Republican You Tube Debates

[angrymissy]

Caught it on XM and it was VERY interesting.

Questions like "do you believe, literally, every single word in this book (the bible)"

Douchiest moment for me for Fred Thompson telling an elderly gay man in the audience who had something like 25 years military service (when asked about gays in the military, I'm paraphrasing here) "I respect your service sir, but most of the young men and women going into the military come from a strong religious and moral background and would not want to share barracks with gay men, why should THEY have be feel uncomfortable." HOLY SHIT!

Anyway, as a Democrat, here is what I pulled from these debates:

Fred Thomspon is a gigantic douche. I did not hear one good thing come from his mouth. Holy shit do I hate him now. "Our #1 Priority should be reversing Roe v Wade!"... aren't there more important things to worry about???

Guiliani, I didn't really care for that much before, but I kind of like him as a more moderate Republican. He at least stood behind his unpopular views when people were booing him (abortion, gun control).

Romney is a big, giant, pussy. He wouldn't even answer half the questions and sounded like he was going to cry. McCain bitch slapped him multiple times when discussing torture (question was about waterboarding) and he STILL would not say if he supported waterboarding, just vague answers like "I should not be discussing methods of torture because then the enemies will know what we will and won't do to them". Gave vague answers to EVERYTHING, like "I cannot answer that questions as to what I do would do in that situation, I would consult with an expert in that field and make my decision". Wishy Washy Pussy.

McCain: I really used to like McCain. Seems like he used to be a lot more moderate. I wish he had been up for election instead of Bush. Anyway, his views on Iraq sadden me. It's like he doesn't want to lose there because people said we lost in Vietnam. I do, however, like the idea of a candidate who has gone through what he went through in war. He didn't really stand out last night on anything except the torture issue

Ron Paul: Yes, he is bat shit crazy, and very passionate about what he's talking about. People obviously love this guy, he got the most crowd response. If the world was cut and dry, he would be perfect. Everything he says sounds like it makes sense... but I don't think it would work in a real life situation. He at least gave real answers to questions, and seems to be very passionate about the role of President. Shit, he even said "Of course Muslims hate us, we INVADE AND TAKE OVER THEIR COUNTRIES! That's why they're mad, we need to get the hell out of there" Holy shit! People were booing him like crazy and he kept going! That is a god damned unpopular position to take and I was a little impressed that he said it at a debate. Anyway, he is interesting but out of his mind.

Huckabee, Tancredo, Hunter? zzzzzzzz. Don't even remember anything they said.

Anyway, I'm really liking these Youtube debates. The questions are GREAT, and cringey at times. I wonder if they would let them do this for the full on Presidential debates after the Primaries.

[angrymissy]

ok, I see the news is now reporting that the gay military guy could have been part of Hillary's campaign or something.

The question was a great question, regardless. Solidified Thompson's douchiness in my book.

[pennington]

There's a link over at Drudge showing some of the "Republican" YouTube questioners were actually Obama and Edwards supporters. Pretty funny, they are wearing Edwards tee shirts or listing their support for Obama on the profiles. CNN now looks either biased or incompetent.

On another note, what's up with Anderson Cooper's hair? He's basically got his head shaved with a patch of hair in the middle. Is this some new trend?

[angrymissy]

See, I don't really get the outrage over supporters of another candidate asking questions... if the question is a good question, and allows for the candidate to expand upon his views on the subject so the voters can get a good idea of his position, why should it matter?

I thought the gay military question was great, regardless of who the asker is supporting.

[cupcakelove]

See, I don't really get the outrage over supporters of another candidate asking questions... if the question is a good question, and allows for the candidate to expand upon his views on the subject so the voters can get a good idea of his position, why should it matter?

I thought the gay military question was great, regardless of who the asker is supporting.

Yeah, its like they're arguing that if you support candidate x, then you can't ask candidate y any questions. I don't see what's wrong with calling out an opponent on something.

[angrymissy]

The questions they asked were:

If abortion is made illegal, what would the criminal punishment be for the woman, and the doctor?

The gay military guy I discussed in my last post

Someone asking about the tainted toys from China

Someone asking if the candidates would accept support from the "Log Cabin Republicans" (gay republican group)

They weren't exactly attacking the candidates or anything... The questions were geared towards the issues, in fact I found them to be very insightful into the candidates views on those topics... so why is it such a big deal?

