Immigration needs to be up there so the press can begin writing their stories.

Lou Dobbs is so annoying. He claims there is no difference between the two parties because they are both bought and sold by the corporate America he works for and shilled for for years.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 06:53:57 PM EST

Tommy Thompson takes first shot of the night, the governor, not the actor.

Huckabee gets a good laugh.

These guys benefitted from seeing the Dem debate.

They had slogans, like Ron Paul's, "I am the champion of the constitution."

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 07:04:54 PM EST

Non sequiter null set? Answer the question, "Was it a mistake to go into Iraq?"

Attacks Harry Reid. Long, confused recitation on what happened, no policy . . .

Wolf reasks, was it a mistake. Romney claims it is a non sequiter null set again! An unreasonable hypothetical.

Rudy says, absolutely was the right thing to do, says part of overall terrorists war against the United States, claims Iran is not 10 years away from nucs (what?).

McCain, did you read the NIE? No, I recieved 100's of briefings, the sanctions were breaking down, oil for food was a scandal. The problem was the mismanagement.

Brownback, did you read the NIE. "I don't remember that report." Will introduce my 3-state plan tomorrow (with or without Biden by your side?)

Gilmore, was it irresponsible not to read the NIE? They should read at least that. The Middle East is dangerous.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 07:10:06 PM EST

If Petraus reports in Sep. that surge has not significantly improved things, what then?
McCain: I was with family of a fallen soldier today. The strategy is just starting. They will follow us home if we fail and it will become a base for terrorism, there will be chaos in the region. I did not say Kosovo was Clinton's war.
Wolf says trhe question was . . .
Answer: examine the options (duh). He says dividing Shia and Sunni would not work, lists all sorts of problems. We must succeed.

Same for Thompson.
First demand Al Malaki gov. to vote on do we stay. Redeploy if they say we should leave. 18 terrirtories should elect their state leaders. Oil revenue split 3 ways.

Duncan Hunter, how much longer to stay if it is not working at that point.
I read the NIE. Battalions, trained up, in the fight, combat hardened, rotate them in . . . Chairmen of the Armed Forces committee (as I predicted).

Ron Paul: wrong diagnosis means change treatment (he isn OBGYN) gets applause!!!!

Huckabee: Taliban believes they brought down the Soviets, we underestimate how fierce they are.

Tancredo, "A Republic if you can keep it" should be told to the Iraqis, give them vehicles and move out.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 07:16:59 PM EST

Known terrorists supporter, was it right to open dialogue? We talked with them before we went to Afghanistan (no, we ignored their entreaty),

Hunter. Talk with conditions, we have licensed to use special operations, whatever it takes, and they have 1000 centrifuges, retain the right to preempt.

Wolf -- would you authorize nuclear preemption. Yes, if necessary.

Rudy, authorize tacnucs?
No option off the table. Democrats  . . . (at each answer he contrasts with the Dem debate), brings up JFK and Fort Dix, war not a bumper sticker.

Gilmore. Middle East lecture again,

Romney, on the record (Wolf says he wants him there) says you don't take options off the table, you see people are testing America, love liberty, move world of Islam with a strong military? Democrats don't think there is a war going on.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 07:23:26 PM EST

NH Sen. Gregg says you are part of the "know nothing wing" . . . .

He says it is a huge issue, kids andin schools, sick in hospitals, will we survive as a nation, willingness to hold together (need to saty white anglo-saxon, Christian).

Giuiani: the immigration plan as no unifying purpose, compromise is Washington mess. Mya make things worse (not say how). Says need tamper proof i.d. card (which the bill includes).

Romney, McCain says you flip flop, quote of Miami speech, "pandering . . . silent amnesty"
Romney says he is my friend but the Z visa is a problem. That's not fair. Is this a PIC?

McCain, as co-author . . .
I agree with the great Senator Gregg. Rudy, you just described our legislation. This is a national security issue. Fort Dix NJ. Do nothing is silent, defacto amnesty. Need to come together, Lott, Bush, etc. If someone else has a better idea . . . This is not the bill I would have written but we cannot alow 12 million washing around illegally.

Giuliani claims he read the 400 pages and there are multiple i.d.s with no way to track exit and no uniform database. September 11.

Romney, what would you do with the 12 million. Gets applause for enforce the law as it exists, and make Z visa temporary.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 07:31:06 PM EST

Startting with Hunter, who will fill the jobs? Americans lined up the next day at the Swift plants in Iowa. The Hunter Bill, double fence, big fence, Bush slowed the fence down, the "Bush/McCain/Kennedy" bill.

Brownback what about paths to citizenship? No new ones, go to back of line. Says enforcement plus "comprehensive solution."
Follow up: so you support McCain? "If those things are in it.

