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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Damn this debate is almost over.
I’m exhausted.
flyawaybird on October 21, 2007 at 9:26 PM
Ron Paul was that kid in third grade that tortured ants during recess then ate them… I know it!!!!
IntheNet on October 21, 2007 at 9:26 PM
Kick out the UN, create a new UN called the PN (peace nations) and make it viable
lsutiger on October 21, 2007 at 9:26 PM
It’s really high time to cull the small fish from these debate things…
JetBoy on October 21, 2007 at 9:26 PM
PON RAUL: ONLY I CAN SAVE AMERICA! MY INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION IS CORRECT! SURRENDER! SURRENDER!
BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 9:27 PM
the crowed boos twice yet we know the poll will show paul wins. maybe three times by the time this diatribe is finished.
can we have a recall ON the stage
CaptainObvious on October 21, 2007 at 9:27 PM
Here come the booo birds again.
Ron is all wrong.
On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 9:27 PM
3-0 Boston
F15Mech on October 21, 2007 at 9:27 PM
But we kicked ass everywhere we have been Ru Paul
lsutiger on October 21, 2007 at 9:27 PM
Ugh. I can’t stand listening to him. He just sounds like a nattering nabob LIBERAL. *puke*
wearyman on October 21, 2007 at 9:27 PM
We’re “prancing around the entire world”!
JetBoy on October 21, 2007 at 9:28 PM
RP is a freak. How does he keep getting invited to these debates?
On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 9:28 PM
Agree he can be annoying but he’s the opposite of a big gov lib.
dedalus on October 21, 2007 at 9:28 PM
Good answer by Rudy on Iran. Of course Ron Paul is the only one who would disagree with it.
Drew on October 21, 2007 at 9:29 PM
Like unicorns.
Spirit of 1776 on October 21, 2007 at 9:29 PM
Paul – Has the Republican party left you? You mean like when he ran for the libertarian party in 88? Then came back.
jdkchem on October 21, 2007 at 9:29 PM
His stubbornness is matched only by his sanity.
BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 9:29 PM
Rambling Rudy
conservnut on October 21, 2007 at 9:29 PM
Good answer Rudy. Well done.
techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 9:30 PM
Good slap down on Jummy Carter
On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 9:30 PM
Ohh, the lazy question.
conservnut on October 21, 2007 at 9:30 PM
Long haired overfed leaping gnomes with unicorns
jdkchem on October 21, 2007 at 9:30 PM
Is it possible to put on the ballot Ill vote for Rudy ONLY if he is forbidden from doing anything with regards to Immigration. Kind of a republican line item veto..
CaptainObvious on October 21, 2007 at 9:31 PM
Wow, they asked the lazy question.
Spirit of 1776 on October 21, 2007 at 9:31 PM
Ah, Fred vs homework. Hehehehehe.
“Some say you’re lazy”
Fred: “Here’s my life story, since I won’t answer your question.”
BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 9:31 PM
Way to go Fred!
techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 9:31 PM
Good answer from Fred!
lsutiger on October 21, 2007 at 9:31 PM
Good job on the lazy question Fred.
conservnut on October 21, 2007 at 9:31 PM
Eh, Fred heads will like that answer but it was a long wait for a meh payoff.
Drew on October 21, 2007 at 9:31 PM
Sox score?
On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 9:31 PM
3-0
Spirit of 1776 on October 21, 2007 at 9:32 PM
Good debate tonight.
techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 9:32 PM
fred finishes strong.
zane on October 21, 2007 at 9:32 PM
Yeah, so Fred did run of the mill work for anyone in Washington.
Which, given how many days they have off, I call it lazy.
BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 9:32 PM
Good finish up by Fred.
dedalus on October 21, 2007 at 9:32 PM
Text “R5″ everybody!
jk…
JetBoy on October 21, 2007 at 9:33 PM
Who else believes that the ‘curse of the Bambino’ is officially over?
lsutiger on October 21, 2007 at 9:34 PM
Anti Fred Heads – 0
Fredheads – 1
Now…..COME ON TRIBE!!!!!!
Limerick on October 21, 2007 at 9:34 PM
AMEN HillBilly = tax increase!!!
On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 9:34 PM
Well, interesting debate tonight. Thanks for the conversation all. Baseball calls.
Spirit of 1776 on October 21, 2007 at 9:34 PM
Fred got a chance to list out some of his accomplishments. I thought he did very well tonight.
Most of the candidates were strong tonight. I’m optimistic about our chances next November.
techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 9:35 PM
II have to say Think McCain was impressive tonight. He didnt seem to give off that weak bibe he had been giving
Romney was very flat. Think he was weak tonight. Fred was a bit rambling. Rudy did OK.
