First Principles

This was a good debate, but I don’t know that it was a game changer.  That’s unfortunate, I think, and it speaks to the bankruptcy of these debates’ formats. This leads to entrenchment, not breakouts.

I worry that this will turn into a bruising, drawn out primary.  But then, Democrats worried about that with Hillary v. Obama, too, and it wound up making them a) the story, and b) better candidates.  So maybe that’s not a bad thing after all.

For me, Romney is my default.  Everyone else at this point has the burden of proving they’d be better – more electable (anyone who disregards this qualification is a fool), more effective, etc.  He solidified his position as my default tonight, and Perry’s job for me just got a little tougher.  For the rest, it got a LOT tougher.

I’m very much looking forward to the first rounds of actual voting…

Click here for the whole rundown if you missed it!

7:54:  I wish they would have ended with the “are we doomed?” question.

7:53:  Cain-Gingrich – that would be cool.  I’m not gonna lie.

7:52:  Ms. Bachmann, we don’t have to settle, but as a Nevadan, may I remind you that an unpopular incumbent can still win when the GOP nominee is incompetent and says insane, foolish things?

7:51:  I liked Perry’s answer, as well as Romney’s.  Getting back to some unity towards the end is a good thing.  And Romney was very, very smart to walk back from going TOO harsh on Perry.

7:49:  Paul’s in third place on a really good day, and is a very DISTANT third.  The guy who blames the US for 9-11 and Iran is not going to be the President of the USA.

7:48:  Newt’s answer is, again, right on when it comes to these dumb questions.

7:47:  The running mate is question is silly, I think, and unserious.  It’s like when they ask candidates to say nice things about each other.

7:44:  Johnson’s dogs for president!

7:43:  I love Newt’s answer the best.  Not only is the old Carter joke a good one, but it’s a good reminder that we’ve felt doomed before, and that we CHOSE not to be doomed.  Inspiring.  That’s why I wish Huntsman and Santorum were gone, but I’m really glad he’s still there.

7:42:  Perry’s answer was also curiously without passion.

7:41:  Romney sounded sincere and passionate earlier, his answer here was less so, but still good.

7:39:  Cain’s answer on leadership is right on.  And it’s an interesting contrast with Huntsman who talked about taxes on an emotional, philosophical question.

7:38:  “Are we doomed?”  I ask myself this question alot.  How depressing is it that this is a legit question in the USA?

7:34:  A public employee union sponsored ad to support Obama’s jobs bill during the GOP debate?  May the unions spend ALL of their money so foolishly!

7:32:  Perry goes after Romney for being a flip-flopper.  But he seemed to run out of steam part way through.  I’m really looking forward to a few months from now when it’s just these two duking it out, because I think they perfectly encapsulate some philosophical and practical dilemas within the Republican Party.

7:31:  Romney just got tricked into full throated defense of Romneycare.  Again, Romney needs to stop with this waiver business and just say he’ll repeal it.

7:29:  This Medicare waiver thing is too complex for this format, but I think Perry is answering it well.  I’m impressed how he brought it back to jobs.

7:28:  Perry was ready for this.  Good.  I’m glad he actually prepared for this debate.

7:26:  Ugh – I was kind of wishing this vaccine issue wouldn’t come up again.  But it’s worth it if it puts the nail in Bachmann’s coffin.  Her cop-out on her claim that the vaccine causes autism is weak and pathetic.  Her attempt to bring it back to crony capatalism is too little, too late.

7:24:  This kid answering this question makes me angry.  Obama didn’t “allow” ADULT children to stay on their parents’ policies, it REQUIRED it.  If insurance companies want to treat a 25 year old like a child, so be it.  If it cuts costs, they’ll do that.  But can we please start treating men and women in their mid-twenties like grownups?

7:22:  I love Cain’s story about being dead under Obamacare.  It’s personal and relatable to a broader audience.

7:21:  “Perry, aren’t you just Bush II (or III, I guess)?”  Perry’s answer is very good here, pointing to two different areas where he disagreed when Bush got all Big Government Liberal on us.

7:18:  “How do you support a rape exception if you think abortion is the death of an innocent?”  Paul kind of punts on it, and doesn’t answer it, because the real answer (It’s politically necessary) doesn’t sound very principled.