[Axem Red]

I watched the debate last night, and while I vote democratic, I really think I like Giuliani more than a lot of the red and blue canidates. He really showed some big balls when answering the abortion question. I'd love to see Obama go and represent the Democratic side, but since that probably wont happen, Giuliani is probably my number one right now. I'd like to see Ron Paul and John McCain up there too, but those probably wont happen either.

Also, I'm not trying to offend anyone, but could we go ahead and throw out those stupid "Do you believe what the bible says" questions? Even if any of them are athiests they'll still go with the popular answer on that, they're not dumb enough to damn the bible and get completely booted out of the ticket.

Oh yeah, I learned from the youtube debate that all newspapers and magazines hate Giuliani.

[topless_mike]

CNN now looks either biased or incompetent.


Now ?


here's a good read on that.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,313681,00.html

[furie]

'Gay question' general linked to Clinton (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/7085.html)

[HBox]

They do have a point about Democratic supporters asking questions. This is a Republican primary. if you are supporting a Democratic candidate you aren't voting in this primary so the only reason you'd be asking those kinds of questions is to make them look bad in front of the rest of the country.

[angrymissy]

They do have a point about Democratic supporters asking questions. This is a Republican primary. if you are supporting a Democratic candidate you aren't voting in this primary so the only reason you'd be asking those kinds of questions is to make them look bad in front of the rest of the country.

The questions weren't really that horrible though... they were all on important issues. Gay Rights, Abortion, China, etc.

[topless_mike]

The questions weren't really that horrible though... they were all on important issues. Gay Rights, Abortion, China, etc.

but i think his point is that during the democratic primaries, there were no supporters of the idiots on the right asking questions. really, these primaries serve no other purpose than to help you figure out who you want to represent your party.

opposing party need not apply nor watch nor interfere...

[angrymissy]

but i think his point is that during the democratic primaries, there were no supporters of the idiots on the right asking questions. really, these primaries serve no other purpose than to help you figure out who you want to represent your party.

opposing party need not apply nor watch nor interfere...

I like to watch the opposing parties debates to gain insight on their ideas and values. I don't want to corner myself into just one party.

I guess this is the problem with the "Youtube" user submitted questions... they don't screen them enough. Too bad because I really liked this type of debate over the boring heavily screened regular debates.

[HBox]

I like to watch the opposing parties debates to gain insight on their ideas and values. I don't want to corner myself into just one party.

I guess this is the problem with the "Youtube" user submitted questions... they don't screen them enough. Too bad because I really liked this type of debate over the boring heavily screened regular debates.

I think the point is more that they would be OK with these questions coming from private citizens, but the gay general works for the Hillary campaign so that is over the line. I agree even though I think was an appropriate question to be asked.

[topless_mike]

the question is 100% appropriate... just not who it came from.

[epo]

It's an interesting thing about the submission of questions. Should a "D" submit a question to a "R" party? Should an "R" submit a question to a "D" party?

Sure. Why not?

Seriously, if a Republican or a Democratic candidate can't handle a non-friendly vague question submitted over the internet in a primary, then they probably don't deserve to be in the nation's final consideration for the presidency.

I would say it's just part of the new screening process.

Note: Even though I have no firm data, I seem to remember a few tough questions about immigration during the Dem You Tube debate that I saw. That is firmly a Republican issue (such as gay rights are a Dem issue) but one that deserves an answer.

[foodcourtdruide]

It's an interesting thing about the submission of questions. Should a "D" submit a question to a "R" party? Should an "R" submit a question to a "D" party?

Sure. Why not?

Seriously, if a Republican or a Democratic candidate can't handle a non-friendly vague question submitted over the internet in a primary, then they probably don't deserve to be in the nation's final consideration for the presidency.

I would say it's just part of the new screening process.

Note: Even though I have no firm data, I seem to remember a few tough questions about immigration during the Dem You Tube debate that I saw. That is firmly a Republican issue (such as gay rights are a Dem issue) but one that deserves an answer.

I agree with you epo. This falls into the "Who gives a shit?" category for me. It must be a REALLY slow news day. If someone from Guiliani's camp asked Clinton a question I would care just as little.

[TheMojoPin]

Wel, the Democrats would flip shit if the same thing was done to them, so it's not something that should be brushed off. Of course, just to emphasize how hopeless the Democrats are these days, their "insider" questions, as Missy has pointed out, weren't really all that scathing or damaging, if at all. These guys even suck at sabotage. If the Republicans did it, the Democrats would have been reeling and looking like schmucks from the points made/questions asked.

