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 4 of 9)
46. To understand my deeply reasoned endorsement of Congressman Ron Paul, I invite you to visit my website:
http://www.myspace.com/wizardofbahs
I have written two pertinent Blog entries. They are the most recent articles. One is entitled:
"Keeping the Fox Out of the Hen House" which pertains to national defense and foreign policy.
The earlier one is entitled:
"When Belief Becomes Deadly--What Can We Do?"
Dr. Paul in my considered opinion is the only candidate who will protect our eroding liberty--liberty that is ebbing away as individuals like KAM are extolling the virtues of a wealthy corporatist (Romney) who is intent on supporting pre-emptive war and the continual killing in the Middle East, including the Israeli atrocities, e.g., shelling innocent citizens in Northern Lebanon as retaliation against Hezbollah, when this organization is known to be located in Southern Lebanon.
Romney professes to be pro-life. How is his support for "enhanced interrogation" (a politically correct way of saying "torture") and building a larger Guantanamo that will further blast habeas corpus back into antiquity, as well as his support of mass death in the Middle East in the thinly veiled pursuit of oil consistent with calling himself pro-life?
KAM, Romney gives short answers because he deals in political platitudes. Examine your own conscience regarding the atrocious foreign policy of imperialistic war that Romney supports. Have you seen the horrendous carnage that U.S and Israeli foreign policies have unleashed on the Iraqi and other Arab people? There are graphic videos all over the Internet. I urge you to investigate extensively before you adoringly vote in the Presidential Popularity Contest.
BAHS at 4:17AM on Jun 6th 2007
47. For all of you who do not think you are brainwashed.
WE HAVE HAD CLINTONS AND BUSHES IN OFFICE FOR 20 YEARS!!!
WAKE THE HELL UP!!
Vote for RON PAUL!
Let Freedom and Liberty Ring!
Down with the IRS, Down with the Federal reserve.
People must really hate there hard earned money. How can you vote for any of these pork politicians?
Do some research and find out where your Fed tax on your check really goes.
You will find out it ends up in some rich banksters pocket! Not for so-called government program.
Ron Paul could make you wealthy..by letting you keep your hard earned money and not giving it to big wasteful pork belly government officials.
www.ronpaul2008.com
ROCK ON RON!!!
Liberty Bell at 4:28AM on Jun 6th 2007
48. Sorry people but Ron Paul doesn't see farther than himself,he uttered any words without using that device called the brain inside his head.Is he running for a class president?then he's on the wrong race.
KaM at 1:31PM on Jun 6th 2007
49. Sorry people but Ron Paul doesn't see farther than himself,he uttered any words without using that device called the brain inside his head.Is he running for a class president?then he's on the wrong race.
KaM at 4:38AM on Jun 6th 2007
50. Sorry BAHS,I undestand that if anything our civilations History taught us is,we will never underestimate the enemies.Ron Paul is for Ron Paul and for Ron Paul.
KaM at 5:15AM on Jun 6th 2007
51. Rudy is a pure fascist in the tradition of Mussolini.
Cheat on his wife,hated by his children then go to church on Sunday with the maffia and... give us moral advice and try to scare us.
marcel serraillier at 6:41AM on Jun 6th 2007
52. As usual no direct answers to any questions. 1) why are gas prices so high? Answer:profit margin on alternative fuels by the gov and oil companies. 2)Roe vs wade-pro life? This answer is two fold; a)IRS tax law needs separation of church and state-marriage is a religious base not a regualtory income base. remove any reference to maritial status to any law.b)It is against the constitution to write a law based in church. The "concept" of life after or before death is not a topic for legislation, it is religion. 3)Iraq: the end product has always been Iran and Syria, why dont they tell the truth? Afghanistan was for Phizer and Merck, the legalization of the heroin fields, just like the control of the crude reserves and haliburton. 4)healthcare: give everyone the same program the politicians have or change thier benefits and retirement to social security and medicare. Then and only then will it be "fixed over night"
binc at 6:01AM on Jun 6th 2007
53. With 35% approval for Ron Paul at this writing - significantly ahead of other candidates - it is clear that the PEOPLE are speaking in favor of Ron Paul. He is a clear thinker, excellent communicator and represents ideals that people are obviously attracted to. Vote for Ron Paul!
Donna at 6:12AM on Jun 6th 2007
54. Ron Paul is the one the only candidate that is out there to protect OUR CONSTITUTION
Witch is the only document that we the people have to protect us from big government.
All the other candidates’ republican or democrat have the same goal that is to nationalize
The government and take the rights away from the states. The immigration bill is nothing more but to start a national ID with a RFID chip installed. These machine men and women don’t care about you they just care about there global interests and how much money they get from big corporations.
Protect the constitution and vote for Ron Paul your kids will love you for it.
Dennis Romero at 6:17AM on Jun 6th 2007
55. Go Ron Paul. It is amazing how the media continues to make negative comments about Ron Paul. Yet, he continues to finish top in the polls. Americans have had enough of the media selected and good old boy network candidates. Vote for Ron Paul and lets get our country back on track.
Bateauxdriver at 6:33AM on Jun 6th 2007
56. Rudy is going to be the next President and I think the country should start to prepare for that. The People want Rudy!!!!
Joseph R at 6:50AM on Jun 6th 2007
57. Guiliani? You have to be kidding me. NEVER!
Six years ago I watched those buildings fall and
lost 343 of my brothers in the blink of an eye.
While grieving the lost of their co-workers they feverishly searched the piles of debris looking for anyone dead or alive. They were told the collapse zone was safe to work in, remember? Now they're getting sick. Hey... where's Bush and Guilani when you need them the most? Is this anyway to honor men and women that would gladly trade his or her life to save yours?
George Bush and Rudy Guiliani show up in the days to follow for a few photos ops hugging firemen in front of perfectly staged cameras. What pigs. Do you guys like this stuff or are you as sick of it as I am?
Here is the real kicker. Get this... the place that we went to war with HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH 9/11!
This war is costing you... the American taxpayer, currently $395,046,385,483 and steadily increases $41,000 ever second. How does this sort of spending benefit the average citizen? Let me guess... does it make you feel safer? At what point do you reach when enough's enough?
I'm a life long democrat but I have absolutely NO RESPECT for Nancy "bait-and-switch" Pelosi and the rest of the democratic party. Oh... by the way, Nancy, since impeachment is "off the table", I'm sending you back to California when your term is over.
My vote will certainly go to Ron Paul in 2008.
Timothy at 7:00AM on Jun 6th 2007
58. THIS DEBATE WAS A JOKE.THE CANDIDATES TRY FOR SOUND BITES. THEIR TRUE FEELINGS ARE GUARDED.
GERRY J. at 7:53AM on Jun 6th 2007
59. How is it that you are allowed to post articles without any factual basis? A simple search on google will tell you that a good portion of your information about Ron Paul is entirely incorrect. Yay for the internet for allowing "Scott" to post such unfounded garbage.
Steve Petersen at 8:17AM on Jun 6th 2007
60. RUDY FOR PRESIDENT...HE MAKES THE MOST SENSE
fb at 8:23AM on Jun 6th 2007