Very civil. They wanted to provide their subtle differences on the issues, and contrast them with the Republicans'. Team-building exercise. Most enthusiastic question was near the end about a Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton ticket. Not close to the hostility of some of the previous debates.
Obama came out looking stronger than Clinton on Iraq, but only on the past. Their foreign policy for the future is essentially the same. We'll see if this debate makes a big difference on Tuesday, but I doubt it will.
I wonder if all the attacks and violent banter came from Edwards? Without him, very civil. With him, bark bark.
Edwards....
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
SC
Most people were predicting an Obama win, but by that much!? He doubled up Hillary.
Momentum heading into February 5th, but it's looking as if Super Tuesday is as likely to leave things confused as it is to provide a front-runner.
---
Emily Hughes missed the US Championships. Oh well. And Kimmie Meissner disappointed.
Super Bowl in a week.
Momentum heading into February 5th, but it's looking as if Super Tuesday is as likely to leave things confused as it is to provide a front-runner.
---
Emily Hughes missed the US Championships. Oh well. And Kimmie Meissner disappointed.
Super Bowl in a week.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Republicans Debate
A very interesting debate. I think Romney won; he's leading in the Florida polls and I suppose he'll win there. Just like with the Dems Super Tuesday is huge. They seemed to agree that Hillary will be the Democratic nominee; I don't think they mentioned Obama's name once. They also played nicer than the Democrats; they didn't attack each other nearly as much. Tim Russert blasted the Bush administration, citing rises in unemployment, the deficit, debt, and gas prices. Some of the statistics were quite remarkable; I think he said gas was $1.47 in 2001. That might not be right, but I think it's close. Anyways, my thoughts about each candidate.
Mitt Romney:
Romney looked and sounded sharp. He articulated his positions well and came out looking really strong economically. It appeared that he's the most economically savvy. He defended himself well from questions about his campaign spending and his Mormon faith. He didn't appear as strong as the others on foreign policy though. He wanted people to focus on his record as Massachusetts governor and as him being a Washington outsider.
John McCain:
I remember an SNL skit from the 2004 campaign where John Kerry listed all the people he knew. McCain did that tonight. He knows a lot of people. I didn't know any of them, and I'm guessing a lot of Floridian Republicans don't either. Opposite to Romney, he looked strong on foreign policy and weak on the economy. He forcefully confirmed his views on Iraq, saying that if we "surrendered," as in Hillary's plan, then al-Qaeda would win. A little bit of demagoguery.
Rudy Giuliani:
Giuliani wandered a lot and I don't think he really helped his chances. The thing I felt that set him apart was how he felt on environmental innovation. He wanted to improve technology rather than set emissions caps. And he took a larger world view of the problem of global warming, which I think is essential.
Ron Paul:
He got asked about 3 or 4 questions, but did his best. He continues to get marginalized. He is the only Republican against the war, which drew strong applause from the audience. His big thing is his difference from the others. Also he wore an '80s style tie which looked goofy. At the end he criticized the Republican Party for losing their Republican values.
Mike Huckabee:
He was also marginalized. I think people believe he'll get out of the race soon; he needs a big Super Tuesday. Losing South Carolina hurt him. He wandered on a lot of questions too. He wants to add to the highways to invigorate the economy. Hm. His Fair Tax plan is garbage, and unrealistic, as Russert pointed out. He did, however, have the best jokes.
This looks to be shaping up to be a Romney-McCain race. That would be the best ticket for the Republicans, regardless of which one they pick as President. It combines the economic expert and the foreign policy expert. They spent a lot of time blasting Hillary. I admit myself very surprised at the lack of an Obama mention. I predict Romney wins the nomination.
Mitt Romney:
Romney looked and sounded sharp. He articulated his positions well and came out looking really strong economically. It appeared that he's the most economically savvy. He defended himself well from questions about his campaign spending and his Mormon faith. He didn't appear as strong as the others on foreign policy though. He wanted people to focus on his record as Massachusetts governor and as him being a Washington outsider.
John McCain:
I remember an SNL skit from the 2004 campaign where John Kerry listed all the people he knew. McCain did that tonight. He knows a lot of people. I didn't know any of them, and I'm guessing a lot of Floridian Republicans don't either. Opposite to Romney, he looked strong on foreign policy and weak on the economy. He forcefully confirmed his views on Iraq, saying that if we "surrendered," as in Hillary's plan, then al-Qaeda would win. A little bit of demagoguery.
Rudy Giuliani:
Giuliani wandered a lot and I don't think he really helped his chances. The thing I felt that set him apart was how he felt on environmental innovation. He wanted to improve technology rather than set emissions caps. And he took a larger world view of the problem of global warming, which I think is essential.
Ron Paul:
He got asked about 3 or 4 questions, but did his best. He continues to get marginalized. He is the only Republican against the war, which drew strong applause from the audience. His big thing is his difference from the others. Also he wore an '80s style tie which looked goofy. At the end he criticized the Republican Party for losing their Republican values.
Mike Huckabee:
He was also marginalized. I think people believe he'll get out of the race soon; he needs a big Super Tuesday. Losing South Carolina hurt him. He wandered on a lot of questions too. He wants to add to the highways to invigorate the economy. Hm. His Fair Tax plan is garbage, and unrealistic, as Russert pointed out. He did, however, have the best jokes.
This looks to be shaping up to be a Romney-McCain race. That would be the best ticket for the Republicans, regardless of which one they pick as President. It combines the economic expert and the foreign policy expert. They spent a lot of time blasting Hillary. I admit myself very surprised at the lack of an Obama mention. I predict Romney wins the nomination.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Down Goes Frazier
Not actually a boxing match, but certainly they went to the debate "looking for a fight." The problem is that slinging mud at each other helps no one but yourself and doesn't foster party unity, which is an essential aspect of political success. I support Clinton, but I like Obama too!!! If I could sit down with the both of them I'd tell them to lay off each other. But of course they wouldn't listen to me.
Edwards struggled to get into the banter last night, complaining that there was a third person in the debate. Hey, what about our friend Congressman Kucinich? I bet he'd love to be there too. Not only was his invitation to the last debate rescinded, but when he sued to be included, the network appealed and had the decision overturned. How long can Edwards maintain he is right up there in the race when he gets 4% in Nevada and is far behind in his home state? He'll probably be gone after Feb. 5.
Speaking of candidates leaving the race, Fred Thompson ended his bid today. My friend Mr Vargas pointed this out in his blog on Sunday.
Edwards struggled to get into the banter last night, complaining that there was a third person in the debate. Hey, what about our friend Congressman Kucinich? I bet he'd love to be there too. Not only was his invitation to the last debate rescinded, but when he sued to be included, the network appealed and had the decision overturned. How long can Edwards maintain he is right up there in the race when he gets 4% in Nevada and is far behind in his home state? He'll probably be gone after Feb. 5.
Speaking of candidates leaving the race, Fred Thompson ended his bid today. My friend Mr Vargas pointed this out in his blog on Sunday.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Conference Championships
Well, the Super Bowl is all set. A rematch of one of the best regular season games of the year, the NFL is certainly very pleased with the matchup. You have the undefeated New England Patriots, the most hated team in recent memory, and the New York Giants, playing in a huge market. Great ratings!
Thoughts from the weekend:
New England-San Diego
As I thought, it turned out to be a close game. The Chargers were pretty banged up, and they should be commended for a fantastic finish to their season after starting out 5-5. Maybe Norv Turner is the right guy to get this talented team to the promised land. LT didn't do much to add to his legacy, not playing the whole game. One thing that made me angry was when one of the Chargers, I think Cromartie, got an interception and then did Moss' weird little celebration. After LT ripped NE for doing Merriman's "Lights Out" dance last year, I guarantee that he won't go after his guy. But whatever. New England didn't play well, but they still were able to beat a very good SD team. They should be just fine against NY.
New York-Green Bay
A great game that GB gave away. Favre reverted to his pre-2007 bad Brett, throwing horrendous interceptions. I don't think they ran the ball as much as they should have, Grant was coming off a 200 yard game last week. Favre'll be back next year. Eli played well again, but since he hasn't turned the ball over at all this postseason, he probably has a lot of pent-up turnovers in him. Maybe 4 picks and a fumble? I still don't trust him. Should be a fun Super Bowl though.
Something irrelevant that I just noticed: All four teams in the conference games have two words in their name: New England, New York, Green Bay, San Diego.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN???
Democratic debate on right now. Stimulus plans!
Thoughts from the weekend:
New England-San Diego
As I thought, it turned out to be a close game. The Chargers were pretty banged up, and they should be commended for a fantastic finish to their season after starting out 5-5. Maybe Norv Turner is the right guy to get this talented team to the promised land. LT didn't do much to add to his legacy, not playing the whole game. One thing that made me angry was when one of the Chargers, I think Cromartie, got an interception and then did Moss' weird little celebration. After LT ripped NE for doing Merriman's "Lights Out" dance last year, I guarantee that he won't go after his guy. But whatever. New England didn't play well, but they still were able to beat a very good SD team. They should be just fine against NY.
New York-Green Bay
A great game that GB gave away. Favre reverted to his pre-2007 bad Brett, throwing horrendous interceptions. I don't think they ran the ball as much as they should have, Grant was coming off a 200 yard game last week. Favre'll be back next year. Eli played well again, but since he hasn't turned the ball over at all this postseason, he probably has a lot of pent-up turnovers in him. Maybe 4 picks and a fumble? I still don't trust him. Should be a fun Super Bowl though.
Something irrelevant that I just noticed: All four teams in the conference games have two words in their name: New England, New York, Green Bay, San Diego.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN???
Democratic debate on right now. Stimulus plans!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Twirling Towards Freedom
Three different winners today. Romney won Nevada, as expected, and McCain edged out Huckabee in South Carolina. Sure looks like McCain has the most momentum right now. But Romney and Huckabee are still right there. Thompson is far out, but there's still a chance he makes a comeback, and Giuliani has always been banking on Florida. Hillary won for the Democrats, which was huge. Obama will probably win South Carolina, so preventing him from getting back-to-back wins was important. Still either candidates' race. Edwards didn't do too well, I think he'll be done after Super Tuesday.
Conference championship games tomorrow. The Predictions:
New England 20, San Diego 17
Green Bay 20, New York 17
Conference championship games tomorrow. The Predictions:
New England 20, San Diego 17
Green Bay 20, New York 17
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)