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Belated GOP Debate Open Thread!

Matt Welch | 6.13.2011 8:08 PM

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We need an engine called the private sector, etc. Don't be a defeatist, let's hear from you!

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

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NEXT: Congrats to Matt Stone and Trey Parker's Book of Mormon, Which Won Big at the Tonys

Matt Welch is an editor at large at Reason.

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  1. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    FIRST!

  2. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    There's nothing Newt likes more than saying others are wrong and he's right.

  3. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Oh no she din't!

  4. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Bachmann needs to take a step back from the mic.

  5. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Newt's pronunciation of Amurrican is several orders of magnitude infuriating than Bush's newkular

    1. Anonymous Coward   14 years ago

      Amurican. Newcular. Titties.

      Fuck yeah.

  6. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    These giants among men are not going to stop at a mere thirty seconds.

  7. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Bachmann is going to deflect this question by announcing her choice for Vice President.

    1. Mister DNA   14 years ago

      Please let it be someone named Turner!

      1. Publius Cato   14 years ago

        ike turner for vice president

        1. SIV   14 years ago

          Zombie Ike Turner would get my vote

          1. rather   14 years ago

            BTO

  8. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Romney's plan: make the United States of a state of the UN so that the plan makes sense again.

  9. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    I thought he was going to say if people don't like it they can move out of the state. I would have had to respect that.

  10. Sudden   14 years ago

    Gotta love how these guys don't seem to bother addressing the actual questions they're asked.

    1. Sudden   14 years ago

      CNN Moderator: Since you used a minute to address a question I didn't ask Mr Pawlenty, I will ask you again and give you another thirty seconds to back away.

      Something tells me Paul wouldn't get such consideration (fortunately he doesn't need it since he actually answers questions he's asked).

      1. Anonymous Coward   14 years ago

        A US Presidential debate is the LAST place you'll ever get a straight answer. The only comparable Hell of sidestepping and doubletalk is AT&T customer service.

        1. Matt   14 years ago

          Brilliant!

  11. shrike   14 years ago

    Pawlenty is such a shallow cunt.

  12. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Just turn to Mitt and punch him in the face, Pawlenty.

  13. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Pawlenty: Listen, John, if you want me to admit that I'm spineless, well, I'm afraid to.

  14. Not Sure   14 years ago

    CNN is focusing on slapping a guy around about calling it "O-Romeny-Care?" Not the actual health care policy?

    1. Sudden   14 years ago

      Horse race and vitriol sells airtime ad space; actual policies don't.

      1. Jim   14 years ago

        Market failure!

  15. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Tim Pawlenty is Brick Tamland. I've never been more sure of anything.

    1. Trespassers W   14 years ago

      I love lamp! I love lamp.

  16. Publius Cato   14 years ago

    OH GOG! This is terrible.

  17. Patrick   14 years ago

    Shorter Mittens: "I am too high and mighty for this riff raff, let me speak directly to Obama."

  18. Not Sure   14 years ago

    Whenever I see Romeny now, I keep hearing the "Book of Mormon" song "Turn It Off."

  19. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Gingrich is pointing at me like I have diamond necklaces to sell.

  20. Amakudari   14 years ago

    Time. Time. Time. Time. Time. Time. Time.

  21. Matt Welch   14 years ago

    "I'm not a libertarian Republican...I'm a mainstream Republican"!

    1. Patrick   14 years ago

      "I don't want to see a candidate being pulled towards any extreme, particularly away from party gatekeeprs like myself."

    2. Amakudari   14 years ago

      Which was prefacing a query to Santorum as to whether he'd be too libertarian.

  22. SIV   14 years ago

    We need a squish!

    1. squishua   14 years ago

      You got one!

  23. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    A question for Ron Paul, how many Austrian buzzwords can you fit into 30 seconds? And if you could, please stutter.

  24. Barely Suppressed Rage   14 years ago

    Rick Santorum makes me throw up in the back of my mouth a little.

  25. Barely Suppressed Rage   14 years ago

    Who names their baby "Newt"?

    1. Decentralize Everything!!!   14 years ago

      Newton...

    2. Cyto   14 years ago

      Newton. Like the fig cookies. Middle name Leroy. Like the Last Dragon.

