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 6 of 13)
76. Mitt Romney looks like the winner to me. He seems to have defined what this country needs.
southworthk949 at 1:27AM on May 4th 2007
77. WHOA Matthews
CERTAINLY had the DNC talking points memorized and
so obvious campaigning EXTREMIST for Clintons who dominated the event with his DNC slash, trash, bash, diatribes without an intelligent question attached to his endless speeches for the LIBERALS.
I expected him to grab his CROT_ _ like ROSIE does
and screech some vulgar hate BUSH dribble.
lettyb at 1:35AM on May 4th 2007
78. For the ones that stood out it is Hunter&Cancredo.Enough is enough of what this country can do about takeing in all the Illegals.Do something about it, don't just talk. Its like a slap in the face to the ones that do it Legal. And if the people that are hireing them will pay a decent wage then there are enough of our own to do the jobs and need the jobs. They are putting a big burrdern on us and its not fare that we should have it, are social secerity is for the people that are here legal and have worked for it.The ones that are Illegal need to be sent back and come here like evryone else did. Everyone is forgetting one thing THEY BROKE THE LAW.
Mary Brooks at 1:36AM on May 4th 2007
79. Nothing New or exciting in this debate. Too many candidates with too little time to really express their views. For now, all of these candidates scare me. The same old failed policies, posturing for war and sabre rattling instead of using our inherent strength to work for peace. No ideas as to how to conduct foreign policy in a responsible and respectful manner treating other peoples as partners on this planet instead of economic statistics.No new ideas as to how to save the middle class in America instead of continuously feeding more and more $$$ to CEO's of Corporations that continue to ship jobs out of the country. It will, however, be interesting to hear a few of these gentlemen debate down the road after the field narrows to 3 or 4 candidates.
Ted Williams at 1:54AM on May 4th 2007
80. Can Republicans type or do they all have to capitalize to make a point? ABUTOM has his own website.
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 thing 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!
Beth at 1:56AM on May 4th 2007
81. For a group of Republicans who hate OBL and oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants, none of them found any irony that they were standing in the library named for the man who called the Taliban "freedom fighters" and championed the 1986 Immigration Reform Act.
With few exceptions, everyone ran to the right, even though it was the Right's control of government for the last six years that brought us this mess. McCain made a small move toward the center on stem-cell research, which he had to do since he's gone over the edge on Iraq. Ron Paul seemed like the most likely to pick up moderate votes because Giuliani sounded weak beside Romney and the other paleo-conservatives. But Paul is too goofy to win.
The real winner tonight was Schwarzenegger. After listening to hours of stay-the-course-and-live-in-denial conservatism, there was a two-shot of Nancy Reagan--whom most of the candidates ignored on stem-cell research--and Schwarzenegger who's gone whose hearted into new technology. Arnold didn't have to say a word to make more sense than any GOP candidate.
The big strategy seems to be to let GW take the budget and the war to the wall, make the Dems clean it up and blame them for both; by the time 2012 rolls around, the nation will be ready to amend the constitution so a moderate Republican can run.
profebc at 1:56AM on May 4th 2007
82. I hope someone did not pay good money to Chris Matthews, he is the poorest excuse for a reporter I have ever seen. And by the way, Rudy, Mitt and John came out on top.
Fred from Idaho at 2:02AM on May 4th 2007
83. WELL I HATE THE MILLITARY CRAP BUT DUNCAN HUNTER CLEANED HOUSE TONIGHT
rICH d FROM THE sd at 2:03AM on May 4th 2007
84. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, MATTHEWS WAS OBNOXIOUS, HE INSERTED HIMSELF AS A PERSONALITY IN A SHOW, AND FRUSTRATED AND INFURIATED OUR GROUP OF WATCHERS.
marisa at 2:07AM on May 4th 2007
85. I am a staunch Democrat, but I watched the debate more b/c I am a huge Chris Matthews/MSNBC team fan, and I also wanted to see how John McCain did.
Chris Matthews, to the best of my ability did not make the questions up and I, too, misunderstood Rudy's and Mitt's responses to the universal ID card. I am sure we were not the only ones.
Bravo to John McCain. I thought he got better and better as the debate went on. My only disappointment was his position on abortion, but I applaud his stand on stem cell research.
Dottie at 2:12AM on May 4th 2007
86. Do all Republicans capitalize to make a point, or can't they type?
Beth at 2:16AM on May 4th 2007
87. Any self respecting Southern Californian would NOT vote for that creepy weasel Duncan Hunter! Oh, Please....spare us!
Miss Mary at 2:37AM on May 4th 2007
88. these stupid republican want to blame chris because all of the candidates were bad and not one of them would make a good president,if this is the best they have,kiss 08 goodby.
william mccotter at 2:38AM on May 4th 2007
89. >>>DID SCOOTER LIBBY DENOUNCE HIS COUNTRY IN THE UAE AND SAUDI ARABIA FOR $950,000? DID SCOOTER LIBBY ASK MARY JO WHITEOUT TO RETIRE? THE ANSWERS TO THESE AND MANY GRAND JURY QUESTIONS HAVE DISSAPPEARED IN SANDY BERGER'S FRUIT OF THE LOOMS.
Garret at 3:28AM on May 4th 2007
90. Oh please, you guys can't be serious. I have yet to meet anyone ever, who says they lost their job to a "illegal" and if you did your a loser. Do you have any idea of what kind of losses the economy would take if we deported all them job stealing "Mexicans"? The states of Texas and California would be severely crippled. The issue you people most care about is immigration? What's wrong with you people? YOU people thrive on fear. Instead of real issues that affect us all like war, you thrive on abortion, gays, immigration, flag burning and all sorts of non issues. Just a bunch of wedge issues because you people don't know anything else or don't know how to win without them. WE ARE ALL CREATED EQUAL, all created by GOD. Geez, you act like Jesus came from Kansas, he didn't just in case you believe it. Really I think you guys would like to have a dictator and marshall law just so you can have your issues, I am right aren't I? You would change to communism if it suit your issues, you guys are pathetic!!!!!!!
vicki at 3:31AM on May 4th 2007