I finally got broadband, it just came available in my little area of the boonies of Maine.  So while most people might have been watching the Democratic debate, I was watching the Republican debate from October 21, 2007.

I don’t see a floundering Republican party as was being reported, each candidate had a message for better or worse, I don’t see a broken party, too bad people see it that way.  I also don’t see a candidate rising above all others,  so high that they will never be beaten, even from the second tier.  The money raising issue, I think you will see money pour into the RNC once a strong candidate emerges.  Too bad that money is the yard stick for measuring a candidates effectiveness as a campaigner,  starting at the bottom can be a fatal flaw, while more unknown but more capable leaders are passed over because they are less known.

Ron Paul is a bigger nut than I had thought from the reports.  He wants to close down the military and use the money for social programs, I know what I heard, don’t argue, you Ron Paul groupies.  He sounds more like a Democrat than most of the Democrats, this is a Libertarian?   He is a complete isolationist of the caliber I have never seen before.  Although once in the fray he does act like he has some  life, maybe more so than any other candidate.   His supporters are apparently very radical extremist groups, very active, like a guy in Iraq on a bike with a bomb strapped to him, a few of them make a lot of noise, fortunately nobody gets killed.  Not last night but on one of the debates he had a one on one with Huckabee and had him for breakfast, although I suppose that is a matter of style, once president your not doing much debating.  Huckabee had the stronger position but didn’t defend it very well.


Romney made a great point about Hillary not having management experience, even a candy store on the conner, I think he said grocery store.  She has absolutely no management experience.  I do agree with him that a Governor or Major or just a Billionaire businessman has more of the skills needed to run this country without an apprenticeship, a pretty good point I thought.  But his sights for the moment should be on the other Republican candidates, like the football team that looses to a lesser team because they have their eye on the next important game.  I could live with Romney, although he was less impressive than the reports and things I have read about him.  I go hot and cold on Romney, but will take him if he can win, would like to see him a little more Jefferson, actually that could be said for almost all the candidates.  I think that all the candidates don’t realize how important an issue this is for most Republicans and are playing to the larger audience for the general election, not so sure that is a great strategy.

Rudy looked better than I thought he would, but I just don’t like or trust him, down deep he  really isn’t a Republican and I don’t think he would be in office too long before it would become evident.  Unlike Ron Paul supporters, nobody defends him, so I am not sure where his base is, it doesn’t seem to be on Townhall.com.  He is one of only two candidates that I really don’t want to see get elected.

I also saw yesterday as much Huckabee and Hunter material as I could find other than the debate, knowing less about them.  I found good interviews and speeches from both.  I like both of them.  I might favor Huckabee for his management skills and strong religious beliefs, I am usually not a big fan of people who wear their religion on their sleeve, but he comes across as sincere.    I do like Hunter for his great stand on illegal aliens(and he isn’t afraid to call them aliens) and actually has a plan to protect our borders, both north and south.  Which means he isn’t part of the Illegal Alien profit machine, which is a good thing.  I also like his ideas on trade and it is in our National Security interest to bring back the companies that build the things we use to protect our country and be as protectionism as countries with whom we do  business.  This  has issue has raging since Japanese Protectionism(actually almost from the start of our country)  came of age in the 70’s which still exists but add  China to that list.  How stupid are we to let this happen, just so some wall street billionaires can make more money.  I am not a conspiracy kind of guy but this just might be one.  I am all for capitalism but not when it threatens our National Security.    In the end all these social issues are miniscule if all of a sudden Chinese/Isalamic/Russian becomes our national language.  Hunter seems to be a two issue guy, never a word about National Defense as such but borders are sure a National Defense issue indirectly or domestic issues.  Need to learn more about Hunter, but so far I like him.

Thompson looked ever so slightly better than the reports, but still asleep at the wheel, constantly referred to notes and stumbled through answers, I don’t want this man as my President, and I once thought I did.  He was asked a question and gave an answer to another question, Chris Wallace gave him another 30 seconds to answer the real question, not sure if he ever really answered it.  

I need to catch up on Tancredo.  They gave him very little time during the debate.  I did find a good speech and I haven’t found anything I don’t like about him yet.  He looks and speaks very presidential, that is important.  Will have to see more of this guy. 

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In the interest of fairness I watched the Democratic Debate that I could find, the one last night was available yet .  This was from 6-03-07

Although I must admit I didn't watch the whole thing the way I did the Republican Debate, it got a bit repetitive. 

I do think the Dems don’t realize at the moment they are in a fight to separate  themselves  from the Democratic field, not fight George Bush, Bush isn’t even running. 

A couple of quick observations.  Oboma is a bright and articulate young man, a little misguided but nobody is perfect.  All but one of them refuses to see the war in Iraq as their war as George Bush’s.  I am not understand this strategy, and why everyone is playing the blame GWB.  Half of the people on the stage had as much intelligence data available to them as GWB did and they voted accordingly.

I thought the most comical part of the night was when Hillary, said she was voting to continue inspections not for a military action.  I heard her speech, Hannity played it, she clearly says inspections didn’t work it is time to take action.  This woman is a super snake among snakes, makes her the Queen Snake.

That is pretty much all I got out of the debate, but in fairness I don’t see my self voting in the Democratic Primary or for one of them in the general election so I had less interest than in the Republican Debate.