Florida Debate Highlights: plus Final Score
posted at 10:21 pm on January 24, 2008 by Bryan
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To be honest, this debate has been a snore. But here are a couple of semi-interesting moments. In the first, Mike Huckabee makes some sense on the economic stimulus. He says, essentially, if we’re going to borrow $150 billion from China to finance the stimulus package, why not use it to do something useful instead of just handing it over to be spent on goods imported from China?
That’s not crazy. Chances are, people will spend their rebates on TVs and other consumables that’s imported. That’ll help American retailers and importers but not manufacturers. While it would be better just to cut taxes and cut spending and the government as far from all our wallets and lives as possible, if you’re going to borrow and spend, let’s at least widen I-95, put Americans to work on it and get some long-term benefits from the project. The residents of the eastern seaboard would probably concur. The problem with the idea, though, is that it’s regional. It would only buy votes on one coast, and Washington has its eye on buying votes in all 50 states.
In the second, Mitt Romney is asked whether the war in Iraq was worth the sacrifice and effort. He delivers the best answer of the bunch and punches the hippies in the Democrat party to boot.
Update: Here’s the Chuck Norris, “Is McCain too old to be president?” question.
Update: Here’s Rudy Giuliani reacting to the NYT’s endorsement of McCain. It’s obvious from the angle that Brian Williams took in asking the question that it’s a lefty hit. Conservative Republicans don’t give a rip what the NYT thinks. Its endorsement of McCain will not help him win a single conservative vote. That endorsement makes Rudy look more conservative than McCain.
And for one more video, head over to Gateway Pundit to see Mitt Romney criticize “General Hillary Clinton.” Heh.
Last Update: Here’s Mitt Romney wondering aloud about the wisdom of sending Bill Clinton to the White House with nothing to do.
My Final Score: Ron Paul aside, this was a substantive debate. Very civil, more low key than I expected of the direct question round. With so much on the line on Tuesday and this debate serving as the candidates’ introduction to the people of Florida, they all acquitted themselves well. I can’t say the same for the moderators, who tried to play gotcha all night.
McCain, Giuliani and Huckabee all had their moments, but overall, the winner was Mitt Romney. His answers on Iraq, the economy, using his personal wealth to run for the presidency and how he’ll fix Washington were all substantive, authoritative and right. He is positioning himself as the lone conservative in the race, and given the competition he is the most conservative candidate now.
All of that said, I’m sure I’m not the only one who missed Fred.
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What - Huck makes sense talking about using a highway project to stimulate growth?
Yeah - that a REAL conservative solution. More gov’t spending to get us out of a economic downturn. Reminds me of the noted conservative FDR… wait that’s not right…
Big Bad John on January 24, 2008 at 10:26 PM
If this country needs any major infrustructure projects right now they are
THE FENCE
THE FENCE
and
THE FENCE
Not a wider I-95
EJDolbow on January 24, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Even better!
Bryan on January 24, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Regional is one problem, sure, but the bigger problem is the timing. Widening I-95 likely wouldn’t start for two years.
Huckabee has a great solution for a different problem, which is usual for a guy who has no clue and no advisers to clue him in.
Dusty on January 24, 2008 at 10:34 PM
This debate has been far more enjoyable than any in recent memory. Certainly one of the better debates on the Republican side in terms of real content, intellectual debate, and strong-willed individualism from each of these candidates. Huckabee and McCain actually came out of this debate respectably well, even if I’d still never vote for either of them.
Enjoyable debate; I hope the next one is this meaty.
Jockolantern on January 24, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Quoting Agent Smith, Matrix Revolution
“is it over?”
rockhauler on January 24, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Whoa. That Mitt clip got my attention.
I could get used to him.
see-dubya on January 24, 2008 at 10:38 PM
I enjoyed it. Hopefully we won’t see any posts about Rudy only being about 9/11 from the pundits tomorrow. Both he and Mitt did well.
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 10:38 PM
These so called rebates aren’t really rebates. You have to pay for something in the first place to get a rebate. The low income people that don’t pay taxes should not be entitled to this handout. Every low income person I know, and I know plenty of them, won’t be buying tv’s they will be buying cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana. Middle income people may go buy tv’s, but I think the majority of them will pay towards bills or save it. “Rebates” are not going to help our economy, tax cuts are the only real way to help the economy.
