Kevin’s Korner: The No-Debating Debate, Branstad’s New Career & You Go First Newt

The Iowa Republican ^ | November 6, 2011 | Kevin Hall

[Cincinatus' Wife]

...The much-hyped Lincoln/Douglas style debate never came close to resembling the Lincoln/Douglas style … Or a debate, for that matter … It did expose Herman Cain’s inability to answer tough questions. Cain was asked about Medicare. He sat there for several seconds with a deer in the headlights look, before finally submitting with “You go first, Newt”. Translation: “I have no idea what you’re asking me. Let’s hears Newt’s answer so I can copy it.” … Cain deferred to Newt again later in the debate when he couldn’t answer a question.

Gingrich was respectful in choosing not to dismantle Cain, which he easily could have done … The “debate”, in which there was no debating, was just slightly more interesting than that LSU/Alabama field goal fest which was ridiculously hyped as the latest “Game of the Century” … Newt had a very good week, shining at the forum in Pella and the Reagan Dinner in Des Moines. If Gingrich can assemble a field organization, he could become a contender and reverse that one-way ticket to Palookaville.

Newt is playing nice with the rest of the field, but Herman Cain will get no such love from Michele Bachmann. She shredded his inconsistencies on the issues during a recent radio interview … That leads us to the Bachmann Bungle of the Week: According to a tweet from Stephen Hayes of The Weekly Standard, Bachmann said on Fox News that she just spoke at “the University of Iowa in Ames.” Wow. Just, wow … I guess that is an easy thing for any “Iowan” to get wrong … She did correct the record moments later, before heading to Waterloo to visit John Wayne’s birthplace....

[bcsco]

I think that’s the way a lot of the electorate feels. They’re sick of the politicians screwing up the country. They want someone from outside the beltway mentality, with no ties to the GOP elite, to get us back on track. If you look at all the other candidates the ties to Washington are there. Even Perry with his early ties to Karl Rove, and his long political career. The fact the electorate stayed with Cain this past week, and even increased their donations during this time, speaks volumes for what they want.

[bcsco]

A conservative writing for the Wa-Po, yes. Better than the posts quoting the idiot radio show host out of Iowa your cohorts have been flagellating us with these past few days. Far better.

[Yardstick]

I wish we could fuse the best parts of Newt and Cain into one candidate.

[cripplecreek]

My first choice was Michele Bachmann due to her short political career and her consistency. I think she’ll be out after Iowa but hopefully she’ll play a part in setting policy in a Cain administration.

She has some top notch ideas but she speaks too much like a politician.

[mazda77]

Yep, and we disagree.

I like my whoppers without onions and cheese and I totally accept that you may not like them at all.

But then again, some people have their opinion on what a debate should be, the establishment created the Commission on Presidential Debates and others are simply looking for an honest exchange of ideas.

[newzjunkey]

Better than I am. I'm not up to trusting any of them.

Clearly not having hit the books, I still suspect Cain is a stalker for Romney.

Newt's brilliant and well versed. However, he's made hints that call for closer scrutiny. I can overlook the old baggage but I want to feel confident he can be kept on the reservation. I'm not there yet.

There's no trusting Romney.

Since CA doesn't vote until June participation for me, and millions of others in late states, will come down to a decision to donate. No one's made a sale. I'm not sure any of the candidates will.

[bcsco]

I liked her at first as well. But she can come across pretty rough. My wife can’t stand her. As with you I still think she has some good ideas but isn’t ready for the grand stage.

When Herman Cain came along, I saw his being the outsider he is as a plus, in addition to his business background. That’s what drew me to him. He’s not Reagan, but he’s personable, well spoken, and is running a stealth campaign. I’m impressed.

[RitaOK]

I missed the debate and forgot to DVR it. I am assuming this; that in a debate with Newt Gingrich on substance and information, one survives only because Newt lets them survive. IMHO. This goes for just about anyone I can think of. I read where Cain and Newt are friendly, being from Georgia together, apart from campaign friendly.

However, with no record whatsoever Cain has it so much easier than those who have done something. Cain wants to try at going the distance on the force of a cheery personality. Some of us just can’t fall for that empty background, since it gave us the cheery personality, Obama.

[bgill]

Major fail for the candidates who refused the invitation. Their loss and our gain. Cain and Newt did America great last night. We may have seen the GOP ticket in that ending arms on each other’s shoulder and waves at the audience. They would make a great team.

[lostboy61]

This guy must have been watching another channel. Newt and Herman were both informed and detailed in their ideas on entitlement reform. It was one of the best discussions yet. Looks like maybe they are going to team up. Cain/Gingrich or Gingrich/Cain fine by me.

[rob777]

"I am assuming this; that in a debate with Newt Gingrich on substance and information, one survives only because Newt lets them survive. IMHO. This goes for just about anyone I can think of. I read where Cain and Newt are friendly, being from Georgia together, apart from campaign friendly."


Actually, it was more of a tag team presentation of Republican solutions to America's problems than a debate between the two. They were both complimentary of each other and did not go on the attack, except for targeting Obama. Cain even deferred to Newt a few times to answer a question first, then played off that answer.