The Debate Begins

First question about the Bush foreign policy record....whether to run from it or on it...

Huckabee starts with a statement of principles....sounds a little out of his element....but recovers and gives specifics: "There were times when the arrogance was reflected in the former defense secretary..."

Thompson: "I don't think our foreign policy has been arrogant. Presidents are not perfect. Policies aren't perfect. But bottom line is, we're in a war against radical Islam...." ... Mentions 9/11.... "We weren't considered to be arrogant when we went into Afghanistan and won there..."

McCain says "I'd also like to give president Bush a little credit. Right after 9/11, every expert in the world said there would be another attack on..." the US... "but there hasn't been."

Giuliani defends and lists the Bush legacy... "it's very very good...." but "mistakes have also been made..:" Proposes to make up for the peace dividend... "we need at least 10 more combat brigades."

McCain says he;s the only one who disagreed "at the time" about Rumsfeld. But Bush should get credit for changing the strategy.

McCain gives props to Giuliani.

Ron Paul says he agreed with the policy that Pres. Bush ran on...

Romney: "Unfortunately Ron, you need a thorough understanding of radical Jihad...:" :"The president is not arrogant, the president is not subject to a bunker mentality and we owe a debt of gratitude for keeping us safe...."

Romney mispronounces Madrassah... "MAD-druh-says" -- he says.

Thompson gives a smart history of pre-emptive war...

Hey - Giuliani wants to talk about Ron Paul.... but that makes sense... he's competing in Paul's tier in New Hampshire, isn't he?

...Ooh, nice Sayyid Qutb reference by Romney... the entire GOP field is trying to show their toughness by ganging up on Ron Paul, who is lonely up there...

Crosstalking...

Huckabee cites Qutb academically....

Comments

With Romney's win of the Wyoming caucus, he is effectively in the lead with delegates. He has 26 to Huckabee's 20. That's 45% to 33%. Now for New Hampshire.

Posted by Scott R. | January 5, 2008 7:35 PM

Romney knows what about the radical Jihad?
By the way...make sure you eliminate any person associated with committees that are un-American...(the Committee on Foreign Relation the Trilateral Commission. etc). Let's see... that takes care of Giuliani, McCain, Thompson, Obama, Clinton, Edwards, and Romney. Well not much left...Oh yea the honest, never wavering Doctor from Texas.

Go Ron.

Posted by james | January 5, 2008 8:25 PM

ok, I haven't had a chance to see the debates yet. (I'll watch when it hits the net)I noticed that it says in the article that Thompson said that "We weren't considered arrogant when we went into Afganistan and we won there>" PLease tell me that this is just taken out of context. I'm Canadian, my home town is a base town, which has some of the largest deployment of troops in Afganistan helping you guys out because of 9/11. Look, I realize that the war in Iraq for oil is more important to you guys than the military response for 9/11.(That was made painfully aware to the counties helping you out when you have more cops serving in Manhatten then you do troops in afganistan. But really now, the future president of the United States should be aware of the wars his country is involved in. Did anyone call him on this? I refuse to beleive that the candidates are this uninformed or stupid. It must be a quote out of context. I guess I'll find out for sure when I see the debate.

Posted by leanne | January 6, 2008 12:20 AM