NeverSubmit on January 24, 2008 at 10:40 PM
I think Romney was the clear winner. Probably his best debate so far.
locke on January 24, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Hitting it right on the nose. Giving people a bit of cash won’t help a lot. Sure it will stimulate a little bit of consumerism, but it won’t have any lasting effects.
A tax cut is the plain and simple way to go. They should give a tax cut to the middle class and cut the corporate tax. This will stimulate economic consumerism and will allow businesses to invest in growth, which means more jobs for everyone.
Or maybe the Fair Tax… but that’s still just a dream.
Luckedout on January 24, 2008 at 10:41 PM
It was a lot of fun watching videos of him a Governor spar with the press and stand on the StateHouse steps yelling, “Let the People Vote, Let the People Vote” after the Supreme Court made gay marriage legal there.
I think it would be totally refreshing to have him as President speaking to our values in such a passionate and educated way.
EJDolbow on January 24, 2008 at 10:41 PM
I’m with Mitt!
But I didn’t watch the debate since MSNBC, like CNN, is anti-
AmericanGOP.madmonkphotog on January 24, 2008 at 10:42 PM
I’m a Giuliani guy, but I’d take Mitt any day. Giuliani drops out, Mitt’s my guy.
amerpundit on January 24, 2008 at 10:43 PM
As for the Huck clip–
It’s a free country and it’s our money. I’ll shriek at you all day long not to throw your money away on cheap crap from China, but at the end of the day you’re a taxpaying adult and I think the money is yours, and I pray you’ll spend it (or invest it) responsibly.
see-dubya on January 24, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Ditto.
bnelson44 on January 24, 2008 at 10:44 PM
That debate brings us to a new level of suckitude. Willams and Russert were as bad as Nurse Ratched in Des Moines.
I need a shower.
thirteen28 on January 24, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Huck’s answer sounds like the perfect definition of PORK SPENDING !
stenwin77 on January 24, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Luckedout…
The Fair Tax will stay a dream if everyone thinks like you do. It is by far the best tax overhaul proposal there is. The Fair Tax makes everything transparent. Politician in general don’t like The Fair Tax because they will not be able to bribe people for votes anymore by saying vote for me and I’ll lower your taxes, vote for him and he will raise your taxes. It takes a huge amount of power away from politicians and they are scared to death of losing power.
NeverSubmit on January 24, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Completing that thought–so I’d rather give the money back to you and let you spend the money as you see fit. Not that I’m opposed to widening I-95, but won’t most of the labor on that project just Western Union their money back to Mexico? Sounds like a wash to me.
see-dubya on January 24, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Well my observations were these:
1. No Chairs?
2. Where were Brians leading questions to the candidates like the rumor clarification that Obama got?
3. I actually liked Mitt’s answer on the money question about his campaign donation from himself..
Pam on January 24, 2008 at 10:48 PM
can we get a clip of Paul’s question to McCain just so we can figure out what the hell he was talking about?
locke on January 24, 2008 at 10:50 PM
I like Rudy too. I wish his answer about the NYT’s had gone like this:
“Well, I’ll take that with a grain of salt coming from the NYT’s..I’ve spoken to some of their past/present investors that aren’t to happy with the direction of the paper!”
Pam on January 24, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Good point. SECOND LOOK AT BUILDING THE FENCE INSTEAD OF HANDING OUT BOGUS REBATES!
Bryan on January 24, 2008 at 10:52 PM
As much as I would LOVE to see that…widening a highway these days isn’t as easy as just coming up with the funds. The environmental groups around here have stopped many a highway road project, claiming loss of wetland, noise, pollution, etc.
And they’ve been very effective.
JetBoy on January 24, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Why do they call me keeping my own money that I earned myself a “rebate”?
Mojave Mark on January 24, 2008 at 10:55 PM
I’m a Mitt guy, but I’d take Giuliani any day. Mitt drops out, Giulianai’s my guy.
If we could get it down to these two I could sleep a lot better at night.
lan astaslem on January 24, 2008 at 10:56 PM
I agree. I don’t understand why they feel they think borrowing money to give to everybody will be better for the country instead of tax cuts. The Bush tax cuts already demonstrated that is the way to spark the economy.
