Wednesday, January 30, 2008
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Final Thoughts
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Posted by:
Mary Katharine Ham at
10:13 PM
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Listen, I complained a lot about McCain tonight, and didn't mean to jump on the super-anti-McCain bandwagon. I have serious problems with him, but I'm more inclined to support him than probably a lot of conservative bloggers are, since I can see accepting his expertise on the war and his ability to beat Hillary or Obama as a trade-off given the alternative. Maybe. But such is the magic of John McCain that it's as if he went into the debate looking to tick people off.
But whatever. He was strong on the war, as usual. He's fair in taking Romney to task for not taking a position on the surge sooner, but he's not fair in using the "timetables" quote against him, and that little bit of overreach dominated the conversation. Instead of asserting his own expertise and the fact that he was right three years ago, McCain went for a defense of an obviously wrong attack on Romney, thus weakening the very strong argument for himself. Silly and unnecessarily antagonistic. "Weak sauce," as the kids say.
Anyway, my review of his performance is likely colored, but he looked strong and maybe a bit on the combative side. But feisty works for him lots of the time. What do you guys think? He wasn't as funny as he usually is. A little good humor helps him look less acidic, usually.
Romney, I thought, was very good but still not electric enough to electrify people. He should have laid into Johnny Mac pretty hard a few good times and he would have had the base-conservative masses at his feet. He looked very sharp tonight, sounded very good on economic issues-- entitlements and the follies of "cap-and-trade" particularly. But still, missing a bit of something.
I thought his answer on Peggy Noonan's assertion that Bush ruined the party hit all the right notes and was more far-reaching and-- dare I say, Huckabeean, than usual-- in its ability to praise Bush in the right spots while taking the government to task where necessary.
I would have liked to hear more bare-bones fiscal conservatism on the mortgage crisis and the economic stimulus plan. Reagan would have been proud of that. Cheers to Mitt and Paul for actually answering the question about Sandra Day O'Connor while at the Reagan Library.
For the most part, I think we're in the same spot we were before. No huge defining moment for Mitt, though he did well, and McCain will be wrestling the same problems with conservatives tomorrow, but with the momentum wind at his back.
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I understand the respect everyone seems to have for McCain and his courageous stint as a Vietnam POW. What I don't understand is the connection people make between being a POW and having some sort of expertise in bringing the Iraq war to a favorable close. It seems to me that the Generals on the ground would be the real experts. I would prefer someone with proven delagatory success and it seems that that would be Mitt. |
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Conservative credentials aside, the debate proved that Mitt Romney is head and shoulders above McCain in his command of social and economic issues. Lying about his record does not change that. The man has his stuff together.
While the assumption is that McCain has more foreign policy experience, he has not said anything more insightful than Romney.
McCain is a terrible debater. He is not even likeable while Romney is honest, matter of fact and presidential. There is NO WAY McCain is more electable than Romney. Not once the media abandon him, as they will. It will be easy to paint McCain as yesterday´s man and a bellicose old fool. You know, "Great old guy, but president? Come on?"
And don´t tell me VP Huckabee is an enticing prospect to anybody. If anyone derserves the label flip-flopper it´s Huckabee.
I can support McCain if I have to, but Romney, Thompson and Giuliani would all have made better presidents.
I am shocked at the low content of most comments here. I guess it figures that people who never read anything but blog headlines will throw the most able candidates over board. |
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McCain most likely is going to be the nominee..
What most republicans fail to understand is the the VAST MAJORITY of Americans want the so called WAR in Iraq to end for most of the troops to come home and end the massive waste of tax dollars being sucked into the black hole of Iraq..
The surge is working?? Yeah if you consider paying protection money to 80,000 Sunni's who belong to the "Awakening council" in monthly checks a success..
I don't... and when the majority of Americans find out thats whats been happening.. the so called success of the surge will be seen for what it really is.. Paying extortion money to former terrorists and insurgents..
Endless war McCain will lose the election on this issue alone.. much less all the other points on which he can be attacked.. |
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Romney is not a true conservative as he has flipped flopped over issues to fit the campaign that he runs. I like him but he cannot beat Hillary. McCain does vote conservatively 80% of the time & that's why I like about him. He's not a puppet, he actually thinks for himself. Radio talk show host, such as Limbaugh, are as ridiculous as the utra liberal media. |
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"FOOT SOLDIER" McCain is a disaster! MITT CLEARLY WON THE DEBATE & IS THE "TRUE" CONSERVATIVE ON THE BALLOT! Romney conducted himself in a presidential way & answered all the questions thoroughly.
One of the first “?'s” was on housing & McCain counldn't answer it, he had no plan of action. ROMNEY HAD A SPECIFIC ANSWER & PLAN.
