The first Republican Presidential Debate (South Carolina)

Miscellaneous Current Events
1

I’m a little surprised there hasn’t been a thread about this yet, so I’ll go ahead and start.

I was actually pleasantly surprised by what I saw.

I can see why the general consensus is Herman Cain was the most impressive…but I really don’t like the sound of his foreign policy, or lackthereof. I understand where he’s coming from, but at the same time he doesn’t exactly strike me as a non-interventionist. It would certainly be a nice change of pace to have someone like him in the executive seat, but I would not be surprised if he continued the Bush/Obama militarism.

It’s totally understandable how he won over viewers…he’s certainly the most interesting and charismatic and well-spoken guy who was on that stage. And I like that he was a CEO, but even still, I don’t have a hard time seeing him being swayed by politics.

Although, his advocacy of the Fair Tax is a bit of a game changer (and also makes me a little surprised you’d go for him). I really liked the confidence in his response when he was pushed on that, but in the end I’m not really sure how principled he is…or how rightminded all the rest of his ideas might be.

It was also nice to see Gary Johnson up there to offer a second libertarian voice next to Paul. And despite his name recognition and all establishment attention, Pawlenty was possibly the biggest yawn up there. I find if funny how the Fox News panel decided he showed the best, while even the SC voters almost unanimously said it was Cain.

And of course I shouldn’t even have to bring up that prettyboy religous nutjob whose name I can’t even remember. It was almost painful to watch that asshole dance around his facist principles and hide behind euphemisms like “family values” and “keep the family at the core as the basis for our goals just like the founders intended”. Family family family. What he means is that gays are going to hell and that he should be able to put a gun to their head and force them to stop acting gay.

I was actually a little disappointed that Ron didn’t get better questions. But I did enjoy the way he finally just got down to it and did an impression of the drug warmongers

All in all I’m pretty optimistic about the whole thing. I liked what I saw. And I don’t think I have to name which candidate raised over $1 million that day…

The Debates
The Republican Nominee hopefuls
The Republican Nominee hopefuls
2

That Herman guy was good? I guess like he said he’s not a career politician so that’s nice. The only people that actually answered all questions were Paul and Johnson. The rest were dodgy (especially the guy who first spoke, don’t remember his name. I don’t think he answered one question.)

I was quite pleased with the debate overall (I could stand watching the whole thing!) I thought the moderators were fair, and it’s great they were telling everyone not to applaud until the end but ol’ Ron still got plenty applause, even a good reaction for talking about legalizing heroine. Paul handled it well as usuall.

3

It was pissing me off that all the questions they asked Gary Johnson were nonsense questions. They totally buried him by not giving him tough questions to rip down. I was, however, quite happy that Trump, Huckabee, Palin and Romney weren’t there. It gave the lesser names a moment to shine and, boy, did it pay off.

I was favorable to Herman Cain though. He’s without question, in the top 3, with Gary Johnson and Ron Paul. Whichever order you feel fit to place the 3 in works, but I don’t think we can really deny that they’re the top 3 contenders.

4

Did you actually watch the debate?

5

Yes I was confused why they spent so much time trying to sideline Johnson as opposed to their usual target Paul.

6

Herman Cain supported the Bail outs and he doesn’t have a consistent track record on the fed.

He also said he won’t appoint muslims to his cabinet. Just one of those 3 things is enough for me not to never vote for him let alone all 3.

7

I’m not arguing with you, but do you have any proof of those things? I’d like to be able to confirm that and back myself up if I tell that to others.

8

Cain had a great presentation and speaking presence, but most of what he said was hollow and without any real meaning. His answers to most questions were something like “We need to identify the problem, and adress it effectively!” and “we need strong leadership!”. Nothing of real stubstance.

I think the reason a lot of people were drawn to him was that he seemed confident and “didn’t talk like a politician”. Unfortunately he basically talked like a buzzword spewing CEO, which is just as bad.

I loved that answer Paul gave to the heroin question. Totally disarmed that hack-job moderator (forget his name).

9

A google search should turn it up. I had just thought everyone knew that.

10

I guess they figure Ron Paul already has an audience,w hereas Gary Johnson is still relatively unknown.

I didn’t know that. Just sold me on the man.

11

Here is a video of the whole debate.

12

“He is a former deputy chairman (1992–94) and chairman (1995–96) of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City”

13

Wait, what?

14

Why did he said that he won’t appoint muslims to his cabinet. I mean what is the reason/

15

Yeah.

16

Right there’s the video with his explanation.

http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2011/03/28/herman-cain-no-muslims-need-apply/

I am going to guess his reasoning really stems from ideas like one of the comments on that blog->

Deep Throat

March 28th, 2011
12:15 pm

Go Herman, no Muslim’s for me, remember 9/11

George W

March 28th, 2011
12:28 pm

I don’t understand why it is so hard for the left to realize that Muslims are taught to hate America. Why should they be able to serve a country that they are taught to hate?

WOW

March 28th, 2011
12:19 pm

This is exactly why the left wing media is failing miserably. You guys don’t even know what you’re talking about. In case you haven’t noticed, Sharia Law is what owns Iran and other Moooslem nations in the Middle East. But, since you’re not concerned about it I guess you are fine with Mooslem men raping their wives, daughters etc and also stoning them to death.

17

True the moderators were strange toward that Johnson fellow, what was up with that reality show question? That was just silly. He seemed pretty cool though I’ve never heard of him before watching this debate.

I believe it was Santorum (?) that dissapointed me the most. (The guy standing next to Gary Johnson.) He managed to wriggle out of that feminism quote fairly but somehow he just came off like a bigot. His comment about us having to invade Iran long ago just left me with my jaw dropped.

I don’t know what the guy in the middle stands for really, either I don’t remember or he dodged every question besides the hand-raising. Him and Herman seemed awful pleased when that buzzer came up too, like they didn’t have much to say.

My main beef with Herman Cain was of course his foreign policy non-answer. He just didn’t seem to stand on much principle. He’s pro-business though and seemed to really just want government to get out of the market and reduce taxes so that’s great.

18

That’s because he is a bigot. Check out the OP. He was the one whose name I couldn’t remember.

19

Santorum seems to be running on a Pro-life, anti-flag burning, anti-gay, anti-woman, pro-war with Iran platform. I don’t even know why he is running, he can’t win, but he has nothing of substance to say like Paul or Johnson.

20

I meant that he still seemed like a bigot toward women, even though he explained away that quote. I can’t help but get that feeling though obviously I can’t say for sure. It would go along nicely with the rest of what I have seen of him, but I guess I shouldn’t assume…

Also, yeah I know that’s who you were talking about I was simply in agreement. Yeah, I watched the debate AND read your post!