Webloggin » Video Montage and Analysis of GOP Debate

Video Update: I felt that Romney ran away with the debate; he looked great and responded well. As for the questions I found that the Politico ones were more annoying than Matthews, “What do you dislike most about America, most scientists believe that man is causing global warming, what’s with the Republican Party and all the corruption?” For crap sake, apart from the repetitive Politico self promotion I didn’t see much use for them at all. This somehow makes Politico a premiere source on politics? Well they have access but otherwise it seemed like a load of crap, I can get that stuff anywhere in the MSM. Here’s a montage of questions that puts the approach to the debate in a little bit of perspective for me (if only for the fact that the Democrats are afraid to go on Fox and face tough questions).

It is apparent that Chris Matthews collected all the polls he could find as expected. It is quite telling that GOP candidates are willing to face Matthews while the Dems are running from Fox. That aside though I hope Matthews continues with tough questions.

I’m going to put together some clips at the end of the debate and the focus should be pretty good.

A couple observations, McCain came out courting the right and the troops with his blasting of Harry Reid and the Democrat Surrender bill. Rudy Giuliani did as well; this is a good sign. Senator McCain did come down on the prosecution of the war but he clearly says that we have seen a change of course; I don’t think anyone can disagree with him on either point.

Mitt Romney looks great, Thompson is coming off like a stiff government guy, the sort you’d meet in a dark room with a light blaring into your eyes; not good in my estimation. Congressman Ron Paul is as expected, citing polls and suggesting that we should have “traditional” non-intervention. He is partially right on the nation building issue but he is wrong about the reason we went to war.

Tancredo on supporting Israel scenario in striking on Iran. Good answer, depends on the situation. Giuliani, same deal. (Clarification here, the reason I like the answer is because it would depend on the situation just like any military situation. It’s like asking a Supreme Court candidate about abortion. The right answer for me is that we stand behind Israel as one of the United States closest allies.)

It’s kind of annoying that Matthews is jumping on them in the middle of answering a question. I know there is a time limit but come on here.

Brownback falls flat on National ID IMHO; especially when Paul comes out with his hysterical rant on the notion of a national ID. We need something.

Most ridiculous question #1: Matthews to Tancredo on national ID – “But you say you have to be who you say you are?” This question, or more of a statement is beyond stupid.

Most ridiculous question #2: Matthews again: “Should Scooter Libbey be pardoned?“. Romney, great answer by avoiding the question while it is still in the courts yet he thought the prosecution was not about any crime.

Most ridiculous Answer: Paul: “Libby shouldn’t be pardoned because he was instrumental in the misinformation that led the Congress and the people to support a war that we didn’t need to be in.”

So let me get this straight, Libby should stay in jail for something completely unrelated to the bogus case that he was prosecuted on? Did the Daily Kos put Paul up there?

Schaivo question to Romney, pretty underhanded on whether or not Congress was right in intervening (because of the implication that a religious guy would naturally say yes). As expected most said no.

OK, Best Question for levity, Bill Clinton back in White House. Good answers all around; all expected.

Romney looked pretty good and sharp, McCain was stiff, what was that about embryonic stem cell research? Oy. Giuliani should have handled abortion questions better.

Mike Hukabee looked very calm and answered the questions nicely. I haven’t payed much attention to him and he came off nicely.

Update II: Having watched this debate through a couple of times because of the video edit it was easy to see things that I hadn’t seen before. First, if I was a dem I’d put together a montage of Senator McCain. His arms were flailing and fingers were pointing but the body language was all wrong and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of it end up on Craig Ferguson.

The question on Embryonic Stem Cell Research was a great one for the American public. It was one of the first times that I saw the truth about ESCR discussed on television. This is a vitally important issue for me. This country could have made much more progress in research surrounding Stem Cell Research if only politicians would stop using the Embryonic form as a political tool for the dumb. Mitt Romney came out again the clear winner on this topic for me because he showed an in depth understanding of the issue. Regardless it needs to be repeated, THERE IS NO REASON IN THE WORLD TO SUPPORT EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH! Alternatives exist that are just as effective, safer and don’t have the complexities of rejection that would be present in stem cells from people with different blood types. Compound that with the fact that the American public would not have a moral issue supporting non-embryonic stem cell research and you have a win for everybody. Everybody should know that Democrats rejected funding for non-embryonic stem cell research.

Apart from that I am with the Anchoress. A year and a half is way too early to start debating. I’m already sick of half of these guys and they are the likely candidates! There is going to be some serious fatigue come election time. I think Fred Thompson is doing the right thing here by waiting to announce. He gets to sit back and analyze the debate from afar which is a great strategy; right now he looks to be the brightest of them all and is my choice for second winner right behind Mitt Romney who really needed the performance he gave yesterday.

Others: Hot Air, Michelle Malkin, Ed Driscoll, Captain’s Quarters, Wizbang, Althouse, GOP3, Say Anything, The Corner

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