Two Debates: Very Different Ideas

Jordan Richardson

January 5, 2008
As I watched the debates tonight, I was impressed with the dialogue, and have some interesting observations. I think the winner for the Reps was Fred Thompson. He focused on core issues, and was engaged in heated debate with those around him, all without losing the message of hope. I appreciate his remarks before the debate about his “will” to win the White House, the ever joked about “fire in the belly.” He said that he thinks it might be best if a world leader with the power to launch nuclear weapons doesn’t have too much “fire in his belly.”

Well said.

I cannot pick a clear second place, so I will briefly comment on the rest of the candidates. Ron Paul did very well on the domestic issues, and even had the other Reps with him for a moment, but was slammed on foreign policy and the war on terror. I think he hurt himself with his constant barrage of negativity, though.

Leading the charge was Rudy, doing quite well in this debate; not as many stutters or false starts. He did a good job of using statistics to support his case. I liked how his was quick to respond to charges made against him (the sanctuary city comment by Fred Thompson) and how he effectively shut down Ron Paul for the evening.

Huckabee seemed very defensive tonight, but that was to be expected since he just wrapped up the first place spot in Iowa, a dead target for the runners-up to pick on. He defended his positions well, but made (what I deemed) several irrelevant jabs at Romney; i.e., the comment about Romney's supposed flip-flopping on the surge. He seemed tired, and unprepared, but held his own.

McCain did a fine job of reminding everyone that he does have the most experience, but he also, unfortunately reminded us how very liberal he is on several issues: global warming, GTMO, etc. He had a great moment of humor when he quipped to Romney, that Romney was indeed a candidate of change.

Romney was solid, except when questioned by Fred and Huckabee about Massachusetts's health care program. He kept a positive message throughout, which was a nice change from the gloom and despair from Ron Paul.

As for the Democratic debate, all I can say is that the promise of change from the Democrat candidates is code-speak for, “We really, really want to raise your taxes." The word “change” was thrown around so many times, you would have thought you were watching a commercial for Pampers.

There was such a lack of substance among the lot of them that it made me laugh. Please, Bill Richardson’s quest to, “protect the kids,” was so corny and so out of place, that it furthered the impression of him as a bumbler.

I was morbidly amused by the ganging up on Hillary Clinton by Barack Obama and John Edwards. They made quite a team. Hillary actually lost her composure and raised her voice considerably in a sharp retort. Quite nice, you guys. Just wait till she unleashes her full attack on them. That will be fun.

As debates go, many points were dropped by both parties, and issues were distorted, but I thought it highlighted the key differences between the candidates, and served to give a guideline on which person you should vote for.

And it is only January.