Republican Florida Debate: Live Blog, Part Two

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:43:00 PM EST
Tags: Republican Debate (all tags)

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Continuing the live-blog.

My thoughts: They are all attacking Hillary and I heard no mention of Obama. What does that signify? Also, they are being so polite to each other. Was that pre-arranged to show the difference between them and the Dems?

[Update: The New York Times' Opinionator Blog quotes that paragraph.]

Part Two: The candidates question each other.

First question: Romney asks Rudy about China. Rudy says he'll beef up the military.

McCain to Huckabee: on the fair tax. Updates below the fold.

Huckabee cracks a joke about hookers, gamblers and other criminals...."non-republicans" he calls them. The audience laughs loudly.

He wants to put the IRS out of business. A very affable fellow he is tonight.

Ron Paul to McCain: Something about a group on financial markets. It's a sunshine issue. Why did he pick that question, does anyone care?

Huckabee asks Romney about the Second Amendment: Does he support assault weapon ban and Brady.

Romney: supports both Second Amendment and assault weapons ban. Since it didn't pass, he does not support new legislation against assault weapons ban. We don't need it. He supports the right of individuals to bear arms for protection and hunting.

Giuliani to Romney: National catastrophic fund. Rudy's for it, Romney and McCain are against it. Mitt does support it so they can get homeowner's insurance. But he's not for making people in Iowa subsidize people in Florida. (My view; Rudy's pandering to Floridians with this question.)

Update [2008-1-24 22:2:6 by Big Tent Democrat]: Nukes and no Kyoto agreement. The GOP position. At least they do not deny global warming anymore.

I do not want to blog on their specifics cuz they are so full of it.

Update [2008-1-24 22:7:20 by Big Tent Democrat]: This is a sonnzer of a debate. Rudy has done NOTHING he needed to to shake up the race. Heck, this debate will change nothing imo.

I have no idea who will win in Florida but I feel confident this debate will change nothing.

Brian Williams asks Rudy why his campaign has been a disaster. Rudy avoids the question and compares himself to the NY Giants. What a loser.

Update [2008-1-24 22:9:45 by Big Tent Democrat]: Ok, sorry, but unless something NOTEWORTHY comes up, this is my last entry. These GOP debates are simply AWFUL.

Update [2008-1-24 22:32:1 by Big Tent Democrat]: J's post is up on the Times' endorsement of Hillary. Let's go argue about something interesting, Democrats.

I do not know who won this debate and frankly, I think no one won it. Nothing happened. It will be a nonissue.

I am done.

< Republican Florida Debate Live Blog: Part One | Why the New York Times Chooses McCain Over Giuliani >

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Republican Florida Debate: Live Blog, Part Two | 77 comments (77 topical)

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they want continuous war (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by athyrio on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:47:41 PM EST

to support the Military Industrial Complex

Republicans heart Obama (5.00 / 1) (#18)
by chrisvee on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:51:11 PM EST

Heh -- only kidding. It says to me that they think she's going to be the nominee.

Huck forced to talk about the fair tax (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by spit on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:52:04 PM EST

and to think he'd been doing so well not talking about it anywhere the larger public might hear.

BTW (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:52:40 PM EST

I'll blog about it, or Jeralyn will later, but I thought the Times endorsement piece was very good.

I think they are right EVEN THOUGH I think they are not factoring in the ability to build political capital for the change ecessary where Obama, it seems to me, has a better position.

I am still a tepid Obama voter, but Hillary's edges are well articulated in the Times editorial.

I agree with your assessment. (none / 0) (#27)
by GOPmurderedconscience on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:55:35 PM EST

Obama also has the potential to be in over his head.


: It is an erm (none / 0) (#31)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:59:15 PM EST

roll of the dice, Buuuut, I think he can do it.

I'll stay up for that. (none / 0) (#29)
by Teresa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:55:45 PM EST

I wish they hadn't bashed Bill C. though. Seems the popular thing to do right now.

Prior thread's "sorry J. I can't be civil on this" regarding the war was just classic BTD.


I have asked J to blog it (5.00 / 1) (#30)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:58:36 PM EST

because, and maybe I am speaking out of school, but I believe it is very similar to J's own thinking on this.


: My feelings too. I wish we could merge (none / 0) (#33)
by Teresa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:01:13 PM EST

the two of them into one fantastic candidate. These clowns tonight...I couldn't find enough good in all of them put together to vote for one of them.

