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Open thread: GOP debate, gloves off edition!

posted at 7:08 pm on October 21, 2007 by Allahpundit
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8 p.m. ET on the Foxiest network in cable news. Desperate to drum up interest in another soundbite-go-round with a lackluster field in the midst of this interminable campaign, Chris Wallace took to hinting on Friday that this may be the debate where the bombs finally start to drop. He might be right: the “real Republican” brouhaha that began with Mitt and Rudy soon spilled over to McCain and then to Fred, so we’ll be seeing more skirmishes on that front tonight, I’m sure. Or rather, you’ll be seeing them: the big A’s priorities this evening lie elsewhere, but if you’re watching the debate and you see something clipworthy, I’d be grateful if you tipped us to it.

A few pre-game notes. First, remember how Rudy told the social cons that it’s better to be honest than pander by changing your positions? Well, forget it. Second, guess which candidate’s campaign will be liveblogging the debate tonight in Spanish. McCain’s, you say? Guess again. Third, Ron Paul’s quest to unite the dregs of American politics under one banner has taken an exciting new turn. Will Wallace or Brit Hume dare to ask him how and why he became the campaign’s resident freak magnet? All signs point to no. Finally, take heart in the fact that no matter how bad it gets, no matter how feebly the candidates perform, hope in this case does and will continue to spring eternal.

Sound off below if you’re tuned in. Or if you’re watching the game. Which is more important, really?


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lsutiger on October 21, 2007 at 8:43 PM

Go watch an old video of Ronaldus Magnus. He checked his notes all the time.

Using notes isn’t a bad thing, particularly if you have been making them as the debate is ongoing, and then referring back to them to make a salient point. Very few people have photographic memories, The use of notes just shows he cares enough and is organized enough to write it down.

wearyman on October 21, 2007 at 8:46 PM

Did Fred Thompson just quote Garrison Keillor?

flyawaybird on October 21, 2007 at 8:46 PM

IntheNet on October 21, 2007 at 8:42 PM

Low hanging fruit. No plan. No specifics. Just flowery pandering, meandering answers. “What’s a dollar?” is true to expectations.

csdeven on October 21, 2007 at 8:46 PM

*pssst

Glug, glug, AHHHHH!

On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 8:46 PM

Drinking?! That’s a GREAT idea. Be right back.

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 8:44 PM

yes cheap and domestic

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 8:46 PM

bases loaded…. who needs Cialis.

roninacreage on October 21, 2007 at 8:46 PM

is hildawg fit to be CinC hells no

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 8:47 PM

The first commercial at break is an erection aid…

THAT”S A REAL PROBLEM IN AMERICA!

IntheNet on October 21, 2007 at 8:44 PM

Not in my house. ;)

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 8:48 PM

Strong response from Mitt

lsutiger on October 21, 2007 at 8:48 PM

Who replaced McCain with a robot?

Fred is looking better so far; didn’t know that he voted for No Child Left Behind and am disappointed by that- but he owned up to the mistake rather than dance around it. He definitely won the exchange with Rudy, plunging the knife deep.

Hollowpoint on October 21, 2007 at 8:48 PM

Mega-Mitt! Awesomeness.

BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 8:48 PM

My wife has been gone for a month – who needs drugs ;)

On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 8:49 PM

Hildawg a Yankee fan?

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 8:49 PM

Watch Mitt. That is how a real future president speaks. He doesn’t say “What’s a dollar?” or “I hope I said that?”.

csdeven on October 21, 2007 at 8:49 PM

Rudy: “She became a Yankee fan growing up in Chicago.”

…touche’!

flyawaybird on October 21, 2007 at 8:50 PM

lol Rudy

Dash on October 21, 2007 at 8:50 PM

AMEN Rudy!

On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 8:50 PM

Rudy: America can’t afford you!

Hahahahaha!

BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 8:50 PM

How much did Rudy pay Wllace to get compared to Hillary!? Rudy may not be conservative compared to Fred or Tanc but compared to Hillary!? As the man said, “Are you kidding me?”

Drew on October 21, 2007 at 8:50 PM

I hate to say it…but the best shot the GOP has against Hillary, is Rudy.

JetBoy on October 21, 2007 at 8:50 PM

yes cheap and domestic

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 8:46 PM

Sam Adams! MMmmmmmmm…

And hey, cs, that little catchphrase just ain’t gettin’ any traction. Try something else, ok?

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 8:50 PM

America can’t afford YOU!”.

HA! go get her Rudy.

csdeven on October 21, 2007 at 8:50 PM

I was wondering who was gonna pull out that Hillary quote. hee hee.

wearyman on October 21, 2007 at 8:50 PM

(That was a support of Rudy, btw. Great quote.)

BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 8:50 PM

Nice kerry and Gore jam. Thanks Florida.

