NB Chat: Arizona Debate
After several welcome weeks off from televised debates, the GOPers are tangling again tonight on CNN. If you're watching, please join us for a live chat.
As with all NB live events, you are expected to abide by the NewsBusters terms of service. Vulgarity and general obnoxiousness will get you kicked from the chat room. You will need a Flash-enabled browser to participate.
Update: The debate has ended and so has the chat. Please use this post as an open thread.
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Comments
Not watching
Submitted by Dave. on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 10:02pm.
I can't take it anymore, especially being that it's the Communist News Network hosting it.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
CNN just can't properly host
Submitted by ReaganRuled on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 12:10am.
CNN just can't properly host a debate to save their lives. What a snorefest! Once again, the highlights were everyone's crazy grandad, Ron Paul, whining in his high-pitched, rotating voice "well I just wish we weren't involved in all of these wars." And then, we were treated with such hot-button issues as "What will you do with No-Child Left Behind?" I mean .. REALLY??!! The Country is going to hell -- QUICKLY -- in a handbasket thanks to 0BowMao, we may not be able to right the economic ship, and the hot question to waste 10-15 minutes on was NCLB! Un-freaking-believable!
R- Debate (02/22/12) “The Official Grump-Analysis”
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 10:06am.
Source: “The Grumpy Center for Advanced Studies (GCAS)”
Official Motto of the GCAS:
“Putting another Band aid on top of the one you already have doesn’t much help ones ‘shaving coordination problem.’”
OVERVIEW: With the majestic golden hues of the western setting sun enchantingly casting its warm and comforting glow over the Arizona landscape and highlighting the promise of a better tomorrow came a debate that was so boring… it made one desirous of repeatedly watch the 1953 classic “The Robot Monster” just to generate some excitement.
THE MODERATORS/QUESTIONERS: This time, CNN chose John “Oh, how the ‘little people’ love me” King to moderate. Enough said!
A SPECIAL NOTE: At this point, there are only two things that keep these debates ‘fresh.’ The first is that Rick Santorum (who was relegated to a bit part in the earlier debates) is now getting a chance to present his ideas in a more intense forum and second, it is always interesting to see and hear what new ideas and potential solutions will come from Newt Gingrich… The rest is just a rehash of everything we’ve heard before.
Unfortunately, last nights debate was essentially a repetitive foray over ground that has been studied in prior debates.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Romney and Paul keep attacking Gingrich and Santorum while paying only selective lip service to the corruption and incompetence of the Obama administration… While Newt and Rick have to keep responding to the flack from the “Two-RINO’s” and barely get enough time to lay-out their vision’s for the future.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE: I was absolutely disgusted by the reactions of the audience when it came to both Santorum and Gingrich. It’s just a guess on my part, but I suspect the crowed was “pre-packed” with Romney and Paul supporters in a concerted effort to marginalize the only two competent candidates.
PARTICIPANT ANALYSIS: This time around, we’ll just make it simple and quick:
1. Rick Santorum – A fairly good and solid performance in a hostile crowd… Tried to keep to relevant issues… but the “Romney – Paul” attack machines are after him and he was forced to respond to non-issues that are completely irrelevant to the integrity of the country. It was just an OK night for Rick.
2. Newt Gingrich – Strangely muted and seemingly more reflective than in past debates. Got in a great dig at the media about the “vetting process for Obama vice what a Republican has to put-up with.”
3. Mitt Romney – “Olympic Hero” and all-around phony … Same old insincere performance and snide attack tactics as in other debates.
4. Ron Paul – I actually caught myself saying out loud, “Just shut up and go away” on several occasions… Maybe he can get a job as a ‘Party-Clown’ at an Institute for chronically depressed personalities.
- Grump :o)
Spot on Grump...
Submitted by vrwc13 on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 11:39am.
1. Rick Santorum – A fairly good and solid performance in a hostile crowd… Tried to keep to relevant issues… but the “Romney – Paul” attack machines are after him and he was forced to respond to non-issues that are completely irrelevant to the integrity of the country. It was just an OK night for Rick.
- hostile crowd is right. Paulbots as usual and paid Rmoney boo'ers, how unprofessional. Rmoney still trying to buy his way in (including what looks like bringing Ron Paul in cahoot$).
- and what a hoot! Rmoney missed Rick's biggest slam: Rick said he could still win against obamas money machine, JUST like he's done to Rmoney!
2. Newt Gingrich – Strangely muted and seemingly more reflective than in past debates. Got in a great dig at the media about the “vetting process for Obama vice what a Republican has to put-up with.”
- Newt was cool and collected, easy when you are not the prime target. Great credentials for Pres, too bad for all the baggage.
3. Mitt Romney – “Olympic Hero” and all-around phony … Same old insincere performance and snide attack tactics as in other debates.
- catch all his 'smirks' while looking at Rick as he responded, what a jerk. Second generation Rmoney finding out money can't always get you what you want.
4. Ron Paul – I actually caught myself saying out loud, “Just shut up and go away” on several occasions… Maybe he can get a job as a ‘Party-Clown’ at an Institute for chronically depressed personalities.
- normally I ignore even commenting on him, thus stating my opinion of him as a non-credible candidate. Can't win against obama if you can't get past 10% with your own party... time to get a clue and use all that money-bomb money for a good a cause.