Will anyone please clarify: is Big Brother in Washington telling us that we must spend the money on a TV etc.? I was going to pay some bills, but I don’t want to f@#k up the whole plan.
Mallard T. Drake on January 24, 2008 at 10:56 PM
True. It’s sorta like trying to drill for more oil. It would probably take 20 years to get Huck’s idea through.
Bryan on January 24, 2008 at 10:56 PM
I think some concervatives who like to blast Mitt still just aren’t getting it. It was all the scenes just like that has turned the liberal press 100% against Romney since before this campaing…since he was govenor. That clip of Romney right there is what you are going to get for 8 years. It is what we had as govenor. It is not fake or subject to flip flopping.
I liked Fred. But even if you agree with him 100% of the time what is the point of voting for someone who cant get anything done? He would be totally ineffective. Mitt is 90% as concervative as Fred but a complete order of magnitute better in terms of being organized and getting things done. Which is really better?
Resolute on January 24, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Why doesn’t anyone ever ask McCain about his votes against drilling in ANWAR.
ctmom on January 24, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Nobody on that stage tonight convinced me they should be President
William Amos on January 24, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Mitt looked good in the answer to the military question.
Not really sure why so many (in our base) purportedly hate the man… seems like a fairly level-headed guy to me.
knob on January 24, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Yeah it was mostly a bore, but I think we learned quite a bit more of where candidates stand .. and more importantly, why.
I still think there should be a roundtable where two or three candidates face off. They should asked questions with yes or no answers where they can’t spin — like Sen. Seesions’ questionnaire.
Ian on January 24, 2008 at 10:58 PM
My problem with Mitt on the WOT is that he wants to fight it by offering a Marshall plan to fix muslim economies aand give muslims better education.
Thats they ticket economic stimulous for the Saudis !
William Amos on January 24, 2008 at 11:00 PM
They should be asked questions*
Ian on January 24, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Being a bit more of a social-con, Rudy is a bit harder to take… but I 100% agree that if Mitt goes (and I tend to doubt it), Rudy is my guy.
knob on January 24, 2008 at 11:01 PM
I’d love to watch that.
knob on January 24, 2008 at 11:02 PM
I think the only guy on the floor,or Republican nominee
looks like Mitt,at least when asked he usually has a decent
answer,McCain and Rudy look defensive.
Whats going to happen when the Lib media finds out who the
nominee will be,in a nano-second they will turn on that
candidate,and If it’s McCain he’ll look like a deer caught
in the headlights,perplexed that the media has turned on him over night!
canopfor on January 24, 2008 at 11:02 PM
I have a feeling Mitt will get the nod.
Winebabe on January 24, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Yes, we need tax relief, & I’m opposed to Huck’s candidacy, but he’s right, our infrastructure is pathetic, nationwide. It’s ridiculous to have highways around the country turn to parking lots twice every day.
jgapinoy on January 24, 2008 at 11:03 PM
McCain is a Dem in Repub clothes, he’s against free speech, against stopping illegal immigration, against using our own natural resources, etc… Rudy would be tough on terrorists, but with a PC spin to it, but he lost any chance of my vote by agreeing that global warming is a problem. Ron Paul, don’t know where to start with him… Huckabee is too much of a turbo to get my vote (sorry Brian)… Romney is the only one who has labeled this war correctly, JIHAD! Can we combine all 5 of them and just make 1 candidate?
NeverSubmit on January 24, 2008 at 11:04 PM
I have a feeling we might have to wait until the convention.
Ian on January 24, 2008 at 11:04 PM
William Amos,thanks so much for the Link on tonights
debate.
canopfor on January 24, 2008 at 11:04 PM
tonight on special report britt hume asked krauthammer that questions. krauthammer said: “he’s smart, handsome, and rich. what was the question again?”
classic krauthammer.
locke on January 24, 2008 at 11:05 PM
mitt, hands down. or fred
redrock on January 24, 2008 at 11:06 PM
You won’t see a fence if the Clintdumbs or Barracko or McCain get in. Maybe Willard can get it done, but he needs help from the democraps congress.
countywolf on January 24, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Dude.
Rambo vs. The Delta force leader; now thats a match I’d tune in to see.
PolitiNOOB on January 24, 2008 at 11:06 PM
To be honest, I think that is what people will be talking about tomorrow.
