Open thread: The highest, lowest debate expectations evah; Video added: Rudy vs. Romney
posted at 3:35 pm on October 9, 2007 by Allahpundit
4 p.m. ET on CNBC, the elephant in the room finally speaks up. Why they decided to hold an event as momentous as this in the middle of the day, I have no idea. It’ll re-air tonight at 9 on MSNBC but highlights will be all over the web by then, I’m sure. If you’re not in front of a TV but want to watch, the livestream is being carried at CNBC.com.
The question of the hour: Are expectations for Fred sky high or knee high? I figured he’d need a star turn to rehabilitate himself with disappointed Republicans but the CW I’m seeing today is that if he doesn’t bore the audience into a stupor it’ll be considered a moral victory. Which is another way of saying that an unusually strong performance could turn the race on its head and an unusually weak one could sink his candidacy, which is why he’ll probably proceed cautiously to protect his second-place position and go for broke at a later debate if he has to.
While we wait, here’s Howard Kurtz theorizing that Rudy’s rudeness (i.e. pugnaciousness) is a major draw for Republicans, which is silly given that he’s gone out of his way not to show that side of himself during the campaign thus far. If he’s nominated and faces Hillary, you’ll see it in spades. Although I’m not sure it’ll matter — check out the trend in this Angus Reid poll. What was it Bill Kristol was saying yesterday about electability?
He’s still got a fairly healthy lead over Fred, though, whose own trends aren’t encouraging. We’ll see how that looks tomorrow. At least one important number is about to change dramatically — or is it? Mitt’s been in every debate thus far but judging from those figures the public must think he’s part of the set.
As always, sound off below if you’re watching and e-mail us if you see something that deserves to be clipped. An unlikely but possible subplot to watch out for: the candidates smacking Chris Matthews for his comments about Republican “criminals” last week and Matthews, eager to prove his alleged independence, smacking back. Even money says that if anyone does it, it’s Huckabee.
Update: The Rudy/Mitt feud bubbles up over the line-item veto, culminating in a clever applause line for Giuliani. I think he’s right about the LIV.
Link: sevenload.com
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More likely Fears the Fred…….
doriangrey on October 9, 2007 at 5:31 PM
Does nobody here like Huck?
abinitioadinfinitum on October 9, 2007 at 5:31 PM
Oh, come on Mitt, say it right out loud – the teacher’s union sucks.
Laura on October 9, 2007 at 5:31 PM
Funny Mitt. and effective
Weight of Glory on October 9, 2007 at 5:31 PM
Mitt rocks the Union question. Leave it to a businessman to know about unions, heh.
Fred is part of the Screen Actor’s Guild. Game. Over. Man.
BKennedy on October 9, 2007 at 5:32 PM
Mitt knows unions.
And Fred knows….?
OK. Good answer.
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:32 PM
More specifics from Fred!
He states very clearly what he does not like about unions.
Everyone else beat around the bush…
unamused on October 9, 2007 at 5:33 PM
Mr. Big Governement? What’s to like?
Drew on October 9, 2007 at 5:33 PM
That’s a good one, I didn’t even think of that one. I thought he was dodging the elephant in the room of the UAW
Weight of Glory on October 9, 2007 at 5:33 PM
I was trying to figure out who he meant. You nailed it!
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:33 PM
ROFL
Fear the toothless tiger.
BKennedy on October 9, 2007 at 5:33 PM
I thought Fred! had a good answer there. As did Mitt.
techno_barbarian on October 9, 2007 at 5:33 PM
BKennedy
Reagan was in the Screen Actor’s Guild.
bnelson44 on October 9, 2007 at 5:33 PM
Mitt knows how to crush unions and oppress workers, Fred knows how to make a$$holes like mitt back off……
doriangrey on October 9, 2007 at 5:34 PM
I do love it when you and dorian are on the same thread.
Weight of Glory on October 9, 2007 at 5:34 PM
This message brought to you by Fred Thompson for President.
Fred Thompson: He’ll support the economy be maintaining national parks.
BKennedy on October 9, 2007 at 5:34 PM
Stick to the candidates fool.
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:34 PM
Some of these questions make me think the questioners are not very familiar with the Republican platform. Perhaps they need to work on their wording. Capitalism good, less government good, unions forced on people bad…nothing new there.
Numenorean on October 9, 2007 at 5:34 PM
yo momma
Big S on October 9, 2007 at 5:34 PM
WHOA!!!! I. AM. STUNNED! ;)
That is the very first positive thing cs has ever said about Fred!.
techno_barbarian on October 9, 2007 at 5:35 PM
Why didn’t anyone say, “I live union members a lot more than I like union leaders” and go on to invoke Reagan Democrats and where they split from the people who run the unions.
Drew on October 9, 2007 at 5:35 PM
Oh snap! Momma jokes!
Weight of Glory on October 9, 2007 at 5:35 PM
Nobody is afraid of Mitt or you……..
doriangrey on October 9, 2007 at 5:35 PM
Indeed. That was before Hollyweird went psycho-dipstick left.
BKennedy on October 9, 2007 at 5:35 PM
I was just about to suggest some gloves.
abinitioadinfinitum on October 9, 2007 at 5:35 PM
Dude, I’m loving Tanc! Beat that drum. He made me laugh!
Spirit of 1776 on October 9, 2007 at 5:35 PM
Except Fred Thompson.
BKennedy on October 9, 2007 at 5:36 PM
Tanc has now cheapened the illegal immigration issue.
And McCain just crossed some age threshold on live television.
unamused on October 9, 2007 at 5:36 PM
Tancredo going after Brownback’s Mama…!
No No !
186k on October 9, 2007 at 5:36 PM
mcains illigal imigrant seats are cheap
gberez on October 9, 2007 at 5:36 PM
ROTFLMAO
peski on October 9, 2007 at 5:36 PM
McCain is having hearing problems
bnelson44 on October 9, 2007 at 5:36 PM
it’s a faint to get you off guard…….
doriangrey on October 9, 2007 at 5:36 PM
Mcain drinks every morning. that explains alot of things
unseen on October 9, 2007 at 5:37 PM
Agreed
americaslaststand on October 9, 2007 at 5:37 PM
HEH!
Weight of Glory on October 9, 2007 at 5:37 PM
McCain pulls the Reagan card.
BKennedy on October 9, 2007 at 5:37 PM
There ya go.
Laura on October 9, 2007 at 5:37 PM
A glass of ethanol every day before breakfast? Awesome.
Big S on October 9, 2007 at 5:37 PM
I wish Chris was named Richard so I could call him Dick.
… or something like that…
Sultry Beauty on October 9, 2007 at 5:37 PM
That was a look of absolute astonishment. What the heck does national parks have to do with social security.
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:37 PM
And both Reagan and Fred had to work to get where they are instead of relying on a wealthy, politically powerful father for most of their life.
Hollowpoint on October 9, 2007 at 5:37 PM
I have a glass of ethanol every morning for breakfast. Nice line, John:)
Spirit of 1776 on October 9, 2007 at 5:37 PM
Fred wins.
One word response. I love this man.
unamused on October 9, 2007 at 5:37 PM
Now it reflects reality…..
doriangrey on October 9, 2007 at 5:38 PM
Dang Fred, specific question – give a specific answer.
Spirit of 1776 on October 9, 2007 at 5:38 PM
“Well let me ask your opinion, Christopher…”
Again, Fred wins.
unamused on October 9, 2007 at 5:38 PM
‘Hollywood’ is a closed shop. If you aren’t a SAG member, you don’t work.
And may I also remind you that Ronald Reagan was the President of the SAG before he became one of the best Presidents of the United States.
LegendHasIt on October 9, 2007 at 5:38 PM
Give Johnny Mac credit for taking on Ag subsidies. Good for him. No votes won in Iowa with that one.
Drew on October 9, 2007 at 5:38 PM
Was that more meandering nonsense from Fred?