- btw doc (obstetrician-gynecologist): the 'morning after' pill is not a contraceptive you fool, it's abortion!
Rmoney Paul 2012 the RINOtarian Party - if you can't get a party ticket from the majority middle, take one each from the extreme left and right!
v
Read more: http://newsbusters.org/comment/reply/53947/1645438#ixzz1nDd1AOvF
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
VRWC 13 – Good point about Ron Paul… (just ignore).
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 12:15pm.
I suppose I comment too much about that human distraction… but his mere presence has finally gotten to me to the point of disgust.
…Please allow one last observation: Ron Paul seldom comments on Obama or Romney. His ire is reserved for anyone who might disagree with him on the most minor of issues or call him on his exceptionally limited vision on the realities of the world. He spends more time criticizing his own party, Congress in general, and other politicians than he does promoting realistic solutions.
- Grump :o)
...Ron Paul, Hillary, and obama all have the same effect on me..
Submitted by vrwc13 on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 12:37pm.
...I have to tune them out, like you say a 'human distraction'
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
I agree with boh of you
Submitted by bkeyser on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 12:25pm.
Grump- excellent analysis. And I had the same thoughts on the crowd vr- they seemed to be exceptionally immature and booed at seemingly odd times. Most seemed to be directly at Santorum's statements of personal beliefs. Unfortunately, the debate will probably sway the polls against Santorum for Michigan, though Romney's hard line against the UAW (which I agree with, btw) could hurt him as much as the booing likely hurt Santorum.
Ron Paul is totally off the rails. "Ron, what would you do about the border?" "Well, first John, I'd stop these unconstitutional wars! Heh, heh." What a nutjob.
A personal conundrum…
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 1:27pm.
Next Tuesday is the vote here in AZ. Personally, I would be pleased to have either Newt (preferred choice) or Rick Santorum as President. I don’t trust Mitt in the least… but will vote for him if the nominee (God help us!).
While I would prefer voting for Newt – Fundamentally, I do not want Romney to win this state primary … it looks like Santorum is the one with the better chance against Mittens.
And YES… I do hate having to play political games with myself!!!
- Grump :o)
The Official Grump-Analysis!
Submitted by nanabanana on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 1:21pm.
Good to see you, Grumpy! Hope all is well with you. Love your comments. Didn't watch the debate myself, too painful. Keep on keeping on.
Thank you, Nana...
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 1:31pm.
There is the possibility that last night was the last debate... I hope not - there are still too many unanswered questions...
Best wishes to you!
- Grump :o)
Ron Paul's attacks don't carry much weight with conservatives...
Submitted by humanzee on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 3:02pm.
He has too much of a liberal following for conservatives to take seriously, this is why he doesn't seem to do better in more conservative states. He plays well to lefties who were protesting the Iraq war. He's seen as a big whale shark by the left. It looks like a shark but has tiny teeth. Ancient, passive animal with tons of space for the "progressive" lampreys to latch on. He tells other sharks to be more like him... feed on abundant plankton.
Paul has a left wing following and many in the left see him as an enabler for their "progressive" agenda because Paul promotes "turtling" for the right. Hide in a shell, people should live in ideological bubbles. If you give people their own ideological bubbles, they'll leave each other alone. It's all going to be utopian... like in Ancient Greece. Those city states never fought each other.... yeah right.
His "slice of pie" politics doesn't really satisfy the left but they feel that if hte message catches on with conservatives he can get them off their backs. Paul's idea of giving everyone their own slice of the pie will satisfy everyone is foolish. The "progressive" agenda is a global and aggressive one. Look at how Obama wishes to use American taxpayer cash to promote gay marriage abroad. Obama hasn't even fulfilled his social agenda completely in the US and he's already thinking about spreading it.
Paul likes to ignore human nature and how the world really works. Paul politics are for the emasculated sort. If you give in, they'll go away.
On another note, someone needs to tell Paul he's running as a "REPUBLICan." The whole confederation idea doesn't really mesh well with the party that has "Republic" in its name.
I loved the part where Ron Paul backpedaled on earmarks when he got called on it... by the way.
Anyhow, I think Paul's criticism of Santorum may because of his social circle. He's drawn in many liberals into his campaign and I bet they trash Santorum in front of him. Oh no... the bible thumper is so unhip. "This Ron Paul guy will let us smoke weed and let the cool gay people get married! Go Paul... you look 95 but you think like a 19 year old! Yay!"
I don't think Paul's attack carries much weight, in general. I'm surprised no one has laid into him with attacks.
He's like the crack dealer of the GOP. He may not use crack but he sells it. Crack being social liberalism, passive conservatism, appeasement, etc.
Ron Paul? We mostly just ignore him...
Submitted by vrwc13 on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 3:12pm.
"I'm surprised no one has laid into him with attacks."
National President
Gallup Tracking
- Santorum 34
- Romney 27
- Gingrich 15
Pennsylvania President
Franklin & Marshall
- Santorum 45
- Romney 16
- Gingrich 9
Georgia President
Rasmussen Reports
- Gingrich 33
- Santorum 28
- Romney 20
Michigan President
Detroit Free Press/WXYZ
- Santorum 37
- Romney 34
- Gingrich 7
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne