Search This Blog

Monday, January 16, 2012

The Latest GOP Debate in South Carolina

Well, we had another GOP presidential debate tonight, this time in South Carolina. Each candidate got more time to talk since Jon Huntsman threw in the towel this morning; we are now down to five, best described as Mitt Romney and the others. To me, the most interesting thing about this debate was the clear superiority of the moderators over those of NBC and ABC in the last two outings. Questions covered new ground, not just the same warmed over stuff previously discussed. For example, in foreign affairs, questions covered Syria and Turkey for the first time.

Among the candidates, the results were not unexpected. Newt Gingrich had the most applause lines and he should pick up support in the primary as a result. Mitt Romney, however, did fine. He was playing defense for much of the early part of the debate, but in that role he was more than adequate. Rick Santorum also did well, although he was outshone by Gingrich. Perry seemed lackluster to me; it is almost as though he knows he is soon to be out of the race and is just going through the motions. That leaves Ron Paul. I am sure I will get nasty comments for saying this, but Congressman Paul once again revealed just how far out of the mainstream he is with regard to both foreign and domestic affairs. A position does not become less nutty just because Ron Paul says it is required by the Constitution (which is usually not the case anyway.)

After tonight, Romney should still be ahead in South Carolina.

1 comment:

fastcarken said...

Vetting the front runners is important at this stage.
Whomever receives the nomination must be able to answer & counter the lies that will be thrown by the democratic machine.
Romney, Gingrich & Santorum all need to clearly answer the attacks that have been thrown at them by the Super Pacs.
The candidates must want the responsibilty of President a whole bunch. I know I would not want to endure what they will have to to win!!!