Rudy needed to shine in this debate and that didn’t happen. He isn’t winning FL.
bnelson44 on January 24, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Well, those are your choices.
EJDolbow on January 24, 2008 at 11:08 PM
It was the New York Times that said that, you know the paper that endorses the democrat on that stage tonight.
NeverSubmit on January 24, 2008 at 11:08 PM
That would be nice. They all have some good to offer, but also leave a bad taste in some areas.
I don’t think this debate really separated any of the candidates from one another or really had a true winner. It won’t change the polls in Florida, which is surprising to me that Rudy wasn’t more aggressive considering he is floundering a bit in the state where he has spent the majority of his time and money.
Luckedout on January 24, 2008 at 11:08 PM
I don’t really favor any nominee, but the one thing McCain has going for him is he is consistently polls as the only Republican who can beat her. I have a feeling when it comes down to picking a “conservative’s conservative” or a guy who can win it all a lot of people will go with the winner.
Ian on January 24, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Ugh, long night. Should read: “him is he consistently polls ..”
Ian on January 24, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Do the illegals with bogus numbers get a rebate? Do they get MORE because they are illegal?
countywolf on January 24, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Mitt’s press guy is making Mathews and Gregory look stupid in the post-debate chat.
mikeyboss on January 24, 2008 at 11:11 PM
I assumed a shady, liberal source was behind it, which is why I used ‘purportedly’ in my original thought. Even so, I’m not terribly surprised it was NYT.
knob on January 24, 2008 at 11:12 PM
I think most of these guys can beat Hitlery, not just McCain. My good friend who is a hardcore liberal democrat says if Hillary is the nominee he won’t vote. He can’t stand the thought of a woman as president and he thinks the majority of democrats feels the way he does. I hope he’s right about that.
NeverSubmit on January 24, 2008 at 11:12 PM
I am going to post these numbers everytime a political novice makes this statement.
Jan 1980 Gallup Poll
Carter 63%
Reagan 32%
Why do you think the media controlled polls give you such numbers during a primary season? It is because they want you to shy away from voting for the candidate THEY fear the most.
In 1980 that was Ronald Reagan and now it is Mitt Romney.
How are the dour Democrats going to beat a person as upbeat and positive and knowledgeable as ROmney? They will not just like they did not against Reagan.
EJDolbow on January 24, 2008 at 11:14 PM
In the primaries I can still vote uncommitted
I will vote for any of these (except Paul who I want committed to an insane assylum) over any democrat in the general
William Amos on January 24, 2008 at 11:15 PM
So we should vote based on polls? No thanks.
Luckedout on January 24, 2008 at 11:16 PM
The fact that the Fair Tax is getting national attention is huge. Duncan Hunter is a fair tax supporter. Give it a few years and it may sway public opinion enough to be viable.
tommuck on January 24, 2008 at 11:19 PM
I bet Rudy thought that too. Bet he doesn’t now.
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 11:20 PM
If I get this “rebate” I think I’ll send it to Geert Wilders to help fund the security he’s gonna need in a couple of weeks. Anyone else watch his interview on foxnews.com?
NeverSubmit on January 24, 2008 at 11:20 PM
What are the odds Ron Paul doesn’t win MSNBC’s poll?
fiatboomer on January 24, 2008 at 11:21 PM
One doesn’t have to favor big government to recognize that it IS government’s role to keep the roads maintained. The highway project sounds like a good idea to me.
packsoldier on January 24, 2008 at 11:22 PM
@ William Amos on January 24, 2008 at 11:15 PM
You would want a true conservative in an insane asylum.
muyoso on January 24, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Keep it up. GHWB same way, though not as quite significant margin.
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Ron Paul doesn’t understand the first role of our government, to defend us from all enemies foreign and domestic! He’s got his head in the sand just like the loony left.
NeverSubmit on January 24, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Im sorry but Mitt didnt even have the balls to attack McCain on Immigration. I agree with Michelle he blew his chance.
William Amos on January 24, 2008 at 11:31 PM
@ NeverSubmit on January 24, 2008 at 11:26 PM
No, he really doesn’t. If you get your information from HA, it certainly isnt an unbiased view of the man. Also, he is the strongest on illegal immigration and the border, which Giuliani, McCain AND Huckabee arent, so there goes your foreign and domestic argument. As for Romney, he is anti-gun, an issue which RP is by FAR the strongest on.
