Las Vegas Republican Debate, 10-18-11 reaction thread

Feb 10, 2000
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I am surprised there is not a thread on this, and frankly I wish there were because my own thoughts are simplistic. Unfortunately I missed the first 15 minutes or so (time which was apparently dedicated to 9-9-9). My observations:

- 2012 Romney is worlds better than 2008 Romney. He is playing it smart and acting like a front-runner. He did descend into snarkiness when he pointed out that Perry has had a bad couple of debates, but Perry was being SO obnoxious that I have a hard time blaming Romney, and I think most would agree. Other than that he did very well. He is obviously running toward the center - it sends the message that he views President Obama, rather than Perry or Cain, as his real opponent. He made interesting and well-thought-out comments about the role of faith in a candidate with which I totally agreed, but it struck me he was pushing the envelope of what the bread-and-butter GOP could possibly buy into.

- Perry looked punchy and exhausted toward the end of the debate. Can he succeed when this is his "thing"? I don't think so. Earlier on he tried to lock horns with Romney - the lack of civility was remarkable - but came off looking churlish and didn't really advance the ball.

- Cain was, as expected, glibly appealing but lacking in substance. His interview with Anderson Cooper after the debate was downright embarrassing. The only reason he is enjoying a bubble at the moment is the novelty of 9-9-9 (a tax reform whose unfair and harmful regressiveness is already being thoroughly discredited by both parties) and the fact that the GOP base so dislikes Romney.

- Santorum came off as thoroughly whiny and obnoxious, which was unfortunate in that he was the lone voice pointing out Perry's dishonesty in claiming to have opposed TARP (in fact Perry was a strong advocate for it).

- Bachmann seemed to have chosen her naval-themed white pantsuit as a last-gasp way to remind America she still exists. As a Minnesotan who has observed Bachmann for years, it seems that since her own status as a viable candidate (which crested with the Iowa straw poll, when she was reeling in her crazy-lady instincts) has retreated into insignificance, Michelle has chosen to go back to her wacky ways - she was certainly wacky tonight. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I don't see her running for House of Rep again in 2012 - look for her to have a prominent place on basic cable.

- Gingrich was, as usual, completely self-aggrandizing but strong on substance. Too bad for the GOP he is such a disagreeable man, with such a problematic personal background.

- Paul was himself. Stubborn on a number of issues, particularly defense and foreign aid to Israel, that make him a troubling candidate for the GOP's base. He's a bright guy but his unwillingness to pander, and his wholesale rejection of some GOP sacred-cow platform points, make him a nonstarter. This debate just cemented that.

I thought this was a win for Romney in that it just made it more clear that neither Cain nor Perry appears up to the task of beating President Obama (and yes, I saw the 38% approval ratings today). He is, in my view, a seriously strong candidate and would probably beat the President. Too bad his own party seems to so dislike him.
 
Jan 25, 2011
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My immediate thought while watching was the whole primary process has become very bad for republicans. Can't help but feel like who ever comes out of this the eventual winner will have a very deep pit to climb out of to win over independents.
 

soundforbjt

Lifer
Feb 15, 2002
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My immediate thought while watching was the whole primary process has become very bad for republicans. Can't help but feel like who ever comes out of this the eventual winner will have a very deep pit to climb out of to win over independents.

Not to mention, the video clips the dems will have to use against whoever gets the GOP nod.
 
Feb 10, 2000
30,029
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My immediate thought while watching was the whole primary process has become very bad for republicans. Can't help but feel like who ever comes out of this the eventual winner will have a very deep pit to climb out of to win over independents.

It does strike me this particular GOP primary has gotten unusually ugly, unusually early - Reagan's 11th Commandment feels like a distant memory. I still think Romney emerges, and he is a strong opponent to the President, but this primary process looks likely to hurt him more than it helps.
 

Nemesis 1

Lifer
Dec 30, 2006
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My immediate thought while watching was the whole primary process has become very bad for republicans. Can't help but feel like who ever comes out of this the eventual winner will have a very deep pit to climb out of to win over independents.

You people are not getting the truth . Ron Paul is the true front runner . Ya want the truth . Turn off TV and News media . and go online. Paul is by far the leading canadate . But you won't see it on News at 10 . Sadly Who is trying to tune Ron Paul out . We all want change , Not that it matters after 08 . But if it did. Ron Paul is honest and sincer and has the answer , Would have been nice to have him as president after 08 . 2012 was going to be crazy anyway . But watching America try to redeem itself threw Paul in 2012 is going to be amusing to watch for me anyway . 4 years to late.
 

Nemesis 1

Lifer
Dec 30, 2006
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Not to mention, the video clips the dems will have to use against whoever gets the GOP nod.

LOL no one is really going to listen to any lieing cheating socialistic dem . I bet Paul gets the black vote and white . hispanics likely obama. Paul will close the boarder and deport any who don't belong including their american born children.
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
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LOL no one is really going to listen to any lieing cheating socialistic dem . I bet Paul gets the black vote and white . hispanics likely obama. Paul will close the boarder and deport any who don't belong including their american born children.

Do his staffers hand out crack? I don't know how else to explain it.