7:17:  VERY interesting question on DADT.  You can tell Santorum didn’t serve, though, and his answer is silly.  Ending DADT doesn’t give gay soldiers special anything.  It means it doesn’t matter any more.  And bringing DADT back is simply ridiculous at this point.

7:16:  Bachmann’s answer on church v. state is smart and correct.

7:14:  Santorum says “fight to win” and I agree, but what he doesn’t add that’s necessary is “or don’t fight at all.”

7:13:  I’m glad several people are connecting a strong economy with safety abroad.  That’s important.

7:12:  Johnson’s answer on trade = friendship is one I used to share, but now I’m less sure (is China our friend?)

7:10:  Note to Fox and Google – keep the rednecks away from YouTube.  The question is a good one, but I hate the foolish way it sounded.  Newt handled it well.

7:08:  Santorum – keep Iraq occupied!  I agree with him on not withdrawing troops for mere politics, but on the other hand, you can’t ignore the political reality that we’ve been there for an awfully long time.  That won’t help him.

7:06:  You can tell Perry’s also been cramming on foreign policy, which is good.

7:05:  Cain’s come a long way since he embarrased himself on the right of return question some months ago.  I like his point about clarity.  Cain is having a really good night – I wonder if his numbers will rise after this.

7:03:  Israel.  Timely, and important.  This, more than the economy, is why Barack Obama needs to be defeated.

6:58:  Lots of graphics gimmicks since it’s a “Google” debate.  And now another beer break!

6:55:  “Congressman Paul, are you a paranoid crazy man?”  And….. his answer is yes.

6:53:  So woudl Santorum build a wall on a river?  Hah!  ANd then Perry asks the same question.  Perry’s making Santorum look foolish here.  Give it up, Santorum, you hack.

6:51:  If Perry wins, I think his immigration “problems” here in the primary will really help him in the general.  He can speak intelligently about it as no other candidate on the stage can.

6:50:  Perry’s Dream Act thing is interesting, and will hurt him.  Interesting, too, to see an area where Romney can credibly run to Perry’s right.

6:48:  I don’t have a problem with a federal E-verify requirement.  Newt’s answer here is again, just dumb.  Does he really think there’s no such thing as credit card fraud?  As a public defender, let me tell you he’s dead wrong on that issue.  Besides, lots of different verifications outsourced to different companies is hardly “uniform” as the Constitution requires.

6:45:  I love this immigration question, which is a trap to the self-described “Constitutionalists” who are happy to ignore it at their convenience.  Bachmann’s right to ignore it and just talk about what she’d do as Prez.

6:43:  Bachmann’s flat tonight.  I hope she knows she’s done.  Huntsman’s answer is good by bragging about his state.  “Localize, Localize, Localize.”  Huntsman’s best answer ever.

6:42:  Man – Perry is really trying to take Romney out at the knees.  Romney’s smart not to rise to the bait.  But then Romney, after denying he’s endorsing Obama administration education policy, endorses Obama’s Education Secretary’s control over local state schools.

6:41:  Why should the feds have an opt-out tax credit for home schooling?  Isn’t that also a local issue?  Paul is not so consistent as people think.

6:40:  Newt had this Pell Grant answer before, and again, I think it goes backwards.  the question was about gettingt he feds out, and he wants them to come in more?

6:37:  This is a fascinating question on education.  will anyone stick up for the federal DoE?  Johnson’s answer is great on this.  But how do you top it?  Santorum is going all paranoid and crazy with his answer.

6:35:  I really like that Megyn asked how to actually accomplish these things pragmatically, but I liked Newt’s answer even more.  “We find a way, or we’re doomed – nothing to lose!”  And he’s right to take credit for balancing the budget for a long time.

6:34:  “Which department would you eliminate?”  I LOVE specific questions like this.  And I LOVE that Cain had a specific answer with the EPA, and with a great explanation.  Cain is really coming out swinging, and I think keeps himself alive with this.  I guess we’ll see come Iowa, but he could be a dark horse.

6:33:  Does anyone believe Huntsman won’t raise taxes?

