Last night I sacrificed myself for your benefit. I watched the Republican debate from beginning to end, save a brief interlude to empty three barf bags, my trash can, my pocket and my shoe. The subject of the debate was the economy. The Republicans had nothing new to offer, and ignored the subject of jobs, but two of the candidates gave the worst performances I have ever seen in a Presidential Debate. Let’s go over the candidates and then get Michael Moore’s take on the debate.
In my opinion, the debate was poorly moderated. There were few hardball questions, but at least they stock with the questions when the Republicans tried to duck. Not all the candidates got to answer all the questions.
Rick Santorum:
To fix the economy Santorum favors no tax on manufacturers, and allowing corporations to repatriate funds without paying taxes. He thinks energy should not be subsidized or regulated. He favors health savings accounts and Medicaid block grants for states. He would not negotiate with Democrats on revenue.
Michelle Bachmann:
To fix the economy Bachmann favors lower corporate taxes, less corporate regulations, repealing “Obamacare” and Dodd-Frank, and building the Mexican border fence. She would raise taxes on the poor. She blamed Obama for TARP. She would allow health insurance across state lines and outlaw malpractice suits. She would not renew the payroll tax cuts. To solve the trade problem with China, she would stop borrowing from China.
Newt Gingrich:
To fix the economy, Gingrich would fire Bernanke, audit the Fed, lowered taxes and cut regulations. He lied when asked if his firm had represented Fannie and Freddie. He proposed seven Lincoln-Douglas style debates between himself and Obama. He would extend the payroll tax cut, privatize Social Security for younger workers, end student loans. He said that the trade problem with China is all because of US taxes and regulations.
Mitt Romney:
Romney would ignore the Italian debt crisis. He was on both sides of the auto industry bailout, but finished against it. He refused to answer a question about Cain’s character. He said he would preserve Bush tax rates, but later said he would make taxes flatter. He would convert Medicaid to a voucher program. He said first that states should manage health care (flip) and then that individuals should (flop). He would extend payroll tax cuts, cut entitlements and fire 10% of the federal work force. On trade issues with China, he would accuse them of currency manipulation at the WTO and impose tariffs.
Herman Cain:
Cain would ignore the Italian debt crisis. He claimed the charges against him are unfounded, saying that thousands of women have not charged him with harassment. He called Nancy Pelosi “Princess Nancy”. To fix the economy, he would 9-9-9. Instead of union rights, he said 9-9-9. To deal with Fanny and Freddie, he would 9-9-9. To deal with the trade problem with China, he suggested 9-9-9. And to deal with speculation and insider trading in the stock marked, he proposed 9-9-9.
Rick Perry: To fix the economy, Perry would let the free market make the decisions. He proposed a 20% flat tax. He would change Medicaid to a voucher program for states. He would eliminate the the Departments od Commerce, Education and Energy, but could not remember Energy until much later. What a meltdown! The would privatize Social Security for younger workers. He would eliminate student loans. To deal with insider trading a speculation, he would enforce the law.
Ron Paul: Paul would let Italy fail, regardless of consequences to the US. He would abolish the Fed, replace Medicare with medical savings accounts. He would eliminate Medicaid (over time), the Department of Education and student loans. He said students can pay for college the way they pay for cell phones. To deal with insider trading and speculation, he would get the government out of the markets’ way.
Jon Huntsman:
Huntsman blamed TBTF banks for the Italian debt crisis, and said that the 99% and the 1% are on the same side. He opposes the auto industry bailout. Instead of breaking up the TBTF banks, he would “right-size” them, whatever that means. On healthcare, he would let the market bring everyone in. He would remove all deductions and loopholes from the tax code. He would not take China on, because the US manipulates our currency too.
That’s my take. Here’s Lawrence O’Donnell with Michael Moore.
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As anticipated, we agree.
If I had to pick a winner, I’d call it a three way tie between Gingrich, Romney and Huntsman, but there were no winners here, because the Republican Party has nothing to offer that will benefit the American people.
However checkered you consider Obama’s record, this cacophony of clowns are eight excellent reasons to reelect him.
12 Responses to “Republican Debate: Nothing New but the Gaffes!”
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I wonder how the mainstream conservative thinks that Tea Party Ideology is working out for them now, especially after Tuesdays vote.