This is really boring (5.00 / 1) (#53)
by andgarden on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:17:47 PM EST

: Can you imagine the debates in the (none / 0) (#58)
by Teresa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:24:10 PM EST

general? I don't care who wins, we will demolish McCain or Romney in those debates. They are just boring even if they made sense.

my perspective (5.00 / 2) (#70)
by noodles on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:38:32 PM EST

Yep, slanted questions for the Dems should apply to the Repugs too. The moderators need to ask the opposite of, "Considering the fact that the surge is a success; are you now convinced that staying in Iraq to win is the best choice or do you still want to tuck your tail between your legs and run away like a frightened dog?" Maybe for the Repugs that would be, "Considering the fact that WBush lied to trick us into attacking Iraq and that our young men are dying while doing little more than playing Bagdad Cop as the Iraqis take pot-shots at them; exactly how man young men and how much money are you willing to squander on this misadventure?"

Here's my prediction. This is the election (3.00 / 1) (#72)
by oculus on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:41:36 PM EST

in which women who traditionally vote Republican will listen to what the Democratic nominee has to say, and many of those women, instead of following their husbands' lead in politics, will pul the lever for HIllary Clinton. The scales will fall from their eyes. Oh wait, she makes sense, why wouldn't I vote for her?

signifies that they want Obama to win (none / 0) (#1)
by athyrio on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:45:31 PM EST

Rudy cracks a joke to answer Romney's question (none / 0) (#2)
by andgarden on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:45:37 PM EST

Doesn't go over.

Looks like Mitt is trying to sell protectionism.

It signifies that (none / 0) (#3)
by oldpro on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:45:49 PM EST

to a man, Republicans are more comfortable beating up on women than on black men...on television at least...

: 'Cause the Bible Tells Them So! (5.00 / 1) (#54)
by Boraxo on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:18:59 PM EST

Women are supposed to be subservient to their men, it's in there between the parts about smiting and begetting.
Or maybe that's beheading, the translation is iffy...

: it also says to me they think she is (none / 0) (#75)
by hellothere on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:54:50 PM EST

the candidate they think they'll face in november.

Rudy wants to export lawsuits to China! (none / 0) (#4)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:45:50 PM EST

Yay! for us lawyers.

ha - did you see my line in the other thread? (none / 0) (#8)
by Judith on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:48:03 PM EST

Naw (none / 0) (#12)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:48:54 PM EST

What did you say?


: hahah - similar - (none / 0) (#17)
by Judith on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:50:54 PM EST

you are funny!

Peace dividend (none / 0) (#5)
by Stellaaa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:46:29 PM EST

Lets see the economy was good, we were at peace..that was bad?

McCain lobs a softball at Huck (none / 0) (#6)
by andgarden on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:47:26 PM EST

Never thought I'd hear about (none / 0) (#13)
by Teresa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:49:04 PM EST

Dr. Phil in a debate.


: heh (none / 0) (#15)
by andgarden on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:50:05 PM EST

Republican attacking Hillary means SHE is divisive (none / 0) (#9)
by GOPmurderedconscience on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:48:16 PM EST

So do not vote for her.

Got it?

: I like anyone Republicans hate. (none / 0) (#16)
by Teresa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:50:28 PM EST

It wouldn't make me feel too good about her or anyone running to get an endorsement from this crew.

1913 - I was there (none / 0) (#10)
by Judith on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:48:27 PM EST

Huckabee

Herr Huckster swings.... (none / 0) (#11)
by Stellaaa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:48:30 PM EST

McCain now is lost economics his weak point...

no more underground economy (none / 0) (#14)
by Judith on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:49:53 PM EST

so the GOP will stay home at night

: I'm surprised McCain used his question (none / 0) (#23)
by Teresa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:52:41 PM EST

on Huckabee. He is struggling and that makes him look credible. I guess he doesn't want Romney to have anymore TV time?

Yikes... (none / 0) (#19)
by Stellaaa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:51:37 PM EST

An Econ question for McCain....

Jack Kemp....I thought he was dead

12 million has moved offshore? (none / 0) (#20)
by Judith on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:51:41 PM EST

Is Mike Meyers writing his stuff or did I mishear?

McCain (none / 0) (#24)
by Judith on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:52:53 PM EST

I will hire people who know what they are talking about and I can list all of them because I have a good memory. I know a lot of people because I have been around a lllllooooonnng time/

: Maybe He Can Get Brownie n/t (5.00 / 1) (#38)
by MO Blue on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:04:10 PM EST

: stoppp (none / 0) (#25)
by Stellaaa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:54:47 PM EST

this is hillarious....

: I am posting too much (none / 0) (#28)
by Judith on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:55:36 PM EST

because this is very funny but I am being way too piggy so will say g'night to you all.
Thanks for the fun - the Part 1 thread is hilarious.

Which one (none / 0) (#26)
by Stellaaa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:55:34 PM EST

looks the meanest and why?

