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Make Your Mark
May
18
2nd Republican Debate, Pt. 1
Filed Under Duncan Hunter, Fox News, Iraq, Jim Gilmore, MSNBC, Marine Corps, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Politics, Presidential Debates, Republican Debate, Ron Paul, Rudy Giuliani, Sam Brownback, Tom Tancredo, Tommy Thompson, john mccain, marines, presidential candidates, republicans, taxes, war
Paid for, presented by and moderated by Fox News. That alone was troubling to me. But as they went through the many Republican candidates, I was struck by amount of public service - both in state and federal government. Impressive amount of government experience.
I’m typing these notes as I watch the debates on msnbc.com, so bear with me if it’s a little incoherent or long winded. You can skip around to the different headings if you’re not interested in the topics. Also, these are just my opinions as I watch this 2nd debate. I encourage everyone to watch the debates, and form their own opinions!
Iraq
Sen. John McCain’s response regarding Iraq sounded eerily like Pres. Bush…”It’s hard work…I’ll be the last man standing.” While Tommy Thompson’s sounded very reasonable and hopeful. Mitt Romney’s was, as usual, full of fear and brimstone.
Sen. Brownback mentioned the division in our own country needs to be solved in order to be successful…I agree, however, his dream of instituting a strong political system in Iraq is a little troubling. How can the US make their government do anything? Haven’t we already seen that the US’s involvement and pressure does not move them to act? And anyway, why should it? Who are we to tell them how to run their country?
Giuliani pointed out the recently foiled plan at Ft. Dix as proof that terrorists are on US soil and that we cannot show weakness - like giving an exact date for withdrawal. I feel like this is flawed logic. Terrorists are here because we’re there. They want us out of Iraq. Terrorists and Gihadists hate us because we force our will on other countries and don’t live up to our own standards.
Personally, I don’t think Iraq is a win/lose situation. How can we “win” or “lose”? Has anyone defined what that would entail? Everyone in the world would like to see Iraq standing on it’s own two feet - economically and politically. But that was never something the US could make happen. I believe our soldiers are doing good - rebuilding buildings, putting in water pumps, electric lines, etc. But the fact is that we bombed the buildings in the first place. We did most of the damage that we’re now repairing - while contractors get very rich in the process.
Rep. Tom Tancredo had a great answer…pointing out that his role in congress is to support the troops - not to be a general or micromanage the military. If a few more politicians listened to the military commanders, we would have far less trouble than we currently have in mismanagement.
Rep. Ron Paul, former Libertarian, seems to have a good head on his shoulders. I absolutely agree that if congress wasn’t willing to declare war regarding Iraq, then what the heck are we doing? I’m glad he’s looking at the opinions of the country rather than the opinions of the Republican party.
Rep. Duncan Hunter’s son has served two tours in Iraq? I’m impressed by that. He’s a career congressman. We all know his son didn’t have to serve. And in the Marines, no less. Thank you for your service, 1st Lt. Duncan Duane Hunter!
Former AR Gov. Mike Huckabee didn’t really answer whether or not he would supply more troops to Iraq if the General’s said it was necessary, but he did say he’d listen to them, and that (paraphrasing) if we had, we’d be in a much better situation today. Amen, brother.
Former VA Gov. Jim Gilmore voiced concerns about Iran having nuclear weapons. He said that we need to have an open discussion with the American people about what that would mean. Does that mean that he would talk about how the US gave India it’s blessing to build nuclear weapons? Or how about how the US continues to stockpile while demanding other nations not have access to nuclear weapons. Let’s be leaders here, not dictators.
Economy/Budget
MA Gov. Mitt Romney talked about streamlining the federal government instead of raising taxes. Well, that would be great if we weren’t trillions of dollars in debt because of this ongoing war. I’d be amazed if someone could cut government down enough to put some money back into Social Security.
Sen. John McCain is right that we can’t balance anything if we don’t reign in spending. And his drunken sailor story was funny.
Mike Huckabee is proposing a Fair Tax, and the dissolution of the IRS. I’m all for that. And his John Edwards joke was funny, too. Although, I like John Edwards - and you can’t fault someone for having good hair.
I was glad to hear Sam Brownback say his family drives a Hybrid car and to support bio-deisel. I was sad that he didn’t mention anything about raising US emissions standards and that he’s for more drilling. More drilling in the US cannot be the answer - it has to be a last resort, especially when there are so many other things we can do first to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Ron Paul had a lengthy answer saying that the way the federal govt. operates has to change before tax cuts can be implemented. He pointed out how much Republicans have grown bureaucracies - and I say amen to that. Aren’t Republicans supposed to be for smaller government? He also pointed out that the American people need to clarify what they want the goal of govt. to be. But in order for that to happen, we’ve got to be involved in the process. We can’t continue to police the world.
Rep. Hunter talked about reforming taxes to bring the industrial base back to the US. I’m glad to hear someone mention this. 1.8 million jobs lost to China…how can we allow this to continue happening? People go where the money is - we have to reform the taxes and zoning laws to help people do business in America again.
