I say McCain won the debate. He didn't dodge questions, he wasn't afraid to say Bush mismanaged the war for four years, and he had some great lines. If someone can't say Bush has made serious mistakes they lack courage.
In my mind Rudy seems like an odd candidate. He favors the government paying for abortion, but he will restrict abortion, but he will keep it legal, but he will appoint judges to overturn it, but...you get the point.
Also, Rudy thought the "death tax" going to zero for a few years would be a great incentive. For what? Murder? Really, I don't know what he meant.
Mitt Romney seemed too smooth. Is it a strange coincidence that Massachusetts is known for flip floppers? Republicans will look like hypocrites beyond belief after they attacked John Kerry for flip flopping. He is telegenic, but in the Republican party is that a good thing?
Of the second tier candidates I liked watching Ron Paul. His chances are next to nil but he is the Mike Gravel of the Republican Party. The others seemed like a joke to include. Anyone really think Tommy Thompson stands a chance? Duncan " Hunting but no hiking" Hunter? Pass the microphone please.
I am shocked people are raising their hands against evolution. And they won't say Libby is a criminal?
I also say Mayor Miller and Steve Sojka in the audience. Guys, you should of declared and got the free VIP dinner. I mean, Tom Tancredo did. I bet he got better parking too.
After the debate I attended the Rudy for president event at Paul's Italian Villa. Steve Frank and the Rudy team threw an awesome event. There were tons of college age people there. One of them that I have known for years found out from friends at Santa Monica Community College! Thanks for Barbra Williamson and Team Rudy for letting me know.
Anyone recognize the people in the picture? We were all standing by each other and I corralled them together for a picture.
All four of these people were really charming and made the event fun. No matter how many sticks and stones are thrown their way they still have a higher purpose and a sense of humor. Jerrod, make sure to send in the picture of Cameron Smyth warming up the crowd.
No matter what I think of Rudy's performance, the fact is his team really is putting together a grassroots campaign locally and I respect that.
Anyone at the debate see Tom McClintock, Tony/Audra Strickland, or Elton Gallegly? Seemed like half of his caucus was up on the stage.
Here is another photo from the Rudy event. Cameron Smyth ( CA- Assembly R Santa Clarita) has endorsed Rudy and was giving a warm up talk. Thanks to his staff member for sending in a much better photo than the picture I could take from my vantage point.
Why is it Rudy can't bring himself to say how he is different than Bush?
I want them to say "Bush did it this way and this is how I will do it ."
If Bush is so great why aren't they supporting amending the constitution to allow W. to run again? They all know we need an improvement.
I believe your assessments were clouded by the devils brew.
I like Mitt because he will repeal diet Cokes. Unless it is decafinated, and non-carbonated, and all the diet taken out. Your fears could come true because Mitt caught the hard ball. He reminded me of JFK except Republican.... and anti-diet Coke.
Didn't we just hear all ten candidates say, "I'm not with Stupid (Bush) but if elected I'll doing the same."???
Most of the debate was sheer boredom punctuated by one moment of sheer astonishment.
The major Republican candidates are still willing to continue with the madness of our current foreign policy by arguing to escalate the kind of belligerence -- expand the conflict into Iran -- that has made our leadership from the White House one of the most unwelcome in the world for the first time in our nation's history.
Democratic candidates are no Chamberlains; let's not allow the Republicans to continue America down the path of saber-rattling.
Republicans = war without end. Democrats = strength and reason for a secured peace.
DOJ: JFK was a World War II hero. Mitt organized a Winter Olympic. Sorry, Mitt is no JFK. Would rather see Mitt selling soda than seeking the presidency of the U.S.
Huckabee seemed to be the most authentic; Dr. Paul, no-nonesense, straightalking.
I think the only thing the Republicans will have to offer is fear of two things: Be afaid of Hillary or Be afraid of another attack.
It seems to me that the Republican party has exhausted
the fear card and negative attacks. Americans are ready to move on.
It is the Democrats who will offer a new morning in America. The sun is setting on the GOP.
Regardless of who you are supporting for Presdient, being in the room with all the candidates was electric! I am sure I would have felt the same way if I had been at the Democrate debate last week...This is history in the making, and to be a small part of it, well it was increditable.
You are so right...glad you enjoyed it, Barbra! (BTW: I don't know where the meet is tomorrow? Check your phone message.)
Well I didn't go to any parties and I didn't watch the debate. I did have an opportunity to ride in Rudy's motorcade but had to work today. Here's a survey result on who "won". It was Rudy.
