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Tonight's Debate
hughhewitt.townhall.com ^ | 01/10/2008 | Hugh Hewitt

Posted on 01/10/2008 11:16:54 PM PST by Checkers

UPDATE: John McCain with Sean Hannity immediately after the debate compounds his error on immigration by giving the impression that the only change needed in McCain-Kennedy is border-security first. Wow. He just doesn't get it.

Romney followed McCain and by contrast shined, and spent time talking about the Reagn example and inspiration and the Reagan-Bush legacy. Romney also got the opportunity to talk to Michigan voters. "I continue to feel that you cannot write off jobs," he replied to Sean's question about McCain's "straight-talk" about Michigan's economic woes, and spoke specifically to the auto industry's renewal in Michigan. Assuming that conservatives watching the debate stuck around for 20 minutes, Romney did himself a great deal of good in the after-game.

ORIGINAL POST

Fred had a great night, Mitt a good one and Rudy did fine as well.

Senator McCain struggled, especially on the question of what to do if recession arrives, when he channeled Herbert Hoover and spoke only about cutting spending. His talk of global warming was a bright red flag to conservatives, and his repeating of his "change" answer from Sunday night --that he helped change the policy in Iraq-- underscored the impression that he was running through some talking points he understands to be safe. "Not for profit, but for patriotism" was another example of a recycled rhetoric from Sunday. His answer on deferring to captains-at-sea was a strong point, but that was the only one. His halting and often rambling answers and occasional grimaces and winks just don't work on television, and his immigration answers just don't fly. He has had three sub-par debate performances in a row.

The huge loser tonight was Mike Huckabee, thanks largely to Fred and Chris Wallace who peeled the bark off of Huck's ideology. Huck bristled at Wallace at one point, and when pushed on why he raised taxes and spending, barked back, "I raised expectations." That might work with Democrats --though it probably doesn't in this day and age-- but it sure doesn't work with Republican voters. Huck's whining about the religion question was also off-putting coming from a candidate who has so often injected religion into this campaign.

Romney had less screen time tonight, but each time he answered he was poised and eloquent. The opening response on the economy, aimed specifically at Michigan voters was very strong, and his "Nope" answer to Wallace's question about whether the voters in New Hampshire might be saying that they do not want change in D.C. was perfect pitch, and his grasp of the foreign affairs questions impressive. The fact that the debate ended on immigration helped him as well as it again underscores that John McCain still doesn't grasp or won't admit that the McCain-Kennedy bill was the problem throughout 2005 and 2006, not the fact that "Americans need to restore their trust in the government." The specifics of the McCain bill is what soured the debate, and McCain's absolute refusal to concede this renders his conversion on border security completely suspect.

Mitt, Fred and Rudy have generally done well in these settings since they began at the Reagan Library last year, McCain wasn't a factor until recently and he has struggled to get through them, and while Huckabee used the early debates to charm folks, his performance has plummeted as focus on his record has increased. There's a huge message in the last three debates about the issue differences between the candidates on taxes and immigration, with Giuliani, Romney and Thompson on one side and Huckabee and McCain on the other side. And there's a message about who can win these contests in the fall, and it isn't Senator McCain or Governor Huckabee.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: elections; gopdebates; hewitt; romney2008; sc2008
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To: DCPatriot

It’s tough that Cheney isn’t running, that’s for sure.
McCain is very Dole-ish; would like to see him stopped.
Romney I think is our best chance to keep the White House.


41 posted on 01/11/2008 10:53:47 AM PST by La Enchiladita (Psalm 27)
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To: La Enchiladita
I agree about Dick Cheney....even though he's too associated with Bush Derangement Syndrome.

McCain is Dole redux...and Romney is too much like Barbie's Ken...hair and all. He's a good looking Dole.

LOL! They're ALL DOLES! OF course, I'll vote whatever candidate the GOP put up there.

42 posted on 01/11/2008 12:07:04 PM PST by DCPatriot ("It aint what you don't know that kills you. It's what you know that aint so" Theodore Sturgeon))
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To: Old Teufel Hunden
I felt much the same way until recently. Unfortunately feelings aren't a very good guide to reason. Take a look at the following article and see what you think about it. I used to parse the word "declaration" as if "it depends on what the meaning of "is" is" too. I am taking a deeper look at my motivations for doing that.

http://www.cato.org/pubs/handbook/hb107/hb107-7.pdf

Also, FWIW, I have been a Duncan Hunter supporter for nearly 11 months and still am.