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:38 PM
Man! that should have been a quick easy answer for Fred. Not impressed with that one
Weight of Glory on October 9, 2007 at 5:38 PM
Fred slaps down Matthews. got to love it.
unseen on October 9, 2007 at 5:38 PM
Fred b#tch slaps Chrissy……Fred wins……
doriangrey on October 9, 2007 at 5:38 PM
Lol Fred! zinger
peski on October 9, 2007 at 5:39 PM
Oh, but he gets points for calling Matthews, “Christopher”
Spirit of 1776 on October 9, 2007 at 5:39 PM
Police the internet?
Rudy takes the cybercrime angle and I don’t think that’s what Chrissy meant, do you?
Laura on October 9, 2007 at 5:39 PM
You’re never gonna change his mind, dorian, not that you should stop trying. I gave up a while back.
techno_barbarian on October 9, 2007 at 5:39 PM
Joe McCarthy would like a word with you.
Hollowpoint on October 9, 2007 at 5:39 PM
From Fred – “Nobody asked your opinion Christopher”
LOL
jdog on October 9, 2007 at 5:39 PM
Ding, a point for Fred
americaslaststand on October 9, 2007 at 5:39 PM
Drew on October 9, 2007 at 5:38 PM
would you rather have those subsides going to Iwoa or Iran?
unseen on October 9, 2007 at 5:39 PM
SMACK DOWN!!! I LOVE THIS MAN…
Sultry Beauty on October 9, 2007 at 5:40 PM
that was as specific as you can get “NO”
gberez on October 9, 2007 at 5:40 PM
heh, heh. Rudy said ‘penetrated’. (I know, I’m sorry)
Spirit of 1776 on October 9, 2007 at 5:40 PM
Don’t talk about SAG or AFTRA unless you are a member or were raised by a member.
Both my mother and step-father are in SAG and AFTRA and I left the business as a child before I got into SAG. There are more conservatives in SAG than you think.
And Fred just wins. Period.
unamused on October 9, 2007 at 5:40 PM
Nothing you say tends to reflect reality, doriangray. You take actual reality and substitute your own.
Fred did answe the Chrysler bailout question well though.
BKennedy on October 9, 2007 at 5:40 PM
Fred. The king of vagueness. It forces each person to fill in the blanks according to their own desired meaning.
If he could give specifics, it’d be different. But he cannot. He’s an empty suit.
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:40 PM
The fact that Rudy says at some point we might need to consider an FCC for the internet is a freighting thought.
Drew on October 9, 2007 at 5:41 PM
good answer from mccain, again
bnelson44 on October 9, 2007 at 5:41 PM
Oh, sorry to repeat someone else’s earlier statement….. I had to leave for a couple of minutes and didn’t refresh /read the later statements
LegendHasIt on October 9, 2007 at 5:41 PM
gberez on October 9, 2007 at 5:40 PM
I’ll trust you. I must have missed it somehow. I thought I heard him go straight into labor theory.
Spirit of 1776 on October 9, 2007 at 5:41 PM
Hollywood’s always been left. I just think they refused to forgive Republicans after the McCarthy nightmare of the 50′s.
When are these folks (mediators/media) ever going to get it? Creating more agencies hasn’t worked well for us — why is that always their answer?
Numenorean on October 9, 2007 at 5:41 PM
Don’t feed that moron. He can’t defend Fred so he attacks you.
Ignore him.
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:42 PM
Oh I’m not trying to change his mind, like you I know it isnt possible. I’m just getting all my digs in now because I dont want to be insulting the guy buying the drinks later…Loser buys the first round here in San Diego after Fred is nominated… :p
doriangrey on October 9, 2007 at 5:42 PM
Sorry, I won’t trust a man who can’t lift his arms above his head.
unamused on October 9, 2007 at 5:42 PM
So far it’s a tie Fred or Rudy. Mitt just comes off too slick. I really thought I would like him better but I don’t find him genuine.
