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
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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Is this a debate or church?
I am an evangelical, but I would support any liberal that had a problem with that little free sermon time in a political debate.
SimplyKimberly on January 24, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Good answer by Huck
bnelson44 on January 24, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Not only that Russert still claims to be objective when in times like these his stripes come through and he is seen for the Democratic Hack he is, not fair…a hack.
ColdBore76 on January 24, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Mitt Romney is far and away the best candidate the GOP has. The guy has intellect that is unmatched on either side.
therightwinger on January 24, 2008 at 10:35 PM
RP FTW
muyoso on January 24, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Ron Paul’s right eyebrow is trying to escape.
fiatboomer on January 24, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Fair enough. I’m sticking with being a petulant purist this time around.
Hollowpoint on January 24, 2008 at 10:35 PM
It was someone with the mike. I’d bet it was Williams to Russert. No need for conspiracies.
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 10:35 PM
He’s drawing a pony.
doubleplusundead on January 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
lol. Never noticed before.
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Paul says once again that he won’t go third-party. We’ll see.
His whining is killing my fillings again.
ReubenJCogburn on January 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Damnit! Ron Paul’s eyebrow flew into my cereal!
CABE on January 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
therightwinger on January 24, 2008 at 10:35 PM
And he has the best hair. Very important.
Ugly on January 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Haha…so what’s going to be your poison election night? Vodka, beer, scotch…?
Slublog on January 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
he’s obviously penning a new hate-journal.
ColdBore76 on January 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Indeed, m’lord!
Entelechy on January 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Winners:
1) Mitt
2) Giuliani
Nobody else helped themselves tonight.
davenp35 on January 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Yes he does, and the candidates all know not to answer the questions as framed. This is great practice for when the Clintons do it.
csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
What was accomplished tonight?
fourstringfuror on January 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Very true. Did you notice that Mitt was the only one not taking notes early on during the budget questions when lots of figures where thrown out.
IrishEi on January 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Who gave the mike to RP,he’ll go on forever like Silky!
canopfor on January 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
I feel like I just sat through Scary Movie 9
Ugly on January 24, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Tonight’s winner: Mexico
repvoter on January 24, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Dig S, like the MSM, is desperate for any Mitt conspiracies
windansea on January 24, 2008 at 10:37 PM
I’m sold.
Mitt has my vote on March 4th when Texas holds its primary.
SimplyKimberly on January 24, 2008 at 10:37 PM
agreed w/ prior prognostication: Mitt and Rudy won. Honorable mention to Huck for some good lines.
Over30 on January 24, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Ugh, Chris Matthews! Gotta change the channel…
doubleplusundead on January 24, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Ok, LOL :)
fiatboomer on January 24, 2008 at 10:37 PM
chris matthews post game? *click*
locke on January 24, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Well that was boring
bnelson44 on January 24, 2008 at 10:37 PM
“Grabbed and squeezed and hurt my neck … in 1988.”
mikeyboss on January 24, 2008 at 10:37 PM
That was a poor debate. Mitt and Rudy did great. McCain, HuckaBigot and RP are exposed for the one trick ponies that they are.
csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Romney wins. Rudy 2nd, I guess. Paul 3rd. Yes, you read that right. McCain and Huckachuck don’t register.
therightwinger on January 24, 2008 at 10:37 PM
MSNBC hacks. These guys are miserable peons.
fourstringfuror on January 24, 2008 at 10:38 PM
I’d laugh, but…
Ugly on January 24, 2008 at 10:38 PM
I didn’t even watch it, just watched you here – but I saw csdeven claim the same, and that’s good enough for me :)
Entelechy on January 24, 2008 at 10:38 PM
As I hoped, Mitt and Rudy came out tonight looking good.
I’m hoping the polls (and the final tally) reflect this. I am just done with the other three.
askheaves on January 24, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Final questions:
Romney: People don’t like you.
Rudy: NYT doesn’t like you.
Huck: You’re too religious.
McCain: Are you a meanie?
henzou on January 24, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Mitt wins!
McCain and Huck tie for second (for trashing Russert).
Rudy barely beat Ron Paul.
fiatboomer on January 24, 2008 at 10:39 PM
davenp35 on January 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
I’ll 2nd
jerrytbg on January 24, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Man.. we learned a WHOLE lot tonight…. :-\
henzou on January 24, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Ugly, don’t laugh. Just channel Tuco. Then go shoot VinyFoxy, and a few others. There’s gold in it.
