[Dark_crow]

Did you watch it and if so what impression were you overall left with?

Especially the question …What would do to repair the image of America in the eyes of the Muslim world was one of the questions

[tomder55]

Did not see it . Wish I had . But I heard Rudy's response ...."the people we are offending are the people we want to offend"

I for one would like to know what steps the Muslim world is doing in trying to improve their image with us. You see ;my image of them is one of seeing a teacher about to get 40 lashes for naming a teddy bear Mohammed.

I will try to read the transcripts later .

[Dark_crow]

Did not see it . Wish I had . But I heard Rudy's response ...."the people we are offending are the people we want to offend"

I for one would like to know what steps the Muslim world is doing in trying to improve their image with us. You see ;my image of them is one of seeing a teacher about to get 40 lashes for naming a teddy bear Mohammed.

I will try to read the transcripts later .

Yeah, I watched it…thought it was great. Immigration, gays in the military, torture, the Confederate flag and guns was kicked around a lot. Women’s issues were not touched on to any extent (“mommy” party issues like health care or education ) .

[RickJ]

Frankly, I am dumbfounded at the instance on using the term Islamic Terrorists.

I think of the Aryans, Skinheads, KKK, etc - There are no doubt terrorists in each of those groups, but beyond that, most of them (especially KKK) claim to be Christian and do what they do in the name of Christ.

We don't call them Christian Terrorists.

Besides use of that term, I don't remember disagreeing with any of the answers.

Did Romney come completely unprepared? I thought he was horrible. Dodged more questions than he answered.

I don't think Hunter said much of anything profound either.

I thought Huckabee was awesome. I'd not paid much attention to him previously. I will now.

Mccain and Giuliani always speak well and get right to the point. Neither are a favorite of mine but I have to hand it to them that they make their cases well.

My man Ron Paul disappointed me. Seemed he did more whining than answering the questions directly. And I think he's way off on the war and terrorism - seeming to think all will be just peachy if we simply withdraw from Iraq.

I like Fred Thompson too, but don't think he presented himself well, and I was disappointed by his misleading attack ad.

I somehow missed more than I heard from Tancredo, so cannot comment on him.

For anyone interested, you can hear all questions and answers here: YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

[excon]

But I heard Rudy's response ...."the people we are offending are the people we want to offend"

Hello DC:

This is why Rudy and any of the Republicans, and most of the Democrats for that matter, are SOOOOOO dangerous.

Because, what he said above, is true. He IS offending those whom he INTENDS to offend.

What he (and the rest) FAILS to understand, is that when you support a Muslim tyrant like Mushariff whose people have NO rights, and when you support a Kingdom like Saudi Arabia, who's WOMEN have NO rights, and on and on and on... you are offending MOST of the Muslim world.

Tom is right, the Kingdom WE SUPPORT, and NEVER say boo to about their human rights abuse, is going to give a teacher 40 lashes for naming a teddy bear Mohammed. Tom is offended by that. The fact that the king is OUR TYRANT, offends ALL Muslims.

If it's Rudy's intent to continue to offend them, and it is, he should not be surprised when they take exception to it.

excon

[Dark_crow]

Hello DC:

This is why Rudy and any of the Republicans, and most of the Democrats for that matter, are SOOOOOO dangerous.

Because, what he said above, is true. He IS offending those whom he INTENDS to offend.

What he (and the rest) FAILS to understand, is that when you support a Muslim tyrant like Mushariff whose people have NO rights, and when you support a Kingdom like Saudi Arabia, who’s WOMEN have NO rights, and on and on and on..... you are offending MOST of the Muslim world.

Tom is right, the Kingdom WE SUPPORT, and NEVER say boo to about their human rights abuse, is going to give a teacher 40 lashes for naming a teddy bear Mohammed. Tom is offended by that. The fact that the king is OUR TYRANT, offends ALL Muslims.

If it's Rudy's intent to continue to offend them, and it is, he should not be surprised when they take exception to it.

excon

OK, we are back to Human rights vs. national security…Idealism vs. Pragmatism. But as I recall you never understood that rational.

[tomder55]

Omar al-Bashir is our dictator ? When was that ? When he was harboring bin Laden ? When we were bombing the joint AQ -Iraqi chemical weapon site in Khartom?When we placed Sudan on the list of terrorists supporting nations? When we accused them of genocide in Darfur? If Rudy offends al-Bashir I'm all for it.

