Republicans assail Obama in opening big debate

The election is in November 2012, can't these people wait until, say, September of 2012 before they start bombarding us with all the mind-numbing ads and mudslinging?

I admit I'm looking forward to this debate tonight. I'm still deciding which person would make the best President. While I like Romney, several of the others have my interest as well. Since whoever is selected will be the new President, is rather important to pick the best candidate.

Mitt Romney is in the spotlight. He's the leading candidate; everyone will be gunning for him; he's from a neighboring state; and he won the New Hampshire primary last time. To protect his turf, he not only has to win but win decisively.

The economy, of course, is by far the #1 issue on Americans' minds, but the number of Americans who say that government should promote traditional values in society has fallen below 50% for the first time since polling began in 1993. So that favors candidates with shaky moral platforms like Guiliani and Huntsman, though any Republican candidate still first has to pass the moral bible-belt primaries like Iowa.

“designed Obamacare after Romneycare and basically made it Obamneycare.”

Just for that, Gov. Pawlenty is on my no-go list. The last thing the world needs is a guy who fails so badly at being funny.

None of these people make any sense at all.

I don't think anybody did bad in the first debate. Everybody is trying to score points, but nobody is really trying to hit homeruns yet this early.

What a waste of airtime

The only true thing that any politician says in any country is that another politician is a liar!

Gingrich: "We need a new president to end the Obama depression"

And start the Gingrich depression!

And what are the specifics?

Romney is a decent candidate, although he doesn't outshine his contenders--Pawlenty(MN) and Santorum(PA). Ron Paul is no-go in my list-- his support of free market is simply a nightmare because it's already screwing the people around the nation before the recession began. It couldn't be worse when his Lone Star disciple Rick 'the evil' Perry (TX) would run for the president.

Serrano: The election is in November 2012, can't these people wait until, say, September of 2012 before they start bombarding us with all the mind-numbing ads and mudslinging?

I remember hearing years ago, not even sure where anymore, that the process is dragged out to stop people with sudden popularity from entering a race and winning it without any real chance for the people to learn about his policies. And for some reason I remember the examples being given were of generals coming home after the world wars and running for office. But I could be wrong about that. If I am, I'm sure someone will tell me.

And so for a quick recap, what were the Republican contenders policy ideas again? :)

"I am not Obama" is not a policy, it's a statement proving their idiocy, and that alone.

smithnjapan: "And so for a quick recap, what were the Republican contenders policy ideas again? : "I am not Obama" is not a policy, "

Worrisome, isn't it. The media assured us that they would be at each others' throats or playing to the tea party movement. Instead they "diss" Obama. I know it hurts young progressives - and there will be much commiserating and name-calling on Facebook tonight - but you'd better get used to it my friend.Long time til Nov '12.

All seven flashed their anti-abortion credentials, and were largely unified in opposition to same-sex marriage, which is legal in New Hampshire.

Good. Push the independents and moderates towards Obama.

Yes, Lieberman2012, it has me quite worried: is this IT? Is this ragtag group the best the Republicans can come up with? - and those inane, illogical soundbites: does this form the basis of Republican "wisdom"? Do they stand for anything, as in actually proposing an achievable plan, or are they all just completely reactionary?

I mean, please: "“If Brazil can have 5% growth, if China can have 5% growth, then America can have 5% growth,” Pawlenty squawks. Sure, and if Gates can have a Lear jet and Forbes can have a Lear jet, then I can, too - it's just a matter of getting one, now, isn't it? Thanks for the plan, Pawlenty!

Then Cain suggests eliminating the capital gains tax will stimulate job creation; apparently, he seems to think the idea is oppressive taxation, not collapsed demand. Supply siders are at least consistent: whatever the illness, the cure is the same.

Romney says the auto bailout was a mistake. That might be true if you'd rather shoot yourself in the head than admit that capitalism has occasional wrinkles that require public intervention to iron out, but I'm sure Ford, Chrysler and GM automakers, their suppliers, and the shops and businesses that depend on them feel differently.

One of my favorites, though,Ron Paul's observation: “As long as we are running a program that deliberately weakens our currency, our jobs will go overseas. And that’s what’s happening.” Wait - hold the presses on those Econ 101 textbooks! Apparently a weaker currency EXPORTS jobs, most likely for the same reason that cutting taxes raises revenues and eliminating regulation creates a healthier society - except for those against homosexuality and reproductive freedom, where regulation is a good thing, see - and where up is down and black is white.