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 8:50 PM

but the best shot the GOP has against Hillary, is Rudy.

He seems the best fighter.

Spirit of 1776 on October 21, 2007 at 8:51 PM

Rudy just got the FLORIDA vote…. bravo….

IntheNet on October 21, 2007 at 8:51 PM

You are welcome Rudy – that was me!!!!

On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 8:51 PM

Romney and Giuliani really know how to play the crowd.

Complete7 on October 21, 2007 at 8:51 PM

Sam Adams! MMmmmmmmm…

And hey, cs, that little catchphrase just ain’t gettin’ any traction. Try something else, ok?

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 8:50 PM

bud light bottles.

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 8:52 PM

Mcain is up. Time to nap. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

wearyman on October 21, 2007 at 8:52 PM

Hollowpoint on October 21, 2007 at 8:48 PM

Wake up. Fred “What’s a dolar?” doesn’t even belong on that stage.

csdeven on October 21, 2007 at 8:52 PM

McCain’s not doing so well on this one. Hillary doesn’t know the meaning of respectful debate. Its her way or the highway.

BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 8:52 PM

“I was tied up at the time.”

Gold.

Keljeck on October 21, 2007 at 8:52 PM

didn’t demint strike down the woodstock museum.

sunny on October 21, 2007 at 8:52 PM

McCain with a good one!

JetBoy on October 21, 2007 at 8:52 PM

John McCain made a funny!

flyawaybird on October 21, 2007 at 8:52 PM

I hate to say it…but the best shot the GOP has against Hillary, is Rudy.

JetBoy on October 21, 2007 at 8:50 PM

That speaks volumes about the state of both the Democratic and Republican parties dont you think?

F15Mech on October 21, 2007 at 8:53 PM

Nice one CDR McCain.

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 8:53 PM

Cultural and pharmacetical(sp) event! That was great. McC gets the standing O!

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 8:53 PM

I redact that statement. “I was tied up at the time” is pure awesomeness.

BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 8:53 PM

McCain should just wave to the audience, tell everyone to drive home safely and walk off the stage after that ‘tied up’ line and ovation.

Drew on October 21, 2007 at 8:53 PM

McCain just played his strongest card. What an American hero. Unfortunately it isn’t enough to be the president.

csdeven on October 21, 2007 at 8:53 PM

Standing O for McCain!
That was a good one, you got to agree!

lsutiger on October 21, 2007 at 8:53 PM

Did McCain just get a standing ovation?

Karol on October 21, 2007 at 8:53 PM

F15Mech on October 21, 2007 at 8:53 PM

Sadly, yes.

JetBoy on October 21, 2007 at 8:53 PM

McCain just won the debate with that quote.

Complete7 on October 21, 2007 at 8:54 PM

Wake up. Fred “What’s a dolar?” doesn’t even belong on that stage.

csdeven on October 21, 2007 at 8:52 PM

Atta boy, cs! Flog that thang! ;)

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 8:54 PM

good for mccain

bnelson44 on October 21, 2007 at 8:54 PM

Did McCain just get a standing ovation?
Karol on October 21, 2007 at 8:53 PM

Yep!

Spirit of 1776 on October 21, 2007 at 8:54 PM

Spot on Huck Spot on.

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 8:54 PM

He said the “I” word!

lsutiger on October 21, 2007 at 8:54 PM

DAMN good line from Huck.

wearyman on October 21, 2007 at 8:55 PM

nope that would not be funny

On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 8:55 PM

Dear gawd…don’t let Hillary become President.

*shudders*

But it just might happen, folks.

JetBoy on October 21, 2007 at 8:55 PM

Huck did a little too much ramblin’ to get to his point. He’s damn right though.

Fred: “I have no opinion, just use what Huck just said.”

BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 8:56 PM

Is it just me or does Fred look like a complete Douche whenever he reads his little cheat cards?

flyawaybird on October 21, 2007 at 8:56 PM

Is Fred reading off notes?

Drew on October 21, 2007 at 8:56 PM

yeah fred!

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 8:56 PM

Whooo Hooo!!! Good one Fred! Speak it!

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 8:56 PM

And Fred keeps talkin… and talkin… and talkin…

BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 8:57 PM

Is Fred reading off notes?

Drew on October 21, 2007 at 8:56 PM

Yep. I’ve seen several of them taking notes.

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 8:57 PM

A bit of a ramble, but a strong finish from Fred. No comfortable mediocrity for America.

wearyman on October 21, 2007 at 8:57 PM

BOOOOOOOOOOO

On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 8:57 PM

Drew –

Yes, he has notes he’s referring to. Dunno – just doesn’t seem authentic.

flyawaybird on October 21, 2007 at 8:57 PM

Ron Paul: “IMMEDIATE SURRENDER!”

BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 8:57 PM

Something tells me we wouldn’t hate Paul so much if he wasn’t so damn patronizing.

Keljeck on October 21, 2007 at 8:57 PM

Fred is the most “presidential” candidate on that stage… he speaks with authority… I like that…

IntheNet on October 21, 2007 at 8:57 PM

I wonder who wrote those notes Fred appears to be reading from…

FloatingRock on October 21, 2007 at 8:57 PM

Ron Paul gettin’ boos haha

JetBoy on October 21, 2007 at 8:57 PM

Big boos for Paul.

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 8:57 PM

Crazy ass Congressman Ron Paul gets a bit of booing. Get him off the stage!

Drew on October 21, 2007 at 8:58 PM

Good ending Fred. It ain’t about them. It is however about us.

CTDeLude on October 21, 2007 at 8:58 PM

We don’t have any privacy anymore Paul?

Really?

Really?

Keljeck on October 21, 2007 at 8:58 PM

We are sick of Ron Paul. There is that word again – empire

On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 8:58 PM

I hate that ‘empire’ line. That’s so unjust.

Spirit of 1776 on October 21, 2007 at 8:58 PM

I want to come home as a victor. BTW I go back in January.

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 8:58 PM

Ron Paul shuld have a gong instead of a bell when his time is up…

JetBoy on October 21, 2007 at 8:58 PM

I want to come home as a victor. BTW I go back in January.

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 8:58 PM

Thank you for your service, GreenTurtle!

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 8:59 PM

FloatingRock on October 21, 2007 at 8:57 PM

I’ve spotted him making a couple notes from time to time, so I’d imagine that it’s his own notes.

wearyman on October 21, 2007 at 8:59 PM

Fred talks about telling the truth? HA! Get that liar off the stage. “I’ve always been pro-life, except of course when I was doing business. Yeah, private enterprise, show me the money, yeah.”

BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 9:00 PM

RP needs a straight jacket although I kinda agree with him on gay marraige

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 9:00 PM

question was way too long

bnelson44 on October 21, 2007 at 9:00 PM

Sound keeps getting weaker……:(

Limerick on October 21, 2007 at 9:00 PM

I’ve spotted him making a couple notes from time to time, so I’d imagine that it’s his own notes.

wearyman on October 21, 2007 at 8:59 PM

I hope they are notes he just made but it still looks bad.

Drew on October 21, 2007 at 9:00 PM

Fred looks 10x better tonight. I don’t know if he’s winning, but he looks better. And holding his own against the polished Mitt and Rudy.

sunny on October 21, 2007 at 9:00 PM

What is this unsustainable talk? Isn’t that the same as the Dems saying our economy is in the tank? I thought Bush had us on pace for ‘12 no deficit.

Spirit of 1776 on October 21, 2007 at 9:01 PM

Thank you for your service, GreenTurtle!

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 8:59 PM

Megga Ditto!

On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 9:01 PM

Thank you for your service, GreenTurtle!

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 8:59 PM

No need for thanks just what I do.

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 9:01 PM

Fred just lost Florida. There’s no way to talk about cutting benefits or fiddling with the system at all. It may be brave but it’s going to hurt politically.

Drew on October 21, 2007 at 9:01 PM

Fred doesn’t LOOK asleep at the wheel, but that doesn’t change how he’s acting.

BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 9:01 PM

What is this unsustainable talk? Isn’t that the same as the Dems saying our economy is in the tank? I thought Bush had us on pace for ‘12 no deficit.

Spirit of 1776 on October 21, 2007 at 9:01 PM

I heard Blitzer say on cnn the other day that we’re about to be in a full blown recession. I just ain’t seein’ it.

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 9:02 PM

Boston up 2-0

F15Mech on October 21, 2007 at 9:02 PM

Fred just doesn’t look like he knows what he’s doing when he reads from those notes. I want to see their eyes up and focused on the question, not scrambling for answers on a cheat sheet.

flyawaybird on October 21, 2007 at 9:02 PM

I gotta say…Rudy is looking like the “winner” tonight so far…Mitt’s gonna drop a bit. And my man Fred…probably stay even.

JetBoy on October 21, 2007 at 9:03 PM

No need for thanks just what I do.

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 9:01 PM

You sound like my son. God bless and watch over you both!

bnelson44 on October 21, 2007 at 9:03 PM

No need for thanks just what I do.

GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 9:01 PM

I and my family greatly appreciate your service.

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 9:03 PM

I heard Blitzer say on cnn the other day that we’re about to be in a full blown recession. I just ain’t seein’ it.

techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 9:02 PM

Don’t know why we are assuming Dem talking points as the baseline.

Spirit of 1776 on October 21, 2007 at 9:04 PM

Go Sox! Just another slap to the yankees

On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 9:04 PM

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