Last Night’s Debate
Written by Sam on September 6th, 2007I watched last night’s debate and didn’t really feel that I walked away with anything more than I have from the previous ones. I think Huckabee did well again as he has in the past. I was totally unmoved by Mitt Romney, even more so that usual. There is just something about him that seems fake to me. Surprisingly, I was impressed with McCain last night. I think he presented himself very well and in my opinion, won the debate.
I would have liked to have stayed up to see Thompson on Leno, but I get up too early for work in the morning.
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I agree with the whole of your synopsis, although I thought Huckabee could have been a little more assertive when the debate moved to social issues.
McCain definitely won the debate, and I would venture to say Huckabee followed in second. Giuliani and Romney did horrible. This was the first debate in which Giuliani didn’t get to talk much, but when he did it hurt him. Romney was really beaten up by the questions, which many were directly targeted at him.
Frank Luntz and the group of folks he tested had about the same conclusion.
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Most intresting: Huckabee and Giuliani, who are as different as any of the 2 candidates (except maybe that they both support smoking bans), both praised McCain.
Guiliani went as far as to say that he would be supportting McCain for president if he was not running himself.
Huckabee implied that McCain is the best qualified to state what is the best course of action to take in Iraq.
And FDT supported McCain until his wife/ego got in the way. On Leno, when asked about the other candidates, FDT only mentioned McCain and how they will continue to be good friends (and jokingly added) unless McCain beats him.
I thought FDT bashed the NH debate one too many times. FDT might be right but I think this “different campaign” schtick will get old soon.
Especially since as pointed out on NRO FDT’s announcement: combination of Late Night Show Appearance with ad posted online was a direct copy from McCain and Clinton, respectively.
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I would’ve liked to see that debate go on another hour. Besides that, I thought it was useful. Even the non-candidates had something to offer.
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It seems like Giuliani, McCain, and Huckabee are protecting each other and taking very few shots at each other. Maybe McCain and Huckabee are seeing ahead to the point where they get out and get behind Giuliani.
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I thought the Ron Paul - Mike Huckabee exchange on continuation of the troop surge in Iraq was interesting — and a good frame of the two sides of the question.