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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Seems to me some things should not really be joke fodder.
Slublog on October 9, 2007 at 5:46 PM
Yeah, there’s that authoritarian streak that makes me squirm.
True that Slubbo, I can’t believe someone would say that.
Bad Candy on October 9, 2007 at 5:46 PM
Why the hell havn’t they asked Fred what’s on his Ipod?
americaslaststand on October 9, 2007 at 5:47 PM
Fred! didn’t exactly have a great handle on why a weak dollar is bad.
Drew on October 9, 2007 at 5:47 PM
Dangers of a weak dollar?
dangers of a weak dollar?
Dangers of a weak dollar?
WHAT IS A DOLLAR?!
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:47 PM
I don’t ever remember anybody shutting the Matthews’ pie hole like Fred just did.
BRAVO!
186k on October 9, 2007 at 5:47 PM
Slub, I’ll bet you Johnny himself would joke about it.
Spirit of 1776 on October 9, 2007 at 5:48 PM
About 15 Ameros, I think. :-)
Slublog on October 9, 2007 at 5:48 PM
You were out of line, just apologize and move on.
Hollowpoint on October 9, 2007 at 5:48 PM
No, it’s more like a blog that lets you post comments. :P
I mean something that has the comments moving up without having to refresh refresh refresh . .
-The Cat
MirCat on October 9, 2007 at 5:48 PM
What’s up with McCains hearing??
186k on October 9, 2007 at 5:48 PM
LMAO
abinitioadinfinitum on October 9, 2007 at 5:48 PM
They need to turn the speaker up behind McCain or something… That dumb look he gets when he can’t hear the question is terrible.
Laura on October 9, 2007 at 5:49 PM
You’re a jackass.
Drew on October 9, 2007 at 5:49 PM
Why is paul on this stage???? Put him on a demo stage or somthin
gberez on October 9, 2007 at 5:49 PM
I’d like to violate Ron’s civil liberties!
Weight of Glory on October 9, 2007 at 5:49 PM
Paul is signalling that he might go 3rd party
bnelson44 on October 9, 2007 at 5:50 PM
Looks like Silky Pony is not the only one who can whine. Order of cheese for Mr. Paul’s table (for one).
Numenorean on October 9, 2007 at 5:50 PM
Ron Paul: No I will not support the nominee of the republican party.
doriangrey on October 9, 2007 at 5:50 PM
Give Ron Paul his own 3rd ticket to run on!
Paul – Nader 08…goodbye.
186k on October 9, 2007 at 5:50 PM
I know, I was jokin’ Too much caffeine over here.
americaslaststand on October 9, 2007 at 5:50 PM
Fred….President pie hole shutter. Of course he can’t do anything else. He’s like a old crank that gets agressive when he is exposed as an empty suit.
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:50 PM
You have to take the question’s assumption that a weak dollar is bad in and of itself. That’s a question that economic scholars debate all the time.
The premise of the question was faulty.
Tennman on October 9, 2007 at 5:51 PM
bnelson,
I hope to God so. The faster he leaves the RP the better!
Weebork on October 9, 2007 at 5:51 PM
I give rudy props for laughing at her and that question
gberez on October 9, 2007 at 5:51 PM
I hope someone says I’ll support the nominee unless it’s Ron Paul.
- The Cat
P.S. They won’t but . .
MirCat on October 9, 2007 at 5:51 PM
“Get your head up” I loved that. good one Rudy
Weight of Glory on October 9, 2007 at 5:51 PM
McCain just said he’d like interest rates at ’0.’ Whew, there goes the dollar completely in the toilet. His mind is going the way of his hearing.
mustang1 on October 9, 2007 at 5:52 PM
Slublog, Bad Candy,
Who made you two the protectors of McCain’s or any disabled vet’s honor?
Save your moral outrage for those who actually mean to offend.
unamused on October 9, 2007 at 5:52 PM
“Last best hope for humanity”
Very nice Guliani.
americaslaststand on October 9, 2007 at 5:52 PM
Great answer from Rudy!
bnelson44 on October 9, 2007 at 5:52 PM
Hey Rudy, where is Chiner exactly?
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:52 PM
Im surprized he hasnt talked about catching the mothership
William Amos on October 9, 2007 at 5:52 PM
No surprise there. At least they have an excuse to keep him out of further Republican debates now.
Hollowpoint on October 9, 2007 at 5:52 PM
LOL Guiliani is getting razzed by that woman. Who is she?
