The problem with a debate of this size is that you just don't get to hear as many answers as you'd like from the candidates you want to hear from. That said, here are tonight's winners and losers, in my most humble of opinions:
Winners:
Rudy Giuliani: Giuliani was forceful with his points and seems to be getting more comfortable. He walked the stage and looked like an attorney in a courtroom; confident, sure of his answers and convincing. He didn't get tripped up on the social issues and was on his game. He solidified his place as a front-runner by sounding conservative on national defense and taxation.
Duncan Hunter: Duncan Hunter suffers from the incurable disease of having zero charisma. He's a great candidate and knows policy better than anyone. He would make an excellent president. He was on in his answers and knows the immigration issue well because his district (my former home) in San Diego County is literally miles from the border. He also has a son serving in Afghanistan and who also served in Iraq, the war is real to him and he speaks with authority. That said, he still is a third-tier candidate because he is just not making a splash with the American people. He'd be an excellent Vice President. The international press and the New York Times will most-likely go ballistic that Hunter said he'd nuke Iran to prevent their having nukes themselves.
Losers:
John McCain: McCain had to be stellar today when discussing the immigration bill. He had to convince conservatives that this was a good bill. He failed miserably. As the old saying goes; you can put a dress and lipstick on a pig and it's still a pig. That's how it is with the immigration bill. McCain had but one issue to hammer home and he just couldn't do it. Besides that, the whole "my friends" thing is a bit irksome after the fiftieth time.
Ron Paul: Although the congressman from Texas has no shot at the nomination, he is a candidate and thus gets to talk at the debate. He's anti-war, anti-national defense and would be the single worst choice to lead our nation at this time. I would take Hillary Clinton over Paul at this time -- and anyone who reads my writing knows what I think of Hillary.
Mitt Romney: Romney, like McCain, had to have a strong performance and failed to. He's sinking in the polls and sits behind Fred Thompson -- a candidate not even in the race. He made good points but failed to nail them as much as he needed to. Romney is the anti-Duncan Hunter -- he looks presidential and has charisma but just doesn't convey his message well and sound too much like a politician.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 9)
16. You've got some serious issues. To claim that an Air Force Captain is "anti-defense" is absurd. Ron Paul is BY FAR the best choice in the GOP field. Perhaps you ought to try reading something besides the transcripts of White House Press briefings in the morning over breakfast.
The sooner we pull completely out of Iraq, the better off the Iraqis will be, and the better off our nation will be. I would bet my life, and yours, on that.
Cameron at 10:56PM on Jun 5th 2007
17. Dems do NOT know how to run a country... this country would be doomed with their anti-defense, larger gov't, socialistic nationalization!!! but have no fear because there is no chance of a Dem getting elected as president. not anytime soon lol
Bubba at 10:58PM on Jun 5th 2007
18. This is by far the WORST review I have ever read. Thank God not everyone in this country thinks like you. Ron Paul all the way...
HAVE YOU SEEN THE POLLS????
Melanie at 11:03PM on Jun 5th 2007
19. You said Ron Paul "has no shot at the nomination." I would like to know where you bought you crystal ball; was it e-bay? You also said "He's anti-war, anti-national defense and would be the single worst choice to lead our nation at this time." That is pretty strong propaganda from a so-called reporter. Go to http://www.ronpaul2008.com and get the facts straight.
f4rp at 11:19PM on Jun 5th 2007
20. RON PAUL is the only one to speak truth! Rudy is a puppet and so are all the rest tell me why:
CNN:
1) Put Ron on the end?
2) Hardly got questions?
3) Why Ken Doll, McCain and Rudy were put in the middle and got all the questions and time, talk about BRAINWASHING!
RON PAUL is the sole PATRIOT that wants our boys home not DYING for OIL as he said! Wake up People!
RON PAUL REVOLUTION is here!
jmart10326 at 11:39PM on Jun 5th 2007
21. Hey Scott, do you work for Fox News? Cause I've never seen such moronic, completely untrue statements come from journalists who don't
work for them. I've never read any of your other articles, nor do I wish to, unless I want some entertainment from your ignorance.
