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Highlights from the first GOP debate
Last night’s Republican debate wasn’t groundbreaking. But then again, it’s way too early to make up one’s mind about who to support. In last night’s debate, Tim Pawlenty came into it as the front-runner and gave a decent (if safe) performance. Rick Santorum seemed a little unprepared, but did manage to sum up — in 60 seconds — what is right and wrong with Obama’s foreign policy:
“If you look at what President Obama has done right in foreign policy, it has always been a continuation of the Bush policies,” Santorum said. “He’s done right by keeping Guantanamo open. He’s done right by finishing the job in Iraq. He’s done right by trying to win in Afghanistan. Those were existing policies that were in place. The decision he made with Osama bin Laden — that was a tactical decision. It wasn’t a strategic decision. The strategic decision was made by President Bush, to go after him.”
“What President Obama has done on his watch, the issues that have come up while he has been president, he’s gotten it wrong strategically every single time,” Santorum continued. “Whether it’s in Central America, Colombia and Honduras, whether it’s in the Middle East, with Egypt and Syria, and most importantly with Iran — we had an opportunity 18 months ago to topple a regime that is a sworn enemy, is at war with this country, is funding terrorist attacks against our troops and in the Middle East, and the president of the United States sided with the mullahs instead of the demonstrators.”
From a debate standpoint, I was happiest with Herman Cain’s performance. As the former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza he’s got business experience and leadership chops galore. He was clear and concise, answering all questions directly. Here are all of his answers from last night, compiled into one video.
- 00:00 — Afghanistan
- 02:30 — energy and how to lower gas prices
- 03:45 — taxation, the IRS, and the Fair Tax
- 05:23 — illegal immigration
- 06:25 — foreign policy
- 07:54 — The Defense of Marriage Act
- 08:38 — unions & the free market system
- 10:02 — why Cain could win
- 11:36 — why he supported Romney in ’08 vs. why Cain is running now
- 12:15 — closing remarks
He didn’t have a definitive answer about what to do in Afghanistan, but I could appreciate that he wasn’t going to be boxed into a plan without speaking to our military experts and considering all of the facts. This early in the game, I think that kind of answer is fine. But as we move into 2012, he’s gonna have to nail that one down a bit more. I don’t know much else about Cain yet, but I’m really liking what I’m hearing so far.
The folks in the Frank Luntz focus group on Fox News were nearly unanimous that Cain was the clear winner:
I sincerely hope that Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin and especially Donald Trump will all sit out the 2012 elections. I like a few of them but really question their electability. It’s time for an infusion of new blood into the GOP, and we need someone who will campaign (and govern) consistently as a principled conservative without all the excess baggage that would cause independent voters to shy away. I’m not dead-set against the “old guard” per se; one of them may yet emerge early in 2012 with the right combination of charisma, style and substance to show Barack Obama the door. But my gut tells me that the Republican Party will need a fresh face to overcome the Hopenchange 2.0 campaign machine.
My early wish for 2012? A Herman Cain & Allen West ticket!
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UPDATE: Alfonzo Rachel offers some excellent commentary on Cain and Santorum’s performance.
Posted by FullMetalPatriot
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT
Heard Cain's part of the debate.
I agree Cain/West 2012
[...] announced his candidacy, but last night’s performance was underwhelming, especially given how well he did in the first debate. He didn’t say anything particularly bad, he just failed to excite. In future debates, he [...]
[...] announced his candidacy, but last night’s performance was underwhelming, especially given how well he did in the first debate. He didn’t say anything particularly bad, he just failed to excite. In future debates, he [...]