issues that meant a lot to me. I guess I'm just a little bit jaded.

It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.
- Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1792

I was proud of him - especially since McCain, Romney, and Giuliani all were so depressing on Global Warming.

Fred Thompson's best moment in the entire campaign. This is the fire we hoped he would show from the first time it was rumored he might throw his hat in the ring.

I have hoped for someone, anyone to stand up to the arrogant moderators in these debates. He picked a perfect time and a perfect question.

"By show of hands who believes in global warming and is man responsible?" As if that were a "show of hands" question not warranting an extended discussion. When they refused to allow the candidates the time necessary to properly address it, Fred refused to play along.

Great job!

here

==== 13 ====

comments about the NEA a lot better. It's not often that you hear someone willing to take on a group with the clout the NEA has with a challenge made of easy to understand single syllable words.
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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.

taking on the NEA like that since, well, forever.

among the truest words ever spoken.
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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.

www.scottbomb.com
Click here to donate to the Fred Thompson campaign.

Romney's points are that we need to find ways to address climate change in ways that also improve the economy. The question as posed assumed that dealing with "global warming" required a hit to the economy. Romney refutes the assertion.

He also adds that he is not going to allow the US to shoulder unnecessary burden of what is a global issue. Read: "I'm not doing Kyoto."

I think Romney is weak on Global Warming, unfortunately.

nt

I don't understand why we have come to the conclusion that the questions are more important than the answers. Bizarre. This idiocy was best highlighted in the CNN debate, when Cooper was shutting the candidates down to watch more of the ridiculuous video questions. I saw a discussion where Jeri Thompson advocated for a return to Lincoln/Douglas style debates. We need to get a few of those jokes off the stage, which would help with the time issue.

It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.
- Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1792

Little rags-to-riches Mikey is gonna save the country.

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
-Winston Churchill

Isn't that what he has tried to keep reminding us of for the past 5 years?

www.scottbomb.com
Click here to donate to the Fred Thompson campaign.

I was listening while typing and thought it was Tanc not Keyes about to launch into another tirade.

Sorry Tanc. Boy this live open thread stuff is tripping me up

I think Romney is walking away with this one, though Thompson is right up there. What happened to McCain - has he said anything since the subsidies answer?

It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.
- Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1792

The conservative and moderate lines usually stay really high on the right side of the screen on the Fox News broadcast when Romney is speaking. I wonder who is controlling the dials? If it is representative of Iowa, Romney's in much better shape than the polls show.

Huck?

Didn't Huckabee pick that one up in New Hampshire. Way to go, Mike!

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
-Winston Churchill

that is what I love about Fred...he says what he thinks and doesn't try to pander. He is not afraid of dealing with the issues, even if they are tough are dangerous politically.

He popped me out of my chair for a little dance on that one.

Standing ovation for Fred on standing up to the NEA.

Perhaps Fred would be a great Dick Cheney-esque Vice President?

He's running for President, and he's also a lot older than Cheney was 7 years ago.

Maybe Mitt would join Fred. 16 years of the two of them would make me 80 years old.

Lets go for it!

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

Exactly!!! It's the only way!

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
-Winston Churchill

Loving it! I hope they team up against the Giuliani-Huckabee alliance.

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
-Winston Churchill

If there is going to be any lovefest it is going to keep coming from Romney...Fred knows he has to hit romney, not make nice with him...they are competing for the same voters.

Fred needs to hit Huck first and foremost.

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
-Winston Churchill

He has to hit both...I think Huck is in for a slide once people get to know how he stands on issues a little better. At that point, it will be a Fred/Mitt fight for the conservative vote...fred can't wait until then to start fighting.

"How did Ark kids rate?"

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

and shouts "Amen!"

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

I don't think he is prepared for the status. I wonder if anybody at his campaign ever thought they would be in this position. I think they were hoping to make this move a little later so they wouldn't have to "defend" as soon. I think he made his surge a few weeks earlier than would have been ideal in terms of keeping people in the dark and not having to answer the tough questions that come with the spotlight.

He suffers from a very bad case of white guilt.

While such a guilt-ridden mindset is to be expected from a Democrat/liberal, it is truly frightening when coming from a Republican and alleged conservative.

I was going to use that for a title, but I thought it might be rejected.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

Or starting to prepare for a General Election Campaign. Also hinting to the other Republicans, that really We all need to work together as a team.

it's tripe, but it's good sounding tripe.

---
"The bass, the rock, the mic, the treble, I like my coffee black, just like my Metal." - MSI

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

After all, he was an Ambassador...

