Open thread: The “And then there were four” debate; Update: New Mitt ad mocks McCain
posted at 7:30 pm on January 24, 2008 by Allahpundit
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9 p.m. ET on MSNBC. “And then there were two and a half” would be more accurate. Giuliani’s still in the mix but he’s pulling only 11% on InTrade; Huckabee barely rates. If trends hold it’s Mitt versus McCain for all most of the marbles on Super Tuesday with Rudy and Huck hoping and praying (respectively) for miracles. McCain can expect flak from Romney on immigration and the economy and Rudy on that catastrophe fund he keeps bringing up to try to remind people of 9/11. Will Huck rally to Maverick’s side or let the other two take him apart? Look out for pandering praise for ol’ Fred too to try to win over any ‘Heads still on the fence. Mitt’s web team already has a little bait on the hook. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him attack MSNBC for laughing at Fred’s concession speech last weekend if the opportunity presents itself.
As for what McCain might have waiting for Romney, how about some straight talk about his mad economic skillz?
Video highlights later/during; as always, sound off below. While you wait, shed a tear for former Clinton Labor Secretary Robert Reich as he inadvertently joins the vast right-wing conspiracy. (Ten years and going strong!) This is amusing too, from one of the lefty blogosphere’s leading lights. Follow the comments, as always.
Update: That didn’t take long.
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Comment pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 6 [7] 8 9 10 11 »
Immigration.. FINALLY
henzou on January 24, 2008 at 10:22 PM
“Governor Romney, you are a fan of Ronald Reagan”
Gee. Coming from Timmy, it sounded like an accusation.
Ugly on January 24, 2008 at 10:22 PM
And my point is that it’s better for him to spend his own money than be tied to the groups (such as the amnesty-loving agribusiness lobby) that influence policy.
Slublog on January 24, 2008 at 10:22 PM
You haven’t missed much. This is one boring debate.
bnelson44 on January 24, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Like I said . . . lol thanks
geckomon on January 24, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Wow, hit on Rudy about Spanish language ad. That smarts.
AUINSC on January 24, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Williams to Russert, I think.
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Does Mitt have an earphone?
csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Rudy’s answer is decent. However, I don’t like seeing campaign ads in Spanish. It just looks bad.
fourstringfuror on January 24, 2008 at 10:23 PM
MCCain: IT WASN’T AMNESTY!!!!
“I was a POW, dammit”
LordMaximus on January 24, 2008 at 10:23 PM
I count that waste of skin’s questions as the latter from the jump.
ColdBore76 on January 24, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Oh, ok. Finally! Immigration!
krabbas on January 24, 2008 at 10:23 PM
There only 7 minutes left?
bnelson44 on January 24, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Mitt wins…he has time of posession locked in this debate
windansea on January 24, 2008 at 10:24 PM
I think I’ll start signing my posts.
-Ron Paul
Ugly on January 24, 2008 at 10:18 PM
lol
Who whispered (Raised taxes?) Anyone else hear that?
ColdBore76 on January 24, 2008 at 10:20 PM
sure did ummm
jerrytbg on January 24, 2008 at 10:24 PM
bnelson,
Whew! Thanks for the quite concise update!
Weebork on January 24, 2008 at 10:24 PM
No cs, that was God speaking directly to Mitt (divine intervention)
ColdBore76 on January 24, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Well, comming from Tim “Bluto” Russert, you can be sure it was.
AUINSC on January 24, 2008 at 10:24 PM
I heard the whisper, rewinded and heard it again. I don’t think it was to tip of Mitt, I think it was to tip off Mr. Potato Head.
p0s3r on January 24, 2008 at 10:24 PM
This is the worst immigration question…thanks Russert.
ColdBore76 on January 24, 2008 at 10:24 PM
THERE. IS. NO. SUCH. THING. AS. A. TAMPERPROOF. ID.
Thank you…
askheaves on January 24, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Except he’s not running a completely self-funded campaign. He’s spending his own money AND taking contributions- presumably some from special interest groups.
As far as agribusiness- let’s not forget he already came out in favor of ag subsidies and “alternative fuel” spending.
Hollowpoint on January 24, 2008 at 10:25 PM
@csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Idk but its certainly iffy that whisper thing.
muyoso on January 24, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Russert is such a bleeding heart. Who cares?! Send the Cuban back, too.
fourstringfuror on January 24, 2008 at 10:25 PM
No questions about an invasion of our nation by 20 Million foreigners. We have 160K in Iraq and that was an invation. 20 Million invade our country w/ bullets flying on the border towns, our health care system and hospitals failing from the weight of these invaders, our educational system buckling under the load… Oh, and now there is a question about why Rudy has an ad in Spanish. Yup. That’s the crux of the issue.
Over30 on January 24, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Good comeback Rudy, vis-a-vis Castro!