[Dark_crow]

excon, you're certainly entitled to your opinion, but when giving an opinion you really ought to say it is your opinion, otherwise some people may think you mean something is factual when it is not.

[excon]

but when giving an opinion you really ought to say it is your opinion, otherwise some people may think you mean something is factual when it is not.

Hello again, DC:

Don't you worry. When I tell you something that ISN'T fact, the sun ain't going to shine tomorrow.

excon

[inthebox]

Did you watch it and if so what impression were you overall left with?

Especially the question …What would do to repair the image of America in the eyes of the Muslim world was one of the questions

OpinionJournal - Featured Article

"The very last human sound on the cockpit voice recorder of United flight 93 before it screamed into the ground at 580 miles per hour is the sound of male voices shouting "Allahu Akbar" in a moment of religious ecstasy. "

To me, these are terrorist, Islamic given their chanting.

Agree with Tom and Rudy regarding this.

To these jihadists we are infidels and the only thing that is going to improve the image of America in their eyes is conversion.




I did not see the debates on TV - just caught some you tube clips.

They gave 30 seconds! For such as questions as what government programs should be cut ? The clip I saw of Rudy on this question started good but seemed to be cut off.

[Choux]

Crow, I saw the entire debate. It showed the Republican candidates for the values they represented, or didn't represent.

I was surprised at how much Romney fumbled his retorts when attacked for his inconsistencies... not the smooth guy I expected. He took a real hit for flip-flopping without being able to overcome the hit.

Guilliani still has the problem his staff has been worried about and stated to the press a while back... his "wierdness factor". He is scoring poorly in the polls in Iowa.

Just to cut to the chase... Senator McCain was a bright signing star of maturity, intelligence and experience... He is the only candidate qualified to deal with foreign affairs, in my opinion. He also understands that it is not good for America if a President candidate makes statements that in effect pits one ethnic group against another.



My opinion... McCain scores big(but understated)... Guilliani in second.

[tomder55]

Crow just got finished reading the transcripts . It wasn't easy . I almost gave up when the debate had not started yet over a lenghty introduction . http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/28/us...95e&ei=5087%0A

I think that a virtual town hall forum could be a good format if unfiltered . But unfortunately CNN made the final call on the questions and it has since been revealed that they allowed Democrat operatives;especially Brigadier Gen. Keith Kerr ,who is with the Clintoon campaign ,ask questions .

The General for one asked a question on a settled issue.'Don't ask Don't tell' is the military's policy . It was initiated by President Clinton in consultation with the military leadership of the time. It's effectiveness has been evaluated by the military many times and they don't apear to have a problem with it .

Questions by another Democrat plant about the bible were handled well ;especially by Rudy who gave a text book Catholic response;and Huchabee;who knocked it out of the park . He also gave a great response to the ridiculous question about Jesus and the death penalty (“Jesus was too smart to ever run for public office.” )

I thought the duel between Rudy and Romney was over the top on the issue of sanctuary cities . They both were not great on the issue .Their cover is the one that says the local leaders have to pick up the pieces when the national government drops the ball. That as President they will do a better job than they were able to do at the local level. Rudy should stop his attacks about Romney hiring illegals . Romney's response is satisfactory.

I thought it hilarious that the question to Ru Paul was about the Trilateral Commission .I thought MCCain did a great job getting in Paul's face over his foreign policy positions. But otherwise he was pretty irrelevant as were the other second tier candidates Hunter ,Paul and Trancedo .

Thompson was OK. He is willing to address Social Security and that is to his credit and he had the best line about illegal immigration... "A nation that cannot and will not defend its own borders will not forever remain a sovereign nation. And it's unfair" . But otherwise I did not think he distinguished himself. RealClearPolitics - Articles - Too Bad Fred Won't Sell His Good Ideas
The best thing he did was after the debate to invite the other candidates to meet in smaller groups for live roudtable discussions instead of the silly debate formats they have been going to . You really can't get into substantive debates when the stage is crowded with participants and they are given 30 seconds to answer .

I think if Youtube want to sponsor a debate then they should make all decisions about content. CNN has proven they are a cover for the Democrats and for Hillary in particular . http://www.unionleader.com/article.a...3-ad8085245472
They are eating a lot of crow because it took bloggers almost no time at all the discover that these"independent ;undecided" questioners in many cases are not as independent and undecided as they claim . Perhaps Anderson Cooper is just too stupid to realize that a search on Google or on YouTube itself would reveal that Brigadier Gen. Keith Kerr works on a Hillary Clinton steering committee HillaryClinton.com - Media Release, and was an active supporter of Kerry in 2004 . CNN made it a point to fly the General to participate directly ,as they claim, without vetting him .