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
-Winston Churchill

Something about him being an ambassador to a UN committee. Can we PLEASE not invite him to the next debate. Oh, now she called him Mr. - hmmmm

It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.
- Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1792

How would Huckabee do it? Simple; he'd just stab conservatives in the back and embrace leftist positions on some high-profile issues. That would be enough to garner him accolades about bringing the nation together because the discontent of all those right of center does not matter to the mainstream media.

It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.
- Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1792

Keyes came out strongly pro-life (no surprise) and also strongly for the Fair Tax in an concise and powerful statement.

I can't stand Keyes, but a strong answer is a strong answer.

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"The bass, the rock, the mic, the treble, I like my coffee black, just like my Metal." - MSI

I am laughing because I was imagining the same exact thing.

It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.
- Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1792

like amateur night on Showtime at the Apollo

It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.
- Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1792

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

for the talking head TV shows, I think it would be counterproductive, even though running over is irritating.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

In the same paragraph, asking the moderator to repeat the question because he was so caught up in Romney's response, which is a very good one.

THen proceeding to levy a hit job on Mitt with oppo research on Bain Capital. Weird.

he did it in a credible way.

Not all members of the NEA agree with it on many things. I think the 'Pubs have figured that out.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

As in YOUR money.

Next question?
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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.

Maybe because Fred did very well throughout.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

The commentary on Fox News is horrible...I think huck did horrible and they say he wins by default??? And no mention of Fred yet...they seriously dislike him

I'm taping Fox, watching CNN right now. CNN has started out by trivializing FT.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

I have no confimation of that, but I'd have to say that helping Huck would help Rudy at this point in the game... They do seem to be anti-Fred though...

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

..but I don't think he won. I thought the best answer was Romney speaking about the three tenets of conservatism. The focus group seems to agree that he won the debate. Interesting.

It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.
- Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1792

then he lost. Expectations are different when you're the frontrunner as opposed to the guy with broom behind the mounted unit in the parade.
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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.

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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.

have both had their day in the sun. No analytical skills at all, probably because of having no introspective inclinations at all.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.

.

Yell it from the rafters!

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
-Winston Churchill

she was now leaning towards John Edwards. (^:^)

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

....he claims the voters thought Mitt won.

“.....women and minorities hardest hit”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFKUopQf2jw&feature=related

see it for yourself.

Yeah, Thompson hit it out of the park in FL debate, propelled him in the polls it did...

...no real political analyst takes these Luntz focus groups seriously.

aren't needed when you're a Huckbot.

Don't waste your breath.

Huckabee could run over someone backing out of his driveway and it'd be good news for Huckabee.

Luntz is a propagandist and he has admitted as much on camera. He is about as "fair and balanced" as FOX News.

Thompson won this debate, hands down. ;)

I remember several debates where Mike Huckabee was off the charts in Frank Luntz focus groups, but the only thing the press said was that he did well. I don't think it was ever clear that he or anyone won a debate with a home run. It was not until the You Tube debate where everyone agreed he won, and this was because Rudy and Mitt looked so bad arguing each other, and of course because of Mike’s performance. I think Huckabee did well in this debate, but the most important part for Mike Huckabee is that he escaped unscathed, and Mitt did not hit it out of the park. Mitt and Fred probably won, but I don’t think they won to the point of Mike or Rudy looking bad.

That's a wrap.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

Why in the world he isn't at the top in the polls.

www.scottbomb.com
Click here to donate to the Fred Thompson campaign.

It says more about the electorate than the candidate.

He talks issues and proposals... he's not going about speaking platitudes and 30 second sound bytes.

In my view, Thompson is the anti-Huckabee... but the problem is that there are plenty of other candidates who are anti-Huckabee on policy, but very Huckabee-ish on presentation.

If this was the 19th Century or early 20th, Fred Thompson would be our nominee without a doubt.

Fred a lot if Hunter and Tancredo would go away. He'd get more air time, and basically agrees with them on their favorite topics. I think he'd get most of their voters' support.

Who the heck is giving RonPaul all that money?

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

We need a lot few candidates.
If only the top five were allowed to debate, we could have more indepth answers and better back and forth.

(which would solve the Huckabee issue as he has no depth)... Hell, he suggested the U.S. should work to ZERO energy consumption as a national priority and goal.

And to answer your question, about 10 Republicans who are more libertarian than Republican... and about a jillion liberals who realize their party is probably going to nominate a "warmonger" in their eyes. They are looking for someone who doesn't believe the military should EVER be used; and that's Ron Paul.