      He's off to fight Sho-Nuf with his figgie cookie.

  26. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    Yeah, I'm concerned that Santorum might be too libertarian too. Good question.

  27. Not Sure   14 years ago

    Why is this debate on the "honor system?" Candidates should be zapped if they go over time.

    1. SIV   14 years ago

      "Invisible buzzer"

    2. Doktor Kapitalism   14 years ago

      I like it!

  28. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Hey! We're a notch below people who never cared about politics a day in their lives! Look out, world!

  29. Koan   14 years ago

    Pawlenty is coming off rather poorly. He looks and acts like a weasel. Why do so many people think this guy has a shot? Santorum is a Christ-prick, as usual. Ron Paul "That's a tough question" FTW, so far.

    1. shrike   14 years ago

      Ha ha!!

      You have no idea how much I agree.

  30. Barely Suppressed Rage   14 years ago

    Santorum looks like the kind of guy who throws a hissy fit if his underwear isn't properly folded and neatly stacked in the drawer.

  31. shrike   14 years ago

    Cain off the rotation for now.

  32. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Michelle Bachmann doesnt realize that Michelle Bachmann announces everything she says.

  33. Barely Suppressed Rage   14 years ago

    How much time are they given to answer?

    1. Amakudari   14 years ago

      However long they ignore the moderator.

  34. Gary   14 years ago

    Who is Herman Cain? Why is he there and not Gary Johnson?

    1. SIV   14 years ago

      Cain is running a serious campaign.

      1. ?   14 years ago

        He calls it a cam-Cain.*

        *Not really.

        1. Pope Jimbo   14 years ago

          Given the fact that I'm sure the Kochtopus is behind his campaign shouldn't he call it:

          KochCaine?!!!

    2. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

      He's there to fill the jarring-accent void that Palin left.

    3. SIV   14 years ago

      Cain is running a serious campaign.

      1. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

        No, he's not. A 23% tax on a dollar brings the total to $1.23, and anyone that says otherwise is either lying, or is an idiot.

        1. SIV   14 years ago

          non sequitur

          Cain is running a serious campaign (unlike Johnson) I didn't say he is right on the issues. Besides, the President can't impose a consumption tax and it will never pass Congress.

          1. Thorbie   14 years ago

            Cain is so serious that every policy position he's taken amounts to "I'll ask my advisors about that."

        2. johnl   14 years ago

          So if you earn a dollar and take home 80 cents, that's a 25% income tax rate? Please changing denominators is not lying so long as you are clear about it.

      2. MysteryFish   14 years ago

        Cereal. Super cereal.

  35. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Michelle Bachmann doesn't realize that everything she says is announced.

  36. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS! Finally.

  37. Not Sure   14 years ago

    Oh jeez, Ron Paul is trying to explain economics in 30 seconds...

    1. hazeeran   14 years ago

      Mitt looked completely puzzled.

      1. sevo   14 years ago

        What do you mean "looked"?

    2. JoshInHB   14 years ago

      He needs to learn the art of the sound bite.

  38. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Tea Party debate on CNN? Susan Roesgen can moderate.

  39. Sudden   14 years ago

    You know we're fucked when the rank and file GOP asking questions at the GOP debate is the Director of Transportation for a fucking college.

    Kill me now.

  40. Ventifact   14 years ago

    Reserve currency! Paul for Fed Chairman 2012!

    ...Wait, what are these debaters candidates for?

    1. Ventifact   14 years ago

      Silly rabbit, policy specifics are for ... joke candidates. Competitive candidates answer questions with emotional appeals.

    2. Ventifact   14 years ago

      Silly rabbit, policy specifics are for joke candidates. Competitive candidates answer questions with emotional appeals.

  41. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    There is no chance Tim Pawlenty understood a word of what Ron Paul just said

    1. Amakudari   14 years ago

      "I grew up in a meat-packing town."

      Good God.

      1. ?   14 years ago

        Better than a fudge-packing town.

      2. T-Paw   14 years ago

        I was in a union. I grew up in the union. I grew up in a union town. And I was in the union. I understand this stuff.

        Also, meatpacker.

        1. UAT-Paw   14 years ago

          I am a union!

      3. Joe M   14 years ago

        Drink!