BKennedy on October 9, 2007 at 5:52 PM
Drew on October 9, 2007 at 5:45 PM
So than we send our money to South America instead of the Midwest. We as a country MUST start making things again. We MUST cut our trade defict and restore the Dollar to its rightful place. We MUST stop sending our hard work overseas in the form of dollars overseas to provide for our energy needs.
Ethanol, bio fuels, solar, wind, nuclear power, coal gasification, fuel cells, better batteries, electric cars are all needed to get us off the tit of the Middle East.
I am not a farmer. I am an American citizen that is tired of our welath being given to people that want to kill us. When we have the ability, the know how and the oppurtunity to stop it.
unseen on October 9, 2007 at 5:53 PM
I’m liking Fred.
186k on October 9, 2007 at 5:53 PM
But he didn’t say that. He mumbled on about meeting obligations, etc. Yeah, he talked about cheaper imports but he didn’t take on the premise of the question, he just mumbled on a bit.
There was a good answer to offer but he didn’t do it.
Drew on October 9, 2007 at 5:53 PM
MITT NAILS FRED THE FAKE!!!
Weakness from Fred.
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:54 PM
OHHHHHHHHHHHHH Snap did you like that csdeven…oh but thompson right back!
Weight of Glory on October 9, 2007 at 5:54 PM
Good joke Mitt.
Big S on October 9, 2007 at 5:54 PM
lol Mitt!
Spirit of 1776 on October 9, 2007 at 5:54 PM
Cheap shot by Mitt
bnelson44 on October 9, 2007 at 5:54 PM
Nice Law & Order line, Mitt. Kudos. Ditto Fred.
Numenorean on October 9, 2007 at 5:54 PM
Oh Mitt got a shot in on Romney and then Fred shot hm back,
Good exchange
americaslaststand on October 9, 2007 at 5:54 PM
Mitt just scored while surrendering to Fred…..
doriangrey on October 9, 2007 at 5:54 PM
Unfortunately, the mothership or Comet, has already passed. Just ask Heavensgate! :)
Weebork on October 9, 2007 at 5:54 PM
lol Fred!
Spirit of 1776 on October 9, 2007 at 5:54 PM
Rudy didn’t leave anything for anyone else to say.
He’d be goon in a cab cabinet position.
- The Cat
Dang Mitt! Bam!
MirCat on October 9, 2007 at 5:54 PM
Who is the Prime Minister of Canada?
Matthews slapped down again.
God is he tedious.
186k on October 9, 2007 at 5:54 PM
LEAVE STEPHEN HARPER ALONE!!!!
Big S on October 9, 2007 at 5:54 PM
Mitt had a great joke! Funny!
Weebork on October 9, 2007 at 5:55 PM
Hey Fred! Who is the PM of Canada?
He GUESSES we get more oil from Canada?
I don’t know either. Is that true?
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:55 PM
The need to get a promise from CNBC to fix their audio problems before they are given another debate. It’s driving me crazy!
Timothy S. Carlson on October 9, 2007 at 5:55 PM
Huckabee should have mentioned the smurfs.
stonemeister on October 9, 2007 at 5:55 PM
Oh, the little creep. Who IS the prime minister of Canada? Do you know?
Tennman on October 9, 2007 at 5:55 PM
Exactly.
I think some people think that moral outrage is a self-aggrandizing end in itself. Busting balls is a way of showing respect where I come from.
If I offended any Viet Nam vets or POWs in this thread, it was not my intent, and I apologize.
unamused on October 9, 2007 at 5:56 PM
LOL oops
americaslaststand on October 9, 2007 at 5:56 PM
WTFrak? just cut out
Limerick on October 9, 2007 at 5:56 PM
Love the Flintstone’s analogy from Huck.
Numenorean on October 9, 2007 at 5:56 PM
love fred’s short to the point answers…. no blathering
gberez on October 9, 2007 at 5:56 PM
Stephen Harper is Prime Minister of Canada
William Amos on October 9, 2007 at 5:56 PM
“How would you catch OBL?”
With a bullet.
Weight of Glory on October 9, 2007 at 5:56 PM
OOooooo, shouldn’t have used the ‘H’ word…
askheaves on October 9, 2007 at 5:56 PM
Mitt’s the better actor… lol Fred makes a funny back! And that speaks volumes because I’ve noticed a few comments around here that Mitt is phoney baloney (to coin Mitt’s phrase to Rudy).
Sultry Beauty on October 9, 2007 at 5:57 PM
Good one, McCain! “Of course I would support me.”