RP FTW.
muyoso on January 24, 2008 at 11:31 PM
I agree with you, Bryan. But even RP had his moment with his question to Mac. He made McCain look unversed in economics.
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Hey you know RP’s position on immigration when he ran in ‘88?
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Missionary ?
William Amos on January 24, 2008 at 11:34 PM
True. They all played it a little safe during the direct question round.
Bryan on January 24, 2008 at 11:34 PM
The viciousness of the NYT attack on Rudy just made me love him that much more. And I’m being serious when I say that I can think of no better measure of a true conservative than absolute hatred from the NYT.
thuja on January 24, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Jokeabee is getting tiresome. Should Ed Rollins explain to him that POTUS is a serious and sober job?
EJDolbow on January 24, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Did she really? I guess I disagree with her yet again. I think it was the smart move.
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 11:37 PM
But what’s the purpose in doing that? I understand why teenagers do this sort of thing but not adults.
EJDolbow on January 24, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Big Bad,
While I am with you on principle, you are wrong in this sense. Mississippi is using the revenue from the casinos to build roads. That has spawned all sorts of opportunities. Highway projects can stimulate growth because businesses look at accessability when they choose where to build their companies.
Huckabee was governor of the state with over 25% of all trucking assets (Wal-mart has a lot to do with that). Not surprising he would equate road projects with growth.
That being said, Huckabee is unelectable. ROMNEY ‘08!!!!
highhopes on January 24, 2008 at 11:41 PM
If I had to chose a winner, I would also chose Mitt. He had most of the questions and handled them very well.
Rudy lost his last opportunity I think (unless he has something up his sleeve, he has lost FL)
Maybe he can ask the questions next time.
bnelson44 on January 24, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Ron Paul thinks we should close all our military bases around the world and bring all troops home. No I didn’t get that info from Hotair, that was straight from the horses mouth. He is a blame America first guy when it come to the global jihad. The fact that jihadists hate all infidels for the fact that we are infidels is Americas fault? Get a clue muyoso you little troll.
NeverSubmit on January 24, 2008 at 11:44 PM
For Mitt and McCain there will be other chances.
bnelson44 on January 24, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Ron Paul would be much more at home on the Dem stage. He’s really an embarassment.
Big Orange on January 24, 2008 at 11:52 PM
I agree, I felt Romney hit hard and scored often on a variety of topics. It was a fair trade off. The immigration albatross will always be there for McCain, he can be attacked on that anytime.
voiceofreason on January 24, 2008 at 11:57 PM
How do we know Romney was the big winner? He actually BEAT Ron Paul in MSNBC’s open text-message poll, 41% to 40%. Either Mitt’s guys are spammers now or Mitt just cleaned up tonight.
FWIW, is this the first time anyone has beaten the Paulbots in an open poll?
fiatboomer on January 24, 2008 at 11:57 PM
polls? poles? pauls? who cares.
redrock on January 25, 2008 at 12:01 AM
I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
Get it right at least…
BlackCapitalist on January 25, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Exactly so.
Moreover, it is my contention that asking a question where the format doesn’t allow for rebuttal is like setting up a spike. McCain would spin away any question Mitt could pose about immigration. If Mitt is going to hit McCain on immigration, he should do it during the course of the debate. Secondary note, it was smart to ask Rudy the question because any improvement in Rudy’s position will eat out of McCain’s support. It was smart both strategically and tactically.
Spirit of 1776 on January 25, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Hey, he stole that China stimulus thing from me.
TheSitRep on January 25, 2008 at 12:05 AM
When Mitt Drops out her should endorse Rudy!
Chakra Hammer on January 25, 2008 at 12:06 AM
I saw that and said “wow,” because yes, I believe this is the first time Ron Paul has ever lost a public post debate poll.
Patriot33 on January 25, 2008 at 12:06 AM
I thought Huckabee did a great job tonight (say what you will, the guy knows how to use the English language) but that was his absolute worst moment, not his best.
Buy Danish on January 25, 2008 at 12:08 AM
All of that said, I’m sure I’m not the only one who missed Fred.
guaranteed
stlpatriot on January 25, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Screw I-95, widen I-5 from Seattle to the Canadien border!
Rode Werk on January 25, 2008 at 12:09 AM
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