  42. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Ron Paul: If he won't spend on a tailored suit, he won't spend on entitlements!

  43. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Pawlenty: Anti stupid chumps

  44. Gary   14 years ago

    What Paul should have said:

    "Those jobs are not coming back because they went away almost exclusively as a result of changes in technology. So stop blaming foreigners for the 'loss' of those jobs."

    1. Amakudari   14 years ago

      Not to mention that we'll never be competitive with the enormous number of countries with cheap labor providing cheap goods Americans like. Our biggest competitive advantage is in services, period.

      1. JoshInHB   14 years ago

        Yeah,

        Them igrunt furreners ain't as smart as us.

      2. Gary   14 years ago

        There is always a harkening for a better past; I'm sure in the 1920s people were wishing they were still on the farm - even though farm production was through the roof with fewer people farming. Productivity leading to less and less scarcity is the key.

      3. .   14 years ago

        Not to mention that we'll never be competitive with the enormous number of countries with cheap labor providing cheap goods Americans like.

        How "cheap" do you suppose that labor and those goods would be, if we were to stop expanding the supply of money and credit by creating dollars out of thin air?

  45. Sudden   14 years ago

    T-Paw is trying to be the next John Edwards. When asked a question he answers by talking about growing up the son of a mill worker meat packer.

    1. shrike   14 years ago

      Meat Worker vote pandering?

      If he is pro-whore I might like him.

  46. Koan   14 years ago

    Oh Ron Paul . . . he just can't talk to average Joe's and Jane's without talking over their heads. He's technically correct in his estimations, but he just cannot project those precious nuggets of truth in digestible form.

    1. Ventifact   14 years ago

      Silly rabbit, policy specifics are for joke candidates. Competitive candidates answer questions with emotional appeals.

    2. Ventifact   14 years ago

      Silly wabbit, policy specifics are for joke candidates. Competitive candidates answer questions with emotional appeals.

    3. Ventifact   14 years ago

      Policy specifics are for joke candidates. Competitive candidates answer questions with emotional appeals.

    4. CE   14 years ago

      People are smarter than you think.

  47. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Bachmann just lost the non-traditional student vote.

  48. hazeeran   14 years ago

    Santorum: manufacturing was how we "got down"?? WTF did he just say?

  49. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    TRICKLE DOWN! He said it.

  50. shrike   14 years ago

    SIV - Cain is FOR local/state handgun bans and FOR a religious test for federal jobs.

    Write him off now.

    1. Herman Cain   14 years ago

      I was for TARP. I'm a serious businessman and a serious conservative.

      1. CE   14 years ago

        But not after they decided not to give 100 percent of the TARP funds to banksters.

    2. johnl   14 years ago

      Everyone is for religious tests except ACLU members and Reason readers.

    3. Wind Rider   14 years ago

      We already tried the affirmative action route. Even if he makes noises that some SoCons will ejaculate over.

  51. Koan   14 years ago

    Thus far, I am not repelled by Bachmann. This is a surprise . . .

    1. SIV   14 years ago

      3rd most libertarian candidate in the race (unless Palin jumps in).

      1. Pedant   14 years ago

        That's like saying she's the 3rd blackest candidate.

    2. Anonymous Biotch   14 years ago

      What Michelle Bachman desperately needs is a vibrator and a life.

  52. PantsFan   14 years ago

    There's also a hockey game on.

    1. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

      Picture-in-Picture was invented for this.

      1. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

        And (spoiler alert) Boston just scored.

        1. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

          Thrice.

    2. Namon   14 years ago

      was over early. they will have to break the brewwwwwwwwns hearts in game 7

  53. Ventifact   14 years ago

    Silly rabbit, policy specifics are for joke candidates. Competitive candidates answer questions with emotional appeals.

  54. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Rush gets a shout-out.

  55. Draco   14 years ago

    You asswipes can ridicule all you want, but thus far I haven't heard any of these candidates take a position that isn't infinitely more pro-capitalism and pro-freedom than Obama's positions.

    I'm actually very surprised by the excellence of Newt's answers thus far.

    1. Draco   14 years ago

      And Newt just cited the 10th amendment. Holy crap!

      1. MysteryFish   14 years ago

        Did you just call everyone else an "asswipe" and then go Pro-Newt?