43 posted on 01/11/2008 1:09:17 PM PST by TigersEye (Crusty is as Crusty does.)
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To: Old Teufel Hunden
I assume you are a Ron Paul nut.

That is not a sign of much intelligence.

44 posted on 01/11/2008 1:10:11 PM PST by TigersEye (Crusty is as Crusty does.)
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To: Old Teufel Hunden
You know Article 1 section 8 also gives the Congress the power to coin money. Are there any congressman that actually coin our money?

That is also a pretty low grade form of thinking.

45 posted on 01/11/2008 1:11:10 PM PST by TigersEye (Crusty is as Crusty does.)
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To: DB

Whether Paul is clueless on Islamists is neither here nor there. See post #43.


46 posted on 01/11/2008 1:21:45 PM PST by TigersEye (Crusty is as Crusty does.)
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To: La Enchiladita
THAT is why I hope and pray that FRed! is not in league with McCain, as in turning over his delegates if and when he drops out. May be a baseless rumor, but they are “friends” as both have publicly attested.

Hi, Enchi. Forbid that thought from your mind. ;^) lol

47 posted on 01/11/2008 1:42:56 PM PST by TigersEye (Crusty is as Crusty does.)
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To: La Enchiladita
Let Hugh be Hugh.

So that's what they mean when they say "this is Hugh!" heh heh

48 posted on 01/11/2008 1:46:00 PM PST by TigersEye (Crusty is as Crusty does.)
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To: TigersEye

and Series...:-)


49 posted on 01/11/2008 5:17:47 PM PST by La Enchiladita (Psalm 27)
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To: TigersEye

What thought? Whatcha talkin’ about?
;^)


50 posted on 01/11/2008 5:18:23 PM PST by La Enchiladita (Psalm 27)
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To: La Enchiladita

Oh, you almost got me. I was about to answer you in all seriesness. What a hugh foe paw that would have been. ;^)


51 posted on 01/11/2008 5:37:04 PM PST by TigersEye (Crusty is as Crusty does.)
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To: TigersEye

What zot you say?


52 posted on 01/11/2008 5:40:58 PM PST by La Enchiladita (Psalm 27)
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To: La Enchiladita

Ouch! I think you stuned my beeber.


53 posted on 01/11/2008 8:16:23 PM PST by TigersEye (Crusty is as Crusty does.)
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To: TigersEye
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Viking kitty intercepted with speshul powers...you are de-stuned to live another day.

54 posted on 01/11/2008 8:19:17 PM PST by La Enchiladita (Psalm 27)
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To: TigersEye

Thank you for posting the link to the cato.org


55 posted on 01/11/2008 8:30:15 PM PST by Duchess47 ("One day I will leave this world and dream myself to Reality" Crazy Horse)
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To: Duchess47
You are welcome. Let me share two more links of similar interest that were passed on to me last night.

The Constitution and the Powers of War Scroll down a little.

Understanding War Powers: Declare vs. Wage

56 posted on 01/11/2008 8:39:45 PM PST by TigersEye (Crusty is as Crusty does.)
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To: La Enchiladita

ROTFL I just love those kitty pics.


57 posted on 01/11/2008 8:41:25 PM PST by TigersEye (Crusty is as Crusty does.)
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To: TigersEye

Thanks very much. This is a big discussion at my house right now.


58 posted on 01/11/2008 8:54:15 PM PST by Duchess47 ("One day I will leave this world and dream myself to Reality" Crazy Horse)
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To: Duchess47
Again you are quite welcome and I hope those articles help.

Love your tagline. Crazy Horse was a hero of mine when I was about 15. There is a lot of truth to the thought in that quote IMO. In a way.

59 posted on 01/11/2008 9:20:09 PM PST by TigersEye (Crusty is as Crusty does.)
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To: Blue Highway

FRED for President!


60 posted on 01/11/2008 9:25:41 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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