[Cider Jim]

Did anybody watch the debates last night, or was everyone at the ladies' basketball game instead? If you tuned in, what were your opinons/observations on who deemed were the winners & the losers?

My understanding is that LU's own Dr. Brett O'Donnell (former debate coach) is prepping Senator McCain on his debate techniques. Here is one writer's perspective on the Republican side: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/us/po ... epubs.html

My favorite part of the Democratic debate was the last question of the evening when the moderator asked all 4 candidates what was the one thing that they have said in all these debates that they wish they could take back. Edwards & Richardson both answered honestly & specifically and showed some humanity and humor in their responses, but Obama & Hillary both dodged the question completely and didn't give an specific example of any mistake they made.

[TDDance234]

“Governor, don’t try to characterize my position,” Mr. Romney said.

“Which one?” Mr. Huckabee asked, a not-so-subtle reference to Mr. Romney’s reputation for changing his mind on issues.

[JDUB]

i thought it was hilarious when mccain said to romney something about spending his whole fortune on attack ads but they still aren't true.

[whmatthews]

I'm a Huck supporter, but if I had to vote based on last night's debate, I would vote for McCain or Thompson.

And I don't know if it has been mentioned, but I'm sure it's been noticed... Giuliani can't answer a question without saying Ronald Reagan's name.

[JDUB]

I thought thompson did very well last night. He seemed to be the rational one with experience in the group.

that said, he comes across as really old-fashioned, and just really old. he may make a decent vp

[Baldspot]

My big fear if Obama gets the Democratic nod is they will be able to say the Dems represent fresh, new ideas while the Republicans field an old looking candidate ala Bill Clinton vs Bob Dole and HW Bush.

[01LUGrad]

Seriously, start getting used to saying "President Obama." The man can excite a crowd. The GOP doesn't have anybody to compete with him. If Hillary somehow pulls it off, I could run for the Republicans and beat her.

[kel varson]

Seriously, start getting used to saying "President Obama." The man can excite a crowd. The GOP doesn't have anybody to compete with him. If Hillary somehow pulls it off, I could run for the Republicans and beat her.

I don't get it w/ him. I don't think he such a great speaker. Certainly no MLK.

[LUconn]

HE'S SUCH A GREAT ORATOR!

I'm so sick of hearing that. They basically mean, he speaks clearly. Yay, that's got president of the country written all over it.

[ALUmnus]

Ron Paul excites a crowd too, but that doesn't mean it resonates with the majority.

I thought the forum last night on Fox was pretty good, they avoided all the attacks on Romney and actually had tons of time to answer questions. I think it's amazing that Huckabee has known from the beginning about his taxation policies as governor, is asked about them all the time, yet still cannot give a competant answer.

I too think Thompson would make a great VP, since he doesn't stand a chance at the nomination. The guy has a well thought out plan for just about everything, even the issues that aren't being talked about.

[LUconn]

I think it's amazing that Huckabee has known from the beginning about his taxation policies as governor, is asked about them all the time, yet still cannot give a competant answer.

I caught him on Hannity the other day on my way home from work and he asked him about it too. His answer made enough sense. But I don't think he likes answering it.

[ToTheLeft]

I think it's amazing that Huckabee has known from the beginning about his taxation policies as governor, is asked about them all the time, yet still cannot give a competant answer.

I caught him on Hannity the other day on my way home from work and he asked him about it too. His answer made enough sense. But I don't think he likes answering it.

I thought his answer on Hannity was alright.

A lot of it was a Gas Tax to help build roads, which makes a lot of sense.

But the rest are somewhat unaccounted for.

His overall goal, as President, would be the Fair Tax.

So, I think that should say SOMETHING about where he stands in terms of taxes.

[El Scorcho]

So, I think that should say SOMETHING about where he stands in terms of taxes.

So does his "ARkids First!" program.

[Hold My Own]

Seriously, start getting used to saying "President Obama." The man can excite a crowd. The GOP doesn't have anybody to compete with him. If Hillary somehow pulls it off, I could run for the Republicans and beat her.

He's leading right now b/c nobody is going after him...now he's starting to make people nervous so they'll start going after him on missed votes and the way he's voted on different topics...what experience does he have? What business has he run? What has he done? Of all the people he's the most inexperienced and that's coming from someone who really does like the guy but his stance right now on a ton of topics is "I'm not going to speak on that right now" simply b/c he just doesnt know...


If I had a vote for the best speaker then there's no doubt it'll go to him...but as far as President goes, he's just not qualified, it'll take more than being a well spoken black man

[ToTheLeft]

Dems are afraid to go after him, because the black vote is very important to them. Attacking Obama is an attack on blacks, and an attack on their voter base.

[LUconn]

it'll take more than being a well spoken black man

or will it? Have you been to this country recently?

[ALUmnus]

Speaking of inexperience and unqualified...are any of the candidates on the D side qualified? Maybe Bill Richardson, but this kind of blows my mind. In a country of 300 million people, some of the greatest universities in the world, unlimited opportunity to succeed....and the Democrats are choosing between those three candidates? Is that really all they have?

The same could be said to some extent on the Republican side, but it's not even close as far as qualified and experienced.

[Cider Jim]

Did anyone see Hillary crying on U-Tube today? It's all over the Internet now.

Paul on Leno tonight; Huckabee on Letterman.