The subject of the debate was the economy. The Republicans…..ignored the subject of jobs,
Right there that should be as much as anyone needs to know.
Gaffes…..These aren’t so much debates as a form of demolition derby, except that the cars are so decrepit that half the time they spontaneously explode instead of crashing into each other. Whoever’s the last one left will be pretty battered, though.
To deal with insider trading and speculation, he would get the government out of the markets’ way.
“To deal with burglary and rape, he would get the law and police out of the street gangs’ way.”
Most of these guys’ plans boil down to giving the 1% kleptocracy free rein in hopes that a few crumbs would fall off their table for everyone else, and reducing the scope of government to something like what one sees in a Third World failed state. They accuse the Democrats of wanting America to become like Canada or Scandinavia (gosh, what a nightmare), but they want to make us like Afghanistan or Somalia.
Infidel, I hadn’t thought of a demolition derby but it is spot on. Good analogy! I remember soapbox derbies from when I was a kid — homemade, disintegrate on contact with anything. That’s these guys. And love your sarcasm!
Perry was a hoot last night.
My favorite part of the debate was when one of the moderators prefaced his question to Cain by saying “This question doesn’t require a 9-9-9 answer” and proceeded to ask the question. What a joke Cain is.
What is the most appalling here ; These are the best they can feature– How any sane person can , for one minute , think any of these extremists can fill the most powerful position in the world is a very frightening thought!
:”Cacophony of Clowns” ; wonderful! – I fear for the future of our country—I most seriously do– IMO we are going into a terrible year-…
And there’s still more debates to go. As if we don’t know anything about Republicans at all.
So lets review what we have seen from the Republican Fascist Nazi Party.
1: Applauds people being executed. True or False? True!!!
2: Applauds people dieing for lack of health care insurance. True or False? True!!!
3: Boo’s a gay Military Service Man who’s fighting for Our County. True or False? True!!!
4: Boo’s Debate Moderator for asking about nominees (Cains) sexual harassment charges leveled against him. True or False? True!!!
And at least thirty percent of the country are going to vote Republican.
Our Country is so f*cked.
Have a great day.
O….M….D (Oh, My Dawg!) If any of these freak shows make it to the White House, we the people are so F***KED!!!!!!!
Terrie, you are such a blessing! You are so right, but it isn’t just Americans, Canada too, and indeed the world is F***KED!!!!!!!
I’ve never heard of any group of Americans rooting so hard for the destruction of our country. I’m scared now.
I don’t have TV so didn’t watch the debate but I have watched all of the Lawrence O’Donnell material above and can honestly say that there were no winners in my mind, and the biggest loser was the American people, especially if one of these shrubs gets into the White House. Not one of them uses the brain God gave them which in and of itself is a crime, or maybe a blessing depending on how you view it! Perry is in meltdown mode again after trying to revive his campaign’s sagging fortunes. Anybody can forget, but they usually don’t forget something that close to home. Cain was Cain. It is unfortunate that there are so many people out there still supporting him. Although perhaps no proof of the sexual harassment claims to the level of legal evidence has been provided, where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. And his ‘Princess Nancy’ comment surely indicates a real contempt for women. When the moderator asked Romney if he would keep Cain as a CEO of a company he had just bought, I thought it was quite funny that Romney flushed brilliant red before answering that that was a question that Cain had addressed. He truly looked uncomfortable with it. Or was that just the stage lighting? Not one of these bird brains will be able to hold a candle to Mr Obama in debates next year.
I can’t improve on the comments here – they’re fabulous – “demolition derby” indeed! Huntsman sounded as if he actually was a college grad – must disqualify him right off! I was rather amazed by the interpretation of Obama’s saving of the auto industry – it was at most “a loan” – certainly made no big deal of!! (understatement) – what are we going to do if one of these creeps becomes the head big-wig – it’s scary, but with America – anything’s possible!
Forgive me, but I actually felt a moment of compassionate for Perry – he was so pathetic as he bumbled – getting Paul’s suggestions for the third department to go – and irony of ironies – being from Texas – how could he forget “energy” – I felt so embarrassed for him – delighted, but embarrassed!
Two good things in the last debate which I watched by flipping the channels during commercials on a much better show. Newt had the arrogant Scott Pelley on the ropes in no uncertain terms. The duh from Texas said we should zero base all foreign aid. I liked both!