First Principles

That’s the game, and I was glad I watched.  My initial, fresh off the field thoughts:  I give the win to Perry.  He was credible, NOT crazy, and just detailed enough to not sound like he was just spouting over-rehearsed soundbites.  I think Bachmann will fade after this – she had the most to lose, and she lost it.  Romney didn’t hurt himself, but he will if he keeps up his tiptoe through the tulips routine – he’s running out of time to make a stand.

The best line of the debate for me was at the very end, when my almost-2 year old pointed to Reagan’s Air Force One and said, “Airplane!  Cute airplane!”

Click here for the whole rundown!

6:48:  I’m continually amazed at hoe many people still don’t understand the concept of federal vs. state powers.  Ron Paul had a good answer on this one.

6:47:  Rhetorically speaking, I really like Cain’s “9-9-9” plan deal.

6:44:  My single biggest problem with Perry is his cavalier attitude towards the death penalty.  And I’m not opposed to the death penalty.  But this is not a winning political attack AGAINST Perry for most part for most people, and the moderators don’t understand that.  They thought this was a hard question, when in fact it was a softball.

6:42:  Brian WIlliams is right – a flat tax WOULD raise taxes on lots of folks, and that’s why “no tax” pledges often have the effect of hurting conservatism.  Romney’s answer was non-commital and weak.  At some point, he needs to take some firmer stands.  He’s reinforcing a lot of his negative stereotypes here.

6:41:  Newt’s answer on energy was great.

6:40:  Bachmann points out the EPA as arm of political thuggery.  So did Perry, but he’s much more deft.  She can hold her own on the second tier, but next to Perry, she’s way out of her depth, and it shows.  I think this debate will hurt her because of her proximity to Perry on the stage.

6:38:  I really like Perry’s answers on the environment.  And he came ready to brag about the drop in pollution in Texas, ans well as the economic impacts of following blindly downt he “climate change” road.

6:36:  This is why Huntsman is the Democrats’ favorite Republican, because he attacks Repuyblicans as “anti-science” when they don’t buy the Global Warming hysteria, or the “coincidentally” Big Government solutions.  Besides, if Huntsman’s argument is that he’s electable because liberals don’t find him offensive, that’s not exactly suggestive of a serious reversal of liberal policies even if he wins.

6:34:  Santorum attacks isolationism, which is good, but I think he overplays that hand.

6:32:  Bachmann goes for the pro-Israel vote!  Still, I don’t know that I agree with her answer on Lybia.  And I can’t help but to believe that if the President who went into Libya were a Republican, she’d be about supporting our troops.  I actually think that, aside from the President’s totally unacceptable spurning of the Congressional authorization role, out part in the Libya thing wasn’t a bad thing.

6:30:  It’s smart of Perry to praise Obama for continuing to prosecute the GWOT.  It’s honest and disarming.  And a little dig at Bush without coming off as a total peacenik.  But I wish the term “exit strategy” as a prerequesite to any military action would disappear.  Total victory should be the exit strategy in any military endeavor.

6:28:  This crisis of confidence question is silly.  I agree that it’s true, but it adds nothign to the question of policy.

6:27:  Huntsman comes out in favor of withdraw from Afghanistan, and wants to “nation build” here at home.  ugh.  That was a hippy cliche from the Bush years, and I’m not impressed by a Republican who adopts it.

6:25:  I also think “no tax” pledges are a bad idea.  But I don’t buy Huntsman’s non-answer as to WHY they’re bad.

6:24:  Perry comes out for cut, cap, and balance.  Good.  I used to be adverse to a Balanced Budget Amendment, but I think now that it’s a bad idea whose time has finally come.

6:23:  “Are you a member of the Tea Party?”  Ugh.  They so don’t understand this.  It’s a movement, not an organization.

6:19:  Ron Paul doesn’t want a fence?  Because it “keeps us in”?  Again, I understand what he’s saying, but it just comes off as black helicopter nutty.

6:17:  Huntsman:  Illegal immigrants should be punished!  I think that was unfortunate wording – it’s exactly that kind of language that has led the Supreme Court to “protect” illegal immigrants from deportation consequences via the due process clause.  Not helping, and it shows a lack of understanding of this issue.

6:15:  It’s not that I don’t agree with Bachmann that immigrants should demonstrate self-reliance and a fealty to the US, but comparing the current immigration situation with the one that existed several generations ago just isn’t realistic.

6:13:  No one will remember a single thing Rick Santorum said tonight.  I give him abotu 3 more weeks before he throws in the towel.

6:12:  Newt gives a mostly smart answer on illegal immigration.  But does he really think no one counterfeits credit cards?  Eesh.

