Final GOP Debate Before Voting

[vicious796]

Another FOX debate that can be watched:

http://constitutionclub.org/2011/12/15/fox-news-iowa-republican-presidential-debate-12-15-11-full-complete-video/

As always, I will have a second post of my thoughts as they happen. I know it's another bore but, you know, it's news.

[vicious796]

1.) Newt's electability is called into question from the start and he deflects it with a "surprise" Reagan reference.
2.) Newt's conservative-ity is called into question. He simply shows his record.
3.) Newt's discipline is called into question. He simply shows his record.
4.) Dr. Paul is second questioned. He states "probably anybody up here can beat Obama" and that "he is beating himself".
5.) Fox has introduced a simple "beep" to tell people their time is up. So far, ineffective.
6.) Perry on his own statement that he's not a good debater: "Through all these debates I'm starting to like them. I hope I get to debate Obama, I'll show up early! We'll get it on!" and then goes on to reference God damn Tim Tebow.
7.) Huntsman hits hard with term limits, the lobbyist swinging door, and banks that are too big.
8.) Newt flat calls Bachmann a liar.
9.) Perry goes big with his "part time congress". "Cut their pay in half, cut their time in Washington in half, send them home, make them get a real job".
10.) Huntsman nails China with his shared values like "proper freedom of the internet in today's society".
11.) Romney swings and hits with "Our President seems to think this nation is in decline... it is if he's President, it's not if I'm President. This is going to be an American century."
12.) Newt slams the Judicial system. I mean slams.
13.) On Iran, Dr. Paul states: "You know what I really fear here is that it's another Iraq coming."
14.) God, Fox is really, really trying to label Paul as leftist on foreign policy.
15.) Paul bitch slaps Bachmann with history.
16.) The questioners are starting to get testy about time.


The rest is rather drab. Really, if you are watching it, you're seeing nothing new after Paul and Bachmann's spat.

[AceHigh]

15.) Paul bitch slaps Bachmann with history.

I guess that is why Ron Paul is the only likeable US politician for me at the moment, we both use that method in discussions.

[Burkingam]

Oh god! Seriously stop debating and vote already. They are all idiots anyway.

[jaybug]

How many on the left are watching these, just for drinking game purposes? Otherwise, are they getting that great of ratings?

This whole thing is making me glad we don't get to vote until May. That way I don't have to sort through a 1/2 dozen, but can choose from maybe two. That is if I re-register as a Republican.

[Semnae]

How many on the left are watching these, just for drinking game purposes? Otherwise, are they getting that great of ratings?

I'm on the left and I watch them because I believe in keeping an open mind. Also, people that cross parties to vote in each others primaries ensures that candidates are less extreme. The last thing the country needs right now is another extremist president.

Btw, the site vicious posted keeps having trouble. Here's a different link to the full debate.

1. Seriously? If Ron Paul thinks anybody up there could beat Obama, he has no idea what he'll be in store for if he gets to the general election. Talk about naive.

2. Santorum still thinks his campaign will "catch fire" in Iowa. Lol. Crash and burn maybe.

3. Bachmann completely dodges a question about how she intends to get the vote of moderate voters. I think we all know the answer.

4. The first time Perry speaks he is laughed at. He wasn't making a joke.

5. Huntsman is still trying to convince everybody that he's a conservative. Only an idiot would believe him.

6. Perry... "Going to fail on his face".

7. Gingrich is getting slapped around by Paul and Bachmann because of his relationship to Freddie Mac. Gingrich calls Bachmann a liar, and Bachmann cites the fact checking service Politifact. Gingrich is really struggling here.

8. Perry implies the Austin American Station often gets their facts wrong.

9. Perry wants a piece of Gingrich too. He redirects the debate back toward Gingrich's relationship with Freddie Mac.

10. Perry wants to cut the amount of time Congress spends in session by half. Really?!? Does he think they get too much accomplished or something?

11. Gingrich wants to alter checks and balances by allowing Congress to be able to impeach and subpoena judges for controversial decisions. This is the most dangerous and stupid thing I've heard him say so far. Tyranny by majority here we come.

12. Bachmann agrees with Gingrich. Supports getting rid of liberal leaning court circuits. Says she would only appoint judges that believe in her interpretation of the constitution.  ::facepalms::

13. Finally, Ron Paul comes in as the voice of sanity. Romney agrees with Paul.

14. Perry wants to get rid of life time terms for the federal judiciary. Interesting idea, but I still don't really like it. It still lends itself to tyranny by majority.

15. Gingrich calls Scalia the "most intellectual" of the Supreme Court. Lol. Conservative bias much?

16. Fox News tries to paint Ron Paul as a leftist on foreign policy with Iran. He defended his stance very well.

17. Santorum wants to wage war in Iran.

18. Bachmann attacks Ron Paul, saying Iran will nuke Israel if allowed access to a nuke. Again, Paul defends his stance very well. Ron Paul calls Bachmann a liar. Major fight ensues between those two. Ron Paul wins.

19. Gingrich makes a really good case for the oil pipeline.

20. Romney is painted as a flip flopper on gay marriage.

21. Gingrich again calls Bachmann a liar when challenged on his stance on abortion.

22. The questioner is interrupted by someone in the audience trying to ask his own question. They ignore him and keep going.

[vicious796]

I don't think it's a stretch to call Scalia the most intellectual of the bunch. I mean, he's the longest standing judge on the court... if the man hasn't studied a ton of law over the past 30 years I don't know if anyone has. I don't know that he's the most conservative of them, either.

[SeventyX7]

Anyone who calls for term limits on Article 3 federal judges obviously doesn't understand anything about the judicial branch of government.  These are people who were MEANT to be shielded from public opinion so they can judge based solely on their interpretation of the constitution.  If they have term limits, stare decisis will just go out the window and the code of law will change too rapidly to have any meaning.

Plus, if it isn't a life-time term, it loses the only incentive to take the job : job security.  By the time you're qualified to become a federal judge, you already make much more money than the salary a federal judge pulls in.