The two toughest questions were asked of Rudy Giuliani and Tommy Thompson. The question to Giuliani was something to this effect: "What is the difference between Sunnis and Shiites?" Giuliani stuttered but answered the question factually. I guess you can't expect a Catholic to know about Islam. I'm Episcopalian, ask me about confession and I wouldn't know anything about it (yet I kind of dig that whole confession, say a few Hail Mary's/Rosaries and you're forgiven aspect).
Tommy Thompson was asked about the amount of troops killed in Iraq. Now this question is a set up, yet Thompson should have known. He was right on those killed, but dreadfully wrong on those wounded. He replied that over 3,000 are dead and several thousand wounded. Again, without a transcript, I'm going from memory. The exact dead and wounded are 3,357 dead and 24,314 according to ICasualty. Those numbers are generally very close to the DoD's numbers. Thompson should have said something innocuous such as "too many have been wounded" if he didn't know the answer. Instead he showed that he has not been paying attention to a number I'd imagine eats President Bush up on a daily basis.
Overall, the candidates made no major faux pas, short of Thompson, and I wouldn't expect the polls to change significantly unless Fred Thompson gets in right quick.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Opinions and viewds http://todaypolitics.blogspot.com/
bloggershaven at 10:44PM on May 3rd 2007
2. Interesting, in so far as how many cliches were used
by most of the candidates. So far Pres.Bush holds the
world record for #'s of them used in one speech.
Too many: we love,want,need, must have: freedom,
democracy,safe borders,safety from terrorists, "victory", never-give-up, "we do not quit", morality,
ethics,"the war on terror,Iran,Iran,Iran!! & 12 more.
The message to the rest of is clear: be afraid, be
very afraid! If "fear" wins, then they all won!
Harriet F Abrahms at 11:34PM on May 3rd 2007
3. I am a Conservative 1st Rebublican 2nd...and I watched the whole quasi-debate, and will share my impressions..
1. Giuliani, was better than I would have imagined him to be. He seemed very honest and forthright and his disagreement with the others, while civil, was " this is who I am" ...it rang true
2. Hunter...after being ignored for most of the night, seemed to come out as a true believer, with Commander in Chief points...and probably picked up a few points on the security front. Wish we got to hear more.
3. Mc Cain.. still can't forgive him for McCain/ Feingold...if the 1st Amendment doesn't mean much to him...I don't think any of the others will either. Not a good thing to say how comfortable he was with the DEMOCRATS, especially after we have seen the difficulties working with them bring the country.
4. Romney...came across very presidential.. I think he is sitting back for awhile...You will probably see his numbers climb. We'll see.
5. Ron Paul...he is a true libertarian.. He is 100% correct on "sound money", but that hidden tax of about 10% every year isn't political enough to make any body listen. No one will listen to him. You need more than a 3rd grade education to understand this issue.
6. Gillmore is probably the "real" conservative and spoke to the traditional values of the party better than the rest...I don't know why he doesn't get more traction...tremendous talent...but then so was Allen.
7. Huckabee...was my pick, but did not impress in this forum.
8. Brownback...not impressive...I don't know why
9. Tancredo...got ignored, probably because Chris Matthews is an open borders type. Solid hands on trustworthy.
10. Thompson....really is better than he came off . He is a "do it" type..I think he realized that he mis-spoke on the Iraq numbers...hurt him.
Generally, it is is more varied and qualified field than the DEMOCRATS can field and I think they attempted to portray a more positive future for America than the DEMOCRATS did last week. But then again I admit to a bias. I was very very surprised that not 1 question or comment was made in reference to the booming economic picture, employment, job creation and low inflation....these are exactly the facts that the DEMOCRATS don't want to talk about. It hurts them. We know it was the BUSH tax cuts that was instrumental to the economy's ability to stand up through many natural and man-made calamities. Why don't the REPUBLICANS talk about it more?. Perhaps because it is TOO early for all this... and staking out positions now can come around and bite you 1 1/2 years from now. This is precisely why the DEMOCRATS wish to legislate a victory for the terrorists now, before the tide has any chance of swinging in America's favor. The are invested in America's defeat. Their political future depends upon it. Reid and Schumer bragged that if they can bring about this "surrender" they will pick up 6 seats. Unfortunately they were overheard.
The real question, come the election will be ... Can the DEMOCRATS convince the people that loosing the war and bringing about a socialist tyranny is a good thing? Can they temp the worst and weakest traits of the people? Can their agenda be spun by the media into something the American public can force down their craws? If they can do this they win...if America wishes to remain a beacon of liberty .....they loose. Period.
joe m at 11:26PM on May 3rd 2007
4. The real losers in this "debate" are the Democrats...they refused to go on Fox because the "Ultra right wing Brit Hume" might have asked questions they would be embarassed to answer or downright wouldn't. At least the Republicans came to an extremely "hostile to Republicans" host, and made the best of it.
Jim Deibel at 11:27PM on May 3rd 2007
5. For whom would I vote after satching the entire debate...well, Ronald Reagan, of course. They surely convinced me...now where do I go to cast my vote? Joyce Myers, Carbondale, Il.
Joyce Myers at 1:07AM on May 4th 2007
6. I think all of them were endorsing Ronald Reagan. He is isn't running though. Too many comparisons to Regan and not enough about themselves.