    2. Amakudari   14 years ago

      I'm not as generous, but I don't have any problems with Newt's answer on the Boeing issue.

      Pawlenty and Santorum still make me cringe, though.

      1. Anonymous Biotch   14 years ago

        Pawlenty is a shape-shifting Rorschach. Only dumber and less charismatic.

    3. Cytotoxic   14 years ago

      A Keynesian should never talk about being pro-capitalism.

    4. John C. Randolph   14 years ago

      I haven't heard any of these candidates take a position that isn't infinitely more pro-capitalism and pro-freedom than Obama's positions.

      It's not at all hard to find a Republican who will say those things. Ron Paul's the one who actually votes that way.

      -jcr

      1. asdf   14 years ago

        Yep. Then free market rhetoric gets blamed for the republicans statist policy failures.

  56. Silly Rabbit   14 years ago

    Policy specifics are for joke candidates. Competitive candidates answer questions with emotional appeals.

  57. The Blind Vote   14 years ago

    gjd sbnvpa svcu a;vpjw sbcjuoc

  58. Not Sure   14 years ago

    Newt is surprisingly good in this debate... At least in comparison to the others. *sigh*

    1. Sudden   14 years ago

      Newt is a reasonably smart, wonkish guy. He is also solid at speaking topically and eloquently (which is something that the GOP has lacked for some time). He's just a statist in too many regards, and that's the problem. He is smart, and he knows he's smart, and as a result, he thinks he can fix everything using govt power./

      1. -   14 years ago

        Being a nasty Christian bully also hurts his prospects with thinking people.

        1. Anonymous Biotch   14 years ago

          Amen.

  59. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Newt isn't even pretending to be running for office right now. He's acting like an analyst. I'm not sure what his step #2 is in his 3 step profit plan.

    1. Jerry   14 years ago

      Perhaps he is setting up the stage for Rick Perry? Why else the shout out to Texas...

  60. PantsFan   14 years ago

    Michael Moore offers job to fired Senate page
    "Michael Moore, the high-profile American activist and filmmaker, has offered a job to the Senate page who was fired Friday for her stunning protest against Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
    ...
    Moore has become 21-year-old Brigette DePape's most prominent supporter, posting a photo on his website showing her holding up a "Stop Harper" sign in the Senate chamber during Friday's throne speech."
    ...
    http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/st.....177c24da,1

    1. shrike   14 years ago

      Fuck M. Moore and fuck you for polluting this thread.

      1. Draco   14 years ago

        First time I've ever agreed with shrike.

      2. John C. Randolph   14 years ago

        Who are you, and what have you done with the real Shreck?

        -jcr

  61. The Blind Vote   14 years ago

    Tnks w;f ;aivnn sbvcuw

  62. Ventifact   14 years ago

    Competitive candidates answer questions with emotional appeals.

  63. Blind Vote   14 years ago

    Tnks w;f ;aivnn sbvcuw

  64. Shentivact   14 years ago

    Silly rabbit, policy specifics are for joke candidates. Competitive candidates answer questions with emotional appeals.

  65. Ventifact   14 years ago

    Silly rabbit, policy specifics are for joke candidates. Competitive candidates answer questions with emotional appeals.

  66. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Santorum just lost the NBC/TBS late night talk show vote.

    1. Draco   14 years ago

      You just know that question was chosen to trap Santorum, who is clearly unlikely to be the kind of man who watches late night comedy TV - or any TV at all.

      1. Sudden   14 years ago

        TBN bro, TBN.

  67. Sudden   14 years ago

    Rick Santorum: Leno? Conan? Neither are on TBN so I wouldn't know.

    1. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

      Q: "Astroglide, or KY?"

      A: "Either one works up a nice froth."

      1. Patrick   14 years ago

        When I learned about this alternative use of his name, I actually had a slightly more positive impression of Santorum.

        1. db   14 years ago

          ...alternative use of his name...

          Dude...chicken and egg...

  68. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    Boxers, or briefs?

  69. The Blind?and Deaf Vote   14 years ago

    Tnks w;f ;aivnn sbvcuw ?

  70. Patrick   14 years ago

    Christ, here come the mickey mouse questions on pop culture.

  71. Vent   14 years ago

    Silly rabbit, policy specifics are for joke candidates. Competitive candidates answer questions with emotional appeals.

