Subscribe by RSSIt’s about 8:30pm now and it will be over shortly. Here’s my initial reaction and analysis.
I would describe it as an absolute slug fest between every candidate. They all took turns jumping on Ron Paul over foreign policy. Romney and McCain have sparred heavily over immigration and other issues. Thompson and Giuliani have mixed it up over immigration as well.
I will have more updates with clips and continued analysis once it ends in a few minutes.
Sorry for all the problems with the site, we’re hitting maximum capacity on the hosting yet again. It’s currently being upgraded so if you’re experiencing problems, I do apologize and it’s being worked on, thanks for sticking by.
Update @ 8:40pm
It’s over and it was a whopper of a Republican debate.
A story on it from ABC News:
With only two full days left before the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary, Republican candidates faced off as former Gov. Mitt Romney accusing Sen. John McCain of supporting “amnesty” for illegal immigrants, and sparring with former Gov. Mike Huckabee over support for the Bush administration’s foreign policy.
Sparks flew quickly in the debate, hosted by ABC News, Facebook and WMUR, the local ABC affiliate station. Touching off a heated exchange between Huckabee and Romney, moderator Charlie Gibson asking the Republican rivals, sitting in a semi-circle on a stage at St. Anslem’s College in Manchester, if they agreed with President Bush’s foreign policy.
Defending his previous criticism that the Bush administration’s foreign policy is “arrogant” and a “bunker-mentality,” Huckabee attacked his Republican rival, suggesting he had better foreign policy bona fides.
“When I made those statements, there were times that we gave the world the impression that we were going to do whatever we wanted to do,” Huckabee defended.
Romney shot back: “I don’t agree that the administration suffers from an arrogant bunker mentality,” referring to a claim Huckabee made in a recent article in Foreign Affairs.
“Did you read the article?” Huckabee interjected.
“I did read the article. I read the entire article,” Romney responded.
It got very heated at times. Romney’s face was absolutely angry at certain glances, he looked very befuddled and almost desperate at times when he was receiving attacks by McCain, Thompson, and Huckabee.
I’ll have some clips up in a few minutes, stay tuned.
Update @ 9:28pm
Here are some video highlights:
In my opinion, Romney lost some ground tonight. He looked uneasy taking a lot of hits on his previous record. McCain also took some hits from Romney and Thompson over supporting amnesty.
All-in-all, I think McCain faired fairly well. Ron Paul faired about the same since he always is on his message and usually gets attacked similarly, I wouldn’t have expected anything different.
The winners in my opinion are McCain, Thompson, and Huckabee. I say Huckabee mainly because he skated by a lot of the criticism, sitting and letting the others go at it.
Republicans have another chance tomorrow night (1/6/08) at 8pm on Fox News.
The full video of this debate will be up later tonight so check back if you want to watch it in full.
Update
Here is the entire video of the debate:
Video: ABC News Republican Debate From New Hampshire - 1/5/07
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...Visit the You Decide 2008 Store »
Loading ...
Who won the ABC Republican Debate in New Hampshire?
http://www.youpolls.com/d.....p?pid=1450
.
It was sad to see Huckabee and McCain attacking Romney the way they did. Completely unprofessional to see the “always positive” Huckabee interrupt the more professional and polished Romney. Huckabee has been completely negative this whole time, first by attacking one’s religion, then by posting a negative ad which everyone saw. Additionally, McCain seemed pompous when attacking Romney about flip-flopping. Does McCain even know the background of this whole flip-flop thing??? Romney was running for gov in a very blue state and decided at the time that he would not go against the majority of the state and would maintain abortion rights. Romney’s mother was another supporter of abortion rights (another story). Romney decided as gov to choose a pro-life policy and he has stuck with it! He should be congratulated and honored for flipping to the GOP side of things. He has not flopped back. Maybe McCain should stick to the facts and the issues at hand. Huckabee knows about as much about foreign policy as my 3rd grade brother. He is too focused on going on the late/tonight shows and playing his bass, and avoiding the issues. After tonight’s debate, it is clear to me that Romney would best lead this nation.
Romney was the clear winner in the debate tonight. He has the strongest grasp on the issues, the clearest plans to address the issues and the most applicable experience to implement these plans. He demonstrated real life experience, focused energy and leadership skills that will be necessary to make a positive change in Washington.
In several of the video clips posted above, Romney’s knowledge of the details, energy and relevant experience shine through. He seemed to me to be head and shoulders above the rest.
I thought Thompson and Guiliani had some strong moments, but I don’t think they have the energy, drive and organizational skills required to preside over the United States of America effectively.
Wow, it’s very clear that New York Voter and California Voter — and may I mention how cleverly unique those two names are — are staff members payed by Romney.
LOL NewYorkVoter. So it’s okay to say anything to get elected? If so, then how do you know that isn’t what Romney is doing now? I can’t believe anything he says. He looked ridiculous when he said that the candidates shouldn’t characterize each other’s positions or make personal attacks… then his anti-McCain ad aired during the breaks in NH!
There wasn’t any winner tonight, in my opinion. Everyone (but Paul and Huckabee) had some good moments, but they each did poorly at times. Hopefully someone will stand out in tomorrow’s debate. We don’t have any strong candidates this time, so it’s like choosing the least horrible candidate. I’m leaning towards McCain right now though just so Romney doesn’t win.
I would like to comment on which candidates had the best grasp on the issues. However, in presidential politics it seems the president does not preside on the same platform he ran. Therefore I look more for how sincere the candidate is and their take on the big picture. Ron Pual was refreshing. His respect for the constitution is clearly exhibited in his answers as the others only poorly mimicked him. McCain came across as a cranky old war veteran constantly playing on fear. Rudy continually remeniscing over 911 is getting old. Romney does look too much like a pretty boy. Could he realy lead? Thompson appeared as a no nonsense type leader not getting caught up in al the pettiness. In the end though, I would like to see the debate as it had been before the Bush Gore debates were all the parties, Socialist, Libertarian, Communist, were included. I would like to hear other ideas.