Where do you get such crazy ideas.

Hunter has been known for throwing out wild nonsense like this.

By the way, we're not saying that Romney will settle for VP. We want him as President. He is not liberal. If you think otherwise, you're just fooling yourself.

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
-Winston Churchill

Or maybe Romney fooled him a couple years ago?

I was confused too. I'm not saying it's not true - Hunter isn't one to take pot shots. I would have wanted to hear more. I'm not a Romney guy by any stretch of the imagination, but was SHOCKED that the moderator didn't let him engage that statement. Isn't that a lot more important than Alan Keyes's New Year's Resolution?

playbook? Blame some obscure but nefarious act committed by a company a candidate used to run on the candidate?

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

wasn't at all memorable, but that's the way it should be. After all I can still remember Chris Matthews' inane questions. Who can forget the question about Bill being back in the White House?

The two things I will remember from this debate are 1) Fred Thompson (with the other candidates following) essentially saying if you don't want to give me time to give a substantive answer (to global warming) then I won't answer your question, and 2) Fred Thompson saying the biggest impediment to our education system is the NEA.

I liked when he said he would not raise his hand. It’s just a trap. They did it in the first debate when they asked the evolution question. I also liked when he said something about Alan’s Global Warming Answer. Thank You, Fred, for exercising his inner quipster.

This is why I believe all primaries/caucuses should be held on the SAME DAY. There's no reason why 2 states with such miniscule populations should get so much power in national elections.

www.scottbomb.com
Click here to donate to the Fred Thompson campaign.

You must be a Romney supporter. I'd be saying the same thing if I'd spent 7 million dollars and it only bought 21% of the vote versus the so-called "Hillbilly-Huck".

I'm not certain about everything with Huck...but if spending $400,000 and getting 35% is any sign of what he can do fiscally, I'm supporting him.

Question, if Huckabee wins the nomination, who of Redstate will support him?

Thanks

...this plays right into the Huck theme of class warfare and populism.

“.....women and minorities hardest hit”

And people wonder why the Huey Long schtick plays so well with some.

-------------
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock.

I support Fred, but I do like Mitt.

"Question, if Huckabee wins the nomination, who of Redstate will support him?"

I will support him. I'll vote for him, but I'm not sure he'd be that much better than Hillary. And I strongly disagree with his take on both taxes and illegal immigration. I think that may also be the reason that Huck isn't very popular here.

I think he's really our worst legitimate candidate.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

A Conservative based community...

You can't appease left voters. Which is why trying to convince you to leave Huck for a true Republican is not worth the

First of all, it is comical for a Huck supporter to call anyone else out for lack of substance, because Huck himself is nothing but style. Second of all, he has let out insane numbers of criminals (including around a dozen convicted murderers), he wants to fix CEO salaries, he calls for "fair trade" instead of free trade, he begged for higher taxes as a governor and nearly trippled his state's tax burden, and he thinks Lawrence was correctly decided. These issues and many more have pretty much all been fleshed out in blog entries, along with many more.

"Either complain about some issues or point out something other than your inability to talk about anything other than your own personal hateful disdain for a candidate who's kicking butt right now."

If the issues I just listed don't count for "substance," then I don't know what does. These aren't our "own personal hateful disdain"; they ARE the issues you are telling us to complain about.

Thanks, that's substance. I desire you to do that. What I was reading in the debate blog was just whining crap.

I guess I should tell you folks why I support Huckabee, even though that seems to be the worst thing ever.

A candidate who can think on his feet is refreshing for one, and you all know what I'm talking about. I believe in compassionate conservatism. I'm faced with 3 other candidates who are not much better or any more electable.

I don't buy into Romney because, as you all know, he's taken three different sides to most issues. He also started State sponsored health care in his home state. I don't see many folks railing on that here...as they should.

Rudy is a liberal. He even told voters at the values summit he's not changing his beliefs to get elected (unlike Mitt). He's pro-choice, pro-gay marriage. His shining moment for me and the rest of America was 9/11. The problem I have with him truly is of character. The man was cheating on his wife during 9/11 with his new wife. I know all the dems stated that "personal life is out of bounds" so I suspect some here will defend him that way. We cannot pretend that character in personal life does not matter. That's why the nation has a nasty taste in its mouth for Clinton (no pun intended my friends).

