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 8 of 9)
106. Ron Paul is by far the strongest on defense. His non-interventionist foreign policy coupled with his border security plan is the absolute best way to secure our nation.
For G*d sakes, we're minting terrorists in Iraq right now! All the other GOP candidates with allow this to continue.
Paul, on the other hand, will focus on hunting down Bin Laden... Bin Laden remember him?! Yeah, the guy responsible for 9/11...
By focusing on trade, intelligence, and diplomacy instead of bullying other countries, we'll have a lot more friends than enemies. We'll be safer, richer, more prosperous, and more free...
Ron Paul will reinstate the Constitution, get government off our backs, reduce our tax burden, and deliver real lasting security. Ron Paul's voting record speaks for itself. He's earnest, consistent, and speaks from the heart...His actions match his words. Yeah he's not as slick and showy as some, but he'd make a fantastic president!
Go Ron Paul at 9:19PM on Jun 6th 2007
107. I trying to understand why you and all the other mainstream media are SO SCARED that Ron Paul will win the republican nomination that you will go way out of bounds to belittle and ignore him - this ruins all of your credibility in my eyes - Ron Paul is the only republican with honesty, courage and true leadership for America. The voters will have the last laugh over all the media wusses.
brian buchanan at 9:32PM on Jun 6th 2007
108. Everyone has their opinions on the winners and losers I suppose, but there's no way giuliani can be considered one of the winners of that dabate. Even god was trying to shut him up. How can you say Ron Paul is anti-defense? That's ignorant. He's all about protecting and securing our borders. If there were to be an actual threat to our national security Ron Paul and his administration would be more than capable for the job. He uses common sense, facts, and logic to make decision while following constitutional guidelines. This country would be so much better off. We need to get away from democrat and neocon lines of thinking pushing us further into a socio-fascist socieity. It's scary.
Gary at 10:33PM on Jun 6th 2007
109. The writer of this commentary Must be some sorta of a .....Moron.
That's the strongest word I can consciously put in here in the public arena.
By Scott's synopsis and a few others comments referring to Hero Guliani, everyone can see the ultimate product of a government education.
No understanding of what our countries rule of law is. No understanding of freedom and liberty.
The document that I and millions of servicemen have sworn to defend with our lives, and many have, and that other public "servants"[not rulers] swear to uphold.
This article demonstrates how though dumbing down ignorance, the hole foundation of our nation is trampled under foot.
It's called treason, or at least perjury of oath by the oath takers.
But for these other misguided morons, like the writer of the article, I have to shake my head in disbelief that there are people who would rather be a slave. WOW!???
Ron Paul - the Humble, Strong, Guiding Statesman, not the politician
Ron Paul- the Champion of the Constitution
Ron Paul- Americas Braveheart
I long to be an American who is proud of the United States of America' President.
Brent Sr at 11:29AM on Jun 7th 2007
110. Ron Paul is not anti national defense. Please research before you write.
ara1978 at 11:52PM on Jun 6th 2007
111. Wow, this writer has proven that he knows absolutely nothing about Ron Paul. Dr. Paul is the only sane one out of this bunch.
Wayne Rogers at 12:37AM on Jun 7th 2007
112. You guys should read what else Scott has concocted. This ending from his topic Talking Down Terrorism, where the Times speak of an immature attack, about sums up his political correctness. "You see, if they downplay it, it keeps a victory from President Bush." Can almost choke on the irony. You don't have support Ron Paul to know Scott ran out of breadcrumbs long ago.
Stephen at 12:56AM on Jun 7th 2007
113. why are republicans so afraid of Ron Paul?
why do you say "anti-war" like that's a bad thing? everyone except those that benefit from war are "anti-war"; the majority of the american people are "anti-war." republicans don't realize that their only hope is in Ron Paul because the american people will simply not vote for someone that is pro-war.
Bweaver at 1:55AM on Jun 7th 2007
114. Anti-war is a bad thing?! And what on Earth did you construe as an anti-national defense position from Ron Paul? That he considers talk of nuclear attack madness? Have you even stopped to imagine the repercussions of nuking Iran?
Every time I hear Daffy Duck, I mean Giuliani, speak, I am stunned. He has failed New York time and again, has no charisma that I can perceive, and doesn't come across as intelligent enough to run a McDonald's franchise. You want him for President?
Leo at 2:31AM on Jun 7th 2007
115. Show me your credential Ron Paul,oh and the money,you know its a requirement or else stay home.
KaM at 5:38AM on Jun 7th 2007
116. I could not believe what I was reading in this article. This guy must be a complete idiot! Giuliani shouldnt be on the stage as a Republican! Anyone who is Pro Abortion, pro gay marriage, anti 2nd ammendment, is not a Conservative!
Ron Paul is the right choice to lead this Country. He has my full support! Go Ron Paul!
Barry at 1:56PM on Jun 7th 2007
117. Ron Paul, Loser!!
Every poll I've viewed, and there are many. Ron Paul got the most votes. The American people are finally waking up. Even in this poll he came in second. I don't know who this person is that made this assinine statement, but he must have his head buried in the sand. Giuliani is part of the problem with this country, not the solution.
Gary Wallace at 6:29PM on Jun 7th 2007
118. Who the heck is Scott...with this ridiculous assessment of the debates, which is allowed to be posted as if it has some credence. Based on his comments about Rudy and Ron Paul, he knows nothing about the policies (or histories) of either of these men. This confirms to me why it was a happy, happy day for me when I dropped AOL service....they've always had an adjenda.
Meg at 8:47PM on Jun 7th 2007
119. Ron Paul is an excellent candidate. I am from NJ and I always liked Rudy, but I don't think he would make a good President since I watched all of the debates and the only word that comes to mind when I listen to him is neocon.
The LAST thing we need for President is another neocon, I don't care what party he/she is. The Democrats and Republicans are almost all neocons.
You have a couple of choices America, they were already named, Paul is the best one.
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin
Keep selling out your country, your freedom, your jobs, your kids futures, sell it all down the river America, while you try to figure out who will be the next American Idol...way to go! Or listen to journalists like this one who for some reason love every neocon (maybe because the media is corporate owned?, nah, that can't be it).
Just don't be surprised when you way of life is GONE! Defend your OWN country, stop nation building and making things worse! The world already hates us enough and we are going through so much money on this stupid war they get stronger and stronger and we get weaker and weaker.
I guess some people really have to learn the hard way.
Disgusted at 1:55AM on Jun 8th 2007
120. Ron Paul is the only candidate that I would vote for outside of the Libertarian Party. He is a throwback to the time of this nation's founding when we had men of integrity and honor leading us like Washington and Jefferson in the highest office. Glenn Beck and the rest of the neo-con shills are in a panic over the possiblity that such a man might be the next president and end their attempts to destroy the Constitution and impose an oligarchy. Beck claims to be a conservative but his words show that he is anything but one.
Rocketman at 12:19PM on Jun 8th 2007