When the "FOOT SOLDIER" was asked if he would sign his own AMNESTY BILL he REFUSED to answer the "?". WHICH MEANS HE WOULD SIGN IT!
The most important "?" of the evening was about how the "FOOT SOLDIER" smeared Mitt Romney w/ disingenuous robocalls and deceitful accusations on a so called "timeline" of retreat that Romney clearly did not state. All to mislead voters in Florida. ROMNEY CALLED McCAIN ON HIS DECEPTIVE LIE & ROMNEY LOOKED PRESIDENTIAL...McCAIN LOOKED LIKE A 1st CLASS JERK! McCAIN OBVIOUSLY LIED & couldn't weasle his way out of it!
By the way, THE CROWD ROARD in support of ROMNEY.
McCain is an UNTRUSTWORTHY UNRELIABLE "FOOT SOLDIER" REPUBLICAN TRAITOR who would disappoint Ronald Reagan with his liberal record and liberal goals for our country. He's a pseudo-Republican...as the old saying goes "a wolf hiding in sheep’s clothing"...McCain's "a liberal hiding in the conservative party"
GO MITT ROMNEY! CONSERVATIVES DONT' SELL OUT. FIGHT FOR OUR PARTY - VOTE MITT ROMNEY!
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who should never be allowed to moderate anymore "debates". Chris Matthews, Chris Wallace, and now, Anderson Cooper. That was the worst one yet. Bring back Kathryn Washburne. She won't tolerate the nonsense that went on last night that Cooper not only allowed, but encouraged. |
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Mitt's presidential; John ain't. But, then, thinking of Bubba from day one, being presidential doesn't seem to be a qualification for being president. |
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McCain was juvenile, as in so's your old man. YOUR hometown papers BOTH supported me, and I can tell you, my friend [full-of-himself smirk], that MY hometown paper will be supporting me.
His arrogance is toe curling. |
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Mitt will sweep it up on Tuesday.
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To the thought that it is more important to win than have sound conservative principles.People are now starting to rationalize their reasons to support McCain rather than being objective about it. McCain has embraced the Rove doctrine that says the GOP needs X percent of the latino vote to win a presidential election so you therefore throw your party under the bus to win. Well guess what. That plan didn't work last summer and now Rove is retired because it backfired so bad.Unfortunately, we may not have 41 rock solid senators to block the idiocy next time around and we'll have 15 million psuedo citizens bilking the social welfare system to the tune of trillions. I don't know how anybody can trade this for electibility. |
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I consider myself a conservative Republican and I'm voting for John McCain. All this negative campaigning against him by the so-called Republican establishment has had the opposite effect. All the unfair and negative talk against him by some high profile political pundits is a turnoff. I think that the average American (Republican or not) care little about the issues that some members/nitpickers in the party are criticizing McCain about (McCain-Feingold, etc). Personally, I'm looking for someone that can win the national election - and one who closely reflects my values. I also want someone who I can trust - who seems authentic, not someone who appears 'factory made' or a slick politician like Romney. And while I may not agree on every issue with McCain, he seems more accessible and authentic, someone like the 'common man' and who's for the common man. Ultimately, I believe the person who will win the next presidential election will be someone who looks and/or thinks like the 'average' American voter - very likely a middle class, aging baby boomer or older, and fed up with the status quo. I believe Mc Cain will attract such voters. While there will always be those who can't tolerate a McCain nomination, there's a sizable segment in the party - though not the loudest, vitriolic or most visible - that will vote for him. Time to stop ignoring them. |
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"Cheers to Mitt and Paul for actually answering the question about Sandra Day O'Connor while at the Reagan Library."
Yeah! Someone said something nice about Paul on this site!!! |
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let's face it whoverver the nominee is won't be the winner he'll just be the last resort. It's going to take a true conservative that can take Hillary on face to face in a debate on the issues without cracking jokes or getting off subject or winking and smiling warmly at her ( as old friends do). A man that knows the issues and has workable solutions and carefully thought out plans.A man that can keep the security of our country in disscussion without waving a flag,but by knowing the factions we face and willing to meet them head on. A conservative because we are on a single track and that is smaller government and security,faith,federalism,and prosperity.Every other issue is common sense and intelligent problem solving.A man that's not afraid to stand up and be the only one to disagree even if it's not popular.Hands Down that man is Fred Thompson. When we are all sitting in our living rooms biting our nails as we wait for the votes to be counted and reported are you confident the winner will be one of the men in that debate we just watched? |
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McCain pays Joe by the number of posts. |
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What Mitt deserves is some serious gratitude! Here's a real hero in my book! How sad I feel for those in our party that are willing to throw this opportunity for a really great thing away! Of course, Mitt would make alot of changes in Washington - including cleaning the house - that's what we need, and why all of the government establishment has endorsed Mclame! WAKE UP! |
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McCain is still not a conservative, he's got little man syndrome and he's still determined to legalize all of Mexico. I like the way he defends the country, but as he describes himself, he is a foot soldier, not a general, not an executive, not a great mind, and clearly not presidential. He will get creamed in the general. At least Ford was tall and looked the part.
