Having watched the recent GOP debate (7 Sept) from the Reagan Library, here are my opinions of the candidates and a few of their talking points:
TX Gov. Rick Perry-
Wants to lower taxes on businesses
Says (To Romney) Michael Dukakis created more jobs in MA than you did
TX is last in the nation for healthcare coverage
Would cancel Obamacare
Refers to Caucasians as "Anglos" (not too bright)
Did plenty of "posturing" for camera, trying to look "Presidential", (probably as a result of the criticism for squirming on the chair during the last town hall)
Says Social Security is wrong, a "Ponzi Scheme" for younger Americans, a "lie to kids"
"I'm not responsible for Karl Rove's comments" (Re: Rove's remarks that his comments were "Toxic" and fuel for Dems to use in general election
Against Dept of Homeland Security
Cut billions from TX education budget
Tough on immigration
Wants balanced budget amendment
Against "military adventurism"
Agreed with Obama in hunt for OBL, gives "props" (but says with long "o" as in "professional" vs, short "o" as in "Proper") Nice try to be hip Gov.
Also supports keeping Gitmo open
Questions human role in climate change, seemed to babble discussing economic impact of global warming regulations
says TX cut 57% of Nitrous Oxide emissions.....um, GOV, that's laughing gas used by dentists, did you perhaps mean another gas, Carbon Dioxide perhaps?
Actually proud of killing 234 inmates and got a round of applause for it, scary!
MA Gov. Mitt Romney-
Touts his private sector experience
Gets a laugh for his crack on Al Gore's internet comments
Would label China as a currency manipulator
"I'd overturn Obamacare on day one"
Stop sending us energy out of the country, develop our own resources
Committed to save Social Security
"The President doesn't have a clue on how to get the US working again"
Crisis in confidence, lack of leadership, Obama is in over his head.
says US needs a leader that "loves this country" (Implies Obama does not)-sneaky shot Mitt.
No tax exemptions for poor, everyone share burden then says help middle class with tax breaks on interest & capital gains if earn less that $200K. (Wow, both sides of the mouth at once)
Would fire Ben Bernanke
says his plan would grow economy by 4% over next 4 years & add 11 1/2 million jobs
TX Rep. Ron Paul
Called the "Absolutist" by moderator
No Federal role for safety, let market & states set own regulations
Would eliminate the minimum wage
Our society is over mandated (his continual theme)
Could buy a gallon of gas with a silver dime (against inflationary policies of Treasury Dept)
Says Gov Perry is less conservative then he seems to appear
Would not use Executive Orders to write laws
Would abolish TSA, says agents have sexually mauled passengers (moderator jokes "have a nice flight back")
Would abolish FEMA
Remove benefits for illegal immigrants (and presumably "anchor babies")
US war on drugs is cause of problems in Mexico (war on drugs is a failure!, legalize & tax pot)
Don't run a "welfare state"
"Those who believe in liberty don't lack compassion"
Businessman, Mr. Herman Cain
Eliminate the current tax code, it is a drain on entrepreneurs and the biggest barrier holding this economy back
Develop 9-9-9 economic growth plan (9% on corporate income, 9% on personal income & 9% national sales tax) then he added if 10% is good enough for God, then 9% ought to be good enough for Federal govt.
Economy is on life support
Would expand health savings accounts, Use the Chile model
Said "Do you want to hear rhetoric or solutions"?
More state and less Federal power, empower states to solve their own immigration problems
Govt. needs to get out of the business of deciding who pays tax and what amount. (what about the 999 plan)?
Fmr PA Sen. Rick Santorum-
"I have a record of getting things done". I can get democratic votes. (I get things done too ;-)
Eliminate corporate tax
Devout Catholic
Claims he was best supporter of poor while Senator (I'd have to see his voting record to believe that line)
Says "Trust us" (Govt), to transform welfare (Isn't that the cry against the Dems & Obama?)
The dignity of every human person (as opposed to non-human persons?)
Supports the Dept of Homeland Security as an information consolidation and sharing organization (I agree on this point)
Secure our border
Says Paul & Huntsman are "isolationists"
No exit strategy for foreign interventions (how about a "no enter" strategy Sen?)
*Interesting factoid, as a lawyer, he represented the World Wrestling Federation, arguing that professional wrestling should be exempt from federal anabolic steroid regulations because it was not a sport
Fmr. Speaker of House- GA Rep, Newt Gingrich
*He wrote the forward to Perry's book "Fed Up" saying Perry was uniquely qualified, wonder if he regrets it now?