Please, do your research before you spout your mouth, or should I say, your neocon agenda. Not only are you wrong on the issue that Ron Paul has no chance of winning the nomination (But I guess that depends on
opinion, so I'll let you slide on this), you are also completely wrong when you say he is anti-national defense. Ron Paul wants strong domestic security and defense. He just doesn't want us nation building and spreading our army thin across the globe, since that just makes us weaker and MORE vulnerable to attack. And in the process, we manage to piss of the whole world and create more terrorists. In addition, he is not exactly "anti-war". A better way to describe it is "non-intervention". He'll go to war if it is necessary (If a nation TRULY is a threat to our security), and only if Congress gives it's approval (Because that's what the constitution says in the War Powers
Clause). So next time, try doing your job as a journalist (ie. Do research), and not mindlessly slandering people.
Arun at 11:39PM on Jun 5th 2007
22. Scott, you're an eedgit. Ron Paul is very strong on national defense and is the only candidate that has been consistent on his views. Dr. Paul speaks from the heart and, I think, speaks to most Americans, whether democrat or republican. Dr. paul easily won the debate but you need to listen next time instead of having you're head up your arse.
Dan
Dan at 11:46PM on Jun 5th 2007
23. ron paul is the only true conservative in the lot.He's anti-war, anti-I.R.S.,anti-big government,anti-global government,anti-U.N.,and pro-states rights!
eddiedickey at 12:15AM on Jun 6th 2007
24. Ron Paul was the only stand-out candidate! Go Ron Paul!
Jon Carper at 12:46AM on Jun 6th 2007
25. ROn Paul:
Is the only candiate to stand up to the corrupt FEDERAL RESERVE (Yes folks they are not FEDERAL they are a private entity owned by International Bankers) That fleece thsi nation of its wealth, ask why inflation is so high. Ask why they fear RON PAUL as he is waking up the AMERICANS in the dark about this. because if the people would know about this they would riot. JFK was the last man to stand up to these crooks (see Executive order 1110) Dr. Paul has the guts to be our leader and he speaks our language folks!! That language is TRUTH! Not fear mongering!
A true Patriot!
jmart10326 at 11:53PM on Jun 5th 2007
26. Ron Paul is the only man fit for our country on either side of the debate. What would we do if there wasn't another party to blame anymore? Oh yeah, there is no other party...there both the same. This man is smart, wise, experienced and has a very humble stance on being a politician, and that is enough to trust him. But lets just say he is increadibly awesome as well. We love you Ron!
lindsay at 11:56PM on Jun 5th 2007
27. Wake up America! Ron Paul and the other "bottom end canidates" did not get their fair share of air time questions and and focus. Why did CNN only focus on the "top three" most of the debate?. The main stream media and the neo-cons don't like what Ron Paul has to say because it scares them. They are afraid that maybe, just maybe, Americans will vote for a person who stands for truth and ideas that they really believe in and the rest of America believes in. Ask the GOP this: more than half of Americans want out of the Iraq war. Why do Republicans want a canidate who wants to keep us in the war and continue this "nation building" and policing the world when we have many problems here in our own country. Who cares who believes in evolution or not. What does that have to do with the state of our nation?!!? Americans I beg you: Do your research on the canidates and vote for the one who best fits your ideals for our great country. DO NOT BE A FOLLOWER!!
Ron Paul 2008!
RJ Torres at 12:15AM on Jun 6th 2007
28. Winners based on poise - nothing like a fickle blog blowing air in a vacuum.
Ron Paul blew thier socks off - what else is new?
At least the neo-cons are showing themselves for the socialist fascists that they are and not spinning reality or apologizing for it. I'll give them credit for that.
If Ron Paul isn't on the 08 ballot the Republicans can kiss my vote goodbye - for good.
Phil at 12:14AM on Jun 6th 2007
29. RON PAUL TRUE PATRIOT
eddiedickey at 1:00AM on Jun 6th 2007
30. Ron Paul wins! No question about it. Let's restore the CONSTITUTION of the UNITED STATES! Repeal the phoney wars, repeal the Patriot Act!
Jon Carper at 7:41AM on Jun 6th 2007