I have to agree with David Gergen's analysis that the debaters, sadly, ignored the issues of the day. None of the candidates articulated a plan or vision for the future.... other than itching to bomb Iran. They mainly quibbled over unsolvable "social (sexual) issues" and rehashed the past (Teri Schiavo, Scooter Libby, etc.).
Here's my take on the particpants in that debate, moderated by MSNBC's Chris Matthews .
(See my Profile of MSNBC's Chris Matthews at About.com Liberal Politics.)
Sen. John McCain - Angry and creepy, while waving his arms , scrunching his face and squinting his eyes. He looked disoriented. Maybe nerves?
Gov. Mitt Romney - Slick slick slick. Clever and smart. And more slick. This man could sell ice cubes to snow-bound Eskimos, and then convince them that they're still warm.
Gov. Rudy Guiliani - A New York Republican, whatever that might be... The only Republican on-stage who could siphon votes from Democratic candidates.
Sen. Sam Brownback - Perfect candidate for a church search committee for a conservative evangelical pastor. A straight-shooter and a nice man with a good, albeit, conservative heart. Not presidential material for these times.
Rep. Tom Tancredo - Xenophobia in an expensive suit.
Rep. Duncan Hunter - A San Diego hypocrite on immigration reform (support employers; pursue and punish undocumented workers). Otherwise, a respectable, bona fide conservative. Has presidential charisma.
Gov. Tommy Thompson - Said that companies should be allowed to fire employees for being gay. I believe he also said that a few thousand U.S. soldiers have been injured in Iraq. (Answer: Over 25,000 U.S. soldiers have been very seriously wounded.)
What's left to say about someone so out of touch with constitutional rights and the most urgent issue of our day?
The Others - Who the heck are they???
(Also read Liberal Politics at About.com)