Entelechy on January 24, 2008 at 10:39 PM
That debate was rigged. Huckabee is the best speaker and they purposely kept questions away from him. That said, Governor Huckabee is the best speaker and the most charismatic of the Republican candidates. He has a Reaganesque ability to communicate.
HUCKABEE WON THE DEBATE.
apacalyps on January 24, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Greenspan’s wife says McShamnesty won.
csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:40 PM
I missed an hour,this was a good media hit job as always!
- how much have you spent
-MCain you have a temper tantrum!
canopfor on January 24, 2008 at 10:40 PM
What a contrast between tonights GOP debate and the Dem debate the other night…. I think they saw what the libs did to eacg other and all decided not to go after each other.
krabbas on January 24, 2008 at 10:40 PM
1. Mitt
2. Rudy
3. Huckabee
4. McCain
5. Paul
Which also happens to be my top 5 in order.. so, I’m probably biased.
henzou on January 24, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Vodka is for bums and chicks. I’ll have the other two.
Hollowpoint on January 24, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Lol. No.
p0s3r on January 24, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Wow MSNBC giving it to Mitt?
lan astaslem on January 24, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Nice try.
IrishEi on January 24, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Mitt/Rudy/Paul(yes really)/McCain/Huck
(Paul for his question to McCain)
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Do you really expect the MSM to attack McShamnesty or even offer a tough question? If McCain is nominated the country has to select a democrat or a…wait for it…democrat! Game over.
jwp1964 on January 24, 2008 at 10:41 PM
apacalyps on January 24, 2008 at 10:40 PM
stalking again.
jerrytbg on January 24, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Dude.
fiatboomer on January 24, 2008 at 10:42 PM
The debate was rigged and he won. Wow if only my mind were that elastic.
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 10:42 PM
I stand by my claim that The Only Man Who Can Save America might’ve really saved America with that question.
p0s3r on January 24, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Hey look, he thinks he’s a Jedi!
doubleplusundead on January 24, 2008 at 10:42 PM
They just replayed the Mitt comment about Bill Clinton being in the White House without anything to do..
The tone in Russert’s “What do you mean?” was really defensive. Pretty funny.
henzou on January 24, 2008 at 10:42 PM
okay, Entelechy… that make me laugh.
And I think apacalyps is either a clever troll or just plain nuts.
Ugly on January 24, 2008 at 10:43 PM
@ p0s3r on January 24, 2008 at 10:42 PM
I need to hear him ask it again, I came into the debate mid question.
muyoso on January 24, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Olympia Beer. “It’s
thewater.”fiatboomer on January 24, 2008 at 10:43 PM
HuckaBigot on MSNBC. He keeps saying he went against the Clinton machine. You ARE as bad as the Clinton’s you tool.
csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:43 PM
@ apacalyps
Get out your hand lotion, he is being interviewed on MSNBC now.
muyoso on January 24, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Heh. Maybe just.
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Apparently some Huck supporters were handing out meth before the debate.
CABE on January 24, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Oh, and to whoever it was that wondered if Brian Williams practices in front of the mirror with his reading glasses? I bet he practices everything in front of the mirror–dude’s kind of in love with himself. Nothing like Olberdouche-level narcissism, but still.
ReubenJCogburn on January 24, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Mitt was on camera the most, which is good cuz he has really nice hair and time of posession matters
windansea on January 24, 2008 at 10:44 PM
I was disapointed. Not surprised though.
krabbas on January 24, 2008 at 10:44 PM
rotflmao
Spirit of 1776 on January 24, 2008 at 10:44 PM
McCain started out good, but got destroyed by Ron Paul of all people and ended weak.
Mitt would have had an objectively very good night had he not gave such a self-contradictory answer on an assault weapon ban.
Rudy was good, but not good enough to save his campaign.
Huckabee is an idiot. FDR Jr. Neither hurt nor helped himself.
Ron Paul smacked down McCain, but was otherwise the insane nut he is.
Hollowpoint on January 24, 2008 at 10:45 PM
LOL…you made me choke on my, um…red wine.