Not Fred: close the border first. This is an amnesty bill.

Ron Paul. Need a fence with Canada? He says enforce the law is important, opposes amnesty. Subsidize something and you get more of it. Forcing states and localities to pay for health and ed. is the problem.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 07:36:12 PM EST

McCain reminds of treaties with Native Americans.

Says everyone knows you must learn it and the requirement is in the legislation.

Jeb Bush, Florida. We have to act "my friends" (his favorite phrase.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 07:37:57 PM EST

One thing we learn from the immigration portion debate is that the candidates can read the polls. Inarticulately, at least McCain took a position beyond courting the Backlash awash in the country. What happened to the melting pot metaphor? Didn't Republican use to be aligned with business?

Allan Louden, Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

by Allan Louden on 06/05/2007 07:39:20 PM EST

Gilmore says let's see what Fred's view is, lists his own qualifications.

Thompson on Thompson. It is a great name, will help the party to let him in. I HAVE MORE VETOES and am more conservative.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 07:40:08 PM EST

How it make you feel to be called Pontius Pilate by a Bishop? God replies with lightening. Giuliani gets joke in. Says that in a country like ours, government should not enforce that view on a woman.

Romney. You [flip flopped]. I am not gonna apologize for changing my position. Traditional marriage, English immersion, cloning, then blather about 21st Century

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 07:42:50 PM EST

He says it is interesting to even ask that question of someone running for president. Was an unfair question, simplistic. I believe there is a god, but how he did it is irrelevant to how good a president you are. Martin Luther quote.

Wolf still wants more!!! Huckabee says "I was not there" and what "6 days" means is irrelevant.

Brownback gets invited to condense his op ed into 30 seconds. Saint Anselm, "Faith Seeking Reason." I had cancer.

McCain -- the time before time had the hand of god . . . Leave curricula to school boards.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 07:47:05 PM EST

Typically debates have distinctive character. Typically political candidates learn from the last go around or minimally find better ways of making their points. In this case it feels like the debate in South Carolina was livelier, fresher, less a retread. The statements of the candidates seem to be verbatim, each with inserted bragging rights, and on occasion an answer to the question.
Huckabee trumps the competition in actually communicating.

Allan Louden, Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

by Allan Louden on 06/05/2007 07:47:10 PM EST

Wow, Wolf goes right there.

Mitt: it's a fair question. Same values. No comment on the white salamander.

Ron Paul. Let people at local level decide. Reasonable on freedom of belief.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 07:49:07 PM EST

I'm surprised we're almost an hour into the debate and no mention of former President Reagan.  I thought for sure on the "conservative credentials" questions we'd have heard it.

John McCain could use Reagan's name in the immigration debate - after all, Reagan signed and lobbied for the 1986 Immigration Bill.

Would President Bush and President Reagan really sign bills that are "amnesty" and weak on "national security" ?

Steve Mancuso

by SPMinOHIO on 06/05/2007 07:53:39 PM EST

Rudy, is science wrong on warming?
A: we must accept science, and there is a way to address it along with energy independence for national security. Need a project like putting man on the moon.

Romney. Big oil and GOP connected? Rudy is right about Apollo no-regrets policy. Big oil needs to invest the profit in refineries (no policy suggestion). Bash Russia, Putin, Chavez, for selling oil.

mCcAIN. Should include nuclear power (unsafe politically) which is safe.Wide variety of alt. fuels.

Stupidest question yet, asking Ron Paul about subsidies. Ron Paul turns it into indictment of our foreign policy to fight wars for the compamies.

Gilmore. They should do more . . . Like all the rest he says stuff should be done with NO POLICY proposal. "International diplomatic"

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 07:55:20 PM EST

Even Ron Paul, the Libertarian can't put together a coherent sentence on this issue.

Huckabee refers to homosexuality as an "attitude".

Guiliani says let's not deal with it now - that's right they let gays SERVE now, actually, but then kick them out once the war is over, just like the first Persian Gulf war.

Romney punts.

McCain says let the military brass decide, although many of them are opposed to Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Steve Mancuso

by SPMinOHIO on 06/05/2007 08:00:03 PM EST

Ron Paul -- the current policy is a decent policy . . . so if disruptive behavior. Contradicts his own philosophy.

Huckabee claims UCMJ covers it, behavior only. IGNORENT of existing policy.

Giuliani, Arabic speakers kicked out. "This is not the time to deal with this . . . in a time of war . . . judgment of commanders . . "

Romney. 1994 you advocated could serve, still feel that way? DADT is working he says.