  72. Koan   14 years ago

    I get the feeling that Herman Cain doesn't really know the details of any given issue - just puff and platitude. And . . . WTF? Leno or Conan? What an awful, un-serious question. But hey, it made Santorum look even douchier than normal.

  73. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Nearly every candidate's hard-on for manufacturing jobs is depressing.

    1. Anonymous Biotch   14 years ago

      They've got to prove they have hardware and not flaccid shit like software.

  74. Tom Walls   14 years ago

    Ron was actually sounding quite mainstream in the last two answers (except the others don't really talk about the Fed).

  75. Episiarch   14 years ago

    I'm so glad I'm not watching this. I think I'll go sit by the pool and read from my Kindle. You guys will summarize tomorrow, right? Thanks for doing the hard work.

    1. Douche Vote   14 years ago

      Episiarch in '12!

    2. Sudden   14 years ago

      I can summarize for you right now Epi.

      We are so fucked.

      1. Episiarch   14 years ago

        Why do you think I'm not watching? Because I know it will be even worse than I imagine, and that's just fucking terrifying.

    3. Anonymous Coward   14 years ago

      Summary:

      President Barack Obama arrives in Washington for his second inauguration speech after the GOP puts up a shit campaign with a shit candidate.

  76. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    Why does CNN have a photo of Romney's faceplate permanantly fixed to the left of the video stream?

  77. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    I'm holding my avocado rotary phone up to that code and it's not doing a damn thing.

  78. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Why is Alan Colmes asking questions at the Republican debate?

    1. Amakudari   14 years ago

      Because he's always been a Republican plant to set up doofuses like Hannity. Or maybe the abused girlfriend analogy is more appropriate...

  79. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    Fuck, Kill, or Marry:
    Lou Dobbs, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity

    1. rather   14 years ago

      Fuck Sean Hannity cause he's a fucking bastard

      Kill Bill O'Reilly because I'm a patriot and not a pinhead.

      Marry Lou Dobbs cause I'd fuck him to death

    2. heller   14 years ago

      Hannity, O'Reilly, Dobbs

  80. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    It would be nice to have Gary Johnson there to back that answer up.

  81. Inigo Carmine   14 years ago

    Woot! Finally, Paul with a good answer. Shame he wussed out on the manufacturing jobs question.

  82. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    John Fahey is going to ask a question? This should most likely be rambling.

  83. Not Sure   14 years ago

    CNN's polling the audience live: Went up as Cain said no to "to big to fail." That's good news.

  84. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    King knows his mic is on, right? When he's mumbling while the candidates are talking?

    1. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

      Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright

  85. Joe M   14 years ago

    Romney making liquidation noises? No way.

  86. Sudden   14 years ago

    Mitt apparently doesn't feel it necessary to mention how the federales still have a significant equity stake in the auto companies that is currently one-half of what we invested in it.

  87. shrike   14 years ago

    Romney is so transparently pandering to his right-wing Poltergeist.

  88. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Yikes, I don't know if "keep government in its place" is a great phrase to use like 3 seconds after equating government to obama.

  89. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Kiss the auto industry. KISS IT!

  90. Draco   14 years ago

    Romney: "Keep government in its place, and let the private sector create the jobs."

    Romney: "Obama gave GM to the UAW."

  91. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Santorum: Government to the cronies: just the tip

  92. SIV   14 years ago

    Romney was for TARP wasn't he? He preferred central planning to the privte sector for financial institutions.

    1. Amakudari   14 years ago

      TARP for my buddies saved the financial industry and the money was paid back. The GM bailout against my buddies will kill the auto industry and the money can't really be paid back.

  93. Not Sure   14 years ago

    I want Michelle to say "Don't-cha know."

    1. Joe M   14 years ago

      She's controlling the accent pretty well, I must say. She's usually worse.

      1. .   14 years ago

        Speaking of accents - where is Newt from? Sounds like the actor who used to play Ray Romano's ol' man.

        1. Zombie Peter Boyle   14 years ago

          You know Newt does look like Frankenstein's Monster.

          1. .   14 years ago

            Yeah, and Romney looks like Herman Munster.

  94. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Paulson and Bachmann: Behind Closed Doors.

