GOP Presidential Debate Watch: Republicans Square Off for the Presidency

Flap has arrived at the Mayor’s Simi Valley Debate Event:

Let the debate begin……..

The candidates are engaging in some pre-debate banter on the stage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

5:00 Televison coverage on MSNBC begins with footage of President Ronald Reagan and Chris Mathews narration of footage.

5:00 Chris Matthews introduces Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Nancy Reagan

5:02 Positions on stage decided by lot

5:03 Rules of the debate – answers to questions = 1 minute; no notes but can take notes; questions from The Politico as well as television.

First question to Rudy Giuliani

How do we get back to Ronald Reagan’s optimism

Rudy discussing immigration, healthcare – fix from our strengths not soicalized medicine….also mentioned terrorism.

Second question to John McCain on Iraq – war was terribly mismanged.
5:05

3rd Question to Tommy Thompson – also on Iraq

Crowd is swelling at Giuliani event – standing room only.

And the crowd is silent and cheering after when Rudy finished speaking.
4th question to Duncan Hunter – Iraq

5th Question to Romney also on Iraq
Candidates are discussing details about how they would resolve Iraq conflict.

6th Question to Sam Brownback – on Islamic terrorism

5:10

Chris Matthews is monopolizing discussion about Islamic terrorism.

7. Mike Huckabee – fired Don Rumsfeld before election? Error of judgment but President’s call.

Huckabee seems comfortable in venue

8. Jim Gilmore – Do you think a generla shakeup in administration’s cabinet is necessary

Gilmore ducks question and talks about paying attention to Middle East. President has to bring American people along.
5:13

9. Ron Paul – voted against the Iraq War. Supports non-intervention foreign policy.

10. Question about Iran to McCain. Matthews mentions a quote from Fred Thompson. McCain sounds nervous. What is trip wire? McCain – if they acquire nuclear weapons – then ducks it
5:16

11. Tom Tancredo – Question on Iran and Israel. Call from PM of Israel – Israel will strrike Iran then now what? Tancredo talks about details…….ducks question…..mentions conditions…

12 Rudy same question – mentions Reagan and Iranian release of hostages – big laugh from Giuliani event crowd.

Giuliani campaign is linking to what Rudy says:

http://www.joinrudy2008.com/index.php?section=6&lid=53

12 Jim Gilmore – moral high ground – same shoes as Cold War

13 Romney – Osama Bin Laden

5:20

14. McCain and question from Politico about Tancredo as the head of ICE. Big laugh from crowd.

Debate is getting lighter.

15. Arnold – amend the Constitutionto allow him to run? No’s

McCain depends upon whether he endorses me…..big laugh.

16. Rudy – Mayor and African-American community reduced crime in 67% – especially in AF/Am community. Work to welfare program.

17 Romney what do you dislike most about America? Mitt a loss for words. America is the greatest nation in the world. Ronald Reagan’s optimism.

18. Huckabee – Global Warming…..Giuliani crowd is booing question. Leave plant – good stewards of the earth

19. Tancredo organ transplant question
5:26

20. Hunter – compassionate conservative – Yes and switches to Iran.

21. Ron Paul – get rid of IRS – yes

22. Roe v. Wade – overturned/repealed? Rudy would be OK…. talked about federalist system. Thompson abortion left to the states.

23. Romney – pro-life or pro-choice. Romney explains position. Explains why he changed mind…follow up, asked if the change is personally convenient…..hemmmming and haaaaaing…..

Sam Brownback could support pro-choice candidate? Invokes RR Yes.

5:32

Rudy Giuliani – federal funds for abortion – supports Hyde amendment, state to make decisions. NY made the choice a long time ago.
24. McCain – restore unity of Reagan purpose – knows how to make Congress work don’t wish to be President of a failed nation
5:34

Quicky questions…..

Giuliani event room folks sitting on the floor – room is full.

Huckabee – America is a great nation, turns to life issues – celebrating life.

25. Ron Paul about libertarianism…..the goal of government……

5:37

Romney on Roman Catholic Bishops – they can do what they want…..

Mke Huckabee – my faith explains me…..

Huckabee vs. Romney – about faith and affecting political decisions. Huckabee pullling back from questioning Romney’s Mormonism.

