( Did McCain pay Delay to attack him? I don't think most Republicans like Delay. They might like McCain's policies but they usually admire the man.)
I watched the debates tonight and I have a few quick observations.
1. Rudy Giuliani has no momentum. He didn't make any new points, he drew no attacks ( a sign that he isn't worth it), and he drew no important distinctions. On National Security what exactly does he have over McCain? I know he says the world wavered but I don't remember McCain wavering.
2. Mitt Romeny seemed more friendly in the debate. He isn't in attack mode anymore. None of them seem to be. It almost seems like they don't want to risk anything. That makes sense for the top two candidates but not the others.
3. McCain did make a mistake by questioning a quote that was attributed to him. Did he think MSNBC made it up?
4. If the election was held today Romney edges out McCain and Huckebee/Giuliani beg to be put on the ticket.
5. I expect Giuliani to be the next to drop out. Within a week if he gets fourth in Florida. He is fighting for many of the same votes as McCain. The same goes for Huckabee and Romney. If Giuliani gets fourth McCain wins. If Huckbee gets fourth Romney wins.
6. According to the results of the MSNBC Text poll Mitt Romney won the debate with about 41% to Ron Paul's 40%. I could have the numbers slightly off but the other candidates were in single digits. This is clearly not a scientific poll but it does say which candidate has the most fervent support.
7. McCain is my favorite Republican which means Republicans will vote against him if history repeats itself.
8. Huckabee has a great stage presence. He is quick witted and connects with the common person's frustrations.
So, what are your predictions for Florida?
( An attack ad against McCain over immigration)
I haven't posted to one of these blogs before but here I go. Does anyone think Bill Clinton could beat the current Republicans? Should we repeal the no 3rd term ( or more!) rule?
Mccain (+5)
Huckabee pulls out his southern charm and finishes 2nd, dampening Romney's high hopes.
Romney/Rudy/Ron a closely knit group battling for 3rd.
You only think that because you support McCain. Why do you support a flip flopper? America needs change and Washington can't do that for us.
Huckebee thinks our allies have the WMD"s in their country that came from Iraq?
Huckabee supporters will line up behind another candidate soon. Which one will it be?
Looks like Romney has taken the lead in yet another poll! The conservative wing of the party has found a candidate.
When will Ventura Gop'ers join up? Mitt Romney is the Republican Barack Obama! He is an outsider that offers change.
I just got through watching a program on HBO in regards to the treatment of my fellow human beings at Abu Ghraib by the hands of the Republicans. I am in total shock. I knew it was bad but what the Republicans did is way over the line.
It is an act of war against humanity. F. U. All!!!
I don't even like Linda Parks anymore that's how pissed I am.
This goes way beyond politics. This is war.
As it was pointed out on a couple news commentaries yesterday, Florida has been voting by absentee for weeks. That means a good number of votes were cast before McCain's and Romney's surges. With Giuliani working Florida with an all-out push of resources, it could mean the vote will be closer than you think on Tuesday.
It's a nail-biter, to be sure!
Then, to add to the excitement, the Republican candidates will be in Ventura County the next day to debate at the Reagan Library. And six days after that is our primary!
Nobody-
It is wrong for you to blame all Republicans for Abu Graib. Especially John McCain, who suffered far greater abuse and pain as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and who has been a strong voice for the humane treatment of prisoners and for civil rights in general.
Again, I think this one is too close to call between McCain and Romney. Romney's newest campaign incarnation (Change) is working pretty well, he might have been the nominee by this point if he had run on it from the beginning. Funny, though, he's the one nominee to most solidly and consistently defend GW.
"This is war" You're just now figuring that out?
What is the Republicans held an election and nobody won?
Captain Kangaroo, that's far more likely to happen with the Democrats, since they can't decide which glass ceiling they want to break in the Presidential primary.
Leslie,
Have you seen the program on HBO "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib"? I bet your integrity would get the best of you again and you would leave the Republican party if you did. Watch the program and think about the people you support.
Owen,
You need to change the "u" in your last name to a "w" because that's what you're being used as. Wake up Owen. You're sleeping with the true enemy. When I said this is war I was not referring to anybody from the Middle East. I was referring to your Republican party.
Well, I believe we have to do whatever we can to keep Hillary out of the White House. Because if she goes in there that means Bill goes too and God only knows the den of iniquity that will ensue. We're talking major hummers - under desks, in closets, in the Rose Garden, and wherever the opportunity presents itself.
Yeah, not to mention how friggin' obnoxious Bill Clinton has been on the campaign trail. He's been way too involved in my opinion. It makes you wonder about a co-presidency.
Unlike most Republican leaders John McCain is against torture and wants to shut down Gitmo.
Regardless of personal thoughts Gitmo damages our war effort around the world as we are fighting a ground war and an information war.
It is entertaining to see Republicans lining up behind McCain even though he has rebuked his party and president so many times. Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney must be causing them to panic with the questions of their chances to win a general election. It would be like Democrats nominating a Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman ticket.
I predict it quickly becomes a Romney and McCain race.
I also predict Barack Obama wins big today with John Edwards getting double digits.
The latest polls show Rudy is not even a part of the big story anymore. Nationally it is a two person campaign.
http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
Who cares what Florida does. I think the entire state should be under some sort of sanction and lose their voting rights for 2 election cycles. One for screwing up the 2000 election so badly and another for voting Jeb "lets keep Teri Schiavo on feeding tubes" Bush into office as their Governor. They've got swamp sludge for brains down there.
I think Hillary will win the no delegate contest but it will be closer than she thinks.
Give it up, Give It Back. Florida is a very key state for the Republican race. It will determine whether Giuliani continues in the race or not, for one thing. It will also result in tremendous momentum for either Romney or McCain, whichever of them wins. With Super Tuesday coming coming up in a week, this state could catapult one of these two into a clear front runner position.
BTW, I predict Romney will squeak it out, with McCain and Giuliani right behind him.
Looks like McCain is taking FL and Guiliani may be dropping out and throwing his support to McCain. If so, McCain is going to be the Republican nominee for CA if not for the nation.