McCain. Our army is awesome (gets applause). Need more soldiers, military leadership should decide therefore is a mistake to re-open it.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:00:30 PM EST

Hillary was the best exponent on Gays in the military for the GOP debate, through the words of Barry Goldwater, "You don't have to be straight to shoot straight."

Allan Louden, Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

by Allan Louden on 06/05/2007 08:01:09 PM EST

They should have learned their lessons in 1992 and 1996.  Clinton's popularity is more than double the current President's rating.  

Steve Mancuso

by SPMinOHIO on 06/05/2007 08:03:08 PM EST

Tommy: not send him to the UN, instead, send him to teach kids about honesty, etc. to promote public service.

Brownback: talk to him about it first, and he would probably demur like his dad except for tragidies like tsunamis. That's the right role? Claims Clinton injected himself.

Tancredo. Rove told me never darken the door and I would tell W the same.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:03:18 PM EST

Huck: lost credibility by not doing what we were elected to do, from Katrina, to corruption, mishandling Iraq, indifference to immigration, deficits.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:04:46 PM EST

Hunter: pardon the agents Campion and Ramos, look at the transcript, bring back the Reagan Dems, China bash, trade bill.

Quick yes or no:
Rudy the only one to say sentence out of line, says he recommended pardon as AG. Rudy claims prosecutorial abuse. Will keep option open. Brownback, yes. Thompson, says Libby got stiffer sentence.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:07:39 PM EST

Did he just get applause from a GOP audience for telling President Bush to never darken his door?  Anyone know how they pick the audience?

by michaeldickler on 06/05/2007 08:08:01 PM EST

McCains coach spotted talking to his ccandidate.

Wolf is lapping the field in time taken. The top three all have 6-7 minutes, Tancredo is low at 2:36.
Brownback 4:33
Gilmore 3:09
Giuliani 6:14
Huck 3:58
Hunter 3:44
Wolf: 14:24
McCain 7:43
tHOMPSON 2:48
Paul 3:33
Romney 7:13

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:12:41 PM EST

Gilmore begins with the thanks for his service, his son is in the Marines, it's worth it.
Answer to the question? Iraq friendly and free is in U.S. interest. Like Japan. Stand up the Iraqi army.

Brownback -- it is about getting the situation to the point . . . and have you heard of my (and Biden's) bill for a three state political solution?

McCain is it a good idea to divide Iraq?

McCain STANDS to answer (did Brett read my coaching?) saying we will lose more lives if we fail, ends with God Bless You and applause.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:19:15 PM EST

"Heartfelt" sympathy, staged with high drama, in the foreground, apart from the seated others. We just saw one of the major clips that will be the news for the next few cycles.
Good going Brett. . .

Allan Louden, Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

by Allan Louden on 06/05/2007 08:22:14 PM EST

Paul: don't need to lose our men for them to take over. (Curious chce for the answerer). Freedom via emulation, no neocons, yes to Woodrow Wilson.

Giuliani gets to reply to Paul. Giuliani stands and comes forward. The war began in the 70's . . . need to nation build. Blames the press for bad news.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:22:38 PM EST

Gilmore: yes, duh, conservative can include conservationist agenda. Virginia a nice place to visit. Energy indep. On to battle and immigration . . .

Tancredo: conservative model of Teddy Rooselvelt to protect env., make it profitable,

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:25:46 PM EST

Rudy: change health care, major tax deduction 15k plus a health savings acct. make it like homeowners insurance. Democrats are for SOCIALIZED MEDICINE. Need a free market.

Hunter: what should we do to bring down drug prices. My father in law crosses the border, he says. Invented here. Need to buy health ins. across state lines.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:28:59 PM EST

duh, no -- they call it socialized medicine.

Thompson says thanks for a health care question.
Claims 60%? of GNP goes to health care . . .
Says we need preventive med ed. Manage those diseases. Patient bill of rights, paperless . . .

Romney, you worked Ted Kennedy on health care in Mass. is this big government?
"The people" have real concerns. Tie to employment. Washington is all talk. Rely on personal responsibility. Dems say socialized medicine, tax increase.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:32:41 PM EST

What is the most pressing moral issue?

Huckabee jokes about being the go-to guy on moral issues. Cites "value every life" -- pro-life means respect it after it os out of the womb, too. The elderly.

Giuliani -- cites freedom, the challenge is to share those ideals, like REAGAN . . . . we were at war with Vietnam, Japan, Germany, But now . . .

Paul: undeclared and preemptive war, rejection of just war doctrine and now we here preeptive nuclear strikes against a country that poses no harm. (applause).