Fred Reames at 1:22AM on May 4th 2007
7. This is "off topic" and about the writer of the news item that we are talking about...I find it tremendously ironic that in this "PC" riddled country we live in, where "right wing christians" are constantly called out for making "incensitive" remarks about Islamists,Jews,African-Americans and a slew of other religions and cultures, that the writer felt it was totally ok to make this statement. " I'm Episcopalian, ask me about confession and I wouldn't know anything about it (yet I kind of dig that whole confession, say a few Hail Mary's/Rosaries and you're forgiven aspect). Excuse me Sir or Madame, but did you just mock one of the center stones of Catholic Doctrine? Shouldn't you be fired from your job like Don Imus or the littany of other "bad people" that have jokingly mocked a religion or culture? Should Catholics riot in the streets and march on the steps of the company that pays you? Should I refuse to buy products from companies that advertise on AOL? Hopefully Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson will catch wind of your comment and then SOMETHING will get done! It's those two guys that are out to make a difference and protect the unprotected without any political or personal gain! (cough) This is just another example of the War on Christianity in this country. Thank you for once again proving that the double standard in this new war in America is strictly enforced.I appreciate your little joke. It was very heartfelt and taken lightly as you can see. Your a joke.
Robert Matarazzo at 2:33AM on May 4th 2007
8. Now I see why the Dems will win in '08.
Republicans don't believe in evolution
They want to continue in a was 2/3rds of the US doesn't
They think embyonic stem cells is killing babies.
(it's a cluster of cells, no brain, no heart, no lungs, nothing to show it's alive except it could be used to save lives. But Republicans would rather throw them away when fertalization clinics are done with them rather than use them to save lives.
They worry about illegal aliens that do the jobs no one else would do, and pay taxes, costing the government around 25 billion to educate future and hospitalize their children costing less than we spend on the impact of OBESITY. And we all know who the fat rats in the US are
Oh! You can't get welfare if you're an illegal alien genius! The law says so.
Dems will win in '08 unless you go with the people!
The people want out of Iraq
The people want stem cell research
And the people want corrupt Republicans out
Conservatism is great, if you practice what you preach, but Republicans got us a 500 billion deficit and a huge part of a 9 trillion dollar national debt!
China and India won in 2000 and 2004 with Republicans. They got our jobs and our money!
Beth at 2:28AM on May 4th 2007
9. The first comment from Joe shows some typical Republican brain-washing. Good economy, is he kidding or what? Most new jobs pay little and have few benefits. Foreclosures of homes are at record levels, people losing them even with two jobs. Any strength, like low interest rates, is literally borrowed from the Communist Chinese, who Bush needs more than ever. Trade deficit with them and others is out of sight. And the massive spending by Bush and friends will mean about 20 years of a slower economy ahead of us. Same group started a unnecessary war that 16 US intelligence agencies say "encourages terrorism !!!"
Cincinnati at 8:57PM on May 5th 2007
10. WOW
What is with the Extremist Liberal Media controlling the GOP debates with their anti GOP and anti America speeches that hardly contained a question:
OBVIOUSLY the Liberal MEDIA intends to control
the campaign and tone of the process right to the election with their Hate USA, HATE TROOPS, HATE law and order, HATE personal responsibility, HATE decency, PRO TERRORIST< PRO COMMUNIST and HATE HATE HATE BUSH because he beat them twice perpetual campaigns.
lettyb at 3:54AM on May 4th 2007
11. >>>especially after we have seen the difficulties working with them bring the country.
Garret at 4:13AM on May 4th 2007
12. what a bunch of cranks on this site!
joh haynes at 6:20AM on May 4th 2007
13. Mitt Romney was governor of Massachusetts during the Big Dig cost overruns increased the price from 5.8 billion dollars to 15 billion dollars in his 4 years for 3.5 miles of tunnel. He should not be left in charge of anything especially not the chief executive officer of an entire nation.
Check out Fred Thompson in Wikipedia. You will find the following in his Wikipedia biagraphy:
"By 1982, Thompson worked the U.S. Congress membership as a lobbyist for passage of the Savings and Loan deregulation legislation desired by the Tennessee Savings and Loan League
--- in this case, federal deregulation legislation allowing for additional government support of ailing S&Ls; giving U.S. thrifts the freedom to invest in potentially more
profitable, but riskier, ventures; and eliminating interest-rate ceilings on new accounts to increase S&Ls'competitiveness.
Enacted into law in September 1982, the Senate bill pushed by Thompson was incorporated into the
Garn - St Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982. The Garn - St Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982 is widely credited with having laid the groundwork for the U.S.
Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s."
Bruce Saltzman 501st of the 101st Viet Nam 1968-69 at 1:11AM on May 14th 2007
14. The clear winner was a dead man... obviously Ronald Reagan. None of them compared to him (or at least the myth of him) and they admitted it! Having Nancing gawking over them didn't help. I have to disagree with most and say that Romney looked awful. He was whining and seemed like suck a phoney....sucking up everywhere he could.... his answer about how great the American people were was sickening... he's way too slick. Oily.
McCain seemed angry and a little senile. He's going to follow Bin Laden to the "gates of Hell"... somehow I believe him.
Tommy Thompson looked like a corpse with dyed red hair propped up against the wall.
All in all, It was awful.
Let me tell you
Fred Thompson is not going to save these people either.
www.vote08.com
Tom at 7:56AM on May 4th 2007
15. I missed the debates working but this country is doomed if we as people don't have the ability to see through the media domain. Aquinas said from sense experience which is always 'iffy' we have God given ability to form images and concepts and we spirtualize them and work them up into truths. That's why God belongs in education, in order to know that life saving truth.
Joe at 9:20AM on May 4th 2007