AUINSC on January 24, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Russert forget his history? What a maroon . . .
geckomon on January 24, 2008 at 10:25 PM
lol
BTW, this is the Cuban issue that Fred was clueless about.
csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Mitt and Rudy win. It’s unanimous.
CABE on January 24, 2008 at 10:25 PM
WTF?!?!? McCain does not get asked about Immigration or even Rush Limbaugh?
This debate is so freakin’ tilted
LordMaximus on January 24, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Let’s talk about the fractional amount of immigrants given amnesty–as opposed to the millions every year that flow from Mexico.
ColdBore76 on January 24, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Gee, Tim, way to hold everybody on stage responsible for 40-year-old immigration policy. Of course libs like Russert think Castro’s great.
ReubenJCogburn on January 24, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Huck, brilliant answer.
jp on January 24, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Oh good grief, we’re talking Chuck Norris, what a f*cking circus…
doubleplusundead on January 24, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Williams to Russert, I think.
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 10:23 PM
i sure hope so!!!
jerrytbg on January 24, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Damn straight Maximus…
ColdBore76 on January 24, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Huckabee is right. You know Chuck Norris could tear you up.
fourstringfuror on January 24, 2008 at 10:26 PM
But not amnesty.
And for the record, I agree with you on subsidies and alternative fuel subsidies. I think, though, that illegal immigration costs the U.S. more in actual and social costs than subsidies and stupid ethanol.
Stupid, stupid, stupid ethanol.
Slublog on January 24, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Huck just rolled a 1 on his Charisma check.
fiatboomer on January 24, 2008 at 10:26 PM
HuckaAsskisser looking for a VP slot.
csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:26 PM
McCain’s snorts = losing florida.
CABE on January 24, 2008 at 10:27 PM
The GOP party loses with the general public from these debates except the ones from FoxNews…it’s a struggle, no doubt about it.
LordMaximus on January 24, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Notice that Republicans have a time limit
“Your time is up”.
canopfor on January 24, 2008 at 10:27 PM
heh!
geckomon on January 24, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Sylvester Stallone would be left in a puddle of blood.
fourstringfuror on January 24, 2008 at 10:27 PM
I hate these debates…too scripted
ColdBore76 on January 24, 2008 at 10:27 PM
This debate was an absolute joke. It was a lot of personal jabs from the mediators and very little substance in terms of policy. Economic stuff started well, but it’s just been awful from that point.
henzou on January 24, 2008 at 10:28 PM
More name dropping because McCain is a one trick conservative trying to hide his full spectrum liberal tendencies.
csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:28 PM
probably the best case scenario.
locke on January 24, 2008 at 10:28 PM
yep
windansea on January 24, 2008 at 10:28 PM
DAMN, destroying Rudy.
muyoso on January 24, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Russert is just being aggressive. He’s like that on his show.
Not sayin’ he can’t be stupid, but that’s just the way he rolls.
Weebork on January 24, 2008 at 10:28 PM
No immigration questions for McCain?
geckomon on January 24, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Rudy scores agains the NTY.
AUINSC on January 24, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Oh baby,chuck and rocky Belboa it’s on!
canopfor on January 24, 2008 at 10:28 PM
NO CLAPPING!!!!
LordMaximus on January 24, 2008 at 10:28 PM
by who? We know what happened when stallone met up with countless commies, vietnemese and other southeast asiatic peoples……
ColdBore76 on January 24, 2008 at 10:29 PM
He needs to roll back to the psych ward.
fourstringfuror on January 24, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Brian Williams and all of MSNBC should be ashamed for that question. And I don’t even support Rudy.
Ugly on January 24, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Dang that NYT clip makes me want to vote for Rudy. Heck it makes me want to campaign for him.
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 10:29 PM
I’m dissapointed in no immigration questions for McCain.
krabbas on January 24, 2008 at 10:29 PM
It’s not an either-or proposition to be against ag subsidies and illegal immigration. And Mitt might be more believeable had he not supported McCain-Kennedy before he was against it.
But Rudy, McCain and Huckster certainly have a worse record on illegal immigration than Mitt.
Hollowpoint on January 24, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Guys, these candidates HAVE to answer these questions if they are going to get past the Clinton smear machine.
csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:29 PM
This is the crappiest debate I have seen.
muyoso on January 24, 2008 at 10:29 PM
MSNBC is not going to ask McCaiin questions that would kill him and his candidacy…they need him to be nominated
LordMaximus on January 24, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Weebrok, you’re killing me. Russert is plainly framing democratic themes into the republican debate…you don’t see this?
ColdBore76 on January 24, 2008 at 10:30 PM
yeah,,,Rudy laughs off NYT endorsement
windansea on January 24, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Yeah, gee, I wonder how he ever evaded that?
doubleplusundead on January 24, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Gee, why do the moderators seem to think that the NYT holds sway with any Republicans (Paulbots excepted)?
