Republican Presidential Debate in Iowa

[TexasTerp]

Anybody watch it tonight? I caught 2/3rds of it or so.

Overall I thought it was interesting. I was glad to see some seriously tough and pointed questions, even though I got mostly the usual deflections for answers.

I'm still a Ron Paul fan but his foreign policies are killing me.

I liked what I heard from Mr. Kane about economics. I would much prefer a president with real business background than a "politician with business experience"

Romney is by far the most "presidential"... that being said he mentioned a number of points I don't agree with. Still the top of the list so far though.

Bachmann and Pawlenty's bickering was pathetic and sad. Bachmann maybe a "fighter" but she reminds me of a Republican version of Obama. All talk, all fight, no real experience or legitimate accomplishments.

Pawlenty really looked like a hurt dog imo.

Santorum raised some interesting points, I think he's a bit too bullheaded for me on foreign policy and didn't give me enough on domestic and economic policy. Personally he'd be #3 or so on my list, unfortunately he won't make it in the long run.

I liked Newt's "attacks" on the media and his focus on helping to get work done right now, and not 15months from now. Sadly that isn't necessarily what I'm looking for in a Presidential debate. On the plus side, he's exactly who I would want working on the problem right now. He needs to become less angry and more likable for him to really become relevant again.

Huntsman was interesting, but forgettable. He raised some good points and had a good line or two but overall needs a lot more time.

[mrsleeve]

I just caught a few clips not impressed with any of them right now. Mit is my last choice period. followed closely by Newt.

I like Herman for right now, but there is no point in getting into the the down and dirty of it till the the general gets much closer. No matter what we need someone with the morals and the charisma to beat the 0, sadly right now I only see that in Bachmann, and we would likely be in the same lack of experience situation we have right now. But at least she would be more likely to stick to her laurels than the rest

[herbivor]

Yeah, I feel sorry for you guys. No real inspirational winners in the bunch. I think the dems had a better group in bush's midterm run and still lost. Not looking good for republicans right now. What do you guys think of Perry? Comes off like a religious nut to me.

[mrsleeve]

^

Perry is alright, have not dug enough into who I really would support as of yet. But Perry does not really stand a chance with any of the independents and whishy washy flip floppers (which are needed to unseat the 0) . Hes would be just another Bush type Texas Republican to them.

Hes a little churchy but there is not necessarily anything wrong with that either.

[e30e]

Sadly there isn't a single person running or planning on running that would make me vote for them. I can't stand Perry, he's a religious hypocrite who balanced his state budget with federal funds while protesting the bailouts. No thanks, Texas can't produce any presidential people for atleast the next 15-20 years.

[mrsleeve]

^

I thought perry told the feds to fuck off with bail out funds and Florida wanted to take them instead

[E30Kaiser]

Romney is the least awful candidate, and probably to closest to center of the candidates on many issues so I will probably go with him.

[joshh]

Bachmann to me is turning into Palin....saying shit just to say it because it's different than her opposition.

Santorum, Pawlenty and Romney are push overs. I finally saw a spark in Romney when he challenged that heckler. But they remind me of the kid on the playground who keeps getting beaten up but never fight back. Pussies.

Newt...GOPer...need I say more.

Undecided on the others yet.

[Ryan Stewart]

Romney is the least awful candidate, and probably to closest to center of the candidates on many issues so I will probably go with him.

If he is smart he would continue to do what he does, just stays out of it. The guy has the most experience, the guy is the only one that would have a hope in hell at the general election and the guy can raise the money.

He wont make the right happy, that is for sure, but anyone who makes them happy is going to get murdered in the GE.

[mrsleeve]

^
Romney Care need I say more.

[Ryan Stewart]

^
Romney Care need I say more.

In a liberal state and at the state level. Means nothing. He has worked with the opposition party and been successful, he has also done something at the state level.

Im fine with stuff at the state level, that is kind of the idea regarding the formation of our govt.

[mrsleeve]

While I agree that it being done at the state level is acceptable as opposed to a federal level.

I dont like the fact that its of his design and that he supports much of the federal HC bill, namely tax subsides for people buying HC insurance.

On that note 2 cases decided today, in Georgia federal appeals court says individual mandate is unconstitutional. In Ohio ballot initiative cleared by the courts to go to the voters to pull OH outta of the Federal HC plan.

[e30e]

^

I thought perry told the feds to fuck off with bail out funds and Florida wanted to take them instead

It was all show, they had a deficit and used the funds. Florida did tell the government to f off with there high speed rail funds.

[Wiglaf]

Bachmann to me is turning into Palin....saying shit just to say it because it's different than her opposition.

She's already condradicted herself so many times it ain't funny. What would be most similar to Palin is if she makes it to primaries and sinks the party ship with her flakey crap.

Some of these guys seem ok but the religious stuff is such a huge turnoff. I feel like it would be like OH on a national level.. the second republicans win some seats there's suddenly 14 anti-abortion bills flying around with some censorship for good measure.

[z31maniac]

Some of these guys seem ok but the religious stuff is such a huge turnoff.