I agree with the others who say that Chris Matthews was annoying as a host. Karl Rove as an employee? What does a Mormon do about Bishops out of control? Whatever, Chris.
On the little guys, it was interesting, I watched it while scanning the news and doing some other things. It was a little bit of multitasking,but also a little on purpose to see if any of the little guys would or could capture and hold my attention. None of them did except for Ron Paul. My hearts with him, but the America of today is nowhere near ready for a libertarian of his stripe, but I'm glad he's around.
As for the rest, sorry to say, that none of them really stood out. Around the blogosphere the word is that Huckabee did well, and I would disagree, because from what I saw, they all did well, but what they needed to do was break out of the herd and really capture and seize an audience. Hard to do with thirty second answers, but that was the order of the day.
Giuliani, what can I say? He had the highest expectations, but he was not on his game, not at all. We had a few glimpses of the glib talking mayor, but far too seldom. He absolutely gutted himself with an answer on abortion that seemed to indicate that a judge of his may find that Roe vs. Wade is good law. That's not the deal he needs to make. If he would agree to appoint judges to overturn Roe, he would get wide latitude on other issues, but absent that, he's in trouble. This is such elementary politics that I'm surprised that Giuliani flubbed it. But he did. He gave several answers guaranteed to anger the religious right. Giuliani needs to do some fence mending very, very soon. He came into the debate riding high, but ended up creating severe doubts about his candidacy that did not exist previously. That's how you lose.McCain: Did well, better than I expected. He had some nice lines that will make great sound bites later. Following Osama to "the gates of hell" was one of them. But still, what he needed to do was convince people like me that he could challenge the best the Democrats will offer and easily defeat them. Despite huge effort to the contrary he came across a bit old, tired, and strident.
Romney: Big winner of the debate. Smooth answers on just about everything. Had a great soundbite when Matthews asked him about Catholic Bishops. "They can do what they want" he said incredulously to the silly question. But on the rest he was always consistently on his game. Also has a flip-flop on abortion to contend with, but he seemed to have a much better grasp on what the GOP voter needs to hear on this issue. Much better than Giuliani. Of all the candidates, I would say that only Romney really benefited from this debate, he will be seen in somewhat of a new light and that's why I'm calling him the winner. Whether that will translate into anything real, time will tell.
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Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 3)
16. Mitt Romney certainly is smooth...and slick. He does show attributes becoming of a US President.
But those who believe half of what is at MormonConspiracy.com...will continue to fear
just who will be making the important decisions
if he lands in office.
A while back Two US Senators flew to Iraq to assess
things for themselves. WHY was it that they were both LDS? WHO paid for that trip? WHY weren't non-LDS with them? Are they going to build a temple building in Bagdad? what...? The secrecy surrounding Mormonism is visible to everyone and
the aura of suspicion just isn't going to go away.
Beatrice at 6:18PM on May 4th 2007
17. To post #13: or, dont sleep with anyone you dont want to/cant affrd to have kids with; its really rather simple...
Thomas at 4:57PM on May 4th 2007
18. The candidates were doing fantastics in answering questions that were purposely prepared to put down the Republican candidates,instead it got a reverse effect in revealing how shallow the water the moderator and his crew were.It was lightweight battle last week compare to the Heavyweight last night,and I enjoyed all of them throughout the debate.Romney probably the one that stood out the most followed by Brownback,Huckabee,Hunter and Tancrado.Giuliani,McCain and Paul were trying their best but those moderators sure didn't help.
Kava Mulipola at 7:17PM on May 4th 2007
19. I think a moderate republican makes the best president thanks to Gerald Ford.Freedom to choose should remain with a women and her doctor.Women deserve the same freedom as men as to reproductive rights. Abortion is really no man's business.
Ethel at 10:13PM on May 4th 2007
20. A FEW THINGS CAN BE LEARNED FROM A LOSER EVEN IF THEY HAVE LITTLE PRACTICAL VALUE.
ONE OF THEM IS THAT LOSERS HAVE CHAMELEON BLOOD. THEY CAN CHANGE COLOR AS QUICKLY AS NEEDED. GIULIANI IS PRO AND AGAINST ABORTION BUT IN ORDER NOT TO CONTRADICT HIMSELF, HE GIVES AN EXPLANATION THAT IS SENSLESS AND WORSE THAN IF HE HADN'T.
