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 5 of 9)
61. I think that some of the posters are just making flak. Of course Rudy is the only one worth voting for.. He sure didn't take cover after 911, He was right out there.. And he stayed out there. GO RUDY
Doris at 8:31AM on Jun 6th 2007
62. These comments must be comming from Democrats that wants to see Gulliani win the GOP nomination knowing that a pro abortion catholic republican will have no chance against Hillary. Fulliani is afraid of Hillary. He knows he can't defeat that monster. You hear it here first: Catholics are going to vote against a pro abortion catholic. Gulianni is more Democrat than Billary.
carmelo at 11:56AM on Jun 6th 2007
63. Ron Paul for President!
That he "has no chance" is bull...or inteneded to be self-fulfilling. He is a major breath of fresh air in American politics. Honest. Bright. Straigh-forward. With well-thought-out ideas on a wide range of issues.
Send his campaign a check. I have...and intend to send more.
Everett at 8:44AM on Jun 6th 2007
64. Ron Paul and Republicans like myself are not "anti-war" and "anti-defense." We are anti-THIS war, and pro DE-fense. Your characterization of true conservatism--which rejects military adventurism--is sickening, and you should not be writing for any journal. Go to Fox News.
Mike at 8:45AM on Jun 6th 2007
65. The only hope this country has is Tom Tancredo. He understands the need to close the border, he is a minuteman member,he is against gay marriage and abortion (unlike Rudy he actually has the guts to say that) he wants to protect america at home and abroad. As he always says, "It's your flag, pick it up, it's our country, take it back". The single most important issue this election is illegal immigration. If we allow our spineless politicians to pass an amnesty bill, then america will no longer be our country, it will belong to law breakers, america haters, and a socialist goverment brought by the mexicans when we become the north american union. Look around America, it's not a rumor, it's the cold biter reality that is happening to our country day by day.
Cortney at 1:47PM on Jun 6th 2007
66. Ron Paul is brilliant. We need real change here. He's the only one that has the brains and the courage to not only say it, but DO IT.
michelle at 9:05AM on Jun 6th 2007
67. If you actually watched the debate, there's no way you can say Rudy didn't smoke everyone else. He was confident, strong on all issues, spoke with conviction, and was definitely on his game. As a new yorker it amazes me when people start criticizing his leadership and track record with bogus statements.
"Cutting emergency funding prior to 911", "Respiratory Illnesses resulting from scaling back health concerns at ground zero"
There are more ridiculous comments but I don't want to write a book, so I'll comment on these two. First off, saying he cut emergency funding is absolutely wrong. Emergency funding is too broad based an area. He specifically cut in some emergency related areas, and added to other critical emergency areas that were in more need, so that is a misrepresentation of the truth. And how can you blame him for ground zero workers having medical issues? It's amazing that people actually would rather put the blame on the mayor, than on the terrorists themselves. I guess maybe it's just easier to point the finger at Rudy because he's in the public spotlight. This man was there 24/7 helping the families of the victims and standing strong in the face of the worst attack in history on American soil.
As far as the rest of his legacy as mayor. I've lived here for 45 years. This city was a crime ridden, run down wasteland when he became mayor. People were afraid to walk the streets alone, crime was at an all-time high, there were prostitutes and drug dealers hanging on every street corner in Times Square. He came in, and cleaned NYC up, created jobs, and made this city great again. If you're not from here you probably wouldn't understand.
gecko1nyc at 9:15AM on Jun 6th 2007
68. Most of the candidates seemed somewhat bored. Same old rag bag questions. Paul was very shrill. No one spoke elegantly (Tony Blair would have left them all in the dust). McCain's, "I will do the right thing, my friends" gets under my skin. Except for the war issue I don't trust that he knows or cares what the people want. The former Gov of Va probably stayed on question better than anyone else. Romney is smart but was a little bored it seemed last night. Tom T.can't seem to get what he wants to say out at times. Duncan has great common sense and what he says rings true. When the field thins out we'll see Fred Thompson maybe. Fred is solid thru and thru. What you see and what you hear is what he is and always has been.
Allen at 9:25AM on Jun 6th 2007
69. GO RON PAUL. THE BEST MAN ON STAGE. IT SEEMS THAT THE AOL NEWS IS DOING THE SAME AS CNN, ONLY TALKING ABOUT THE ONES THAT THEY (AOL & CNN) DEEMS AS THE TOP THREE. SO MUCH FOR IMPARTIAL OBSERVERS. HOPEFULLY THOUGH, THE INTERNET WILL KEEP PEOPLE INFORMED ENOUGH TO SEE THE TRUTH. TO SEE WHO IS TRULY THE RIGHT PERSON TO KEEP OUR COUNTRY SAFE AND FREE. RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT 2008
ELEVENTHCHILDD at 10:46AM on Jun 6th 2007
70. "He's anti-war, anti-national defense and would be the single worst choice to lead our nation at this time." HUH??? What makes anti-war such a bad thing? And who says he is anti-national defense?
Um, Scott...you are WONRG. It's time to do your research and learn a thing or two about our country and about Ron Paul. Anyone with a brain reading your debate assessment will see how ridiculous it is. The real patriots out there know who the real winner was...DR. RON PAUL!!!
abbyrobbin at 9:58AM on Jun 6th 2007
71. Mike is right. Ron Paul is a thoughtful candidate. Rudy would be another George Bush. His way or the highway. See where that got us? We need to go back to a strong America and cut the tentacles to insane governments that don't want us, don't need us and further sink our treasure in the desert wasteland of the Middle East. You want American dominance? Get off oil and get in Ron Paul!
Lou at 10:08AM on Jun 6th 2007
72. Rudy won?! Are Americans insane? All one has to do is say something outrageous and he wins? Guiliani demonstrated his lack of understanding of the democratic process when he criticized compromising? He said terror ten times, often when it was uncalled for. He is running a campaign of fear and hatred. This is what we want in a leader? If this man wins we will be in a state of perpetual war at home and abroad. Congress will make him see stars because he cannot succeed in treating Congress the way he did his opponents IN NYC. America, get real.
Elritt Works at 10:30AM on Jun 6th 2007
73. Isn't it wierd that people thank Guiliani for his leadership on 9/11, after he had made such gigantic mistake protecting the city prior to 9/11? How can they they thank him for making so many mistakes that resulted in so many lost lives. Go figure!
Elritt Works at 10:29AM on Jun 6th 2007
74. Forget all the unimoportant issues. What I want is someone who can run the country without giving everything away and then restore our pride as it used to be. That can only be RUDY and a strong choice for Vice President.
joe2398 at 10:28AM on Jun 6th 2007
75. Hilery has done nothing! Does not have enough experience except wife of a president. She show's up for lots of photo opp's, and oppertunity to gab. But has done nothing! She is a pure socialist and would lead this Nation down a path that would destroy the way this people like to live and would weaken us beyond belief!
C. Lungren at 10:52AM on Jun 6th 2007