I agree with the others who say that Chris Matthews was annoying as a host. Karl Rove as an employee? What does a Mormon do about Bishops out of control? Whatever, Chris.
On the little guys, it was interesting, I watched it while scanning the news and doing some other things. It was a little bit of multitasking,but also a little on purpose to see if any of the little guys would or could capture and hold my attention. None of them did except for Ron Paul. My hearts with him, but the America of today is nowhere near ready for a libertarian of his stripe, but I'm glad he's around.
As for the rest, sorry to say, that none of them really stood out. Around the blogosphere the word is that Huckabee did well, and I would disagree, because from what I saw, they all did well, but what they needed to do was break out of the herd and really capture and seize an audience. Hard to do with thirty second answers, but that was the order of the day.
Giuliani, what can I say? He had the highest expectations, but he was not on his game, not at all. We had a few glimpses of the glib talking mayor, but far too seldom. He absolutely gutted himself with an answer on abortion that seemed to indicate that a judge of his may find that Roe vs. Wade is good law. That's not the deal he needs to make. If he would agree to appoint judges to overturn Roe, he would get wide latitude on other issues, but absent that, he's in trouble. This is such elementary politics that I'm surprised that Giuliani flubbed it. But he did. He gave several answers guaranteed to anger the religious right. Giuliani needs to do some fence mending very, very soon. He came into the debate riding high, but ended up creating severe doubts about his candidacy that did not exist previously. That's how you lose.McCain: Did well, better than I expected. He had some nice lines that will make great sound bites later. Following Osama to "the gates of hell" was one of them. But still, what he needed to do was convince people like me that he could challenge the best the Democrats will offer and easily defeat them. Despite huge effort to the contrary he came across a bit old, tired, and strident.
Romney: Big winner of the debate. Smooth answers on just about everything. Had a great soundbite when Matthews asked him about Catholic Bishops. "They can do what they want" he said incredulously to the silly question. But on the rest he was always consistently on his game. Also has a flip-flop on abortion to contend with, but he seemed to have a much better grasp on what the GOP voter needs to hear on this issue. Much better than Giuliani. Of all the candidates, I would say that only Romney really benefited from this debate, he will be seen in somewhat of a new light and that's why I'm calling him the winner. Whether that will translate into anything real, time will tell.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. I watched the entire debate last night and like others, was amazed at the stupidity, the arrogance and the all around goofiness of some of Matthew's questions. But, what can you expect from a hardcore liberal? As far as the candidates go - I thought they did a very good job at showing how different they are from the Democrats over the issues of Iraq, Taxes, Abortion and immigration. I only hope that Fred Thompson gets into the race - and comes in with a focused, hard driving message. Mitt Romney did quite well as did Governor Huckabee and to a lesser extent, Rudy Guliani. I thought John McCain is being disingenuous once more - he wanted to be all things to all people with his posturing during Senate Confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Nominees (remember the gang of 14??) and he has always courted the likes of Matthews in the media with stunts like the McCain-Feingold bill and the idiotic "Bill of Rights" for terrorist killers. Say goodbye John McCain if Fred Thompson enters this race.
Steve at 7:04AM on May 4th 2007
2. Ron Paul was the most interesting candidate, not at all concerned what some people might think. And since he voted against the Iraq war, the smartest. But just like the most interesting Democratic candidate, Mike Gravel, he does not stand a chance of getting nominated.
Harold at 8:02AM on May 4th 2007
3. Hard to see how one could call Giuliani a loser (I wonder how many of the candidated could have answered the Sunni/Shiite question???). His comment on Roe v Wade was the ONLY TRUE conservative one: leave it to the courts, not to a bunch of presidential candidates trying to curry favor with a particular voting bloc. Rudy made it clear his priorities are where they should be as a future president: the national defense, containing crime, and cutting taxes; and let the clergy and the courts deal with the social issues, not politicians. That's refreshing to hear, for a change.
Tom at 8:50AM on May 4th 2007
4. If you think Romney was the winner go to "Morman Conspiracy.com"
Joseph Smith at 10:44AM on May 4th 2007
5. I didn't hear the debates - but it seems the answers tell both liberal views and conservative views.
I do believe GOD CREATED THE WORLD AND EVERYTHING IN IT, INCLUDING MAN AND WOMAN IN 7 DAYS. So of course I agree with those who recognize man's wisdom has not made this world a better place to live in. The more we take Him out of our political system and country, the more trouble we have. Have you noticed how the schools have deterioated since we took prayer and the Ten Commandments away? Amazing how man's wisdom thinks they have the answers - despite the results and the chaos our country is in morally because we no longer have a compass as to what is right and what is wrong.
