Repub and Dem debates........
 

Hi all,

Just finished watching the repub dabate in full. I also watched the dem debate in full.

I am a staunch democrat.......However, I must say this......

None of the candidates from either party, were more impressive and quick on their feet, or seemed more at ease with making decisions, and being able to lead in general, than Rudy Giuliani....hands down (3 marriages aside).

Thompson was also impressive (but I think more in terms of a high cabinet post)

thoughts?

SvK

I watched most of both debates.

I'd agree that Guliani seemed quick on his feet and at ease with making decisions. He seems to know what he believes, and pretty much just says it, without being as consciously concerned about "saying the right thing" or "not saying the wrong thing" as most of the others. He also has a talent for debates.

I'd be surprised if he could get the Repub nomination, though.

RoninLB here in N Carolina..........



Rudy can be difficult to figure in advance what act he's about to pull.

under different conditions i don't think the Rep base would support him.. but he already promised the base that he'd nominate strict constructionists to the Supreme Court.

that said the base thinks they're making headway with the abortion issue and need another strict constructionists on the S Court.

If he would say he is wrong about the 2nd amendment, and that he supports removing most gun controls, he will go far with the republican base. Abortion isn't the only "problem" he has.

Chris Matthews was annoying in his choice of questions, did not see the Dem debates, not televised in my area, guess they figure they already got Cali, so why bother.

Yeah--Matthews can be a jerk sometimes. Not sure he's the right type for a debate. Too busy pushing himself and trying to convince everybody he is not a Democrat (he is).

The one about "would you be happy with Bill Clinton in the White House again?" Another cheap mediot shot at Hillary--and in a debate--no less. Hillary aside--Bill could get reelected in a minute if he could run--girls and all.
Gore is the guy that needs to run again. He has an issue in Global Warming. He's a lousy campaigner, but everybody knows that by now. Guiliani gets a free ride from the media, but it's tough to see him getting the nomination. He's better off being a Democrat or Independent. McCain, too, who has lost his Independent streak trying to get the Republican nomination.

Both parties have allowed themselves to be dominated by minority groups which makes it difficult for centrist candidates to get nominated. That's why a serious independent candidate with financial backing could win a Presidential election these days. Colin Powell, anyone?

Republican debaters (with few exceptions) get the same Xeroxed "talking points" and are told to stay with the script or else. Democrats get the party "talking points" and put them in their pocket. Lights go off in both rooms. Dead silence in the Republican debate, since the debaters cannot read in the dark and do not know what to say. In the Democratic room the sound of "discord" as the debaters beat each other over the head with the rolled up taliking points.