The GOP Debate at St. Anselm College New Hampshire
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Republican presidential candidate U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) (L) greets fellow candidate former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani before the Fox News Presidential Forum at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire January 6, 2008.
The GOP debate at St Anselm College tonight was the most intimate and the best GOP debate so far. No audience and no spinning the voter was able to hear the candidates answer questions about issues. There was little positioning and sparring was on a civil tone.
So, who won?
Nobody.
Not one candidate made a difference in this debate in this continuing story of a race for President in 2008.
However, there were some notable exchanges, contrasts and some observations to make.
- John McCain: McCain will NOT win the nomination. He is OLD and tired. He lied about his positions on illegal immigration and even his winks and quips fell flat. He may beat Mitt Romney in New Hampshire on Tuesday but GOP donors will not be opening their wallets to fund his campaign.
- Mitt Romney: Slick didn’t hurt himself and looked better than McCain. However, nobody really challenged him on his flip-flops. He looked at Huckabee like Huckabee was a rube or a hick. None of the candidates like Romney and it shows. He will never be able to unite the party after the primary season.
- Mike Huckabee: Huck has been flat the past two days after winning big in Iowa. His rural folksy charm is not playing well in the northeast as it won’t outside the Bible Belt and plain states. He lied about taxes and illegal immigration and didn’t mention his state Arkansas once. His record is not a conservative one but southern populist – like William Jennings Bryan.
- Fred Thompson: Fred might as well slept in tonight. Another non-performance. To think that some at NRO think that he was good. What Kool-Aid were they drinking. Eckkkkkkkk
- Ron Paul: Wasn’t there and thank goodness. Two nights in a row of this old nutty crank would be too much for anyone.
- Rudy Giuliani: Rudy is always good in these debates was again good on terror and his role in cleaning up New York City. He made the argument as to how conservative ideals are best for low and middle income folks – to remove themselves from dependence on government sponsored – especially the ones the Democrats love so much. Rudy talked about how he cleared the welfare rolls in New York City and discussed a sensible border security program to combat illegal immigration. But, most importantly, he had an opportunity to “clear the air” about the Politico bogus story that accused his NYC administration secretly spending funds to pay for security for his girlfriend with whom he committed adultery. He also denied there would be any further involvement with the indicted Bernard Kerick – ending a whisper campaign that Rudy is really involved and supported by organized crime. Having such an opportunity to nationally debunk the “whisper campaigns” that have precipitated his decline in the national polls will begin his reconciliation process with the GOP base and perhaps regain their trust.
Rudy tells Sean Hannity after the FOX Debate Sunday night how Americans need to make sure they vote for the right kind of change in Washington.
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