Slublog on January 24, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Huckabee makes a good point. The Dems were on board with the Iraq war, too.
fourstringfuror on January 24, 2008 at 10:45 PM
@ CABE on January 24, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Not meth, Jesus Juice.
muyoso on January 24, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Rudy held his own, but may not have distinguished himself enough. I’m not sure about Mitt, though. He gave a less firm answer than he should have on the 2nd amendment than he should have, and was savaged on his self-financing. He seemed very awkward in both cases. I actually think Huck managed to smack him around a little tonight, as sad as that is, by reminding the audience a few times of both of those bad answers.
My rankings (non-ideological)
Rudy/Huck (no damage, OK to good performances)
Paul (not as crazy as usual, helped himself quite a bit)
McCain/Mitt (sounded old/awkward. Too much of the debate focused on the reasons why people are hesitant to vote for them)
Big S on January 24, 2008 at 10:45 PM
baw ha ha ha.. Apacalyps porn
lan astaslem on January 24, 2008 at 10:46 PM
The GOP debate ends and FNC has Greta on doing more Tragedy TV. :(
p0s3r on January 24, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Romney – just don’t trust him.
McCain – tried to force amnesty on America, nuff said.
Giuliani – for abortion and gay marriage, unnaceptable.
Paul – some okay ideas, but unpredictable and anti-semetic
Huckabee – solid answers and inspiring. Even though at one point it went 20 minutes before Russert asked Huckabee a question. And MSNBC knew what they were doing, too. Very sneaky trying to manipulate the debate. How come Americans put up with this deceipt? Huckabee still spoke the most eloquent though. He won.
apacalyps on January 24, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Not if it’s TEXAS vodka…
And it’s GOOD too, not like that pussed out FRENCH crap…
catmman on January 24, 2008 at 10:46 PM
muyoso, I just spit cola over my keyboard. ha
Graybark on January 24, 2008 at 10:47 PM
What I noticed is that HuckaBigot didn’t get pressed on his “goofin’ on” answers. Mitt handled it well and we all know HuckaBigot would ramble for 45 seconds.
csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:47 PM
All this talk of vodka reminds me – it’s five o’clock somewhere.
I’m out!
Ugly on January 24, 2008 at 10:47 PM
The media could careless about the Republican nominees,
Just listen to some of the questions,and like the video
of Barney Frank with the gavel banging away,Your time
is up,compared to the Lib debate where they talked forever.
Let FOX do the debates for now on!
canopfor on January 24, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Watching Tweety and Bluto give each other reach-arounds is making me sick to my stomach.
p0s3r on January 24, 2008 at 10:47 PM
LOL!
csdeven on January 24, 2008 at 10:47 PM
no need to quote you
everyone sucks, guns
windansea on January 24, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Yeah, all those people who commute between Florida and Maine sure are impressed.
Hollowpoint on January 24, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Russert espousing a conspiracy theory of non-aggression.
fourstringfuror on January 24, 2008 at 10:48 PM
@ apacalyps on January 24, 2008 at 10:46 PM
With supporters like you, its curious that Huckabee isnt running for God’s VP position.
muyoso on January 24, 2008 at 10:48 PM
No question about, my chico Juan won.
Any nativist Gringos who think otherwise can go chupar una cebolla.
VinyFoxy on January 24, 2008 at 10:48 PM
I had to mute him. The sound of his voice sends chills up by spine with the amount of bullsh*t he spews. He is such a sanctimonious prig.
SimplyKimberly on January 24, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Jerry – Stop sending me those creepy apologies, I have blocked your PMs and I am not interested in “getting to know” you.
apacalyps on January 24, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Texas vodka? Never heard of such a thing- I’d think that drinking Vodka in Texas would be asking for a whuppin’.
Hollowpoint on January 24, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Can I get sour cream with that?
fourstringfuror on January 24, 2008 at 10:49 PM
oye Viny
tu madre pendejo
quieres bailar?
windansea on January 24, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Isn’t Tito’s from Texas? I’ve had that one, and it’s pretty good.
Big S on January 24, 2008 at 10:51 PM
apacalyps on January 24, 2008 at 10:49 PM
roflmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jerrytbg on January 24, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Chris Matthews is turning into an Oompah-Loompa.
fiatboomer on January 24, 2008 at 10:51 PM
I don’t think Paul smacked down McCain. The average voter doesn’t have a clue what Paul asked to judge McCain’s answer against.
jp on January 24, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Unless you’re a chick, gay or a Russki, I’m guessing.
doubleplusundead on January 24, 2008 at 10:52 PM
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