That said, like others are brining up, I love the idea of reps from either side at all the debates asking questions to really mix it up.

[scottinnj]

It's an interesting thing about the submission of questions. Should a "D" submit a question to a "R" party? Should an "R" submit a question to a "D" party?

Sure. Why not?



Agreed. I have no problem with this. As long as its not a "How long have you been beating your wife" question. There are lots of questions I'd like to ask the Democrats, and as a Republican, I guess I can't with the normal debate rules. There are lots of questions I want to ask ALL of the candidates.

And in the end, whoever is President, they are going to be President of the whole country, not just the ones who asked the questions.

[Fezticle98]

McCain: I really used to like McCain. Seems like he used to be a lot more moderate. I wish he had been up for election instead of Bush.

Ron Paul: Yes, he is bat shit crazy, and very passionate about what he's talking about. People obviously love this guy, he got the most crowd response. If the world was cut and dry, he would be perfect. Everything he says sounds like it makes sense... but I don't think it would work in a real life situation. He at least gave real answers to questions, and seems to be very passionate about the role of President. Shit, he even said "Of course Muslims hate us, we INVADE AND TAKE OVER THEIR COUNTRIES! That's why they're mad, we need to get the hell out of there" Holy shit! People were booing him like crazy and he kept going! That is a god damned unpopular position to take and I was a little impressed that he said it at a debate. Anyway, he is interesting but out of his mind.

Huckabee, Tancredo, Hunter? zzzzzzzz. Don't even remember anything they said.

Anyway, I'm really liking these Youtube debates. The questions are GREAT, and cringey at times. I wonder if they would let them do this for the full on Presidential debates after the Primaries.

There were a lot of good questions, along with a few ridiculous ones. CNN could do a better job of weeding some of the bad ones out.

I was impressed with Huckabee. Probably equally from a personality standpoint as from an issues standpoint. I disagree with some of his positions, but he seems like the only honest front-runner candidate on his side. He would fit the mold of a "compassionate conservative" if W hadn't shit all over that label. I don't vote based on personality, but his genuineness may carry him far with so many phonies on both sides.

Agreed on McCain. His invoking the name of Hitler when criticizing Ron Paul's Iraq position was ridiculous. It didn't make sense, didn't add up. Paul should have smacked him down for that one. He has tried to hard to pander to the base. Same with Thompson with the Roe v. Wade comments.

Paul: He says they hate us because of our agressive foreign policy and frequent use of military force. W and Giuliani say that they hate us because of our freedoms. Remind me again, who is the crazy one?

[Yerdaddy]

I think the point is more that they would be OK with these questions coming from private citizens, but the gay general works for the Hillary campaign so that is over the line. I agree even though I think was an appropriate question to be asked.

According to the Fox "News" story he doesn't work for the Clinton team.

According to the Clinton campaign, members of Clinton's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Steering Committee have endorsed Hillary Clinton for president "in their individual capacity" and work with the campaign on several areas including political outreach, communications, policy advice and counsel and fundraising.

The retired officer said his activities with the Clinton campaign are minimal. He receives e-mails from the campaign and has been invited to a fundraiser in San Francisco. He said he offered to pay "some token amount like 100 bucks" to attend the fundraiser, but as of yet has given no contribution.

"I have not done any work. Several friends asked me if I would allow my name to be listed and I agreed. She's been such a strong advocate for gay rights," he told CNN on Thursday.

He added that he had been a Log Cabin Republican for a long time and recently changed from Republican to independent in California. He said he had supported the GOP but "these guys are just partisanly homophobic."

What he asked was quite reasonable, and HE'S A GAY GENERAL FOR GOD'S SAKE! A gay general being told by presidential candidates that gays shouldn't be able to serve openly in the military is going to be possibly one of the most interesting moments of the election season.

And, to bolster Mojo's point that the Democrats suck at sabotage, Dems should realize they're better off letting the right-wing wackos have their air time - what with one of them trying to be a gunslinger for the camera:

But not all the questioners at the debate were Democratic supporters. Jay Fox, who asked a question about the candidates' positions on gun control, confirmed to FOXNews.com that he is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He said that he had seen speculation online that he may have been a phony, but confirmed, "I actually am a Republican."

Fox, a senior film production major at Chapman University in Orange, Calif., said he is undecided but likes both Ron Paul and Tom Tancredo. He also said despite the safety lecture from Duncan Hunter after he tossed his gun in his video, he thought Hunter answered his question adequately.