02-22-2012, 11:49 PM
I watched the debate and am surprised to say that I think I underestimated Rick Santorum. I wouldn't vote for him because of his history regarding women's issues, but he impressed me tonight and that shocked me. It makes a big difference in a debate when there are only 4 candidates and not 8 or more - got to hear more of what each of them had to say on the issues and they got a chance to pummel each other's historical voting records vs. their current rhetoric with more vigor. I thought it was a really good debate.
All of the candidates profess to want more issues turned over to the state. All of them claim to be fiscal conservatists who will seriously cut entitlement programs as was done under Reagan with welfare. All of them profess to want "No Child Left Behind" to be abolished; Paul hit Santorum hard for previously supporting it. All of them, except Paul, think Obama has been weak when it comes to what they perceive as a real nuclear weapons threat from Iran, and in Romeny's opinion, a failed opportunity to capitalize on the current vulnerability of Syria's leader who is one of Iran's strongest allies. Paul is one staunch Constitutionalist; firm. He feels that we shouldn't be focusing on issues outside of our borders anyway unless its defensive; he thinks there are too many offensive actions overseas that we should either stay away from, or make the case and officially declare war if warranted. He stated that there is no proof that Iran had nuclear weapon capacity/potential. I think that statement might have hurt him with the general public.
Boy they waffled on the contraception issue. They waffled, in my opinion, on the women in combat issue as well.
Will be interesting to see what the pundits have to say tomorrow. I think Santorum and Romney were pretty much neck and neck in making their points. Paul was great in his statement that elected officials should be making decisions based on their commitment to the Constitution, not to any party or group - got a big applause. He really is consistent, as he said. Gingrich was kind of a non-entity, I thought. Again referring back to his role in the Reagan administration too often, in my opinion, as in every debate. He did make me laugh though when the moderator asked each of them to describe themselves in one word. Paul: Committed. Santorum: Courage. Romney: Resolute. Gingrich: Cheerful.
All of the candidates profess to want more issues turned over to the state. All of them claim to be fiscal conservatists who will seriously cut entitlement programs as was done under Reagan with welfare. All of them profess to want "No Child Left Behind" to be abolished; Paul hit Santorum hard for previously supporting it. All of them, except Paul, think Obama has been weak when it comes to what they perceive as a real nuclear weapons threat from Iran, and in Romeny's opinion, a failed opportunity to capitalize on the current vulnerability of Syria's leader who is one of Iran's strongest allies. Paul is one staunch Constitutionalist; firm. He feels that we shouldn't be focusing on issues outside of our borders anyway unless its defensive; he thinks there are too many offensive actions overseas that we should either stay away from, or make the case and officially declare war if warranted. He stated that there is no proof that Iran had nuclear weapon capacity/potential. I think that statement might have hurt him with the general public.
Boy they waffled on the contraception issue. They waffled, in my opinion, on the women in combat issue as well.
Will be interesting to see what the pundits have to say tomorrow. I think Santorum and Romney were pretty much neck and neck in making their points. Paul was great in his statement that elected officials should be making decisions based on their commitment to the Constitution, not to any party or group - got a big applause. He really is consistent, as he said. Gingrich was kind of a non-entity, I thought. Again referring back to his role in the Reagan administration too often, in my opinion, as in every debate. He did make me laugh though when the moderator asked each of them to describe themselves in one word. Paul: Committed. Santorum: Courage. Romney: Resolute. Gingrich: Cheerful.