    Rule #34 rears its horribly disgusting head.

    1. Wind Rider   14 years ago

      You're just not right. Ratfucker.

  95. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Steel cage death match between Bachmann and Rethugs BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

  96. Not Sure   14 years ago

    Newt! Stop sounding competent!!!

  97. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Old lady is NOT buying what gingrich is selling.

  98. Joe M   14 years ago

    Wow Gingrich, slam on NASA. I love it. Everyone in my hometown is probably pissed though.

  99. Amakudari   14 years ago

    "Sadly, and I say 'sadly' because I have a Tasha Yar poster in my office. We should have lift vehicles and a moon base, too."

  100. Draco   14 years ago

    Newt seems to agree with Rand on the appropriateness of a Federal Govt role in manned space flight... but in the end he said it should be in private hands.

  101. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Hfs, the space program? This is really what we're talking about?

  102. Tom Walls   14 years ago

    Ron Paul was an early supporter of SDI. That was his space program.

    1. John C. Randolph   14 years ago

      Got a citation for that? Doesn't sound like him.

      -jcr

  103. shrike   14 years ago

    Newt - Decentralize Space Programs!

  104. Patrick   14 years ago

    Trillions in debt and none of the Serious Candidates can even bring themselves to say they would cut the fucking space program.

  105. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    I guess it's Dump on Government Day. And on the eve of Flag Day.

  106. SIV   14 years ago

    Romney, Cain and Gingrich were for TARP.
    T-Paw is/was for central energy planning.

    Paul and Bachmann voted against both.

  107. Joe M   14 years ago

    Pawlenty, no one cares about the housing market. Tell us about the meat-packing market.

  108. Amakudari   14 years ago

    Ugh, Pawlenty talks about crony capitalism, but everything he's been saying thus far about scaling back government is hedged with private-public partnership talk. How do people figure crony capitalism comes into being?

    1. hazeeran   14 years ago

      Must look less "EXTREMIST" to independents.

  109. Bob Harris   14 years ago

    For relaxing times, make it Santorum Time.

  110. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Oh yeah, Ron Paul is here. Forgot.

  111. Not Sure   14 years ago

    Ron Paul clearly knows policy, now if only he could learn politics.

    1. CE   14 years ago

      Yeah, maybe then he could get elected to Congress for the 13th time.

  112. shrike   14 years ago

    Ron Paul "The Fed caused autism!"

  113. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Good, confident answer from Ron Paul

  114. Joe M   14 years ago

    Whew Paul did very well on the housing question, but he probably scared people with the "housing prices must come down" bit.

    1. CE   14 years ago

      Not me. I want to buy a house. Keep on dropping.

  115. Draco   14 years ago

    Ron Paul always displays a maximum of what Paul Fussell described in Class as "prole jacket gape." His ill-fitting jacket is gaping a full 2 inches in some instances.

    Note, by contrast, the the moderator's jacket fits his neck and shoulders perfectly.

  116. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Herman Caine doesn't want you to have e. coli. Now, lets talk about housing.

  117. Not Sure   14 years ago

    For what it's worth, during Ron Paul's rambling answer, CNN's live poll popped up to 70 (from 50 baseline) for both Republicans and Independents (no Democrats are being polled.)

  118. Jerry   14 years ago

    So this guy Cain owned a pizza chain, and wants the federal government to do food inspections. Fail.

    1. Patrick   14 years ago

      Makes sense in some ways - multi-million dollar corporate pizza chains can absorb compliance costs and de facto bribes much easier than the local shops.

  119. Amakudari   14 years ago

    Cain subtext: "I heard your question and I'm going to answer something else."

    I kind of like this.

  120. The Truth   14 years ago

    The inside of Ron Paul's brain is just a 30 second looptape about the Federal Reserve stuck on "repeat".

    1. heller   14 years ago

      Tell us about China, you're boring otherwise.

    2. CE   14 years ago

      It's called "staying on message". Eventually people will get it.

  121. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Small government conservatism has basically become huge state governmentism

  122. Tom Walls   14 years ago

    Did Romney just say "Febbagubbamint"?

  123. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    Cain: As a Republican businessman in teh food industry, yes, the Feds should be doing food safety. Fanfuckingtastic.