Brownback. Culture of life. Can't nominate someone who is not in our party. Darfur, too.
Wolf -- could you support Rudy if he got the nomination. Says he would.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:38:55 PM EST

Huckabee training as a minister came through. He took the "most pressing moral question" into a passionate, yet reasoned statement of the underlying philosophy of Right to Life. It was a value that speaks to all, almost regardless of politics. Helps explain why the anti-abortion forces have won the war in the trenches.
Others seemed to be ideologues by comparison.

Allan Louden, Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

by Allan Louden on 06/05/2007 08:38:57 PM EST

Flip flop on immigration, said you support English as official language. Why you air ads in Spanish?
Romney: I am not anti-immigrant. Kennedy/McCain mistake. GOP needs to stand for more than solving problems, sell products, party of the future, quit worrying about the problems.

Tancredo: no other languages.

McCain: Mucho Gracias. Yes, enforce, special path is especially hard. Waves of immigration. Spanish was spoken before English. Hispanic names on Vietnam memorial, thousands serve in our military. These are God's chidren (good applause).

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:44:01 PM EST

Romney is asked about flip-flopping. He responds with a litany of issues, some of which contained the very changes in position. Hummmm.
McCain shines on immigration, at least in comparison. His Spanish greeting to the Gov. trumped.

Allan Louden, Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

by Allan Louden on 06/05/2007 08:45:00 PM EST

Romney and Edwards could put their heads together and then, just perhaps, could have an iota of substance - not to mention perfect hair.

Allan Louden, Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

by Allan Louden on 06/05/2007 08:49:01 PM EST

...Bush governed as a liberal?  The GOP turned into Democrats?

If the GOP really believes this, and that it didn't have anything to do with Iraq, they're doomed to repeat 2006.

Steve Mancuso

by SPMinOHIO on 06/05/2007 08:49:26 PM EST

How to not do more of same?

McCain: spending, spending, spending.

Bush's biggest mistake asks Wolf:

Rudy. NYC accountability.
Romney: small bore to large bore, future and vision needed, 21st Century
Brownback: spending, hope and ideas. Ending cancer death.
Thompson: new ideas, health care, wind down Iraq war.
Tancredo: Bush governed as a liberal.
Paul: Bush ran on humble foreign policy but we spend $1 trillion on military.
Gilmore: principle. Hillary is worng on eliminating tax cuts, too.
Hunter: my son wrote my speech and family is key.
Huck: tax and regulation and immigration and litigation. Bush could not communicate.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:49:55 PM EST

Tancredo: cutr ties with your past. He might have well have said racial purity. Process of assimilation not going on.

Huck: should not reduce legal generation, especially the kind that drains talent from our competitors. Need a ticket.

Rudy: I am uncomfortable with Tancredo's remarks. Abraham Lincoln fought the "know nothing" said how much you believe in freedom is key.

MCain: Beyond my realm of thinking to say what it is to be an American: all are created equal land endowed by our creator . . .  Statue of Liberty. Land of Opportunity, beacon of hope and liberty, shining city  (Reagan).

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:54:30 PM EST

Gillmore: when I was governor . . . let people earn money??

Hunter, what about Ahnold, your gov.? -- He joined with Clinton and Giuliani on gun ban, Romney is socialist on health care, McCain with Ted Kennedy. Move away from Kennedy wing of Republican party.

Romney: the model is Reagan, he did it with strong econ., mil, family, optimism.
Rudy: nominate me to bring back moderates: oin offense against terrorism, offense for growth economy.
McCain: protect the family, win the battle against the force of evil within our shores, transcendent struggle

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 06/05/2007 08:59:49 PM EST

"Transcendent issue of good and evil." . . . McCain you just successfully spend the night being the most reasonable. . .

Allan Louden, Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

by Allan Louden on 06/05/2007 09:03:15 PM EST

For the flow Ross.  

by michaeldickler on 06/05/2007 09:11:41 PM EST

Surprising to see Romney, Giuliani and McCain not try to distance themselves from Kennedy/Clinton associations by Duncan Hunter? McCain in particular is somewhat vulnerable to this criticism.

The difference between Giuliani, Romney and McCain vs. most others is the way they framed the issues: electability and regaining support through moderation vs. Brownback et al's view that this election is about getting back to true conservativism. Very related issues, to be sure, but probably distinct.

Brad

by bhall on 06/05/2007 10:11:27 PM EST

http://www.politico.com/pla ysforpresidency/blog/0607/T he_Empathy_Screen_Third_GOP _debate_gets_misty_and_almo st_real.html

candidates ran the signature play of their ideological opposite, Bill Clinton...all it, perhaps, the Empathy Screen. Here's how...

You remember. Establish an emotional connection with the individual...John McCain was the first to rise from his seat, walk toward his citizen questioner, whose brother was killed in action in Iraq, and draw nods and tears

by Stefan on 06/06/2007 01:25:10 AM EST