Says the President is "committed to class warfare" & socialism
Would repeal Obamacare
Whined about the moderators attempts to have candidates engage in "fighting each other" (Uh, Newt, it is a debate, a contest if you will, not a love-in)
GOP team is unified to defeat Obama (Not if the Tea Party fields their own candidate)
Helped develop the Dept of Homeland Security
Agrees with Obama on charter schools
"Make English the official language of Govt" (I wasn't aware of another language being spoken in the House of Representatives, the Khazak caucus perhaps?)
Would fire Ben Bernanke ASAP
Would set aside 1/3 of Alaska as parks but develop the remaining 2/3rds (Goodbye Polar Bears and hundreds of bird breeding areas, hello extinction of dozens of species)
MN Rep Michelle Bachmann-
Anti-Obamacare
Says she is a "strong, bold leader"
Will bring gasoline to $2.00 a gallon
It is wrong for Feds to inoculate kids (how'd we defeat polio, measles & smallpox?)
Build a fence along the entire border
Opposed the Libya intervention
Maintain global order with our military (World policeman role)
Obama has weakened the US more than at any time in history (She's watched "Red Dawn" to many times)
She's on the house intelligence committee -(That's a damned scary thought!)
Would drill in Fl Everglades & says coal is key to US energy.
EPA has "political agenda"
Ambassador & UT Gov. John Huntsman
US has no leverage to start a trade war (In response to Romney calling China a currency manipulator)
As Gov of UT had highest job creation rate in US
Has public, private sector & world experience
Presidential leadership matters
(Ref to Obama) Get out from behind your teleprompter
Asks moderators "Why talk for 10 mins on DHS, focus on economy"
Says immigration is a "Human issue"
Makes no pledges other than to his wife and country, to do so jeopardizes future flexibility, look at their records (candidates)
US has lost confidence
Would bring troops home
Says GOP is in danger of alienating people for being anti-science and anti-global warming (great points)
Says he can bring in Independent and Conservative Democrat votes to win election
Overall:
Rick Perry is dangerously electable as GOP candidate, he's not terribly bright, has a clumsy folksiness like his predecessor that seems to appeal to the GOP masses. Might be too far right to win in the general election but the US seems to be heading in that direction (sadly)
Ron Paul, the grassroots internet sweetheart. Part Tea Bagger, part Libertarian poster boy of the "Reduce Government" bandwagon. Always seems ready to jump ship from the GOP and go in as an IND candidate. Has some moments of brilliance followed by off the wall ideas.
Even with his popularity, I doubt he'd get the party nomination.
Mitt Romney is probably going to be the nominee. He seems much more polished has the presidential look and mannerisms. More moderate than Perry, Paul, Santorum, Newt & Bachmann. As he's a GOP candidate their base would go along (as opposed to Obama) and he could draw in undecided and IND voters. Don't be surprised if he picks a Tea-Bagger VP.
There's been no mention of the fact he is a Mormon, perhaps later when the mud really starts to fly.
Herman Cain is the "Outsider". This has some advantages, especially as career politicians are in such low regard now. I do like his 999 plan & tax code reforms. His down to earth speaking & style might not be seen as "presidential material" and is the solid White Conservative GOP base ready for an African American to carry their banner?
Rick Santorum- Fiscal and socially very conservative. Not a very impressive showing during the debate. No stand out ideas, get's lost in the crowd. Might drop out soon enough.
Newt Gingrich is like a flashlight with the batteries going out. He had his "Glory Days" and sitting behind the President as Speaker of the House is as close as he will get to the Captains Chair.
Michelle Bachmann's handlers have done a good job with her, transforming her from a Palin wannabee into a strong second tier candidate. A Tea party diva, she seems to be on a short list of possible VP considerations. She'd bring in the fringe right and appeal to women voters, but isn't that what they said about Sarah Palin? If the GOP fields a moderate ticket (Romney-Huntsman/Cain) I wonder if the Tea-Baggers would split and pick Bachmann to head their ticket? (I really hope so!)
John Huntsman has an impressive resume and record as Gov of UT, slashing taxes and maintaining a budget surplus. He has tremendous world experience, seems to be the most intelligent of the field and has more moderate social views than his colleagues. He accepts evolution and acknowledges Global Warming, probably the only one of the eight candidates to have those views. If I just had to pick a GOP candidate to vote for, he'd be the one. He could have run as a Conservative Democrat and might have unseated Obama.
Well there you have it. My views and thoughts of the current GOP Presidential candidates.
I'm always happy to have you share your views and discuss this in a civil manner.
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