So, yes, Lieberman2012, I am worried. If this is all the Republicans have, we're in serious trouble.

"Is this ragtag group the best the Republicans can come up with?"

Good grief, is Obama the best the Democrats can come up with?

No prez in history has had so much hate heaped on him as Obama has. So be it. Let the Reps take the reins and then blame all their failures on Obama for 4 to 8 years. You think that just by becoming prez you can wave your wand and fix everything ? The economy has a mind of its own and few political decisions will affect it. Look at 20 years of recession here through 10 different PMs. Getting a new PM from a different party will definitely change things radically ! Yeah, right.

Capn, you musta missed the presidency of GWB.

Capn, you musta missed the presidency of GWB.

I can't think of a single good thing GWB has done in his entire life, and not just during the eight years of his presidency. He left the US economy in ruins. Why do you think the voters stampeded away from the GOP and embraced the "change" offered by a black guy with a funny-sounding name in the first place?

Pawlenty's "Obamneycare" was the result of voters' disenchantment with years of Obushneywar and ignoring domestic issues. (See if you can guess whose name the "ney" comes from.) I just tacked on the O so a few card carrying Democrats like Lieberman2012 would feel included.

Some post-debate commentators are saying Bachmann was the strongest. But how will she overcome the freakshow factor of having 28 kids (mostly adoptees)? That's like octomom times 3.5! I wonder where she found the time to write important bills like the Lightbulb Freedom of Choice Act, which tried to combat the "real threat to children, disabled people, pets, senior citizens" posed by mercury in new energy efficient flourescent lightbulbs. OK, I feel some sympathy for the people in that list, but "pets"? Huh? We need energy policy based on the needs of our pets?

Virtuoso,

Although I am firmly in the "george w. bush = WPE" camp," bush did more to combat AIDS in Africa than any president before him.

The man is a loser, but he got one thing right in his life.

Taka

Some post-debate commentators are saying Bachmann was the strongest. But how will she overcome the freakshow factor of having 28 kids (mostly adoptees)?

All you need to know about Michelle Bachmann can be learned by Googling "Stearns County Syndrome."

Taka

"All you need to know about Michelle Bachmann can be learned by Googling "Stearns County Syndrome"

That's like saying all you need to know about Barack Obama can be learned by Googling "record U.S. government debt."

What's the latest about the voting fraud accusations being levied against Mitt Romney by a few of his fellow Republicans?

Apparently, Romney declared he was living "in is son's basement" in Massachusetts in order to vote in the recent MA senatorial election -- the one where Scott Brown was elected to fill Ted Kennedy's seat. This, while maintaining residences in Utah and New Hampshire -- and voting there as well.

In many cases, this kind of voting fraud is a felony.

All seven flashed their anti-abortion credentials, and were largely unified in opposition to same-sex marriage, which is legal in New Hampshire.

Conservatives always want less government...except where they want more!

In many cases, this kind of voting fraud is a felony.

Rich white men are exempt everywhere!

Conservatives always want less government...except where they want more!

This is different from Libs how precisely? Libs are always wanting more government involvement, except for law enforcement issues.

"All you need to know about Michelle Bachmann can be learned by Googling "Stearns County Syndrome.""

Why? Is unemployment there even higher than the 16 percent national average you get if calculated the way we did it in the US in the 90s?

Look up santoram in the urban dictionary. Nuff said.

Look up santoram in the urban dictionary. Nuff said.

Nuff said, indeed. It is a perfect - and disgusting example - of the tactics used by the thuggish, Alinsky-ite wing that has highjacked the Democratic Party.

Why? Is unemployment there even higher than the 16 percent national average you get if calculated the way we did it in the US in the 90s?

Are you asking me questions? You know the rules. You've got one really important question to answer before I answer any of your questions.

Taka

Bachman must have the MSM really worried. They are putting mor energy into investigating the background of her adopted kids than tthey did our current president.

Bachman must have the MSM really worried. They are putting mor energy into investigating the background of her adopted kids than tthey did our current president.

There is zero truth to that statement. Wow, what a shock. I suppose you could find some evidence of this.

Taka

"14 million Americans are out of work"

This is all Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld's fault. President Obama and the Democrats have nothing to do with this.