Posted on 01/30/2008 4:16:12 PM PST by khnyny
Reagan Library Republican Presidential Debate: January 30, 2008
SIMI VALLEY, California (CNN) -- Republican presidential hopefuls will face off Wednesday night without a familiar face as ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is expected to drop out and endorse front-runner Sen. John McCain.
The remaining candidates will take the stage in a debate -- sponsored by CNN, the Los Angeles Times and Politico -- beginning at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday.
The event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, follows McCain's Tuesday night win in the Florida primary.
McCain topped former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney 36 percent to 31 percent in the hotly contested race.
Giuliani placed third with 15 percent of the vote, followed closely by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee with 14 percent, and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas was fifth with 3 percent.
Giuliani is expected to end his White House bid and endorse McCain at a campaign event in California later Wednesday, Republican Party sources said.
Minus Giuliani, the debate will be a four-candidate affair -- McCain, Romney, Huckabee and Paul -- with CNN's Anderson Cooper moderating.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Well, I think he suffers from the exposure of folks to his own actions. It’s too bad. I agree with your take on things like that.
Thanks for your additional comments. Take care.
Because it's annoyingly childlike?
Amen!
Imo, the trend towards absentee balloting is harmful. I remember when people only voted absentee when they were going to actually be away during the election. Otherwise, everyone went to the polls on election day. Early voting is especially bad during a primary; what are people thinking by doing this? For many, their candidate has dropped out ahead of that day. Also, the primary is a time to be learning about the candidate, making up your mind based on that.
I agree with everything you said.
;o)
Wow Hattie that is so neat, and a great place to keep it safe too. Thank you for sharing about it, thatis really special.
They can “self deport” when the gov’t goes after the employers and the illegals lose their jobs.
Also, the Supreme Court needs to look again at the decision granting illegal immigrants free education K-12. That was more feasible in the 1970s or whatever (when the school districts weren’t 50% Spanish speakin) than it is now.
I understand free ER care if they are bleeding in the streets (it is immoral to let a man die in the street), but there is no moral reason to provide an expensive American K-12 education to illegals. Or any other benefits.
Kyl didn’t mention these parts of McCains record:
His record includes the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform, legislation that gave rise to the disproportionate influence of George Soros and groups like Moveon.org
The McCain-Kennedy immigration reform bill that came within a hair’s breadth of giving amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants.
A slew of proposals that would have kept our taxes higher.
Proposals that unfairly burden America with unilateral environmental regulations.
Subjecting Americans to the jurisdiction of international criminal courts.
Undermining American maritime dominance
In regard to the timetable issue, I reviewed that portion of the debate and re-read the transcripts of the April ABC interview. In addition I looked at what Duncan Hunter said and the comments posted on that thread. My conclusion is that the argument stems from Mitts lack of military experience and both Romney and McCain talking past each other. It also appears that McCain was looking for something to nail Romney on because of the perception that Romney has been running attack ads since Iowa.
Due to McCain's and Hunter's military experience in Vietnam and how that war ended using the word "timetable" is like waving a red flag in front of a bull. Both McCain and Hunter had the same strong negative reaction. Timetable is different then "benchmark" or "milestone". A benchmark is event based, a timetable is calender based. Romney kept using them almost interchangeably. That's why the headline on the article says, Romney Embraces Private Iraq 'Timetables'. The ABC headline writer knew that the very word "timetable" would be explosive.
Add in the fact that Harry Reid and the Rats were using the very same word and people like McCain and Hunter think Mitt is throwing in with the Rats to have a replay of Vietnam.
McCain called "timetable" a code word for withdrawal. This is what it meant for Vietnam and thats how Harry Reid meant it. Thats how many military people and the MSM would take it. To be fair, I don't think Mitt meant it that way, he just didn't understand how it would be interpreted.
I may come back tomorrow or the neat day and comment further on what you wrote. It's getting late.
What is ‘24’?
Oh, if it is a TV show, I don’t have cable, and my antenna, which used to pull in two stations, now pulls in zero.
I pray that is so. I do keep thinking, though, that the Mayan/Azatlan calendar ends in 2012. Thy will be done.
Agreed- I wonder if he can run some ads from this debate with the facts posted.
Also- I think, instead of saying- "McCain-Feingold", or, "Campaign Finance Reform", Mitt needs to remind people what this is:- i.e. No one is "allowed" to criticize a candidate 30-60 days before an election.
McCain wrote and sponsored a bill that removed the people's right to Free Speech. Why the heck does he (McCain) think that's ok? What gives him the right to do that to us? And he (McCain) wants us to trust him with the power of the presidency?(Grrrrr... I'm still ticked off about CFR)
I thought Mitt's answer about illegal immigration was right on.
He explained it carefully, thoughtfully, and pointed out to people, that it is simply "not fair" to give people who ignored our laws, advantage, over people who have respected our laws, by waiting in line.
He said nobody blames them for coming here-but, it really is not at all fair, to the millions of others around the world, waiting to get in here, to let the illegals in. He said they could go back home, and get in line "like everyone else". Great answer.
