Open thread: Hey, how does three and a half hours of debate on a Saturday night sound?
posted at 6:00 pm on January 5, 2008 by Allahpundit
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The fun begins at 7 p.m. ET on ABC. I believe it’s the GOP up first followed by the Hillary-Obama death match at around 8:30, so if you want to catch the Republicans and then switch to Jags-Steelers, you won’t miss much of either. Fred may go after Huck to try to start peeling away evangelical fencesitters in South Carolina; everyone else will be gunning for Mitt, with the exchanges between him and St. John promising plenty of acid highlights later.
Sound off in the comments and please pass along tips about video-worthy moments. In the meantime, for your reading pleasure, here’s (a) Bob Novak whispering that it was Mitt who was behind the Fred dropout rumors last week, (b) Slublog analyzing Huckamania, and (c) word from New Hampshire that the state GOP has dropped out of the debate tomorrow night due to Fox’s Ron Paul snub. With Paul bringing out independents and various donation-happy kooks for the primary, I guess they had no choice but to go to bat for him.
Update (Bryan): You may already know this, but if you want to keep track of the game while you’re watching the debate, hit the NFL’s site and click on the game score and you’ll get a page that’s updated every few seconds. Washington just took the lead as I was writing this update.
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Where are the live feeds?
bnelson44 on January 5, 2008 at 6:04 PM
3.5 hrs sounds long. But I do want to see some of the Hillary-Obama sparks. Surely Hillary is gunning for him now.
Sure it’s unlikely, but could also be because it’s the ‘right’ thing to do.
Spirit of 1776 on January 5, 2008 at 6:04 PM
Richard Nixon. Now More Than Ever.
HerrMorgenholz on January 5, 2008 at 6:05 PM
*Sigh* I was thisclose to actually being there for both debates.
Darn limited media passes.
Slublog on January 5, 2008 at 6:07 PM
im so pathetic, im actually peeing myself in aticipation i just hope they are streaming it somewhere.
zane on January 5, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Come on! We are talking about professional politicians here. The “right” thing to do only happens if there is some other benefit to the party.
bnelson44 on January 5, 2008 at 6:08 PM
um…Go Fred!
miketheman on January 5, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Pardon? Are you being sarcastic or genuine?
Spirit of 1776 on January 5, 2008 at 6:10 PM
There’s Republicans debating tonight and tomorrow? I’m always behind the curve on this stuff. Who is in the one tonight?
frankj on January 5, 2008 at 6:12 PM
I wish the Republicans were on last, there is football on!
Fred!
infidel on January 5, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Screw the NFL these debates are where it’s at.
Patriot33 on January 5, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Somehow I’m not surprised Mitt Smarmney was behind it.
FloatingRock on January 5, 2008 at 6:15 PM
You mean somewhere other than down your leg? :)
FloatingRock on January 5, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Go steelers.
e-pirate on January 5, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Whattaya say AP, how ’bout pluggin’ your tv into HotAir and providing us with live feed?
I can grovel.
Weebork on January 5, 2008 at 6:26 PM
abc is saying on their blog feed that individual stations can stream the feed but abc can. check local affiliates and let us know if you find a good one.
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 6:28 PM
In addition to the Wyoming results (Wyoming voted?), I get to liveblog about this tonight. Awesome!
JustinHiggins on January 5, 2008 at 6:29 PM
from ABCnews.com
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 6:31 PM
Aarrrgh.
infidel on January 5, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Am I pushing it on fair use? Was a McCain win in the AP doomsday scenario? My head got all spinny reading that post.
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 6:34 PM
If Mitt and his operatives were behind the Fred-drops-out scheme, then they’re slimier than the class of Gastropoda.
Entelechy on January 5, 2008 at 6:36 PM
When Fred smacks down Charlie Gibson like he did the school marm I expect somebody to catch it on film and post it. Of course according to what Charlie is saying he is only going to ask the question and then step aside.
What are the chances they ask the same questions of both parties? About as good as the Falcons winning the Super Bowl anytime this decade.