Geography Surveyed: California
Data Collected: 05/03/2007
Release Date: 05/03/2007 10:40 PM ET
Sponsors: KABC-TV Los Angeles, KGTV-TV San Diego, KPIX-TV San Francisco
Who Won CA Republican Presidential Debate? Former NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani convincingly won tonight's California debate among Republican candidates for President of the United States, according to a SurveyUSA poll of 317 state of California debate watchers. Giuliani was picked as the winner by 30% of those in CA who watched. Former MA Governor Mitt Romney, who was picked as the winner by 12%, and AZ Senator John McCain, who was picked as the winner by 11%, tied for 2nd place, far back from Giuliani. All other candidates were in single digits.
Who Has The Best Plan for Iraq? McCain did much better when CA debate watchers were asked specifically about which Republican has the best plan for Iraq. 20% of CA debate watchers say McCain has the best plan for Iraq, which was only slightly behind Giuliani, who was picked by 25% as having the best Iraq plan.
Who Has The Best Solution for Immigration? Giuliani was seen as having the best solution for immigration reform by 31% of CA viewers. No one else was close.
Exactly Who in CA Watched? 51% of debate viewers were white. 28% of debate viewers were Hispanic. 15% of debate viewers were Asian. 45% of debate viewers were Republican. 30% of debate viewers were Democrats. 22% of debate viewers were Independent. 43% of debate viewers were Pro-Life. 53% of debate viewers were Pro-Choice.
Anyone notice McCain wandering around like a lost puppy at the end of the debate? While all the other candidates were being greeted by well-wishers or accompanied by handlers, McCain seemed to be alone, waiting to be approached. He finally left the stage and disappeared in the floor crowd. Didn't look good on TV to be a national candidate left alone on the stage.
gs, there are quite a few Republicans that I have respect for support John McCain. I don't think he has a chance but it is still early. Who ever thought Jimmy Carter or even Bill Clinton would win?
I've a feeling we didn't see the GOP nominee tonite. There's a good chance that the Party will write off the 2008 election in favor of rebuilding and decide to put up a candidate that symbolizes the best of Republican ideals, even if that means losing.
Katie, I hope I didn't come off as dissing McCain. It's just that the image of him being ignored after an important debate just struck me as odd and perhaps a little sad. But it IS very early in the race and anything can happen...and probably will.
gs,
I will call you in the AM
gs, no, you didn't come off that way at all - I'm just making conversation. He never should have been left alone - that's what his handlers are for - heads will probably roll.
Thompson should join Toastmasters.
Is the meeting about WM?
Well I think Mitt won...
What's with the sparing between Huckabee and Romney on the matter of personal faith and how it should be expressed? Was this event supposed to be about government leadership ability and beliefs or the sincerity of each another's path to personal religious salvation?
Maybe Michael Tenenbaum should consider the state senate seat currently held by McClintock.
Huckabee's claims to fame are that his state's one of the nation's biggest welfare clients (receiving almost 50% MORE than they contribute to federal coffers), that his state's probably got the biggest illegal immigrant worker-to-unemployed citizen population in the nation, and that he lost a lot of weight. Romney's appeal is that he'll be whatever the electorate wants him to be at any given time.
Tony & Audra were there. Janice Gallegly was but didn't see Elton. I sat next to Fire Chief and Greg Totten. Ken Starr was also in attendence...It was a great evening.
Went to the VCRCC event at the Grand Vista. The paper had it right, standing room only, great crowd.
After they had a discussion with former Sec. of Sate Bill Jones representing McCain, Insurance Commissioner candidate Dr. Phil Kurzner for Rudy, and Tony Strickland for Romney.
Amazing that so many people paid to attend the VCRCC event with the Rudy event (free food, meet the candidate) just two exits down.
After watching the debate I have to say this is the weakest field of candidates any party has fielded in the history of the United States! They kept talking about the Cold War as if we are still in it. None of them had any vision. Romney looked like a used car salesman and McCain looks nuts! My prediction for the general election is the dem will be 62% and the rep 35%, LANDSLIDE VICTORY FOR THE DEMS IN 08!
All politicians look like used car salesman. So your saying Mitt won right.
At least five of the candidates don't believe in Evolution. Amazing. How about the earth being flat?
McCain comes across as having mental illness. He makes a statement about something that is sensitive, then breaks out in laughter. Romney is in outer space. Rudy can't be honest and tries to pander to the religious right while still having to live with his beliefs and the last twenty years of his life. Some of the others weren't as good as a 6th grade debate class. How sad for American and the Republican Party. Is this the best of the best?
