GOP YouTube debate officially back on — possibly without Mitt; Update: CNN seeking submissions from DU
posted at 10:59 am on August 13, 2007 by Allahpundit
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I said most of what I had to say about this last week, when it was probably back on. But the Snowman telling Mitt to “lighten up slightly” made me laugh and that’s reason enough to post again.
It’s set for November 28. Mitt’s likely going to cave and join the fray too, especially if he’s trailing badly in October, but if he inches up before then it may be worth pulling a nonsense gesture like this to distinguish himself from the pack and claim the mantle, however clumsily, of Reagan refusing to remove his jacket in the Oval Office out of respect for the presidency. That would play well with some of the base but how well and with how much would depend on how the debate turns out. If the questions are serious and/or if Fred or Rudy (or Huckabee?) turns it into a showcase for their own people skills, Mitt ends up looking like a stooge by sitting it out. If, on the other hand, it’s the sustained hatchet job that the Hewitt crew expects, Mitt looks like a genius.
A gamble like that would add a little extra intrigue to it, though. I kind of hope now that he does sit out.
Update: Via tipster RLW, maybe Mitt’s got a good idea here:
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re-tard-ed
SilverStar830 on August 13, 2007 at 11:04 AM
He should only attend if the Star Wars kid is the moderator.
Number 2 on August 13, 2007 at 11:04 AM
I doubtthe questions will be as lighthearted as they were for the Dems.
madmonkphotog on August 13, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Ditto.
All I noticed was that the birdfeeder needed to be filled.
moonsbreath on August 13, 2007 at 11:09 AM
I hope all four people who watch it enjoy it.
Blake on August 13, 2007 at 11:11 AM
You’re assuming anybody will even watch.
I’d be willing to cede the tiny number of Republican voters who even bother to watch it in order to maintain my own dignity.
When you dignify idiocy you legitimize it and get more of it.
TheBigOldDog on August 13, 2007 at 11:12 AM
You really have to wonder that in say, oh, fifty years from now, how the history books are going to be looking back at this particular Presidential campaign. Talking snowman and all.
pilamaye on August 13, 2007 at 11:13 AM
I thinking of not voting for any Republican who shows up for this side show. Retarded is the right word. Sheesh tired of hearing about it.
calgrammy on August 13, 2007 at 11:16 AM
But … but … what about the perky vote? We can’t lose the perkies, can we?
Blake on August 13, 2007 at 11:19 AM
Trancredo will get a question about nuking Mecca.
zane on August 13, 2007 at 11:19 AM
Where don’t snowmen melt in the summer? If summers were below 32 degrees, I’d be demanding global warming.
Stupid snowman.
frankj on August 13, 2007 at 11:21 AM
There are currently 1157 questions in the lineup. Nearly all of them are crap. I would even say most are nothing more than demeaning statements in question form. There are a few decent questions but what are the odds those will show up?
Guardian on August 13, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Who built that snowman? It’s gotta be one of the ugliest, lopsided, wobbly headed snowmen I’ve ever seen.
Kowboy on August 13, 2007 at 11:44 AM
That’s the second time you’ve left an off-topic comment on this thread that I’ve had to delete, DfD. Next time’s a banning.
Allahpundit on August 13, 2007 at 11:51 AM
Smells like a set up, but our candidates will have to face a big, bad world out there, so this should be a cakewalk. Guiliani should shine in this format.
Stormy70 on August 13, 2007 at 12:05 PM
This snowman seems so skeeeered of Mitt… Probably because Mitt’s the only one of our guys that’s packing the most feared anti-snowman weapon called the hair dryer.
Then again, the snowmen should really HATE li’l Silky. Hair dryer + CFC’s in hairspray = teh global warming
ScottMcC on August 13, 2007 at 12:17 PM
Those begging for this to happen don’t seem to be commenting on this thread. Will there be an open “I told ya so!” thread in late November or early December, regardless of the outcome?
captivated_dem on August 13, 2007 at 12:18 PM
The candidates should do the debate regardless of the quality of the comments and just consider it a rite of passage. The other guys did it, now it’s their turn.
At this point it appears that the debate will be an exercise in speaking coherently to sometimes incoherent questioners and in keeping one’s temper. Both are skills that will be required of the President.
Gabriel Malor on August 13, 2007 at 12:21 PM
Pathetic. A total mockery of the democratic process.