6:10:  Perry straight up called the President a liar.  Wow.  But that answer was interesting.  People have said he sounds like GWB, but I don’t see it at all.  He’s far, far more effective in using the English language, and comes off as knowledgeable and thoughtful.

6:08:  Federal Pell Grants for K-12?  So we want MORE federal government involvement in local education?  C’mon, Newt.  That’s the result, and just because you do it in the name of “choice” doesn’t change the fact that you’re expanding federal control over what should be a local decision.

6:06:  Perry’s answers on his HS graduation rates was very good.  He’s expanding the picture to other, more positive metrics, and notes inherent issues (illegal immigration) without is sounding like an excuse.  I hope the Dems continue to underestimate his political talent.

6:03:  Huntsman:  quit talking abotu this little stuff, and let’s talk abotu the economy more.  Fair enough.  But he shifts quickly to some pretty lame platitudes on that topic, even by the very low standards of this crowd.

6:02:  We shouldn’t have FEMA, but if we got out of Iraq and Afghanistan, we could spend more on FEMA?  Wha?

6:00:  I agree with Ron Paul on the TSA, as I’ve discussed before on this blog.  But I don’t want to completely privatize all interstate and international airline security, either, and it’s disingenuous to say that there is no option in between the two.

5:58:  Good for Romney for lowering the heat a bit.  It helps him on Romneycare to say, “we all would have done things differently, and it helps the whole field, no matter who the eventual nominee winds up being.

5:57:  Rick Santorum is unique on this stage in that he is NOT philosophically conservative, as his defense of DHS shows.  I’m sorry, but I don’t think that vaccinations trump DHS in terms of threats to liberty or fiscal sanity.

5:54:  This vaccine issue is so interesting to me.  I agree with this as a serious critique of Perry, but I also think it’s small ball compared to the bigger issues at play.  And while the HPV vaccine is different from one for small pox, I think there is a legitimate state interest in universal immunizations, because without them, they don’t work at all.  And I think, “Hey – I hated cancer” will be enough of an answer for the vast majority of Americans.  And to Perry’s credit, he acknowledges that this wasn’t his finest hour.

5:53:  Finally, Cain actually answers a question, with some specifics.

5:51:  I really want to like Romney, but I feel let down every time he speaks.  Perry shoudln’t be criticized for bashign the current funding mechanisms for our entitlement programs, he should be praised.  And Perry’s response about “results” and “fixing” it was right on.  Perry isn’t a rocket scientist, but dumb he ain’t.

5:50:  The dynamic between Perry and the Bush people is fascinating to me.  I’m looking forward to the tell-all books a decade from now.

5:48:  Perry talking about the art of the possible when it comes to reforming entitlement programs.  And WOW – he repeats the Ponzi Scheme thing, which is great.

5:46:  A nice tribute to Nancy Reagan.  But I find it a little annoying in the middle of the debate.  It feels like icing the kicker, and takes a lot of the energy out of the event.  It probably is also losing viewers.  I’m trying not to be cynical about these hosts, but they aren’t making it easy.  I think the Heritage Foundation should host the Dems the next time they have a Presidential debate – the effect would be about the same…

5:43:  Yay commercials!  Yay for being able to grab a beer without missing anything!

5:40:  I love that Perry just called out Ron Paul on his Reagan defection.  I equally loved his grin as he watched Ron Paul melt down over it, and didn’t even understand that Perry just completely changed the subject on him.  It was like throwing a ball to a Golden Retriever who won’t otherwise stop slobbering on your shoe.

5:37:  I have to give this to Ron Paul – he’s consistent and unafraid to do things like reject the minimum wage altogether.  “I can get you a gallon of gas for a dime!”  Crazy Uncle comes back…  I get his point on inflation, but that just came off wrong.

5:35:  Romney’s energy answer is exaclty why it’s hard to love him.  It’s not that it’s wrong, it’s that it’s not connecting – talk about home energy prices, and granny staying warm in her living room!  Bachmann’s answer was much, much better – wonky, but also talking about it on an individual level.  Huntsman’s answer isn’t an answer at all, but rather a plea for leadership.  Weak.

5:33:  Perry really does take over the stage – he knows how to use his pulpit, and that was a great response to the attempted race-baiting by the moderators.

5:30:  Why is it that liberals don’t understand that a religious exhortation to care for the poor is an individual commandment, and not an excuse to create big government in the name of Jesus?  But Santorum does a good job tying this back into successful wellfare reform in the 90s.  But I wish Santorum would acknowledge that having dual state AND federal welfare systems is a waste of money.  He is definitely NOT a respecter of federalism.

