Seriously, what a horrible performance the host of Hardball turned in tonight. He didn't manage the time well at all among the candidates, and kept going back to Mitt Romney at the start of a round-robin, ensuring that Romney would get far more air-time than his rivals. The poor guys at the far end of the stage were desperate to get a word in edgewise.
But then there were the questions themselves. The low point came when Matthews asked whether would it be a good thing to have Bill Clinton back in the White House. Is he serious? Was he confusing the forum for one of his blow-hard shows? Actually, all of the candidates burst out laughing upon hearing the question, then many went on to note the obvious, if Bill Clinton were back in the White House, it would mean that their own bids had failed.
He also completely mis-characterized Rudy Giuliani's position on the national identification card for resident aliens and embarrassed himself with some off the cuff mumbling. Really, he should never be allowed to do this kind of thing in the future.
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Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 13)
31.
Winners: Gov. Jim Gilmore, Tom Tancredo and Mitt Romney
Looser: Chris Matthews. Why can't Mr. Hardball play Fairball? He couldn't even give equal opportunity to the candidates.
Mary Wilson at 11:15PM on May 3rd 2007
32. They were all pretty uninspiring with the exception of Ron Paul. McCain sounded like he had memorized a script. Giuliani was all over the place. Romney is a total panderer. His comment ''Gosh, I love America'' was pathetic. The man will do or say anything to get elected. The rest of the bunch sounded like a bunch of ragtag xenophobes or religious zealots, or both.
Todd at 11:20PM on May 3rd 2007
33. I disagree with all the candidates about something but I like the Reagan quote "if someone agrees with me 80% of the time he is my friend".
So no matter what/who, I WILL vote for the republican candidate as I will NOT be a party to putting Mrs Bill Clinton or Osama -- er Obama in the White House
P.S. Chris Mathews -- what a A**
paulnashtn at 11:16PM on May 3rd 2007
34.
Winners: Gov. Jim Gilmore, Tom Tancredo and Mitt Romney
Looser: Chris Matthews. Why can't Mr. Hardball play Fairball? He couldn't even give equal opportunity to the candidates.
Mary Wilson at 11:16PM on May 3rd 2007
35. I can't believe Republicans would even consider voting for Giulliani. Isn't this the same man who wanted to move his wife out of the Mayor's Mansion, so he could move his girlfriend (now wife, and possible First Lady of the United States) in?
Joyce Clark at 11:19PM on May 3rd 2007
36. I love to read all of the spelling mistakes left by you losers. It's clear that the majority of you never passed your spelling tests, the most fundamental knowledge tool. Keep it up! You leave the rest of America cracking up!
borisspiderman at 1:02AM on May 4th 2007
37. Chris Matthews clearly was lousy in this format. Can you say favoritism? If Fred Thompson was there and was in Ron Pauls location, do you think all those questions would have started with Romney? Romney looked good and since he was unknown to most, that was good, but he was very slick. Perhaps too slick and polished though. He may invite comparisons to Slick Willie. McCain started shaky, stuttering away, and had too many rehearsed sound bites, but finished stronger. No one else seemed to stand out positively compared to the rest. Tommy Thompson is done, too out of touch (2000 wounded). Ron Paul says the same thing that people like Rush Limbaugh do about cutting government down to only those things in the constitution and not being the world's police force, but did it sound reasonable on this stage? Social Security, education, highways, etc, are not in the constitution. Sam Brownback seems like a nice guy, but too far to the right to win the general. Guiliani - still can't see the drag queen as pres. I like Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo's positions, but Hunter is irritating, and Tancredo doesn't have a commanding presence. I thought I wanted Fred Thompson until I learned he has a busty blonde wife half his age and slept around alot between marriages.
Mike in Texas at 11:19PM on May 3rd 2007
38. I was proud to see mature men expressing themselves.It was so refreshing to see a TV presentation that wasn't driven by air commentators that steer everything in their direction.
My comment is that I am very proud to borned in the USA.I felt good about this debate and spirit that these men showed.
They are after a big job!We must get back our pride and stop being so apologetic.We need realists not enablers in these positions.A pretty good group as a whole.Not afraid to admit they are "God" fearing men.
Jim (Greenville,SC)
Jim at 11:23PM on May 3rd 2007
39. That's exactly right Kim and remember who the media traditionally really supports.
Amen Zane, preach on!
Mark, I really don't know what to say to you, if you have your way, may God save us all. If Obama's campaign is this divisive, imagine how bad his administration would be for the interior of this country. Please do not compare Obama to Martin Luther King, Jr. who was a true visionary, a man of peace, a man who sought to bring this country together. Obama is all talk, a man who can prove none of his words based on his political past. A great speaker, yes, he's quite charismatic, but so was Hitler. Obama is more likely a wolf in sheep's clothing. And Hillary for Pres?!? Liberals continue their tyrade against this administration in support of Clinton in the White House.....again! Have you forgotten the Clinton's last 8 years of childish treachery? What's wrong with supporting Edwards? At least we know his voting background when we don't have much to go on with Obama and we have good reason to suspect that even though he has proven himself selfish by the flu vaccine lawsuit, he pales in comparison to the antics of the Clinton's.
truepatriot at 11:31PM on May 3rd 2007
40. MITT ROMNEY HAS A GREAT HAIRCUT - PITY THERE'S NOTHING IN HIS SKULL.
THIS WHOLE EXERCISE WAS TOTALLY PATHETIC.
Joseph Slater at 12:16AM on May 4th 2007
41. Hey BORIS why don't you go back to Transylvania or Russia .....you seem like a real "Dickhead".
JEP
Jim at 1:32PM on May 13th 2007
42. What an interesting Republican debate. I never saw a group of suits all trip all over themselves to look alike and sound alike. When Milt Romney said that his state had studied cloning, the must have been sucessful. All of this men were just clones of each other with no independent thought. To bad that all of thier hot air could not be harnessed to bring down the rising costs of gasoline.
Spenc east at 11:33PM on May 3rd 2007
43. Interesting comment "borisspiderman". As a typical liberal might, you have missed the forest for the trees. Perhaps you should spend less time in Marvel Comics and more time studying history; some of the world's greatest minds were poor spellers. I don't believe that Stan Lee ever wrote about Albert Einstein, but I am hoping that you have at least heard of the man. In the future you may be better served not confusing type-o's for poor spelling.
truepatriot at 11:43PM on May 3rd 2007
44. REPLY: To Mark. Amen! Amen! They lose, we win
tonight. Thanks, we needed that.
Harriet F Abrahms at 12:19AM on May 4th 2007
45. So far, I'd like to see a Rudy / Tom Tancredo ticket. It would balance the North and West from a geographic point of view. Rudy drawing the city people and Tancredo the more rural. Rudy was a big anti-crime hero during his term as Mayor of NYC, Tancredo has a major agenda to fight illegal immigration and secure the borders. I think these personal security issues resonate with Americans.Its is a much larger and more personal issue than abortion, which is a losing issue for the Republican party. If we don't control the borders, we HAVE no security.Illegal immigration is BAD for the country in every way. Strains schools and hospitals,increases taxes, depresses wages, divides the country into racial camps. Politicians need the courage to state the truth as it is, political correctness be damned. These two are the ONLY candidates of EITHER party willing to do it.
LJ at 11:44PM on May 3rd 2007