This compromises the integity of the format. I don't think it a bad idea that Democrats question Republicans and visa versa . But that should be in the context of an agreed upon format. I have some great questions for Hillary and Obama to answer.

Other questionable questioners.

Ted Faturos asked a question about corn subsidies. It turns out he has also worked as an intern for Democratic Rep. Jane Harman.

A woman who identified herself as Journey from Texas, and who has a Web page in which she goes by the name Paperserenade YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. asked the candidates about whether they would prosecute women and doctors if abortion were made illegal and the practice continued and what sentence they would impose. After the debate, she posted a Web video wearing a John Edwards '08 T-shirt. In the posting, she said she was disappointed by the responses she got, particularly from Fred Thompson, though it's the answer she expected.

Leeann Anderson, asked about the danger of lead toys from China. Anderson is an assistant to Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers of America. The union endorses Edwards and Anderson's question is posted on the steelworkers' YouTube page next to a picture of Edwards.YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

David McMillan asked the candidates why they thought the vast majority of African Americans don't vote Republican. He has pictures of himself on his Web site attending a fundraiser for Barack Obama Me, Brother Barack, and Others « David McMillan

Edit : here's another... Mark Strauss asked Ron Paul if he was willing to run as an independent . His web site makes it clear he despises Republicans. On one post he brags how he kicked Romney off his property ! MY-AMERICA » Page 1 of 8

[tomder55]

Just occurred to me . There were plenty of questions designed to cater to the red meat hot button issues .But why were there none about health care ? You would think that with a debate held in Fla. perhaps helath care would've been one of the big issues that voters in Fla would be concerned about .

[speechlesstx]

Questions by another Democrat plant about the bible were handled well ;especially by Rudy who gave a text book Catholic response;and Huchabee;who knocked it out of the park . He also gave a great response to the rediculous question about Jesus and the death penalty (“Jesus was too smart to ever run for public office.” )

Huckabee's line was probably the best line of the night.

[speechlesstx]

DC, I finally had a chance to watch most of the debate, which would explain why I'm so tired this morning, lol :)

Tancredo: His performance was entirely irrelevant and his video left me going, huh?

Paul: Actually did a fair job at first but when he discussed Iraq I just had to shake my head, he sounds like Michael Moore on that. But he has the most rabid supporters...

Hunter: I like the guy and thought he did well for what little opportunity he had, but still doesn't stand a chance no matter how much Ann Coulter pushes for him.

McCain: The guy's performance was solid.

Thompson: Did a fair job but I still don't know enough about Fred the future president as opposed to the guy running for president. All I ever remember from Fred is what he tells me he's done in 8 years as a Senator, though I did appreciate his Iraq response.

Huckabee: The man's a charmer. He's sharp, witty, well spoken, but after watching him I can see glimpses of what Jonah Goldberg said about him being "compassionate conservatism on steroids."

Romney: Oh my, he didn't help himself much. He did handle the "sanctuary mansion" issue well enough, and didn't completely blow the abortion question, but he sure fumbled through the bible question and McCain crucified him on the waterboarding question. Overall, he looked somewhat clueless but actually convinced me of something, not to trust him.

Which brings us to Giuliani: The opening spat between he and Romney was a bit silly, I don't think it helped him at all. I think both of them need to end their little war and give us Rudy and Romney. He handled the question of his "using September 11, 2001, to propel himself into the White House" question admirably. Otherwise his performance was pretty solid but he's got work to do to convince a lot of those southerner conservatives. I'd say Huckabee gained more from that demographic with his performance, but Rudy is still in the lead with me.

Now for the "What would do to repair the image of America in the eyes of the Muslim world" question. Hunter, Rudy and McCain all knocked it out of the park in their own way, and I was especially proud Rudy and Fred called it what it is, Islamic terrorism.

I have mixed feelings for the whole Youtube format, I think it's great for the average person to be able to ask a question, but some of it (besides the shills that got through) was beneath the dignity of the event. A cartoon Uncle Sam, a political cartoonist as a caricature of Cheney, I mean come on. Although the most entertaining moment I thought was the guy that asked about guns who caught then cocked his shotgun and said, "And don't worry, you can answer however you like." :D

Steve