Ron Paul needs medicated
William Amos on October 21, 2007 at 9:35 PM
I give the debate to:
Rudy
McCain
Fred
bnelson44 on October 21, 2007 at 9:35 PM
THe GOP did not leave Ron Paul SANITY left Ron Paul
Gatordoug on October 21, 2007 at 9:36 PM
umm Yeah…I’m going to have to disagree with you on that
F15Mech on October 21, 2007 at 9:36 PM
Fixed for accuracy.
BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 9:36 PM
Quote of the night
William Amos on October 21, 2007 at 9:37 PM
All of them did well, well, except for Ron Paul of course.
I really liked McCain on Putin! KGB!
Gatordoug on October 21, 2007 at 9:37 PM
This debate did not help Mitt any
bnelson44 on October 21, 2007 at 9:37 PM
I’m going with Huck, Romney, and Rudy for the winners here. Fred’s attack ads took up the first half hour, and Fred wasn’t able to get anything to stick, he just rambled on uselessly as he always does.
BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 9:38 PM
I didn’t hear him mention his lobbying and advice for terrorists. The other stuff other than fatherhood were pretty unimpressive.
tommylotto on October 21, 2007 at 9:38 PM
Best comment all night:
Go Sox!
On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 9:38 PM
LOL…..Ok…off to the game..
Ranks…..McCain, Rudy, Fred, Mitt
One of those four need to simply tell Paul, the next time he speaks, to get the hell off the stage.
Limerick on October 21, 2007 at 9:39 PM
Agreed. Rudy looked good…And Fred, my man, looked “eh”
JetBoy on October 21, 2007 at 9:39 PM
That’s because, inspite of your constant efforts, it’s just not an issue.
But by all means, please keep trying.
techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 9:40 PM
Your second sentence is the reason no one takes you seriously on the first sentence.
Darksean on October 21, 2007 at 9:41 PM
Romney handled every moment of the debate with class, unlike the others who were busy trying to claw each other. He has substance and he sells it well. Mitt is always consistently good.
BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 9:42 PM
I think Rudy did well. Abortion and immigration didn’t play big parts in the debate tonight and that plays well for him.
Fred is sooo low energy. Holding the right position is very important but if you don’t mobilize people and lead them, it really doesn’t matter much.
I think McCain won the debate but conservatives aren’t willing to give him a second look. They might with Rudy.
Drew on October 21, 2007 at 9:43 PM
I still like RudyFred.
GREENTURTLE on October 21, 2007 at 9:43 PM
He did pretty well in this debate. The last one? Not so much.
techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 9:43 PM
Mitt basically promised health care for everyone. Hes no different than Hillary on that issue
William Amos on October 21, 2007 at 9:43 PM
WHAT? Nobody here is for Hillary?
On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 9:45 PM
I missed the first 20 minutes or so of the debate. Mitt, must have parted the Red sea during that time for you to make that comment because I didn’t see much from him tonight.
conservnut on October 21, 2007 at 9:45 PM
Yes, because affordable private health insurance is the same as a single payer government-run system.
Why have health insurance at all William Amos? Health Insurance is BAAAAAAAD!
BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 9:45 PM
Bwhahaahahaha! Did you hear the audience reaction anytime hillary was mentioned? Priceless.
techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 9:46 PM
I think I’ll rate the debaters thusly:
1. Rudy
1. Fred
3. John
4. Tanc
5. Mitt
Darksean on October 21, 2007 at 9:46 PM
3-1 Boston
F15Mech on October 21, 2007 at 9:46 PM
Fred is dead right about being Conservative, let America see the difference between Hillary and the
GOPConservativesGatordoug on October 21, 2007 at 9:46 PM
Its not private health Insurance if the promise and payments come from the government
William Amos on October 21, 2007 at 9:46 PM
Fred did better tonight than in the last debate. He might be learning.
Not sure about that throat clearing, it is probably nerves.
bnelson44 on October 21, 2007 at 9:47 PM
Mitt nailed every single economics-related question. He knows his stuff on that, and his leadersip in that area is incredibly important. I guess he didn’t have flashy quotes like Huckabee or a Southerl drawl like Fred, but he knows his stuff and I’m looking for someone consistently on point, not quotemachine Mk III.
BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 9:47 PM
Bingo!
Gatordoug on October 21, 2007 at 9:47 PM
Im for Hillary if I get my free Corvette!
/sarc – OKAY!!!
On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 9:47 PM
Well, lets be honest ppl. No matter who we nominate, we have a bigger enemy. It is called the current American voter. The NEA and their willing accomplices have dumbed down the public to the point that they believe anything they are told. If you don’t believe me, go watch the vid posted earlier about John Stossel’s ‘Global Warming Alarming’ piece (I would link – but I am lazy right now..gulp,gulp, AHHHH). Those kids are terrified. And the electorate today is just as willing to take information they hear as fact.
They have done a good job at dumbing our society. I see this in the difference of the curriculum I had as a high school student 20 years ago compared to what my nieces are getting fed now.
My prediction – We will loose this election, laws will change and our future generation will be brainwashed by the libs.