Romney is by far the superior intellect and a decent man. Easy to see why good men don't get into politics. For all you Mitt haters who demand respect for McCain, what about a little respect for a man committed enough to this country to run hard, against the establishment, because he believes its the right thing to do, even to the tune of millions of his own hard earned dollars.
Maybe Mitt will never loved and accepted by the MSM and the liberal republican establishment. Neither liked Reagan either.
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I am at a loss for why more Americans aren't singing his praise. It is SO obvious that career politicians are the problem, not the solution. He is not only a breath of fresh air, he REALLY knows how to fix our economic problems and is a true leader. I don't know what the rest of you are looking for, he has it. I spent 3 months in Washington DC as an intern when I was in college and all I took away from it was 20lbs (realizing I made a huge mistake in majors, so I ate too many chocolate chip cookies) and gratefulness to go back to school and not be around a bunch of LOOSERS who had more personal issues than would keep most psychologists busy 24/7. The sad thing is, I'm not exaggerating. God Bless Mitt Romney for who he is, nothing but a genuine, honest, talented, hardworking businessman who can greatly help our country. |
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Yeah, yeah, believe me I know that these aren't Reagan's times and all that's been said about looking for a man for the times. And I also have come to understand that we're lucky to see one great leader a generation.
But as much as all the conservative chattering classes have staked their hopes on Romney, and even while I was inclined to like him tonight, I was struck by just how completely he knew all the words to Reagan's tunes, but he doesn''t even begin to understand the music.
What else struck me though, is that McCain and Romney seem to hate each other nearly as much as Hillary and Obama do; but as Obama is for Hillary, if McCain goes on to get the nomination, Romney sure seems the most senseable choice as his running mate.
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Isn't that JOE?
the standard LIBERAL Democrat?
who is offering spam for McCain?
because Democrats want McCain? |
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But you see, the unethical nature of the Clintons is part of the problem, mimicked by the Democrat Party since the 90s.
Sure lies are historic in politics, but there is NOTHING I can do, to get behind this smearing McCain.
We are talking about a Senator of 24 years, whose only accomplishment was limiting political expression in a mindless Campaign Reform.
McCain has run on demeaning Sec. Rumsfeld, and now is SMEARING a proven CEO from the Private Sector, snubbing 'managers' in the Free Market?
Credibility is hard to earn, but backing this garbage, a Senator who has been dishonest about his vote against TAX CUTS, is like a Democrat endorsing the Clintons, knowing how dishonest they are...
A Senator in the Beltway for DECADES, running for the Presidency, who cannot answer a question on Economics?
John McCain is a leader of the Lowest Approval Rated Congress in History.
In the General, look forward to a DNC victory... |
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I'll agree with you, but for a different reason. I doubt if most Americans today have a deep enough grasp of American history and an understanding of the Constitution to understand Dr. Paul. Not only was he correct, but I like how he refused to be part of the obsequiesness the other candidates shown when Reagan's name was mentioned. The bootlicking probably would have disgusted Reagan. |
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The Stupid Party
The RNC wants an amnesty candidate.
Don't vote for one.
Another amnesty will result in Democrat majorities for decades, or until they are supplanted by the La Raza Party, why doesn't the RNC know that? How stupid do you have to be to import voters for the opposition at the same time you alienate your own voters? Nominating any of the amnesty supporters is a losing proposition, we will not support them. If the GOP intends to surrender our sovereignty and abandon the rule of law, they will find in November 2008, that they still have their big money/cheap labor donors, but they do not have voters. GOP-RIP
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In a major boost for John McCain, Republican presidential rival Mitt Romney signaled Wednesday he's not ready to commit to a costly campaign in the states holding primaries and caucuses next week.
Several officials said that on the heels of a defeat in Tuesday's Florida primary, Romney's campaign was not attempting to purchase television advertising time in any of the states on the Super Tuesday calendar.
Instead, the former Massachusetts governor's current plans call for campaigning in California and other primary states, said the officials, who had knowledge of the internal discussions. There would be organizational efforts primarily for caucus states.