AUINSC on January 24, 2008 at 10:30 PM
I don’t have a problem when it has to do with policy or specific issues, but when he goes after people for personal issues.. i.e. - Romney funding his campaign.. it’s ridiculous.
He let his stances on issue shine through and rather than letting these guys explain their stances he put them on the defensive. I think that’s wrong.
henzou on January 24, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Rudy’s “considered a conservative Republican”? By whom, besides the Treason Times? I mean, I like him in general, just not much for Pres, but he’s no conservative.
And f— the NYT.
ReubenJCogburn on January 24, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Mitt is spinning so much on this one my TV is developing a gravitational field.
fiatboomer on January 24, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Not sure what the point of this question is.
fourstringfuror on January 24, 2008 at 10:30 PM
This sounds more like a roast,the a debate!
canopfor on January 24, 2008 at 10:31 PM
MSNBC is as big a joke and the NYT’s…
jp on January 24, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Every debate that includes Ron Paul is the crappiest debate I’ve ever seen.
However, don’t forget the Nurse Ratchet debate. That one was arguably worse.
Hollowpoint on January 24, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Yeah, the questioners were aggressive, but I think the candidates (esp Mitt and Rudy) did a good job countering them. The nominee will be that much better prepared for these questions in the general.
mikeyboss on January 24, 2008 at 10:31 PM
here it is
Mitt clinches Florida with this answer
windansea on January 24, 2008 at 10:32 PM
I like Mitt Romney. He might be squishy on some things. But he doesn’t make me want to puke like McLiar or Huckascam.
SimplyKimberly on January 24, 2008 at 10:32 PM
McCain is a clown.
csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Can someone please explain this to Rudy
Actually, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, applicants who wish to become naturalized U.S. citizens already “must be able to read, write, speak, and understand words in ordinary usage in the English language.” The only exceptions are for those with physical or mental impairments, those who have been legal residents for 15 years and have reached age 55, or who have been legal residents for 20 years and have reached age 50.
Link
truthmattersfa on January 24, 2008 at 10:32 PM
csdeven,
you don’t understand what I mean. I am saying the entire framing of these questions betray the fact that there IS a fundamental difference between conservatives and libs ON global warming, natl’ security, etc. Tim “jackhole” Russert, by asking his questions the way he does lays out the message to the audience that there is no ambiguity, it’s horsesh*t.
ColdBore76 on January 24, 2008 at 10:32 PM
A lot of people heard that.
Big S on January 24, 2008 at 10:32 PM
I had the same thought.
Ugly on January 24, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Thank god they are balanced…they balance quotes from the NYT with quotes from the LA Times.
AUINSC on January 24, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Yeah, at this point I’m just more willing to give Romney a term in the White House because he is more likely to do the right thing than any Democrat.
Slublog on January 24, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Is McCain going to cry?
LordMaximus on January 24, 2008 at 10:32 PM
His temper? That’s the least of our concerns. Dumb question.
geckomon on January 24, 2008 at 10:33 PM
the pawning of McLiar was worth it in this case
windansea on January 24, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Yes, but not everyone reached the same conclusion.
Slublog on January 24, 2008 at 10:33 PM
That debate was worthless until Fred smacked down that moderator, which was hilarious. They should have Fred on just to slap around people and entertain.
doubleplusundead on January 24, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Hammer Huck on his use of his religion to garner votes.
csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:33 PM
NBC = Nasty Bogus Correspondents.
I’ve never heard such unprofessionalism in all my life. I got out of network news in ‘92 and went into advertising. I’m telling you right now… advertising has 1000 times more morals and professionalism than network news and that is the most telling analysis one could ever tell.
NBC… Apply directly to a liberal’s butthole. Apply directly to a liberal’s butthole. Apply directly to a liberals butthole.
Griz on January 24, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Hey! Hey! Huck!
Um, do you believe in Jesus?
askheaves on January 24, 2008 at 10:33 PM
I’ve grown to appreciate him. I think he is a class act.
At the beginning of this campaign, I thought he was the perfect candidate for ‘92, but I have really shifted.
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Yeah, what’s with all the quotes from other enemedia news outlets? Was Brian Williams feeling especially lazy today?
ReubenJCogburn on January 24, 2008 at 10:34 PM
High praise indeed.
Hollowpoint on January 24, 2008 at 10:34 PM
I wonder what Dr. Paul has been writing this whole time? Every camera pan seems to catch him jotting something down.
p0s3r on January 24, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Huck tries to turn this into an attack on faith when it is an attack on his bigotry.
csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Yes Huck…your use of faith as a campaign tool give me a queezy feeling. And I’ll deal with it by not voting for you.
AUINSC on January 24, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Comment pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 6 [7] 8 9 10 11 »