Last Thoughts...
Last night's debate was nothing less than what I expected it to be... a big talk about abortion, gay marriage, family values, and that little thing we call the War on Terror.
Not to my surprise, the republican candidates didn't talk about some of the topics on my mind, such as Darfur, global warming, and education systems such as "No Child Left Behind"
Since they didn't touch on Darfur, my question obviously wasn't answered. It seemed that they left out more topics than they did include them. In addition, it was also a little embarrassing to see the debate end with a question to Rudy Guiliani about the Yankees.
I was sceptical about whether or not the Republican candidates would present strong, thoughtful, and direct answers to the questions asked. However, I do give Gov. Mike Huckabee some credit on how he answered the question about his tuition policies to children of illegal immigrants in Arkansas. But, that still doesn't really give the other candidates an excuse for their own question dodging and view pressing.
I know that Ron Paul won't get the nomination, but I really do hope he takes the advice of his last question and runs for office as an independant..
After watching this debate and seeing how all the candidates reacted to the questions, and what their policies would be, I believe that what this country needs is somebody like Ron Paul. If not, my vote is officially going to the democratic party (as long as Hilary isn't nominated).
Candid Conclusions
Ah, things come to a close. Good for my blood pressure, bad for my political addiction. And the MSU student results (as far as who won the debate) are...
Huckabee- 45%
Giuliani- 30%
Other- 10%
Romney- 7%
McCain- 7%
I have to say that generally, I'd agree. I think that the results of this debate could help propel Huckabee higher in the national polls. He's doing quite well in Iowa, but still lags at something like 5th in the national polls. But the MSU kids are right, he did well in this debate. I hope it gains him some national attention- to be honest, I think he's been overlooked as a candidate for far too long.
Giuliani underpreformed, in my opinion. He just looked petty trying to attack Romney in the beginning, and his answers on the recent expense allegations were less than satisfactory. However, he did manage to talk about abortion without seeming like a flip-flopper, which I wasn't anticipating. But in general, I think that maybe the MSU voters that picked Giuliani were on his side from the beginning, and just didn't have a problem seeing the good in his answers. In general, he wasn't the star of the night.
As for McCain and Romney... kind of a wash. Romney, in the past, has been accused of being too perfect/groomed/polished. I'm guessing it's the Republicans that voted for Bumbling Bush that find those qualities less than admirable, but the accusations are out there nonetheless. However, in this debate Romney broke that image. He seemed a little hesitant in answering at times, and didn't make any particularly strong statements. Really, he seemed kind of uncomfortable. Not good. McCain was pretty good. Not stellar, but definitely not a disappointment.
As for the 10% going to other, I'm going to assume most of those points go to Ron Paul. He actually said some semi-decent things, and had quite a stage presence. Don't get me wrong- I still think he's a weirdo with no chance. But he seems to have a weirdly disproportionate amount of support here on campus. There are stickers about the man litter every lightpole I pass lately.
In general, I'm not wholly satisfied with this debate. The questions that the YouTubers posed seemed to deal with issues that defined the "Republican", and the candidates seemed to spend a lot of time arguing over who was more Republican. I think that perhaps because there's a tiny bit of diversity this year (I know they're all white males, I'm not blind. But Giuliani is leftish on some social issues, and Romney's got the whole Mormon thing going on) they're all trying to prove they're more republican in attempts to gain the vote of the "typical" republican. Because really, it's pretty close this year. I suppose the real rootsy Republican would be attracted to Fred Thompson, but he's just so dumb-seeming. He had trouble answering questions... he stuttered a lot, and the Southern drawl was killing me. Almost like a Bush re-run, and almost no self-respecting Republican wants another Bush in office. I hope. Anyway, the rest of them are a little off-beat, and it's kind of funny watching them trying to prove they represent what most Republicans value.
