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The New Hampshire GOP Debate at Saint Anselm College
Republican presidential candidates former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (L) and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani talk during a break in their Republican candidates debate at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire January 5, 2008.
Kudos: ABC for a better format but the debate was on a tape delay basis on the West Coast. Many folks did not view it live.
Best Quote: Rudy Giuliani’s quip on Ronald Reagan showing up in a Romney attack ad about illegal immigration. If the Gipper were still around, “he’d be in one of Mitt’s negative commercials.”
The Winners:- Rudy Giuliani – best on clear policy initiatives. There is definite substance behind his rhetoric. His comments about humane treatment of immigrants and will play well in their communities. All around he is the best informed and the most Presidential. His lecture to Ron Paul on terrorism was classic.
- John McCain – got an “easy” pass. Held his own but not a noteworthy performance. McCain’s quip about change vis a vis Romney was a “cheap” shot. McCain looked older and pale tonight.
The Losers:
- Mitt Romney – lost in exchanges with Huckabee and McCain. Looked wonkish and like a “RICH” businessman. Romney did not break through and help himself beat McCain. Mitt continues to look plastic and mechanical in his responses. Everyone ganged up on Mitt tonight, knowing if he loses to McCain big he is dead in the water.
- Mike Huckabee – Did not parlay any excitement from Iowa into tonight’s performance. Fight with Romney did not help him. Huck speaks with flowing generalities but where is the beef? Got caught in a flip-flop on the Iraq War surge – this may come back to hurt him.
- Fred Thompson – Who? No energy and thoughtless answers.
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McCain Owns Latest WMUR New Hampshire Poll Lead
The Mac is back – at least in this poll:
McCain 33, Romney 27, Giuliani 14, Huckabee 11, Paul 9
Poll was conducted January 4-5 with a 5 point margin of error.
Not a huge margin for McCain and Huckabee does not seem to be getting a bump from Iowa Caucus win.
Should these results hold up.
- Romney won’t be dealt a deathblow
- McCain won’t be jump-started
- Huckaboom in Iowa will be blamed on Evangelical demographics
- Rudy is Ok but wasted too much money coming in third
- Paul wasted a lot of money period
New Hampshire debate starting at the top of the hour on ABC.
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Mike Huckabee’s FairTax Proposal – Fundamentally a Ruse
Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee plays the bass guitar with a school band during a campaign stop at the Londonderry Middle School in Londonderry, N.H., Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008.Mike Huckabee’s FairTax Proposal is one of the biggest FLAWS in his campaign for the Presidency. If any other GOP candidate recommended such a ridiculously UNFAIR plan to middle class taxpayers they would be considered in the class with Ron Paul and William Jennings Bryan.
When will Huckabee be called out on the FairTax Ruse?
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Guess Mike Huckabee is Going Negative
Ed Rollins, left, newly appointed national campaign chairman for Republican Presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, center, talks to media in Concord, N.H., in this Dec. 14, 2007, file photo. Rollins, 64, who likes to compare himself to a boxer and a ‘bare knuckles’ brawler, is widely acknowledged as an architect of Reagan’s 1984 re-election victory, a 49-state landslide; but he’s also known for far less successful exploits – some would say stunts.
Nice guys finish last, eh, Huck?
“We’re going to see if we can’t take Romney out,†Mr. Rollins said. “We like John. Nobody likes Romney.â€
Nobody likes Huck much anymore either unless you are an Evangelical.
Mike Huckabee would never be able to reconcile the GOP to his candidacy should he win the nomination. A 50 state win for Obama or Hillary.
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Rudy Giuliani Seeking Attention?
Republican Presidential hopeful, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani arrives at a robotic competition on a Segway during a campaign stop in Hooksett, N.H., Saturday Jan. 5, 2008. At left is inventor Dean Kamen.
After Michael Dukakis donned the tank hat and was ridiculed, political types have shunned the prop supported photo opportunity. Fred Thompson hesitated/refused to put on a Fireman’s hat and was criticized – unfairly so.
But, Rudy, the other day in New Hampshire decided against climbing aboard a Segway. He almost did.
Today he is racing them.
The GOP Presidential campaign IS wide open.
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Day By Day by Chris Muir January 5, 2008
Fred Thompson and John McCain have UNCLEAN hands on the free speech restricting McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform legislation.
Is this a conservative litmus test for 2008 with McCain rising in the polls?
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links for 2008-01-05
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Giuliani staff answer questions, including ‘Where’s Rudy?’