LakeRuins on January 5, 2008 at 6:37 PM
The thing about the debates this evening is that now for the first time there are several people who MUST absolutely make a MAJOR impression at some point during the proceedings:
Mitt Romney
Fred Thompson
Hillary Whatshername
or they are likely to be written off by the media and the voters toot suite.
Meaning, they cannot play ball control and be cool, they have got to say SOMETHING memorable somewhere.
And now we have a few guys in the “catbird seat” like Obama, Huck and even a resurgent McAmnesty who can play confident and cool.
The whole dynamics are different. Ought to be fun.
As for football, Im still a traditionalist. Since when does NFL PLAYOFF football take place on Saturday nite? I can say that confidently coz my team doesnt play till tmw at 1.
Always Right on January 5, 2008 at 6:43 PM
If Thompson has any solid info with which to pin this on Romney, tonight would be a great time to do so. I think the galvanic action Huckabee has among the evangelicals may be an anti-Mitt factor, and if Mitt were to fade the push for Huck could drop right along with it. That is, if Huck is set up by all these local pastors as the “mormon-slayer” and that dynamic is eliminated, the Huck-hero worship might dissipate as well.
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 6:45 PM
You didn’t get this link from me.
http://streamingtvepisodes.com/streaming-tv-stations/abc-12.html
And I didn’t mention it works only in IE.
MadisonConservative on January 5, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Thanks! I was worried I was going to have to wait until 7 PST to watch it.
FloatingRock on January 5, 2008 at 6:54 PM
wmur.com says they’re streaming live with the listener response as well. no link yet
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 6:56 PM
Slubog and the Mark Steyn article he references explains my ambivalence on Huckabee. It’s the most helpful analysis I’ve seen on the matter so far. Highly recommended.
petefrt on January 5, 2008 at 6:57 PM
link to wmur stream
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 6:59 PM
no one on the stage yet?
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Great, the Republicans are going to be bloated yet again. No Alan Keyes?
John_Locke on January 5, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Why wasn’t a bigger deal made about Iowa?
John_Locke on January 5, 2008 at 7:04 PM
IowaWyomingJohn_Locke on January 5, 2008 at 7:04 PM
SECOND LOOK AT WYOMING
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 7:07 PM
Is it just you and me in this thread, John?
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Is there any better way to show that the candidates are all beta-males? They have nothing better to do on saturday night then yammer at each other? Typical.
lorien1973 on January 5, 2008 at 7:08 PM
sitting down is a terrible stance for these guys
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Real Link
rosewaning on January 5, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Billary needs a knock-out punch to start her recovery. I’m betting Obama’s too sharp to let it happen.
petefrt on January 5, 2008 at 7:11 PM
huckabee on foreign policy–here we go
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 7:11 PM
McCain looked like he wants to tell him to shut up
PowWow on January 5, 2008 at 7:12 PM
lol mccain despises huckabee
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Force, but now with 10% more understanding.
Hollowpoint on January 5, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Good slap Fred.
conservnut on January 5, 2008 at 7:13 PM
It was more fun watching it. :)
William Teach on January 5, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Actually, Hucks answer was pretty good..
Guardian on January 5, 2008 at 7:14 PM
no, hucks answer sucked, and he waffled and obfuscated.
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 7:15 PM
no, you suck
Nonfactor on January 5, 2008 at 7:16 PM
WTF is up with the debate not being shown live nationally?
Patriot33 on January 5, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Damn, McCain did good on that
conservnut on January 5, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Patriot33, it is on ABC. If no tv, the above links work too.
Spirit of 1776 on January 5, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Uh, Ron? We didn’t start the war- we finished it. Idiot.
Hollowpoint on January 5, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Paultard time
Gatordoug on January 5, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Ron Paul! What is he DOING there? Multi culti crap he is spouting. The rest are champing at the bit to chew him up and spit him out.
CrimsonFisted on January 5, 2008 at 7:19 PM
SURE Ronnie
WE are to blame
Gatordoug on January 5, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Ron Paul = Idiot
Guardian on January 5, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Romney laughing while he was talking
PowWow on January 5, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Oh god, Iran’s not capable??? Missiles, navy, army, nukes???