Aggie85 on October 9, 2007 at 5:42 PM
“Brain Found In Bag Outside Virginia Apartment Complex”
Paging Ron Paul – Ron Paul, we found something of yours…
Timothy S. Carlson on October 9, 2007 at 5:42 PM
Fred doesn’t need defending
americaslaststand on October 9, 2007 at 5:43 PM
Are you French? bawahahaaha
Spirit of 1776 on October 9, 2007 at 5:43 PM
What the hell was that supposed to mean? You do know why he can’t lift his arms above his head, right?
That’s a disgusting comment.
Slublog on October 9, 2007 at 5:43 PM
Numenorean on October 9, 2007 at 5:41 PM
McCarthy’s problem was he was about 40 years before his time.
unseen on October 9, 2007 at 5:43 PM
heh, heh. Rudy said ‘penetrated’. (I know, I’m sorry)
Spirit of 1776 on October 9, 2007 at 5:40 PM
Yeah….uhHUHuhuhuhuh…yeah. Cool!
Big S on October 9, 2007 at 5:43 PM
For threads like this, HotAir needs a chatroom
- The Cat
MirCat on October 9, 2007 at 5:43 PM
LOL, good one.
Hollowpoint on October 9, 2007 at 5:44 PM
They need to keep their damned hands off the internet. Regulation and content control? That way lies madness.
techno_barbarian on October 9, 2007 at 5:44 PM
Yes, that’s what I thought Matthews meant by “police the internet” and I’m glad to know Rudy’s answer. Major strike against him. I wish the others had answered it too.
Laura on October 9, 2007 at 5:44 PM
All right, this question should be hit out of the park by all.
Weight of Glory on October 9, 2007 at 5:44 PM
thanks, that was the direct answer then he was asked to elaborate.
thank god, for a commercial, I don’t know how u guy’s are keeping up with each other… dawm bloggers!!!
gberez on October 9, 2007 at 5:44 PM
LOL I thought it was the paper bag that was on fire outside the door.
americaslaststand on October 9, 2007 at 5:44 PM
Regardless of who one supports, it’s interesting that a Republican debate is marked by intelligent and reasonable discourse on the issues, as opposed to talking snowmen and morons who expect the government to be mommy and daddy.
infidel4life on October 9, 2007 at 5:44 PM
As if those are the only two choices. If you want to do bio fuels how about sugarcane from Brazil? It’s cheaper than anything else out there but the sugar lobby keeps high tariffs on importing sugar so we can protect domestic producers.
Are you a corn farmer? You seem awfully pro-ethanol.
Drew on October 9, 2007 at 5:45 PM
Dang Huck! weak weak weak
Weight of Glory on October 9, 2007 at 5:45 PM
I didn’t hear what he said; I imagine he was pandering to the social con crowd. Still- bad, bad idea. I think Rudy’s authoritarian streak my be showing there.
Hollowpoint on October 9, 2007 at 5:45 PM
Of course I know why his arms are like that. Should I use my tag next time or can we agree to not take each other’s comments so seriously all the time?
unamused on October 9, 2007 at 5:45 PM
I thought this was a chatroom, dang intra net.
americaslaststand on October 9, 2007 at 5:46 PM
No policing of the internet! let freedom ring lound and strong. If you worry about your kids keep them off it or monitor it. No regulation of free speech, no taxes, and no bloody government ninny telling me what I can read and what I can’t. Rudy just lost what little chance he had for my vote.
unseen on October 9, 2007 at 5:46 PM
I is no blogger:)
Spirit of 1776 on October 9, 2007 at 5:46 PM
Best comment of the thread
abinitioadinfinitum on October 9, 2007 at 5:46 PM
Dude… He got tortured in Nam. That’s why he can’t lift his arms above his head.
What the hell is wrong with you.
That crap is near (or is) banworthy.
BKennedy on October 9, 2007 at 5:46 PM
*I mean to say “my tongue-in-cheek tag”.
I was kidding.
unamused on October 9, 2007 at 5:46 PM
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