Debates are the American Way

I only got to watch the last 40 minutes or do of the debate last night between all the Republican candidates who showed up at Oakland University.  Michigan is one of the hardest hit states on the issues of jobs and business but I think it is doing better than our once great state.  So, I watched and listened and enjoyed.  CNBC hosts (Rick Santelli is great!) were the moderators and they seemed to do OK.  No apparent axes to grind.

I am saddened though at the lack of debate ability by Rick Perry.  I watched him struggle for a half minute, desperately looking from side to side for help when he was telling us which three federal departments he would eliminate.  It was quite an embarrassing moment for him.  I do understand though, the candidates are expected to remember a gazillion things and then be able to recall them on a moments notice and in great detail.  This moment for Perry though was a self inflicted wound and he did not do very well with it.  Oh, the Energy Department was the one he was looking for.

Rick Santorum is not ready for prime time in my view.  I think he lacks a certain maturity I would expect from my President.  He gets petulant some times and he seems at other times to be like the little kid who doesn't get his way and gets grumpy.  It is not a trait that becomes anyone.  Kind of like the local blogger, Jeff Pelline and his pal Steve Frisch from the rent seeking SBC of Truckee.  Same kind of immaturity.

Michelle Bachman is certainly glib and knows her stuff but in my view she might make a good US Senator.  I like her spunkiness and she seems to be very smart and dedicated to the people.  She should be in charge of a "Oversight" committee and kick some bureaucratic butt.

John Huntsman should stay home.  I just have been unable to warm up to the guy and he comes across as a egotistical know-it-all (like Obama).  In one exchange last night, Mitt Romney graciously deferred to Huntsmen on a China issue and Huntsman did a slapdown on Romney.  I thought that was a look into someone who has suspect manners.

Ron Paul was as he always is and makes a good case for the demise of the Federal Reserve and the trimming of government power.  He has so many issues I agree with but there are some I believe he is too far out in the ozones to convince me he should be President.  Mainly foreign policy issues but the largest one is his view of the terrorists and the attack on our soil on 9-11.  When I heard him in 2008 responding to a question about 9-11, he lost me.  Rudy Giuliani took him to task in a debate then and unfortunately, Ron Paul has not changed his position.

Of course Mitt Romney did well since he has been at this for over six years.  I voted for him in the California primary in 2008 over McCain and was happy to do so then.  I like his business experience but he needs to work on not coming across so much like a salesman of older cars.  He seems cardboardy.   I do think he would make a good President though.  His business experience and ability to get things done would be a plus over what we have now.  I just wish he didn't flip on some issues, but as long as he flips my way, I could live with that. HERE is his position on Iran and nuclear weapons which I though he did very well.

Herman Cain did good as always.  He was asked about the allegations of the gold diggers (and I think paid political assassins of the democrats) and he had a great response which the audience clapped wildly for.  HERE is that question and his answer. As I have stated in other posts on my blog I truly like the man and think he would make a good President.  His business experience is a big plus and his view of freedom and individual rights, along with a desire to change the tax codes into something fair and workable has endured him to many people. It is going to be tough though with all the crap swirling around him.

Then we have Newt Gingrich.  I have liked Newt since I first started paying attention to national politics in earnest back in 1992.  He was that lone voice making those speeches in an empty chamber for many years (utilizing CSPAN, what a smart move) and his persistence paid off.  He is smart and well spoken.  He has some baggage though that caused me early on to think he would not be able to make it through the process.  What a surprise though that these debates have shown him to be the grownup in the room and he is moving up in the polls.  The more debates the better.

So there you have it.  Another debate so the American people can get better acquainted with the Republican candidates.  I was happy to see less sniping amongst themselves and more substance in their responses to the mess Obama and his regime have foisted on America.  We are all looking for solutions to restore America's greatness and one of those folks on the dias will hopefully be the one next November 2012.