Mean Mitt Munster (none / 0) (#51)
by Boraxo on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:16:09 PM EST

He edges out Giuliani for the meanest looking. Rudy is starting to just look crotchety.

I'm having a good laugh hearing Mitt tell Republicans they don't pick candidates based on their religion. Yeah, that's why they spread rumors about Obama being Muslim, 'cause nobody cares.

Mitt reminds me of those animatronic robots at Disneyland's Hall of Presidents, 'cept the Disney robots have more personality.


That e-mail orginated with the (5.00 / 1) (#56)
by Teresa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:20:35 PM EST

Clinton campaign. I read it on Daily Kos. I have received it about five times from former co-worker nutty right wingers and people on Kos argued with me that I didn't. The accused me of lying. I thought I'd have to produce their names and addresses to satisfy them.


: Interesting! (5.00 / 1) (#57)
by Boraxo on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:24:06 PM EST

Didn't know that, thanks Teresa!

McCain touts Joe! (none / 0) (#32)
by andgarden on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:01:03 PM EST

That's not going to work for him. . .

Carbon hedge funds... (none / 0) (#34)
by Stellaaa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:01:45 PM EST

Yeah..free market can do it...Yippee McCain...

This debate is a snoozer. (none / 0) (#36)
by Teresa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:02:35 PM EST

The moderators aren't trying to stir things up very much either. Not so many gotcha questions.

: Someone finally notices (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:04:09 PM EST

Timmah and Airhead NEVEr do this in a Dem debate.
Tons of gotcha Bs.

: gotchas (5.00 / 1) (#40)
by diplomatic on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:05:50 PM EST

gotcha questions are only fun when you "get" a Democat. The media is always exponentially more polite to the Republicans in debates.

: McGeezer's Momma (none / 0) (#45)
by Boraxo on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:11:35 PM EST

The question to McCain about his mother was the closest to a gotcha, and even that was a favor. I haven't seen so many softballs pitched since the company picnic.

Maybe? Here in deep red (none / 0) (#39)
by Teresa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:04:43 PM EST

East Tennessee, the Thompson voters are going for Huckabee. I'm not sure who they'd lean to if Huck is out. Probably McCain by default because of the religion issue here.

Hard to say (none / 0) (#42)
by spit on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:08:37 PM EST

I don't necessarily mean that Huckabee will be out -- just that if you want to freak people out, even most on the right, start talking about a 30% sales tax, nuance be damned.

I think he might be trying to strip all those "but he's a nice, reasonable, charismatic guy!" voters from Huckabee.


: I agree. Here in my state though, (5.00 / 1) (#48)
by Teresa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:14:28 PM EST

we have no income tax and our sales tax is 9.5%. Can you imagine 30% on top of that. But any politician here who even mentions a state income tax coupled with lowering the sales tax gets absolutely destroyed. The most disgraced governor in recent times was a Republican who brought the issue up in his second term. The Republican Party still won't mention his name here.
I'll be surprised if Huckabee doesn't win here on Feb 5. Some people just don't get the regressive nature of a sales tax (here anyway).

Methinks Romney wins FL (none / 0) (#41)
by GOPmurderedconscience on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:07:48 PM EST

He will be the nominee because he has the money.

Bye Giuliani!!

: McCain wins Florida (none / 0) (#64)
by Boraxo on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:31:01 PM EST

The geezer state goes to the geezer candidate.

They are being polite because... (none / 0) (#43)
by Boraxo on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:09:21 PM EST

...any real attack would be an implicit acknowledgment that the one being attacked is the front runner.

Rudy 911iani and McGeezer are intent on taking a chunk out of Mitt Munster, Reverend Huckleberry is playing the gee whiz populism like a Bible salesman at a funeral - which, when you look at the Republican party these days, it is. RuPaul is a GOP version of Dennis Kucinich - makes more sense, has no chance, and being Republican, buys better suits.

Everybody knows it's really McCain versus Romney, except for 911iani who is clueless as ever.

Sorry to interrupt but this makes me mad!!!!!! (none / 0) (#44)
by athyrio on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:09:45 PM EST

Obama Campaign Forces CNN To Ban Carville and Begala From Appearing As Analysts Until Dem Primary Is Over!

My god noone will be left for Hillary

Disagree with you (5.00 / 1) (#49)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:15:50 PM EST

They should have been out from the beginning.


Explain to me... (none / 0) (#47)
by Boraxo on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:13:21 PM EST

...how Obama "forces" CNN to do anything. He asked, they caved. Don't blame Obama for having the balls to try, it's smart politics on his camp's part.


: what support he has (none / 0) (#50)
by athyrio on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:16:05 PM EST

if Obama cant win with all this corporate support than shame on him....