That leave Fred. I absolutely love everything about Fred Thompson. I wished, hoped, prayed and begged for Governor George W. Bush to pick him as his running mate in 2000. Fred, at the time was the best spokesman for the conservative cause. He could stump for W. and the compassionate conservative cause better than anybody else. If Fred showed me that exuberance (spelling?) today, I'd be on his band wagon. He, to me, looks like he's going to sleep. He looks like pictures of an old Ben Franklin.

That leaves Huckabee. He's full of energy. He has some strong conservative pillars. He is sketchy on taxes and some other things. I don't believe that Rudy or Mitt, considering one is a liberal and one pretends not to be a liberal are going to be any different when the pressures of congress come to be big spenders. I don't see rudy or glove...er sorry, Mitt, making the charge for lower taxes.

What it boils down to, I don't expect any of them to do that. At least Huckabee will hold the status quo on abortion and gay rights, which to me, translates to Supreme Court Justices. Would anyone disagree that Huckabee, knowing what you know, would pick Justices that would follow the Bush selections nicely?

1. Bubba Jr. grew the budget in Arkansas at three times the inflation rate when he was governor.
2. BJ left office with net tax increases on the people of AR.
3. BJ expanded the reach of the state government in AR.
4. His position on immigration and illegal aliens when he was governor, which has suddenly morphed into Tancredo light.
5. His commentary on health care availability that he made today.
6. His support for the FairTax despite the fact that hell will freeze over before it's passed in a form that is being proposed now.
7. His support for the HLA (which one, BTW) despite the fact that he couldn't get 50 votes in the Senate for it.
8. His obvious ignorance with respect to judicial issues (Lawrence decision).
9. His love of the nanny state.
10. His comments on foreign policy which are simply beyond stupid.
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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.

imagination is thinking that the eventual caucus results will in any way resemble a poll taken today.

Howard Dean was winning Iowa this time for the 2004 election.
Reagan was winning Iowa this time for the 1980 election.

You were probably one of those people who thought Hillary had the democratic nomination locked up a month or two ago.

People are STARTING to pay attention.

If I could put money on the Iowa caucus, it would be against the proposition that Huck and Mitt will both be in the top two.

Others look at what has been, and ask "Why?" Fred looks at what can be and asks, "If we can afford it, why not?"

What? Was that sound bite already taken?

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

.

The Chad

"Feminism was established to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream." ~ Rush Limbaugh

Fred
Mitt
Rudy
please don't make me choose between John and Mike

In these debates, Mitt handles himself well without being hyperaggressive (which is what Rudy is if he lets himself loose).

Where and when did Gov. Huckabee attack Gov. Romney over his religion? The supposed Jesus and Satan brothers fiasco was taken out of context as Gov. Huckabee addressed in his Wolf Blitzer interview. The "Christian Leader" ad was made to be something that it was not.

Everytime Gov. Huckabee has been asked about Gov. Romney's religion, he has said no comment or that should have no barring on this race.

When people say "no comment" I often mishear that as a comment about Satan and Jesus being brothers.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

about that. Even after that, i couldn't figure out what he meant. Did he say it? I don't think so. Did his interviewer (who Huck claimed knew more about comparative religions than he, a Baptist minister did) say it? Why would he?

Only Wolf Blitzer in the aftermath set the record straight that the statement didn't represent Mormon belief. Huck would have a lot more credibility in his denials if HE had made that statement at the time.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

His explanation was garbage. His apology was the only worthwhile part of it.

They that are with us are more than they that are against us.

Notice the trouble Huck had trying to tell us just "how his faith would be applied to two issues." He couldn't do it.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

Hannity is totally batting for Romney. I think he has him on his radio show like once or twice a week, where other candidates appear maybe once a month. Then he has the balls to say he has the most comprehensive election coverage.

I myself am supporting Huckabee right now, though I was a Fred guy during the debate before the CNN Youtube debate. It was then Huckabee caught my attention and over the days that followed I became one of his supporters. But today I think Fred won some more points with me.

Mitt had a good night too, but that's to be expected when you have highly paid consultants framing your every word and telling you what you must say to get those focus group "dials" going up, up, up.

I would be happy to support either Fred or Mike, and I am not too upset if Giuliani wins either. Romney and McCain I could vote for in the general while holding my nose but I will make sure to turn out and tell my friends to vote for them too.

I think people here and in the Republican party at large are taking this stuff to whole new levels. Remember folks, no matter whose horse wins we all have to unite or else Democrats will win. So try not to stab each other in the backs now, twist the knife, and pour salt in the wound, because in November we all better be cooperating so that on Wednesday morning we can be high fiving each other on another Republican win.