Just what do you consider capable you dip$hit
conservnut on January 5, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Ron Paul: Blame America First! Again.
Hollowpoint on January 5, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Question to Ron Paul: Since we have bases all over Japan, why aren’t Buddhist terrorists flying airplanes into US buildings?
Bryan on January 5, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Great question Bryan
Gatordoug on January 5, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Bryan on January 5, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Good one bryan
conservnut on January 5, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Haha…Redskins at 3 and 10 deep in their own territory right after choking on a field goal.
Who is this Ron Paul? Does he play for the Seahawks?
Slublog on January 5, 2008 at 7:22 PM
SECOND LOOK AT BRYAN!
PowWow on January 5, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Mitt… you obviously DON’T understand Jihadis if you think that if they have more farms and schools they’ll put down their suicide vests.
Hollowpoint on January 5, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Paul cant see anyone else to being blame for the worlds problems except the US
William Amos on January 5, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Fredalanche©
TheSitRep on January 5, 2008 at 7:22 PM
I love you too nonfactor.
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Nah. Yanking nose hairs sounds more fun.
Or how about this instead?
locomotivebreath1901 on January 5, 2008 at 7:22 PM
This format is working well so far. Kudos to ABC.
Spirit of 1776 on January 5, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Go Rudy !
William Amos on January 5, 2008 at 7:23 PM
I think so too
Gatordoug on January 5, 2008 at 7:23 PM
Rudy: 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11… did I mention 9/11?
Hollowpoint on January 5, 2008 at 7:23 PM
whats at stake is what is best about us.
I like that.
Thanks Rudy.
CrimsonFisted on January 5, 2008 at 7:23 PM
With all due respect to Mark Steyn, whose writing and analysis I enjoy immensely, I like Laura’s analysis at Pursuing Holiness.
Michael in MI on January 5, 2008 at 7:23 PM
Oh good gravy! Here is more Ron Paul babbling!
Gatordoug on January 5, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Oh, Ron Paul goes pedantic. Terrific
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Awesome!
PowWow on January 5, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Ron Paul is one wacky lunatic Sob, but before I would vote for Huckabee. I would write his name in
TheSitRep on January 5, 2008 at 7:24 PM
They are schooling Ron. GO!
CrimsonFisted on January 5, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Pile on Paul!!!!!!!!!!!
conservnut on January 5, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Thank you for that Fred!
Gatordoug on January 5, 2008 at 7:25 PM
that awesome was for shutting Paul up BTW
PowWow on January 5, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Bah. I cannot stand Huck’s voice and modulation. Drives me nuts.
CrimsonFisted on January 5, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Mitt has to sit next to Huck. lol
Fred!
infidel on January 5, 2008 at 7:26 PM
I’VE BEEN ATTACKED – huckabee
TexasDan on January 5, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Ron Paul is getting pwned right now.
Huckabee is basically staying out of the foreign policy, which is great. Dear lord 7:25 clip Huckabee’s stupidity.
John_Locke on January 5, 2008 at 7:26 PM
lol Huck and nuance. This is going to be a long campaign.
Spirit of 1776 on January 5, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Get to the point, Huck. Then smack Paul with a dead fish.
William Teach on January 5, 2008 at 7:26 PM
“I supported Bush before all of you”–Mike Huckabee.
Really?
John_Locke on January 5, 2008 at 7:26 PM
BTW 21-14 Seattle
Gatordoug on January 5, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Lots of love for Giuliani… I love how the realtime response plummeted as soon as Paul opened his mouth
rosewaning on January 5, 2008 at 7:27 PM
I love this format.
TheSitRep on January 5, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Agreed. It’s an excellent post.
Slublog on January 5, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Mitt vs Huck slapfight!
Hollowpoint on January 5, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Ron Paul is the perfect foil for us. He’s the guy that lets our guys rebut the Dems’ foreign policy.
petefrt on January 5, 2008 at 7:28 PM
HA! Mitt supported the surge BEFORE it was a surge
Gatordoug on January 5, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Oh man, Mitt and Huckasmackdown, personal assaults.
John_Locke on January 5, 2008 at 7:28 PM
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