Now, all of their analysts are (none / 0) (#52)
by Teresa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:17:17 PM EST

Republicans anyway. Did they even have a Democrat on after the debate the other night?


Great question Tim. (none / 0) (#46)
by GOPmurderedconscience on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:11:41 PM EST

You crackpot!

Great line from the Huckster to Mitt (none / 0) (#55)
by GOPmurderedconscience on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:20:24 PM EST

English...!! (none / 0) (#59)
by Stellaaa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:25:41 PM EST

Ok, to be a US citizen you have to show English proficiency. There is an actual test. You cannot become a citizen without passing the test on government and language proficiency. Why is this BS discussed?

Maybe because (none / 0) (#62)
by Boraxo on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:28:41 PM EST

you can be born a US citizen and not speak English. Or maybe just because its fun (for the GOP) to bash immigrants - it's this year's version of gay marriage: a meaningless issue that riles up the base.


No one checks the law (none / 0) (#66)
by Stellaaa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:35:06 PM EST

: But if one coincidentally speaks (none / 0) (#69)
by oculus on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:38:27 PM EST

5 or 6 languages in addition to English, that's o.k. Its a free country.

Pander to the Cuban lobby! (none / 0) (#60)
by andgarden on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:25:47 PM EST

911ianai puts foot in mouth (none / 0) (#61)
by Boraxo on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:27:16 PM EST

Castro's is the longest running dictatorship?

Guess he never heard of North Korea. Or China. And what a ridiculouos answer to the wet foot dry foot policy anyway - you get to stay here if you come from the oldest dictatorship. But second oldest, sorry.

HA HA HA HA (none / 0) (#63)
by GOPmurderedconscience on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:28:52 PM EST

Republicans are funny!

What a snooze fest!

Rudy's not getting love from (none / 0) (#65)
by Teresa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:33:01 PM EST

Brian Williams tonight. First his favorability ratings and now the New York Times. They were brutal (the Times).

And now McCain stands up for Rudy.

Was that a good bye song to Giuliani? (none / 0) (#67)
by GOPmurderedconscience on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:35:22 PM EST

Coming from McCain?

Will McCain ask Guiliani to be his VP? (none / 0) (#68)
by oculus on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:36:46 PM EST

: that's what I was wondering (5.00 / 1) (#71)
by Jeralyn on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:41:22 PM EST

It was just a love fest when McCain started talking. When he asked for a personal moment, I thought he was going to ask to go to the bathroom. When he came out with that Rudy praise, I just started laughing and then asked myself, why?

: Yep (none / 0) (#73)
by chrisvee on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:42:58 PM EST

I think Rudy throws his support to McCain and gets the VP spot.

Post debate interview: Huckabee can't (none / 0) (#74)
by oculus on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:51:36 PM EST

afford a person to run up and wipe the sweat of his face and powder his nose.

Russert and Williams go easy on Republicans (none / 0) (#76)
by lily15 on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 11:46:15 PM EST

We need to take this opportunity to start damaging the credibility of these deceitful 10 million dollar men, Russert and Williams. This was a fake debate. Compare the Philly debate when they attacked Hillary mercilessly, as though they had a pre ordained agenda.
Then look at this debate where Mitt Romney is given more time to look good. Few follow up questions...nothing too tough...They all had prepared answers pretty much. It was so subdued it looked fixed.

Romney is the Bush guy...the one I think gets the nomination(he pays his own way and leaves the GOP money to defend their house and senate seats, plus he gives the GOP an issue on immigration). I even think they fix the election in Florida...after all, Jeb has connections. Poor McCain won't even know what hit him. He thinks he's winning. He'll soon learn that south carolina was not enough. After all, Rush is against him...and we all know who Rush represents.

But back to my main point. As Bob Somerby is always telling us at DailyHowler.com...the media and liberal pundits are setting Big Dems up to lose the Presidency...and these debates are one of the ways. We must fight back. Let's start accusing Russert and Williams of their crimes... going easy on Republicans to help them win elections. Let's compare the questions and follow up for the Dems with the Rethugs. Let's document the bias. The entire tone is different. Why? Russert promised to be just as tough on the frontrunner Rethugs as he was with Hillary. So was he? Romney is ahead in Florida.

: Golf date moment (none / 0) (#77)
by Stellaaa on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 11:53:38 PM EST

It felt like a bunch of guys after a golf game jibbing each other, "Such good fun" while the country is burning. It felt like a real Marie Antoinette moment. Let them eat cake.

Florida Drug Addiction (none / 0) (#78)
by nilsn on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 01:23:35 PM EST

I like your postings.

FloridaDrugAddiction