6:32:  This is Romney’s best performance, and this is his best speech.  If he keeps up this energy level, he’ll win.

6:30:  Now here’s a real debate, and this is how it shoudl be.  I believe that either Perry will take off with it, or he’ll implode and Romney will walk away with it.  I hope that’s true, because the alternative is a knock-out-drag-out betweent he two that will embitter the GOP electorate.

6:26:  Romney v. Perry, with gloves off.  interesting.  I’m glad Perry isn’t telling old people to just kick off, but I hope he doesn’t back off from the “Ponzi Scheme” thing, since that happens to be true.  Romney’s response is very good, though, although I don’t understand why Romney is so opposed to breaking the Social Security one-size-fits-all monopoly.  And it opened up the door perfectly for a body blow against Romneycare.

6:25:  I like these commercial breaks, actually.  As long as they don’t ice the kickers with irrelevant MSNBC tributes.  And now Megyn Kelly is mixing it up!

6:22:  This insta-response is pretty cool.  But I still think people should follow this blog in real time!

6:20:  “Governor Johnson, aren’t you just Ron Paul’s lamer clone?”  “Kind of.”  Other than an awesome last name, what’s this guy’s purpose?  Does ANYONE seriously think he has a chance?  Good lord – I have a better shot at winning the Presidency.

6:19:  I love that the dude asking the Tenth Amendment question looks like a homeless guy.  And Ron Paul’s answer is good.  Brief for him is good, since the longer he talks, the more Crazy Uncle people hear.  But he clearly has a lot of fans tonight.

6:18:  If you didn’t have to repeal everythign and start over, Cain’s 9-9-9 plan might have a chance.  But I still like his thinking and his answer.  It’s a shame he didn’t serve as a Governor at some point so he had a little more political weight and experience (which yes, matters).  But still, that was a great answer.

6:15:  This format is odd, and seems almost designed to eliminate any actual conflict, or, what’s the word, “debate” between the candidates.   Aren’t we supposed to be contrasting these guys on the same or similar questions?

6:14:  “Huntsman – are you all for Solyndra II?”  “I love my wife, Chris.”  This guy is ridiculous.

6:13:  Newt reminds us of welfare reform, and knocks extending unemployment further.  Also good.  That was one of the dumbest planks in Obama’s new proposal.

6:11:  Interesting question on a federal right to work law.  I love right to work laws, but I don’t think that’s the federal government’s job.  Again, Rick Santorum is NOOOOOOO federalist, and has no real concept of the limits of federal vs. state power.  I do love me some public union bashing, though.

6:09:  Bachmann wants everyone to keep everything?  I’m all for low taxes, but…  I understand what she’s saying here, but it’s really a non-answer.  We all agree (except for anarchists and communists) that there should be SOME level of taxation, what that question was about was specifics.  Bachmann punted, and looked semi-insane.  Of course, after that vaccine BS from last time, she’s dead to me.

6:08:  “I want everyone to be rich!”  I love that.  I also love that Megyn Kelly is moderating….

6:07:  “Governor Romney – is your plan wussified?”  Romney sounds a lot more confident today.  Before, he’s sounded like an over-eager intern, trying to hard to tell you what you want to hear.  I like this tone better.

6:06:  “Texas is my jobs plan.”  Heh.

6:04:  Perry looks like he had some caffeine.  Good.  Interesting to come out swinging with tort reform, something that is a big TX success that we haven’t heard much about before.

6:02:  You have to love the applause-o-meter attempts to prop up various candidates, especially Ron Paul.  And were those some boos for Newt?

5:59: There may be a slight tape delay as I deal with toddler meltodwns from time to time.

5:51:  Another debate, and I feel like this one should be interesting.  I’m annoyed, though, that there are so many people.  Gary Johnson?  Really?  At some point, you just have to make some cuts.  Although I actually really like an idea I saw, I think it was on Chuck Muth’s blog, about having one-on-one debates with a power protected, seeded bracket.  Perry v. Huntsman in round one!

I hope at the end of this one that a whole bunch of people bow out.  I’m talking to you, John Huntsman and Rick Santorum.  Honor your supporters by not wasting any more of their money, and honor the rest of us by not wasting any more of my time.