5:29:  Cain takes a direct attack on “Romneycare”, and then goes on to tort reform.  Cain is giving mini-speeches, as opposed to engaging the moderators and the other candidates.  I think this is a mistake.

5:28:  Newt the peacemaker?  Interesting.  Is he running for vice president?

5:26:  Bachmann doesn’t take the bait to attack Romney frontally.  Again, I think that’s smart.  And I like that she’s pointing out the need to establish leadership and work with Congress.  SHe says some stupid stuff, and I’m still not going to vote for her, but she’s impressing me tonight to my surprise.

5:24:  Huntsman sounds stronger than Romney on Obamacare.  Not good for Romney.

5:23:  Perry talks about block grants for federal programs – I think that’s a great idea, and it’s smart politics.  And unlike Romney, he is unequivocal about repealing Obamacare.

5:21:  On to healthcare.  Perry had a great quip about learning what NOT to do.  I wish Romney would stop with this “waiver” business and just come out in favor of repeal.  If a state doesn’t want out, they can pass their own version of Obamacare.  Go all in, Mitt.

5:19:  Newt – he sounds strong tonight.  I’m glad to hear him praising the other candidates.  But he’s showing that his strength is his weakness – he’s an ideas guy, and not the tactical leader you need at the tip of the spear.

5:18:  I have no love for Ron Paul, but I’m loving how he’s pointing out that the regulators aren’t saints just by virtue of their positions, and can do just as much harm as good.

5:17:  Is Brian Williams too stupid to understand that air traffic control IS specifically a federal role under the Interstate Commerce Clause?  Sheesh.

5:15:  Great question to Bachmann on small business regs, which gives her a chance to bash Obamacare with some specifics, and then tie it to jobs.  Very nicely done.  I don’t think she has a chance, but I’m starting to understand how she gets past single digits.

5:13:  Speaking of dead men walking, what’s the point of Huntsman?  I understand we don’t want a trade war with China, but we don’t need to cower from them, either.

5:10:  It’s interesting how they’re trying to set up mini-debates.  Now it’s Santorum v. Cain.  I have no love for Santorum, who gives himself a little too much credit for policies passed by Congress as a whole.  I like that Cain just took the opportunity to give an opening statement, with specifics.  Cain just ignored Santorum, which is kind of sad for Santorum – Santorum has to know he’s dead in the water.

5:08:  Perry parry on differentiating Romney’s govenrnment record form his private record was very deft.  And to both of these guys’ credit, they’re not going for the juggular on each other, but are hitting hard above the belt.  Good.

5:07:  Romney talks about himself as a turnaround expert, which is something I find attractive.  But he just seems too eager.  Williams asks about “net job losses” in Romney’s businesses, which actually would be a nice thing to see in the government.  It was a great opportunity to talk about shrinking government, and Romney missed it.

5:03:  “How do you respond to the fact that all our problems are still Bush’s fault?”  That doesn’t bode well for good moderation.  And now Williams is arguing with Perry?  It’s not a fair fight – Perry handles himself well on jobs and the types of jobs that have been create in Texas.

5:02:  1 minute answers – totally lame.  I would do at least five.  We all complain about soundbytes, and then we require them?  Ugh.

5:00:  A retrospective on how the Kennedy/Nixon debate was all about the Kennedy people sabotaging the A/C system in the TV studio.  Good lord.  It’s an interesting window into how MSNBC sees things, though.

4:53:  A Ron Paul commerical, trying to compare the Crazy Uncle to the Gipper.  Yeah, because Reagan was all about isolationism.  And an attack on Perry as a “Texas cheerleader.”  That’s just sad.

4:51:  MSNBC is trying to argue that Huntsman is still in serious contention.

4:50:  God, Chris Matthews is annoying.

4:48:  Just saw an ad on MSNBC bashing illegal immigrants in California as a jobs issue.  Crazy.

4:45:  It’s been a little while since I’ve done this – let’s see if I can still type fast enough!

My initial take on this is nothing shocking – I think it’s Rick Perry’s to lose.  If he does well, it will quickly start boiling down to Romney v. Perry.  But there is also going to be cuhion tonight, with 4 more (?) debates coming down the pike.

This is the first debate I’ve had a chance to watch live and all the way through.  At this point I’m undecided, leaning a bit towards Perry with serious reservations.  But what I like about him is that he’s a fighter who knows how to fight against the urge to do something when nothing is the more appropriate response.  A president with an iron spine, even if I disagree with him or her on this policy or that one, is an absolute must in order to be respected (and feared when necessary) abroad.  No other candidate I’ve seen has displayed this so far.