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Look, what are people waiting for when it comes to Mitt Romney? Is it just me because John McCain is tired, old, and totally boring in his delivery? Let's get real here folks....Everyone is endorsing McCain because they want a democrat to beat a democrat! If ya can't beat em' join em'...What a nightmare! McCains answer to the economy was the war on terror and his service in the military. He doesn't have a clue about the economy! The lines have blurred folks and when the smoke clears it seems as though McClinton will be our nominee. |
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Cut-and-paste is in poor taste. Comment on what Ms. Ham wrote, or don't comment at all, please. |
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While Ron Paul did not get to do a lot of elaboration on why he would not have nominated Sandra Day O'Connor, his explanation that she was not a Constitutionalist summed it up very well. I don't know how that could have been topped (indeed, only Mitt Romney came close), and given Paul's tendency to go off the cliff, I'm glad that he didn't get to attempt to top it. |
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Mitt (rightly) pointed out in the debate tonight that entitlements make up 60% of our federal budget and are expected to grow to 70% with baby boomers aging.
Fair enough.
So why did Mitt attack John McCain two days ago in Florida over John McCain's no vote on expanding Medicare entitlements? McCain took the conservative position (less government) and Mitt attacked him for it. Could it be becuase Mitt was trying to hurt McCain's standing with seniors in Florida? This is no different than Mitt promissing lots of goodies for Michigan to woo votes, it is blatant pandering by Romney.
Mitt was completely disingenuous on this matter. This is not just flip flopping, this is a flat out lie. |
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Maybe with a complicit media, but in Florida, Mitt walked right into it by demanding an apology and getting all ticked off.
Romney was cruising along on the economy, then WHACK!
Romney's problem tonight was that he's still, obviously TICKED OFF about it. I expect a little temper from McCain every now and again, but not Mitt. Still, McCain is WAY more credible, courageous, and believable on the Iraq issue. "Commander in Chief" is a title that fits McCain more than Romney.
Huckabee looked great, thanks in part to the Mac-Romney tit-for-tat. I can't see any Huck people switching for tonight's version of Romney.
Mitt could have talked "fiscal policy", but he really should find a way to have this relate to ordinary people. Huck is correct here. Probably, Mitt's policies would HELP people in all levels of the economy -- but Mitt fails to make the case with everyday voters, the way Huck does.
I think Mitt's problem is that he's been too prone to pandering, a little bit phony, and not really believable as the "True Conservative" in the race. |
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Other than some verbiage (which I chalk up to your journalist training versus my inability to string more than 5 words together), and my visceral reaction to McCain, you pretty much summed it up.
If only I could attend CPAC to be a fly on the wall when McCain shows up, but I previously committed to the Defending the American Dream - Wisconsin summit that Saturday. |
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MKH Said, "I have serious problems with him, but I'm more inclined to support him . . . since I can see accepting his expertise on the war and his ability to beat Hillary or Obama as a trade-off given the alternative."
Me, too. Better Purgatory than Hell.
Better a squishy, all-over-the-map Republican than the Madame Ceausescu of the left wing, or the Stealth Candidate running on glittering generalities, whose only claim to support is being black.
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and tired. Furthermore, I've thought about the retread phrases he used throughout most of the debate tonight and couldn't imagine that they could ever be successful in a debate between himself and Hillary or himself and Obama.
George Will was correct when he called McCain a Clinton impersonator. He was speaking in terms of the dishonest campaign tactic McCain used in the closing days in Florida, but its also true in the sense that McCain's rationale for running for President is that it is his turn, he's entitled. It's self-evident in every smug answer he gives. His answer to the question about whether he has the leadership abilities to be President is: I do because I can lead, because I led a squadron 40 years ago (for patriotism not profit), and because I've been at the center of every major national security crisit for the last 25 years.
That last one Senator McCain never explains. Some would argue that receiving intelligence briefings on security crises, grilling Executive Branch officials in committee hearings, and voting on bills is not really being at the center. It's not like being in the White House or over at DoD having to make the difficult decisions about troop deployments, going to war, or how to respond say in the myriad of uncontrollable foreign emergencies crop up.
It's just not a credible answer. It's time we explored is assertions.
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"Cheers to Mitt and Paul for actually answering the question about Sandra Day O'Connor while at the Reagan Library."
Paul didn't get to elaborate with his answer, being rudely cut off by that jerk Anderson Cooper. I agree with Paul. I thought O'Conner wasn't a good choice either. |
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Wow, McCain is not presidential. He's racking up actors and NY Times endorsements, but his only credentials are talking about 30 years ago when he was first elected. Then came his affair, Keating 5, voting against tax cuts, supporting research on embryonic stem cells and writing the AMNESTY bill. He has fought for liberal Democrats on most of the important issues.
He is not even close to presidential. He's not a smart man, and as a conservative Republican myself, I am ashamed McCain is being considered. This man is beloved by liberals for good reason.
I am calling on social and economic conservatives, conservatives who oppose amnesty, who want a vigorous, intelligent and strong president, to support Mitt Romney. A vote for anyone else is a vote for McCain AMNESTY. |
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