HE IS A MILD WHITE VERSION OF AL SHARPTON IN MANY WAYS. HE WILL BE MORE PROMPT TO ATTACK MISTAKES MADE BY OTHERS THAN RECOGNIZE THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS (THIS APPLIES TO FAMILY MEMBERS AND FORMER STAFF TOO IF YOU HAVE FOLLOWED THE NEWS).
HE IS ALSO VERY EAGER TO TAP HIMSELF IN THE SHOULDER EVEN WHEN HE HAS NOT YET EARNED HIGH GRADES ON SOMETHING. NY PEOPLE ARE DIVIDED IN THEIR OPINION OF HIM. THE REGULAR RICH FOR EXAMPLE CAN SAY "HE IS OK". THE INTELLIGENT AND EDUCATED AMONG THE RICH WILL TELL YOU HE IS A CLOWN AND A LIAR.
THE AVERAGE NEW YORKER TENDS TO LEAN ON HE FAVORING THOSE WITH BIG TITLES AS HE OFTEN SHOWED AND THEN TRYING TO MEND FENCES WHEN HE NEEDED VOTES OR WHEN HE NEEDED PUBLIC SUPPORT. HE IS AN OPPORTUNIST AND A BIG LIAR. THAT MAKES HIM A LOSER NOT JUST A POLITICIAN. SMART POLITICIANS KNOW THAT DESPITE THEIR BAG OF TRICKS, IGNORING RESPECTING THOSE WHO VOTED FOR THEM CLOSE THE DOORS ON FUTURE ELECTIONS AND TAKES CREDIBILITY FROM THEIR STATEMENTS. GIULIANI TENDS TO FORGET THAT AND THIS MAKES HIM SOMEONE NOT QUALIFY TO LEAD AMERICANS AT A HIGHER LEVEL.
ANY MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY WOULD HAVE DONE AS MUCH AS HE DID OR BETTER IF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 HAPPENED ON THEIR WATCH. GIULIANI DID NOT DO ANYTHING MAGICAL OR EXTRAORDINARY. HE WAS JUST THERE GIVING SPEECHES WHEN PEOPLE WERE SHOCKED AND IN OWE AT THE FIRST ATTACK ON UNITED STATES SOIL. ANY OTHER MAYOR IN HIS SHOES WOULD HAVE GOTTEN AS MUCH RECOGNITION AND AWARDS. GIULIANI GOT THE KNIGHSHIP OUGHT OF CONNECTIONS, HE IS A POLITICAL CLOWN AND DISGRACES ANY TITLES GIVEN TO HIM UNLESS IS THE ONE OF IDIOT.
John at 11:08PM on May 4th 2007
21. It was a good debate. I thought John McCain was diplomatic, knowledgable and aggressive with his dialogue. He's got the background and the experience to be a positive leader. It's been proven that he can communicate with both sides. I was glad that I was able to watch the first presidential debate in its entirety...
susan at 11:13PM on May 4th 2007
22. John McCain was articulate, aggressive and demonstrated his ability to communicate last night. I was glad that I witnessed this debate in its entirety. While I have been slightly disappointed in McCain's humor during the beginning of the campaign, last night I saw him stand tall in his approach to all issues. He definitely has the experience and the ability to cross party lines. I hope we can remain open to what he has to say as well as all the candidates. Last night he reinforced his abiltiy and experience in many areas crucial to the United States.
susan at 11:20PM on May 4th 2007
23. The war mongering nazicon debate scared me.it's obvious they are all puppets of major evil corporations & the military industrial complex.As for reagan,he was a liar and a crook,who stole from the poor and gave to the rich,(remember that ridiculous trickle down economics)!Reagan also screwed the american farmer & refused to do anything about all those americans dying of aids,he just acted like aids didn't exist.And reagan of course made so many mega billions for the military industrial complex!Th republicans are a bunch of nazi frauds,who stand for nothing and have to try and brainwash uninformed people with the absurd mythology they created around reagan!