May God help us to get back to the beginnings of our country, where moral men and women wanted our country run with the ethics of the Bible - not letting everyone do what is right IN THEIR OWN EYES.
Sincerely,
Darlene
Darlene at 10:52AM on May 4th 2007
6. As a conservative, Rudy Giuliani would have had my vote at one time, but I cannot vote to put a man in the White House, that would have a home wrecker for his first lady! It would justify adultery.
J. L. Olvera at 11:25AM on May 4th 2007
7. Darlene,
The Bible says God created everything in 6 days and rested on the 7th. If you're going to rant, at least get it right.
Chris at 11:33AM on May 4th 2007
8. Governor Mitt Romney(R), could, would, and/or should bring our Budget, Business Administration, National Economic Development to the cusp of the next generation of needs and resources. He is the best presidential candidate to take our country to the next level.
Juan David at 11:42AM on May 4th 2007
9. I was completely disappointed with both Guiliani and McCain. Several questions that were inappropriate or poorly worded. Previously commented was the evolution issue. Those who study biology know that evolution is real and always happening. The better question would be do you believe we came from monkeys and even better are you religious and believe in God. Chris Matthews obviously has no clue about religion as asking Romney about an incounter with a Catholic bishop is irrelevant. Romney did seem to stand out as the best overall for the country, or at least so much better than Clinton/Obama. Hopefully the evangelicals can get over the religion hangup and show some conservative support as any Mormon I have ever known is as conservative as needs be.
Erik Nielson at 11:51AM on May 4th 2007
10. Although I did not watch the debate, I support Mitt Romney.
I believe he has the best approach to the issues.
His experience in governing Massachusetts has been invaluable to him. Massachusetts has been poorly goverened by a sucession of tax and spend liberals.
Romney not only acts Presidential but looks Presidential.
Fred Guardabassi at 12:21PM on May 4th 2007
11. What does the "Morman Conspiracy" have to do with Mitt Romney today , anymore than a Cathlic running with all that their church has to deal with and other religeons and their history??I believe Romney has proved himself thru his faith,family and his career.
R Pullen at 12:25PM on May 4th 2007
12. Young women...the Republican white males,
who can never experience a pregnancy, only
create one, do not support Roe v Wade.
Your right to determine your economic
and personal future by birth control, or
in the case of failed birth control, the
option to terminate your pregnancy
is at an all time high risk.
Vote your rights to create your own
family when you are financially and
emotionally mature, with an involved
spouse. 18 years of your life will be
consumed raising a human being.
Vote pro-choice, keep the abortion option
when all else fails.
Marsha
M Weaver at 1:29PM on May 4th 2007
13. I was very involved with the 2002 Winter Olympics. Mitt Romney was MARVELOUS! He has a proven record of turning troubled organizations and companies around. He was great as CEO of Bain in turning around troubled companies. He turned around a troubled host city in 2002. He used those same skills as governor of Mass. I watched all of the debate last night and am convinced he has the most skills and attributes to become the president. I don't know if he can get the nomination but he would be a strong candidate and a great president. He was smooth, smart and engaging in the debate. I thought he shined above them all.
Fred.
Fred Ball at 3:42PM on May 4th 2007
14. Mitt Romney certainly is smooth...and slick. He does show attributes becoming of a US President.
But those who believe half of what is at MormonConspiracy.com...will continue to fear
just who will be making the important decisions
if he lands in office.
A while back Two US Senators flew to Iraq to assess
things for themselves. WHY was it that they were both LDS? WHO paid for that trip? WHY weren't non-LDS with them? Are they going to build a temple building in Bagdad? what...? The secrecy surrounding Mormonism is visible to everyone and
the aura of suspicion just isn't going to go away.
Beatrice at 4:30PM on May 4th 2007
15. To post #13: or, dont sleep with anyone you dont want to/cant affrd to have kids with; its really rather simple...
Thomas at 4:57PM on May 4th 2007