EDIT: And I was referring to the quoted poster! On second read through that might have seemed racist, implying that white people would vote for someone that gave them crack.
 

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
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I am still burned out from the 08 elections. Havent watched a single one yet. Trying not to pay much attention to it until the Spring. Winters are hard enough in MN as you know Don, dont need the depressing republican debates to sour the mood further :(
 
Oct 30, 2004
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I hope some gay activists find a way to pour a big bucket of santorum on Santorum's head. That would be funny.
 

woolfe9999

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2005
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Romney looks the most Presidential and of that crop. He clearly deserves the nomination on ability to defeat Obama if for no other reason. However, I don't think Romney is anywhere near a lock. If some of these tea party candidates start to drop out of the race, most of their votes will go to whoever the tea party front runner is rather than Romney. I could see someone like Bachman dropping early and having her votes go to Cain or Perry. Romney has a lot of downsides for the base. This could be very interesting.

- wolf
 
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ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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It does strike me this particular GOP primary has gotten unusually ugly, unusually early - Reagan's 11th Commandment feels like a distant memory. I still think Romney emerges, and he is a strong opponent to the President, but this primary process looks likely to hurt him more than it helps.

unusually early? the iowa caucus is in less than 10 weeks.


push the damn primaries back
 

Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
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I don't care to watch it - your comments sound very reasonable. It is kind of appalling and yet good for the country - if they lose - that the field is so terribly weak.

If any of the current field win, it's Bush all over again in terms of the disaster for the country - and likely worse.

I'd like to see Obama run more on the issue of voting for a Democratic Congress, to get past this obstructionism.
 

Ausm

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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Thank you for taking one for the team and watching the GOP clown show ;) I did read that they turned away from the "gay" and were focusing on repealing Sarbanes-Oxley,Dodd-Frank, and The Affordable Healthcare act but they had no ideas on what to replace it with except go back to the Status quo o_Oo_O

Just got done watching the highlights LMFAO love when the GOP eats their own :twisted:
 
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PokerGuy

Lifer
Jul 2, 2005
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Thanks Don for that recap. I didn't see the debate, nice to see a review from someone who's capable of good logical analysis, as opposed to some bashing thread by idiots and whiners like Craig or Ausm.

I agree that Romney looks the most presidential, but there's just something so "used car salesman" about him. Christie endorsing him certainly can't hurt. Cain doesn't seem viable but with the left going bonkers bashing him he might be worth a look.
 

Ausm

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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Thanks Don for that recap. I didn't see the debate, nice to see a review from someone who's capable of good logical analysis, as opposed to some bashing thread by idiots and whiners like Craig or Ausm.

I agree that Romney looks the most presidential, but there's just something so "used car salesman" about him. Christie endorsing him certainly can't hurt. Cain doesn't seem viable but with the left going bonkers bashing him he might be worth a look.

Pointing out facts is bashing? :rolleyes:
 

sportage

Lifer
Feb 1, 2008
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I am surprised there is not a thread on this.

Not me... I gave up on the this runaway train circus BS show long ago.

Like Bill Maher said, it's like a bad show of Survivor, but no one ever gets voted off the island. I think that is how we all are feeling.
The only reasoning to take from any of these debates is that Obama has it pretty much wrapped up.
Everyone with a "brain" between their ears know that...
Naturally, that excludes the news media.
 

Thump553

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
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Let me also add my congrats for enduring that show Don. I've tried to watch a couple of the earlier ones but would only last a few minutes-usually until some candidate blurted out something that made me truely question their sanity, much less their qualification for what is probably the most dificult job in the world.

The regular news shows are running only the clip where Perry accuses Romney of being a hypocrite on immigration-and the segment they run makes Perry look like a hot tempered buffoon. Romney comes across patronizing in response, but all in all it is a win for him.

I've always felt Romney is inevitable as the nominee, but it amazes me someone with so little principles and at least two positions on every issue is seriously being considered by anyone. The main reason he is on top is that everyone else (with the exception of Hunstman and possibly Gingrich) is, quite simply put, a wackjob to most Americans.
 

a777pilot

Diamond Member
Apr 26, 2011
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unusually early? the iowa caucus is in less than 10 weeks.


push the damn primaries back

This^

Why the rush to judgment? It's stupid. Our country's nominating process has turned into an American Idle beauty contest. Where is all the substance? Newt is the smartest person on the stage but he has no personality and is therefore not electable.....WHAT? Maybe that is just what this country needs is a smart, competent person that will stay in the office and get the people's work done vice running around being a celebrity.

A competent President.....wouldn't that be nice for a change.
 

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
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Does anyone believe "anything" said in these debates? Its all smoke in mirrors until the person is elected, then they become a puppet to big business.

obama said the people would get health care, we got mandated to buy a product.

clinton said he would not sign nafta, he changed his mind after getting elected and signed the nafta treaty.
 

Thump553

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
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Newt isn't unelectable because he has no personality-he's unelectable because his personal behavior/moral code is reprehensible to the overwhelming majority of people. A basic requirement for any leader is that he/she generate respect-Newt cannot and will not ever do so.

PS-got a kick out of "American Idle."