I didn't see yesterday a single woman as a presidential candidate for the Republican Party. Where is Christine Todd Whitman?
They kicked all the women out. The Republican Party is basically a Frat House now, and the ladies are expected to be Little Sisters. What precentage would you guess are USC grads? Did anyone see even one person in the audience who had a little pigment in their skin?
It's pretty sad. Sorry, Barbara W., this event may have been historic for the Regan Library, but it was prehistoric for the rest of us.
I don't think there was a GOP nominee on that stage. Anyone have any ideas of who would make a great last minute dark horse for the GOP? I'm think it will be a Republican stalwart with a good domestic track record (none of the GOP governors would fit the bill but there are some House & Senate members that could) AND someone who can endorse a radical but sensible change in the approach to the MidEast.
The Republicans should have atleast let Nancy, Barbra, or Kate speak to show the terrorists countries about how they are cheating themselves out of the smartest of humans. The Republicans are providing comfort to the enemy by hating women!!!
How sad for the Republican party. They would have been better off drafting Barbra Williamson from the audience than going forward with any of those those cardboard talking heads. Rudy, a strong man, is pandering so bad to the religious right, it looks like he has been castrated.
In the photo - left to right
1. I think it's Jimmy Prosser
2. Michael Tenenbaum
3. Sorry, don't know
4. Jarrod DeGonia
If I may remind you, the nominee for the Republicans will have to make it through the right-wing gauntlet called the primary. That would explain a lot of the behaviors last night.
gauntlet - 2 a : a double file of men facing each other and armed with clubs or other weapons with which to strike at an individual who is made to run between them.
To Barbara Williamson, I was at the event last night. You probably didn't recognize me without the goatee or I don't rate. lol. Just kidding around with you. Missed you at VCTC today. Hold on Simi Valley, help is on the way with the Olsen Road and 23, I am sorry it has taken this long. Keith.
The Rudy event was really cool. It is awesome to see that young Republicans like Peter Foy's kid are involved in the process and not a bunch of the older crowd only.
I heard that there were over 250 people at the Rudy event.
Is Tony Strickland a Mormon like Mitt?
To Councilmember Millhouse...
Had two customers walk in as I was starting to leave for VCTC...big account, had to stay. Glad you missed me...
I know that Caltrans is working on the light as we speak. Of course I reconized you...you were the good looking man in the BACK row...???
Another Rove accomplice bites the dust. Too bad more Republcians can;t admit the guy is a walking felon.
Go Tenenbaum!
Anyone notice the more local ads at the top of the blog?
the mayor thinks Bush is a great president. I wonder if his fav animal is a pander bear.
Is it just me or does Tom Tancredo look like Henry Gibson from the old Laugh-In show?
If Fred Thompson enters this race he will easily win the republican nomination, but he will lose the general election due to Iraq. Ten more U.S. troops killed yesterday.
He wants to appoint judges to overturn roe vs wade but yet look where he puts his money!
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0507/3876.html
I have a question for Steve Frank. What do you think of Rush Limbaugh and his song parody "Barack the magic negro" ?
Will Rudy distance himself from Limbaugh or try to win his support?
I'm sure Steve Frank loved that song by Rush Limpdrug! I think we could solve the oil crisis by draining the oil from Frank's body hair. I bet Steve Frank laughed really hard when Rush Limpdrug was making fun of Michael J Fox.
The event was not really a debate and not terribly interesting. Happy, Doc and Grumpy scored a bit higher on the basis of personality - not issues - and this is why they are apparently the leaders.
I found that Sneezy, Sleepy, Bashful, Dopey, Hughey, Dewie and Louie were downright boring; all so careful NOT to disagree with either the incumbent president or discredited so-called "leadership."
Here's a prediction: none of these cartoon characters can hope to come close to winning against ANY of the leading candidates that the Dems will nominate unless they venture out to offer an alternative to the status quo.
Please support the advertisers on this blog. It's good for America.
If you like quality in the things you buy don't forget to protect them with quality insurance. Buy only the best.
State Farm Insurance.
Lic.#0491441
If your going to have an insurance agent might as well be a hottie.
State Farm Insurance Irene Henry Lic.#0724659
I got your homeland security right here.
State Farm Lynda Rummellhoff Lic# 0634586
I finally found a Republican I can debate with. I am glad he doesn't know about this blog...
I don't know what they do here.