LOL
Tennman on October 9, 2007 at 5:57 PM
Yeah, I’m pretty sure Canada is our number one foreign oil source.
Bad Candy on October 9, 2007 at 5:57 PM
unseen,
Knock yourself out being a protectionist. There’s a long and honorable history of that in the US but it’s not in our long term economic interests. There’s plenty of history to support the notion that free trade is the way to go.
Protectionism is emotionally appealing but comes up short on results. Always has, always will.
Drew on October 9, 2007 at 5:57 PM
yet another good answer by McCain
bnelson44 on October 9, 2007 at 5:57 PM
Great answer McCain.
Spirit of 1776 on October 9, 2007 at 5:57 PM
Dont know eh, somehow I’m not surprised.
doriangrey on October 9, 2007 at 5:57 PM
I think Mitt is correct we should be optimistic, but I think Rudy is the one on the stage really showing that optimism.
bnelson44 on October 9, 2007 at 5:58 PM
Fred: What is a dollar?
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:58 PM
csdeven
Yes, we get most of our foreign oil from Canada
bnelson44 on October 9, 2007 at 5:58 PM
Sure. Just ask James Dobson.
Slublog on October 9, 2007 at 5:58 PM
HUGE contrast between the quality of the GOP candidates and the Dem.
techno_barbarian on October 9, 2007 at 5:59 PM
So far, everyone up there looks like they’re at a middle manager job interview, except for Fred, who looks like the interviewer.
stonemeister on October 9, 2007 at 5:59 PM
Good one Rudy!
infidel4life on October 9, 2007 at 5:59 PM
Yep.
Bad Candy on October 9, 2007 at 5:59 PM
Mathews is such a worm. Looking to get a “gotcha” moment on fred.
Verbal Abuse on October 9, 2007 at 5:59 PM
good shot at hillarycare by rudy
gberez on October 9, 2007 at 5:59 PM
“Canadians no place to go” and “just like home” – well ended :)
Entelechy on October 9, 2007 at 5:59 PM
Fred:
Deer in the headlights look.
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:59 PM
Rudy is awesome! Canadians have no place to go for health care:D
Spirit of 1776 on October 9, 2007 at 5:59 PM
Excellent parting remarks by Fred!
techno_barbarian on October 9, 2007 at 5:59 PM
Ever notice that Democrats never get those ‘who’s the President of….’ questions?
Good line by Rudy about Hillary! Care and Canadians.
Drew on October 9, 2007 at 5:59 PM
Fred did exactly what he needed to.
Watch his numbers go up now.
unamused on October 9, 2007 at 5:59 PM
Out the Park a little boring without me!
abinitioadinfinitum on October 9, 2007 at 5:59 PM
All in all, i think we’ve got a good field of candidates here.
Verbal Abuse on October 9, 2007 at 6:00 PM
Nice debate.
Weebork on October 9, 2007 at 6:00 PM
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:55 PM
Yes
canada, Mexico, chavs land, and Nigera are our main importers of oil. Most of the middleeast oil goes to Europe and Asia.
unseen on October 9, 2007 at 6:00 PM
Heh – “It was getting a little boring without me.”
What a throw-away…
GO FRED!
Timothy S. Carlson on October 9, 2007 at 6:00 PM
I think they say “I think” too much.
synycalwon on October 9, 2007 at 6:00 PM
“Getting a little boring without me”
Fred gets the last word and shut Matthews up
americaslaststand on October 9, 2007 at 6:00 PM
Fred!
infidel on October 9, 2007 at 6:00 PM
Yes it is.
Fred for the win……No I dont regret waiting, I admit it was getting a little boring without me…..
doriangrey on October 9, 2007 at 6:00 PM
Rudy wins the debate.
Fred does OK, but needed to do better
Mitt came across poorly
McCain is the elder stateman, but that won’t win him votes I don’t think.
bnelson44 on October 9, 2007 at 6:00 PM
He GUESSES we get more oil from Canada?
I don’t know either. Is that true?
csdeven on October 9, 2007 at 5:55 PM
Yes, it’s true. The “empty suit” was correct.
Laura on October 9, 2007 at 6:01 PM
Rudy! winner!
Aggie85 on October 9, 2007 at 6:01 PM
It’s over. Can’t pick a winner (gotta mull it over a bit), but really surprised that the questions were mostly better than expected.
LB - the one that isn't LaShawn Barber on October 9, 2007 at 6:01 PM
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