And no, it isn’t a medium that brings the common voter face to face with the candidates. It’s a farce. A gimmick that’s good theater for CNN and just another way for self-described ‘internet political gurus’ to make themselves seem relevant.
EduardoOTI on August 13, 2007 at 12:23 PM
Hee.
Tanya on August 13, 2007 at 12:30 PM
If it’s not yet a joke, it is quickly becoming one.
An MTV Mr. Bill knockoff it a snowman’s clothing.
I wonder if the GOP candidates realize how this so-called debate thing is being used to ridicule them?
Lawrence on August 13, 2007 at 12:55 PM
Everyone here knows that this is just a setup against the republican candidates if CNN’s people are picking the videos to show. If I was on that stage and got confronted by an idiotic video, my reponse would be: I’ll pass on this one.
cjs1943 on August 13, 2007 at 1:27 PM
One other thing I just noticed. Mr. Snowman leans to his left.
Coincidence?
Kowboy on August 13, 2007 at 1:35 PM
OHHH NOOOO! (DON’T DO IT FRED)
Ex-tex on August 13, 2007 at 1:36 PM
I’d like to see how well Huckabee answers the questions. He’s become my new underdog.
kiakjones on August 13, 2007 at 2:07 PM
I think this community typifies the broad spectrum of conservatives and Republicans. It would be great if one of you regular HA commenters actually got your question into the lineup.
Regardless of the issue, I know that someone from within these ranks can craft an appealing query that digs to the root of some of our most important issues.
I will make it a point to support the videos submitted by HA fans. I have found agreement and been taken to task by some very capable Hot Airheads.
Please let us know if you submit a question.
The Race Card on August 13, 2007 at 3:49 PM
You’re a man for admitting it AP. It’s a setup. All risk, no reward.
I have a great deal of respect for his communication ability. He’s very good. I don’t care much for his paternalistic instincts but we could do a lot worse.
TheBigOldDog on August 13, 2007 at 3:53 PM
lightbulb:
What about a HotAir produced question? It would be a way for us to get our Vent fix. And we could vote on which videos to submit to the debates on behalf of HotAir.
I personally think that Michelle Malkin brings enough clout to the table that her submission alone would be newsworthy.
The more I think about this, the more I am about ready to start begging.
Please, please, please submit a youtube edition of Vent.
The Race Card on August 13, 2007 at 3:56 PM
How many times has Michelle been interviewed on CNN in the last 6 months?
This will be such a set up that all the candidates who attend will spend 6 weeks trying to unspin the spin put on their answers by the msm. CNN will load up on “Do you still beat your wife questions”. If Mitt stays off he will cement my support and probably alot of other people’s.
peacenprosperity on August 13, 2007 at 4:08 PM
What gets me is that this enviro-conscious, global-warming worried, birkenstock-wearing tree-hugging talking snowman…
has a mouth made out of FRANKFURTERS.
Bwahahahahahaa !!!!!!
Always Right on August 13, 2007 at 4:17 PM
Right from when I first of heard there were going to be You Tube/CNN debates I knew it was going to be skewed in the Dims favor. I still have been going back and forth over whether or not Repubs should go through with it. This DU thing just confused me more. I’ve filp-flopped more than Waffles. But I still think they should just try and make the best of a bad situation. Just like they did with MSNBC. It seems obvious that the MSM isn’t going to slam Dims for not showing at FNC, but they are more than willing to jump the R’s for not going to this, so go and “have fun” with it. Just try and not look stupid. Maybe it will thin the herd a bit.
PowWow on August 13, 2007 at 4:34 PM
For who? The msm? Less republican candidates to attack and more time to do it?
peacenprosperity on August 13, 2007 at 5:53 PM
I don’t understand the defeatist attitude that we have to accept the rules as set up by the msm. Let them go totally negative on the republicans (they can’t get much more anyway). Set up alternative serious debates and let the msm refuse to show them and let the clueless middle see what the msm is all about.
peacenprosperity on August 13, 2007 at 5:55 PM
those are the types of responses that would make this debate watchable. if the whole thing is geared toward attacking republican candidates in a stupid, childish guise then maybe stupid, childish answers are all we can hope to give back at them. it wont give them the satisfaction of watching a candidate sweat under pressure if all he has to say is in response is “oh you mean like when Hillary voted for [whatever]?” M.A.D. all the way.
p00pies on August 13, 2007 at 7:37 PM
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