Dayum I was looking forward to my retirement, but by the time the dems are done, I won’t be able to afford to live and will have to live by the government trough.
I feel you AP! lol
lsutiger on October 21, 2007 at 9:47 PM
Best line: McCain’s “tied up at the time”.
Best overall: Huckabee, the only one to mention the Law of the Sea Treaty. Though in fairness I was predisposed to want him to do well.
CourtZero on October 21, 2007 at 9:48 PM
yep. as a guy married to a doctor his healthcare stances are what keeps me from even considering him. Market forces is the ONLY way to fix healthcare. government mandates and regulations are what have brought the downfall of our system and adding more is not the answer
CaptainObvious on October 21, 2007 at 9:48 PM
Ha ha! Fred’s smacking Colmes around. And Paul’s Colmes’ choice.
techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 9:48 PM
I’ve noticed a distinct turn to the single-issue for Hunter over the course of the last two debates, which is sad.
Guess Hunter’s and Tancredo’s lack of traction is a reason why you don’t see too many people going directly from the House to the Presidency.
steveegg on October 21, 2007 at 9:49 PM
Fred is smacking Colmes around! Love it!
Gatordoug on October 21, 2007 at 9:49 PM
Good job on Colmes Fred!
conservnut on October 21, 2007 at 9:49 PM
Skelator just got back handed.
On-my-soap-box on October 21, 2007 at 9:49 PM
I actually think Tom Tancredo did really well. i was rather surprised at his energy and verve. not to mention he said absolutely ALL the right things.
Fred did OK. I think he has a laid-back style that doesn’t always shine in a debate format. Ultimately he DOES hold the right positions on all the key issues, but he is going to have to “kick it up a notch” while on the podium to really rally people to him.
Heh. As I am typing this he just gave Alan Colmes a verbal kick in the teeh. Very nice.
wearyman on October 21, 2007 at 9:49 PM
Fred is setting Colmes straigh! Good stuff
Gatordoug on October 21, 2007 at 9:49 PM
I see, so when Mitt says “private accounts,” he’s really trying to fake us out and he means socialized medicine, despite his insistence on the fact socialized medicine doesn’t work.
Alrighty.
BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 9:50 PM
Fred did better on H&C than in the debate. Less nerves maybe
bnelson44 on October 21, 2007 at 9:50 PM
If you read HillaryCare 2.0 you would know it’s not a single payer government-run system. She creates a database of all private insurance, and opens up the government insurance, for people to chose which plan they want. But there’s an individual mandate to purchase health insurance.
It’s a mirror image of Mitt’s plan in Mass. Difference is that Mitt never offered a government plan.
It’s not a free market solution if you are forcing people to buy into the market. We need to open the market up not legislate everyone in.
Keljeck on October 21, 2007 at 9:51 PM
He did seem more relaxed. I do wonder if he was having a bit of stage jitters tonight.
wearyman on October 21, 2007 at 9:52 PM
Thanks for your self-outing.
steveegg on October 21, 2007 at 9:52 PM
Forgot to add, she also gives government subsidies to those who can’t purchase insurance.
At least Romney isn’t trying to shove it down our throats on a nationwide basis like Hillary is, I grant him that.
Keljeck on October 21, 2007 at 9:52 PM
I don’t really have a problem with Fred’s energy level. I don’t need him wide eyed and yapping like a rabid dog.
Gravitas… ;)
techno_barbarian on October 21, 2007 at 9:53 PM
When Mitt says he will get everyone health care that money has to come from some where. They arent magically added with no thought of where the money comes from
William Amos on October 21, 2007 at 9:53 PM
Darksean on October 21, 2007 at 9:53 PM
Because he’s the tool the presstitutes use to divide, demonize and ostracize all on the right.
steveegg on October 21, 2007 at 9:54 PM
Mitt is not doing so well on H&C … he is on the defense
bnelson44 on October 21, 2007 at 9:54 PM
Apparently, HA didn’t like my golfclap, steveegg.
Darksean on October 21, 2007 at 9:54 PM
And that particular mandate was kept in despite Mitt’s plan by the 85% Democratic legislature (you know, the people Mitt had to get to pass the legislation.) As Mitt said, deregulation works.
But hey, why bother you with the reality of how a bill becomes law, it’s so much cooler to bash Romney for trying to bring socialized medicine to us all!
BKennedy on October 21, 2007 at 9:55 PM
But how Mitt, do you get people who are not insured, health insurance? Without the Government paying for it or making mandates on the private sector. This is a northeastern answer to the problem. Sorry Mitt, you can’t sell that to me.
conservnut on October 21, 2007 at 9:56 PM
I was wondering about that.
I did double-check to make sure BKennedy didn’t correct that before launching.
steveegg on October 21, 2007 at 9:56 PM
Mitt’s Health Care Plan:
Drew on October 21, 2007 at 9:57 PM
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