Speaking of which, I think it's time to hit you people with hard, cold truth. I mentioned before that YouTubers seemed to pose questions that stereotyped Republicans... Religion, Guns, Fetuses. And when you think about it, we shouldn't be voting on these issues. We should be voting on things like economic policies, plans to reform Education, strategies for Iraq, and immigration reform. But most times Americans would rather vote based on whether or not a politician is going to allow them to carry a gun, or protect their unborn child. Even if only one bill having to do with those things comes across a leader's desk, they want a guarantee that their leader will sign it in a way that makes them happy. That's right, we're fickle. We vote on social issues that most times, the government doesn't even have a place nor a chance to decide on. Unwise, America, unwise. Nonetheless, I guess I'm happy you're voting at all. Like I may have mentioned earlier, apathy scares me more than most things in this world. So go on people, vote! Even if it's based on some ridiculous issue that lets you tote a gun or thump a bible that much harder. Go for it, you crazy conservatives. Go out and VOTE!
Here's something to ponder...!
In my final blog here's what I want to express:
In life we all have to make choices, and these choices show who we are as individuals. Sometimes we make the wrong discissions and they have life long consequences, and sometimes we make the right descissions and they prove to be flawed. So here's the GOTCHA GOTCHA, whom ever you pick to run this country make sure you can live with your choice years from now, because a snake is beautiful until it strikes, and slowly its venom kills you. Some of these candidates view points seem splendid, but wait till they achieve office....
Who won the debate?
I'm not so sure. These old, white men all seem the same to me.
I feel like we got some honest answers, but I'm not satisfied. The answers I got weren't the ones I wanted to hear. I knew that coming in, though.
Some things just make no sense to me: why should homosexuals in the armed services have any different rights than heterosexuals? What place does the government have to regulate what happens within the sanctity of marriage? Why should immigrants be treated vastly differently than American citizens? How can we justify the use of torture, even though we prefer not to talk about it? Why should the government have the right to decide the fate of a woman's pregnancy?
To me, these questions have very simple answers.
And, apparently, I'm the only liveblogger worried about the consequences of cutting our space program.
Mars Bars!
I just thought the question about Mars was funny. Honestly. With all the problems going on in the world they chose to put a question on about Mars? Ah, that was rich. However, I was happy that one of the politicians said something to the effect of, 'focusing on problems like landing on Mars is exactly why this country is experiencing many of the problems prevalent in today's world.' How true.
out of this world!
Well I certainly didn't see the space exploration question coming. Following a series of questions about national debt, a video on funding trips to Mars is played? How ironic. Never in this election have I heard the issue of space travel raised. Don't we have enough on our plate already?
If all the concerns we already have: fixing Iraq, saving Darfur, ending global warming, teaching all children, keeping social security, honoring the Bible, and saving enough money for future generations isn't enough, why not add leaving the planet altogether?
First Iraq, and now Mars? At this moment, aren't there a few issues of greater concern on our own country, let alone planet?
Ladies and Gentlemen, we end our broadcast day (almost) with...space exploration?
Yes, you didn't hear wrong. YouTube questioner Nielson wanted to know if there is a candidate who would be willing to make a pledge to send an American to Mars by 2020.
Maybe it's just me, but I was hoping that a dozen years from now our country would be in a much better place financially with a better handle on national debt, improvement in the education system across the country would help solve illiteracy or truancy rates, and all of our troops would be home, any wars over.
Couldn't our money be much better spent working on these things than buying materials for space shuttles? I'm all for the wonder of space travel and expanding our horizons to places literally out of this world, but honestly we need to turn our telescopes in for a while longer and get some stuff straight down here.
Oh the stupidity
Anderson, anderson, anderson...Why did we have to end this way. You know, ending the debate with a question about the Yankees really leaves a bad taste in my mouth. This debate proved that Americans can generate good, significant, and pointed questions at our elected officials. By ending the debate with a question that has really no significance, I think CNN somewhat deterred some of the positive strides this debate took towards engaging our citizenry in politics. Give our citizens a chance to show that they are serious about the future of our nation.
Even so, this debate was a success. Next time, lets finish the way we started.
Really?
(how I'm suspecting CNN picked the majority of the videos)
So, on top of the predictable "hot button issue" questions that made up the bulk of the videos for the middle of the debate, we get the 1-2-3 inanity punch of "Should we go into space?", "You guys should win, but why haven't you?" (the Webster definition of a "softball question") and Confederate flag guy. (if there's one issue Romney can make his mind up on at least, it's that slavery = bad)
Forget the Wired article I posted at the top of the debate, these questions have to be chosen by some poor intern. Sheesh.