Also- with illegal immigration- we have NO IDEA what sort of people are coming here- i.e.-Some of our prison inmates are illegal immigrant: drug dealers, gang members, pedophiles, rapists, and murderers. While most illegals are coming to find work, it can be argued that, if we had had control of our borders, and dealt with this problem,in the first place- most all of the crimes committed by the illegals currently in our jails, would not have happened, simply because they ,(criminals), would not have been here.( And I'm not even going into the real possibility that terrorists can get in without us knowing.) .
Something else that Romney can inform voters about:- Is that McCain would not even support an amendment to the original Amnesty bill, that would have "prevented" any illegal with a criminal back ground (i.e gang member exc..) from applying for a Z visa (amnesty). In other words: McCain wants criminal illegals to be able to apply for amnesty. Voters need to know about this.
Illegal immigration will resonate with voters in California-especially those who live/work where the criminal element has taken over entire neighborhoods.
The gang problem is just out of control here. Our LEO's don't need the added strain of dealing with illegal immigrant gang members (many of them working for the drug cartels), on top of the usual gang members.
I thought overall, Romney did a good job tonight. The only place he seemed a little weak, was when he was asked the Commander in Chief question.
He was OK- but I would have liked to have seen him address the military right there from the podium, and tell them how, he was going to handle the duty of CIC. What it means to him exc.. I think it requires some reflection on his part
From now on I'd like to see Romney be the president of United States.
It seems to me, that he's holding back a little bit- being guarded. I want to hear more passion in his answers/ads.
If he wants an example- take a look at either Ronald Reagan or Barak Obama- Both of these men-while having complete opposite ideological views, never the less, are "naturals" as politicians- Not that Mitt should imitate them- it is something that has to come from inside.
It's sort of like asking Mitt:"You're president of the United States, you've just been informed we've been attacked- Cities are in flames, people are terrified- You have to send troops to war, some will die- What will you do? How will you be? How will you carry yourself?"
I think his being a CEO is great- it shows he knows how to manage and delegate responsiblity- very important qualities for a president. But the presidency requires more than just executive ability- you have to be able to lead.
(Other FReepers have mentioned, more humor would also be helpful-it's an odd combination-He has to be totally serious, and yet, not want it too much-be relaxed at the same time. )
Romney's speech about his religion was awesome-He showed that he can inspire/inform people. I think it was great because it was personal to him. He put all of himself into it.
He needs to do the same with his campaign. I mean it's not just a job interview- Where he tells all about his qualifications.
He has to "rise to the occasion"-, be the president, and rise above his opponents as well- Inspire people to vote for him.
I think it requires some reflection and prayer on his part-to help him focus on what he needs to do to win.
(I hope this makes sense.
Mitt Romney is the last hope for conservatives this election. I fear the consequences if McCain wins the nomination.
I ask myself "Can I vote for McCain?".
What scares me is that I'm not sure that I can.
How can I believe anything he says.
Just because McCain says he's going to do/or not do, something, doesn't mean a thing to me. He's got a long history of stabbing conservatives in the back.
If he can't be trusted at all- Would it be better to choose the lesser of two liberals on the democrat side?
Here we have:
"Stalin-With-an-Ennemies-List" and her accomplice,
running against "Alan Colmes"( a thoughtful/idealogical liberal-Obama)
versus our candidate- "Yosemite Sam"(Mcqueeg or "Strawberries"- pick whatever name you want)
Assuming, as Rush has indicated- that a win for McCain in the primary, is an automatic loss for the GOP:
Would it be wiser, to lessen the blow, by supporting Obama, over the Clintons, who have already proved they are dangerous, when given the power of the presidency?
I hate that I even that I have to ask myself this question. But, I would be lying if I said I hadn't considered this angle.
I honestly don't think I can vote for McCain. I DON'T TRUST HIM.
He had NO RIGHT to tell me, or any other American, that we are "not allowed" to criticize him, or any other weasel politician, 30 to 60 days before, after, or any time we damn well feel like criticizing a candidate- He had no right to do that!
I know there are going to be horrendous consequences for our country if the democrats get in. I'm sorry it's come to this :-(
I pray Mitt can somehow win-for the sake or our nation.
I’m with you....hoping Romney can pull off a miracle because No Way can I vote for McCain!
Yes ‘24’ is a TV show on the FOX network, so if you can’t get a FOX broadcasr station, this will not be of value to you.
That’s an ideal situation. I’ve never been on board with Fred (I think most people simply project their personal opinions onto him) but he’d be a huge asset for Romney, both in campaigning and during his time as POTUS.
Let’s hope it happens. Fred would be silly not to accept a VP offer from Romney.
Florida Republicans didn’t go for McCain. Democrats and Independents switched registration to Republican to vote for McCain.
Republicans and conservatives went for Romney.
“All Senator McCain can say is he voted for or against. He didn’t really ‘get anything done.’”
Needs repeating, loudly, and often....to liberals he’s a Xerox copy of (another hero) Bob Dole, unelectable.
“... Huckabee is only there to tear conservatives apart...”
No that’s Paul’s job...wait...AndersonCooper’s job....wait...LATimes job...I give up!
Mighta been interesting with just Politico’s questions (ie, bad enough)...gone to watch Tomb Raider
Still waiting for a ‘Republican Debate’!
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