Mary's Musings

You can watch the entire debate here, but I really don't recommend it unless you have insomnia.

I just spent several hours listening to and watching the Des Moines Register GOP debate. Debates are important for a couple of reasons. First, you really see first-hand how a candidate handles him- or herself in front of a camera. Second, candidates sometimes will reveal something meaningful about his or her agenda. Third, we get a look at how much pandering a candidate is willing to do.

This one was no exception. I don't remember the last time I saw a bunch of Republicans who seemed to be ashamed of being Republican. It was very strange. Since there really wasn't a whole lot to trumpet about this debate performance, I will do my best to point out what few noteworthy items there are.

Things the candidates said that singled them out, indicating that perhaps they are capable of some independent thought...

Rudy Giuliani: advocates cutting defense spending by 10%
     specifically wants to cut corporate taxes
     said that the "huge" national debt is NOT a threat to national security

Duncan Hunter: said NAFTA was a "bad" business arrangement, mostly because of tariffs imposed on U.S. exports to Mexico
    strongest voice for tightening U.S. borders to illegal immigrants
    sees trade deficit as the single most important problem we face

Ron Paul: wants to bring the U.S. dollar back to the U.S.
     weakening value of the dollar is the key to the economy, jobs
     end war in Iraq and end threats to other nations

Tom Tancredo: sees Iraq as merely a "battle" in a broader War on Islam
     sees NAFTA as a disaster; free trade a good idea, but implemented badly
     Americans will need to cease dependence on government

Fred Thompson: Reduce "entitlement" spending, increase defense
     Preserve the tax cuts of '01 and '03

Mitt Romney: Wants to see every American with health insurance

Mike Huckabee: Agriculture and Energy are two keys to reducing national debt
     Says there are 3 things a nation needs to be able to do to sustain itself:
     1)  feed itself, 2) fuel itself, 3) defend itself

John McCain: Claims energy independence in 5 years

Alan Keyes: Tired of politics as usual
     Restore America's moral compass; put God back in schools
     First thing he'd do as President is sign an executive order protecting the life of all unborn from the moment of conception

Common threads:

Most candidates voiced a version of the following sentiments:

1) Reduce to the point of eliminating America's dependence on foreign oil
2) Open trading partners to reduce the trade deficit
3) Change the current tax system; make taxes more "fair"; lighten the burden on the middle class
4) give parents choice of school for their kids (many did not say what form this "choice" should take)

It should be noted that many issues were not discussed in the debate. The objective of the questions was to "clarify" positions on issues that were still unclear to Iowa voters. I don't know if this debate cleared anything up, or if it just made things even more muddy.

I think what bothered me most is that no one seemed to care that a "fairer" tax system might result in the "rich" paying even more of the total bill than they are now, keeping less of what they earn. One candidate said, "The rich won't become poor, but the poor might become rich." What?!?

The entire group of them were acting like the football team that is 2-10 with only 3 more games to go in the season. With that kind of defeatist attitude, Republicans are sure to guarantee that our next President will be a Democrat.