Republican Debate (2011)

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I saw the 1st Republican Debate. Many of the well known Republicans (Huckabee, Trump, Palin, Bachmann, Gingrich, and Romney) were not present.

The debate was between Businessman Herman Cain, Congressman Ron Paul, Governor Tim Pawlenty, Governor Gary Johnson, and Senator Rick Santorum.

My evaluation of each of them:

Ron Paul - His libertarian views which contrast social conservatism and interventionism distinguished him from the audience. He was lively enough to appeal to the audience, but at some moments too energetic. Though he fumbled with words several times, he articulated his points well, even though I disagree with them.

Gary Johnson - He shared some of Ron Paul's libertarian views, but diverged from the GOP in being a pro-choice candidate. His attempts at humor did not work, though he was right to complain that he wasnt receiving a fair amount of time. He shouldn't have wasted time talking about running marathons. Though, some of his points were well explained, he was not very charismatic, and certainly not a person fit to face against Obama, and likely to be ignored once the big players enter the room.

Rick Santorum - Perhaps his most notable argument was when he opposed calling a truce on social issues to focus on economic issues, deeming them to be just important. Also, his explanation of how he defeated Democratic incumbents was a good use of time, as he provided specifics rather than general platitudes.

Herman Cain - One of the most rousing candidates on the stage, who tried to emotionally connect with the audience several times. He made bold statements which certainly grabbed the attention of the people. While he was frank and direct in conversation, I think he relied too much on general platitudes rather than giving specifics.

Tim Pawlenty - He was certainly one of the most well known of the 5 candidates, and was polling somewhat well in straw polls. He overemphasized his childhood of being raised from a blue collar family, but he showed fervor on foreign policy issues.

Who won?
Who lost?
Who would you support, if any of them?
Who did you dislike the least?

Your thoughts?

The clowns have left the circus, leaving only the trained animals to entertain us.

I didn't see it, but if all the GOP'ers attended, it would've been a showdown between Huckabee, Gingrich, and Ron Paul(perhaps even Romney.) I think I like Huckabee and Ron Paul, and Gingrich has some very good ideas too (though his past always seems to be his barrier to entry.)

I don't know why, but I'd be attracted to a Tony Blair and David Brooks(NYTimes Columnist) or David Cameron ticket. Or even throw Malcolm Gladwell or Joel Kotkin into that mix. They would be to the left of the republicans and to the right of the democrats and a champion of the middle class (which Obama and his GOP competitors couldn't care less about). Yea I know what you're probably thinking... "dream much?" I should keep these weird fantasies to myself.

I've been following Herman Cain for about 6 months. He has to be my favorite candidate. I mean, he's a rousing speaker (teleprompter not included), a Tea Party activist, and he's black. Who can beat a black Tea Partier who talks like MLK? But the problem, is that he has no prior political experience.

Hermain Cain was a Federal Reserve head in Kansas City, apposes even auditing the Fed, supported the bail outs, the stimulus, etc. He's not a fiscal conservative, period. I could see him trying to pick off a lot of Huckabee voters tho if he Huck doesn't run. He avoided any specifics and stuck to the talking points so that's why he probably would sound appealing to somebody that isn't familiar with his background.

Santorum is a nobody and just tried to play the social conservative hardcore the whole time. He seems to to talk outside the side of his mouth too. He'll be dropping out soon.

Pawlenty neocon'd it up pretty hard. Looked really bad when they brought up his past support of cap and trade. Over-empathized his background as already said. He's always advertised as one of the front runners for some reason but he polls terribly, Ron Paul has more than like double his poll numbers

Gary Johnson looked okay but his answer on the abortion issue was brutal. He got kind of a raw deal Fox News as expected, got ignored and then asked completely inane questions like the one what type of reality show would he want and why he runs marathons. I think him protesting was completely justified, there was a period early in the debate when they were just coming back and forth with Santorum, Cain, Pawlenty for a few questions. That's Fox News for you, fair and balanced as always. I think he did pretty well on everything else that, me agreeing with him on most things probably makes me a little bias. His answer on marijuana legalization was great, dunno how it will play with conservatives tho.

I think Ron Paul came off really good in this debate. Stayed on topic, didn't talk himself up, and was really energetic. I'm of the opposite opinion of an earlier poster, I think he comes of even better when he gets animated. His answer on drug legalization was great and made Chris Wallace stupid for even asking it. He stumbled on his words a few times but I don't think it hurt him too much.

Who would of thought Ron Paul would be the highest polling candidate on stage? You wouldn't of known it by the coverage. LOL @ the fake focus group that had afterwards that acted like Herman Cain dominated. Guess we know who Frank Luntz and Sean Hannity like. Wonder why they don't do internet, text, or call in polls anymore? Hopefully Romney, Gingrich, Palin, Huckabee, and Trump are hurt by being to chicken to show up. Hopefully Palin, Huckabee, and Trump don't run period.

ron paul is the highest polling on the stage, as he takes the libertarian vote.

the moderate conservative vote is divided by pawlenty, romney, etc.

but if it were between ron paul and pawlenty, the gop, as a whole would nominate pawlenty.

Pawlenty takes the nothing vote, dude gets like 1-2% in every poll despite being shoved down our throat by the media

In 2008, it was decided at the Grove, CA, that Obama would win (why else a one foot in the grave Republican candidate and a silly Alaskan babe).

Are there really americans who think their 'vote' counts?
Never heard of election fraud?

Thought this was a decent summary of Tim Pawlenty's performance last night at the debate.

Pawlenty’s Performance

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2011/ ... rformance/

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