Romney – people have deep feelings about faith.

Brownback – running faith out of the public square.

Folks are lining the walls at Giuliani event….. and many sitting on the floor

Duncan Hunter on the border fence…..

Karl Rove in the White House

Tancredo

Rudy – increase influence of Christian conservatives good for the GOP party….. Yes but Rudy changes direction of question….New York City running the most conservative administration.

Brownback – Abramoff, Mark Foley GOP scandels then mentions about William Jefferson and the cash in his freezer. Big Laughs with the Giuliani crowd.

5:47

Tancredo – ethics violations – failures of individuals.

McCain – radio frquencies – Special interests – spectrum for first responders. Why we lost election in 2006 – spending out of control. Reagan drunken sailor analogy. Big laugh…..

Question to McCain about cutting budget….pork barrel defense acquisitons.

Rate Bush on Irq War – Huckabee – too early to give grade.

Romney – judges and pro-life. Abortion question addressed to anyone who is not pro-life.

Rudy – abortion……Chris Matthews says he has a nuanced position. Rudy explains his position which is pro-choice.

5:54

Tom Tancredo – who should be President? Swings to immigration reform.

Illegal immigration question to McCain – status quo not acceptable, mentions Guest Worker, and a comprehensive plan

Duncan Hunter – watched Al Gore’s movie? No Swings to energy dependence.

Ron Paul – Decision in crisis cite an example? Political or medicine? Can’t think fo one.

Jim Gilmore –

Embryonic stem cell – will it expand under your administration. federal funding?
Romney – favors alter nuclear transformation

Brownback – No.

Gilmore –

No DH,

McCain – yes

Paul – states no

Rudy – yes with limitations like Senator Coleman’s bill in Congress

Romney – healthcare experiement in Mass? Romney loves it.

6:03

McCain question about Bush tax cuts….first against then favor – Iraq War

Romney – loves the veto

Brownback – flat tax

Huckabee –

TT – Governor of Wisconsin – vetoes

McCain – President should have a line item veto.

Ron Paul – foreign policy cannot afford.

Rudy – address AMt; get rid of death tax; tax cuts have to remain land ook for marginal tax rate reduction.

Tancredo

McCain – will appoint a Democrat? Many American Indies and Demcrats – go to corporte America – come and serve.

Final interactive segment

Duncan Hunter –

McCain question – do you believe in evolution? Yes Everyone concurs.

Question to Rudy from the Politico – difference betwen Sunni and Shiite Muslims – Rudy fielding question….. and answers without frustration.

Gilmore a consistent conservative.

Ron Paul do you trust the MSM? Trust the internet more!

Brownback – do your personal religious beliefs affect view on foreign policy? It doesn’t dominate it.

Rudy – what do you consider your most significant weakness as a candidate? Dodged question – turned to positive charactristics.

6:15

Question to Rudy about National ID card – favors; romney favors; Brownback opposes; McCain – yes absolutely, employer sanctions if hire somone without ID Card; Ron Paul – no; tom Tancredo – No

Do you think Scooter Libby should be pardoned?

Romney – outrageous for the Prosecutor, but let judicial process run
Brownback – dodges

Gilmore – swings to illegal immigration…… and then back – go to American people – No?

Tancredo – pardon him

Ron Paul – doesn’t need pardon – information to support Iraq War.

Terri Schiavo

Should Congress have acted?

Romney – courts – Congress a mistake, no.
Brownback – yes

McCain – acted too hastily, no
Rudy – better for courts to decide, no

Would it be good for America to have Bill Clinton living in the WH?

Romney – gang of 3 running war on terror HC Pelosi and Reid

Huckabee – not a good idea

Duncan Hunter – cut military – no

TT – bad possibility,no

McCain – No Supreme Court justices appointed from the left.

Ron Paul – no voted to impeach him
Rudy – back on defense against terrorism

Tom Tancredo – lousy idea.

6:28

Question about President Bush

Tnhe crowd at Rudy’s event is becoming restless but still attentive with the closing comments about President Bush – all candiates pusing their own sound bites.

Rudy – September 11 – had a President who made the right decision…

The end of the debate……..

The Rudy event room will now be cleared in anticipation of the Mayor’s arrival.

Flap will return with the photos and video of post debate festivities.