Rep. Tancredo pointed out that according to the Constitution, the only fiscal responsibility of the federal govt is defense. I am afraid of that thinking. While it may be constitutionally accurate, too many people in our country need assistance. We have to take care of the least of us.
Rudy Giuliani seems, although perhaps a watered-down Republican, to voice opinions most similar to Americans. While many American’s have personal opinions on abortion, I think mostly we’d all like to see less of them. Not necessarily punishment for the people that get them, but clear, obtainable options for the people that think they need them.
I chose to disregard a lot of the stats they threw around, “I made 91 tax cuts”, “I cut taxes by such and such billion dollars”, “I raised taxes, but only to build roads”. I ignore what I cannot verify for now…stats are too easy to twist to someone’s advantage.
Mitt Romney does come off as a flip-flopper, but is that so bad? I think its good that someone can separate their personal opinion from what is best for everyone. Much better than someone that tries to impose their personal beliefs on everyone.
Oh, Mike Huckabee. Your pro-life response, while dreamy and admirable, was sooo sadly false. If American’s prized the life of one so much, would we be in Iraq? Or do we only prize the lives of Americans? In that case, let’s rescue those troops, and bring them home to safety.
I made it through an hour before my son woke up. I’ll have to finish the other half later.
Comments
6 Responses to “2nd Republican Debate, Pt. 1”
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I read your response to the debates and can’t follow your logic or agree with much of what you wrote. I’m not sure what you expect from short sound bites but there were dicernable differences among the canidates. You sound like a democrate to me. When a donkey trys to mingle with a herd of elephants there is usually trouble. You should know by now what the republican base believes in. First, smaller government which means less bureaucracy,fiscal restraint and a balanced budget, less social and welfare spending, less redistribution of income and taxes, more private sector solutions to our problems, reducing the size of the federal government. Second, a strong defense against America’s enemies and being proactive in defending America and her allies. This includes our fight against terror groups or individuals and all the different organizations of militant islam. We believe in securing our border, the right to bear arms and the protection of american citizens. Thirdly, the protection of our traditional moral values or the rights expressed in our constitution such as life, liberty, equality and justice. Those values that are based on our judean/christian heritage and include the protection of the unborn, traditional mariage and individual rights and freedoms. If you don’t believe in these ideas then the democrates have an opposing and different agenda. Steve Thomas
What did you think of the number of candidates in the debate? It was a lot wasn’t it? But this early on, what else do you do I guess…
Steve, first of all, thanks for reading and commenting. I really was all over the place on that post because I was listening to the debate, pausing it, writing notes, repeating that process until my son woke up.
I have voted both Democrat and Independent. I try to be an informed voter, then I vote with information and my conscience. This blog does not make any promises about being unbiased - I am after all, only human. However, I do think it’s important to listen to all sides first.
I was a big fan of John McCain until a few months ago, and I really would like to follow ALL the candidates, so I can be the most informed.
I think you can agree that the Republican candidates are a little all over the place on the spectrum of conservativeness, what to do about Iraq, domestic issues, etc.
I kind of like that they really have different views, I think it gives voters more to think about.
Again, thanks for your comment, I hope you’ll keep reading and commenting - even if you feel like an elephant hanging out with a donkey. Dissenting voices are always welcome in my democracy!
Debbie,
LOTS of candidates. It must be murder on the cameramen. For a while, I had trouble telling a few of them apart - especially Mike Huckabee and Jim Gilmore. But I think I’ve got them all straightened out. I’m really interested to see who moves ahead, on both sides of the aisle. I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope it isn’t based on who has the most money.
Thanks for checking out this blog. Please come back and give your opinions as the races heat up.
9:35a, Arizona Time
I started watching the debate at about 7:30a AZ time. When it was all over, I went to the ABC News website to cast my vote for the candidate I thought had given the best overall responses, and was absolutely astonished when the results appeared - Senator Paul had TWO THOUSAND more votes than the next highest winner, who had barely 300-some!!
Apparently, I had missed something important. So, I watched some of the website’s videos of the debate, and discovered WHY this man had become such a frontrunner … his response to the “war” in Iraq was to “Just come home.” *slapping forehead* Obviously, THAT’S why everyone voted for HIM!
That actually makes me a bit angry, because there’s no way those voters could possibly have been listening to anything else anyone else had to say after that one statement!
Yes, we need to get the hell out of Iraq; but, what about taxes, and education, and immigration, and healthcare, and transportation, etc. … did all of the Paul voters agree with, let alone HEAR his responses to THOSE important issues, as well?! If you’re going to vote for a WINNER, you have to take into consideration what that candidate believes about ALL of the issues, not just one, and I don’t believe Paul gave the best responses to ALL of the issues discussed!
In my book, he was NOT the winner on ALL COUNTS! And, I pray to God that the American voters take MORE into consideration on election day than just this ONE of MANY IMPORTANT ISSUES!!
Just my opinion.
~GirafeLady
P.S. I’m sure you’re wondering … today, I chose Romney; tomorrow, my opinion could change.
Thanks for commenting, GirafeLady! I really need to update this blog, I think I’m at least two debates behind - not even counting the Dems meeting with the Gays and Lesbians! Thanks for reading - I hope you’ll come back.