Tori at 11:38PM on May 4th 2007
24. WE DON'T NEED A RELIGIOUS NUT RUNNING THIS COUNTRY NO MORE; LOOK WHAT WE HAVE NOW. HE RAN AND MADE THE PEOPLE THINK HE COULD WALK ON WATER,SO WHAT DID HE DO: HE KILLED OVER 3300 AMERICAN SOLDIERS FOR MONEY IN OIL IN IRAQ. WHAT A SHAME, WHAT A DISGRACE,WHAT A MURDERING RELIGIOUS NUT.
brent at 12:10AM on May 5th 2007
25. If you Romney supporters really want a messed up country then by all means vote for Romney i know what he capable and not capable of doing im from Ma and he sure did ruin my state when he was Govenener. Why do you think he did not run again for Govenener not just so he could run for president he knew nobody liked him and he was doing a rotten job. If he should win well all you rich folks have a new best friend but the not so rich like me watch out he will put us in the poor house. Unlike Robin Hood taking from rich to give to poor Romney will take from poor to give more to Rich. If he wins i might just move to another country i don't like being in the "Poor House" (lol).
Alicia at 3:37AM on May 5th 2007
26. If you Romney supporters really want a messed up country then by all means vote for Romney i know what he capable and not capable of doing im from Ma and he sure did ruin my state when he was Govenener. Why do you think he did not run again for Govenener not just so he could run for president he knew nobody liked him and he was doing a rotten job. If he should win well all you rich folks have a new best friend but the not so rich like me watch out he will put us in the poor house. Unlike Robin Hood taking from rich to give to poor Romney will take from poor to give more to Rich. If he wins i might just move to another country i don't like being in the "Poor House" (lol).
Alicia at 3:36AM on May 5th 2007
27. I right now have 2 favorites both Republicans and can you believe it im democrat my favorites are Giuliani and McCain i like them both i don't seem to have a favorite in the democratic candidates. But right now i would actually take anyone Even Hillary who i favor the lest over Mitt Romney anyone would be better than him. As the saying goes "The Rich get Richer and the Poor get Poorer" that is Mitt Romneys Mooto for sure.
Alicia at 3:47AM on May 5th 2007
28. Right now i have 2 favorites both Republicans and can you believe im a Democrat my Favorites are Giuliani and McCain i don't have any favorites in the Democratic Candidates.But right now i would take anyone even my lest favorite Hillary over Mitt Romney anyone would do a better job. As the saying goes "The Rich Get Richer And The Poor get Poorer" that is Mitt Romney's Motto.
Alicia at 3:55AM on May 5th 2007
29. Ron Paul was, in my opinion as well as the opinions of most online polls, the winner. His positive ratings jumped 30% on the msnbc poll! In one night! He's anti-tax, anti-spend, and anti-war. He's PRO-FREEDOM! He's getting my vote.
Avery Knapp at 4:06PM on May 5th 2007
30. I actually have to applaud all the candidates for even doing the debate considering the well known anti Republican bias of Chris Matthews.
His questions were loaded to try to embarrass the candidates and make them look bad to the American Public. The one that he really went after was Giulliani.
If you listen to MSNBC after debate. Their commentators went out of their way to knock Guilliani. It is obvious that he is the last person the Democrats want to face in a general election and MSNBC was doing their best to prevent him from building upon his lead for the nomination.
Even one time conservative Scarborough seems to have done an Auriana Huffington from hanging out to much with left wing liberals.
Funny how the Dems refuse to do a debate when it was sponsored by Fox, but the Republicans weren’t afraid to go on the far left leaning MSNBC.
I can only hope that the Republicans don’t fall into the Democrats trap. While all 10 Republican candidates would be far better than anything the Democrats have to offer, but there is only 1 or maybe 2 of them (Giulliani and maybe McCain) that could win in the General Election and the Democrats know it. They are going to do everything they can to prevent them from getting the nomination.
Republicans better think long and hard if they are so opposed to Giulliani’s positions on abortion and other social issues (the President really doesn’t have any control over them anyway) that they would rather have a President Hillary Clinton than vote for Giulliani! Because that is what is going to happen, and they will only have themselves to blame.
Joe
Joe at 2:43PM on May 5th 2007