    1. johnl   14 years ago

      The most important thing the government can do is ensure the safety of the food supply. So the obvious candidate is the one with the most foodservice experience. Or something.

  124. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Did Romney just threaten to kill me if I don't pay back my debt?

  125. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    Why do I keep expecting to see a chainsaw on the end of Romney's arm?

  126. shrike   14 years ago

    No "terrier-ism" questions yet.

    Bush/Cheney is so 2003.

  127. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    If Gingrich is right that these candidates need to be shaping the message for the Republican party, then their eagerness to take everything unpopular the federal government is doing and have state governments do it is very troubling.

  128. Koan   14 years ago

    Ok so far . . . All of them pretty much suck, but Paul and Bachmann are better than the rest.

  129. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    TWITTER! LOOK AWAY BEFORE YOU SEE A WEINER!

  130. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Helllooooooo Carole R. Davis! Ah-cha-cha-cha

  131. Not Sure   14 years ago

    Independents like that Ron Paul uses a Blackberry, according to CNN's live poll.

  132. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Admit it, Ron Paul juts picked his favorite fruit. It has lots of fiber.

    1. SIV   14 years ago

      Kiss the gay vote goodbye.

  133. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Physician, heal thy self's poor choice in ties.

  134. The Truth   14 years ago

    /TEH FED! THE FED! TEH FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!

    It's the answer to everything!

    1. Amakudari   14 years ago

      Except he didn't mention the Fed.

  135. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Ron Paul: As an elderly person who many think thinks like a child, trust me on this.

  136. David   14 years ago

    Ron Fuckin' Paul!

  137. Draco   14 years ago

    Ron Paul: The Man Who Took Eisenhower Seriously.

    "End the military industrial complex!"

  138. Not Sure   14 years ago

    CNN live poll: Both Independents and Republicans spiked to 90 on cutting military and opting out during Ron Paul's response.

  139. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Pawlenty: We need to keep promises that we can't keep.

  140. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Pawlenty: Not enough Obama!

    1. Amakudari   14 years ago

      I don't quite understand his strategy. "Vote for me, but Obama's actually a pretty cool guy."

  141. Inigo Carmine   14 years ago

    Prone to rambling yes,..but every time Paul *doesn't* mention the FED he ends up putting out a solid response

  142. David   14 years ago

    You'd be suprised how many people want to "opt out".

    1. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

      Turn on, tune in, opt out.

  143. Joe M   14 years ago

    Newt, we're falling asleep here.

  144. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    How could Obama run you over if you were in the back seat?

  145. Joe M   14 years ago

    Shorter Newt: "Cut waste, fraud, and abuse, dang it!"

  146. Inigo Carmine   14 years ago

    By the way, is everyone else getting the Cadillac ad EVERY commercial break? Doesn't GM realize they're not getting endorsed here?

  147. RP   14 years ago

    I'll let you opt out of the WHOLE SYSTEM!

  148. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Fantastic. Medicare Part D is being praised.

  149. Joe M   14 years ago

    If only Santorum were an atheist, he might be okay.

  150. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Rick Santorum is talking. YOU SHUT YOUR WHORE MOUTH!

  151. shrike   14 years ago

    Ron Paul without Isolationism is like Barry Bonds without juice!

    DAMMIT!!!! Not fair!

  152. David   14 years ago

    "Fantastic. Medicare Part D is being praised." Why wouldn't you praise it?! Bush policies always worked so well.

  153. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    While you're fired up, Mr. Cain, let's talk muslims.

    1. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

      IT'S ON BABY!

  154. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    Santorum always looks like he's about a split second into gazing into the ark of the convenant. Will he melt, explode, or burst into flames?

    I think it's the (lack of) lips, or the teeth. Or something.

    1. shrike   14 years ago

      He would approve your comment.

  155. Joe M   14 years ago

    W00h00 Chile rulez. Wait, we don't have to raise the retirement age because raising it isn't enough???

  156. Draco   14 years ago

    People: Medicare is transfer program. Stop adding up what you "paid in" and complaining you're not going to get your fair share. It's just like SS. It's a simple transfer, each year, from current earners to retirees. The only thing it "owes" you is to continue to force people to pay into it when you get old yourself.

    1. Robert   14 years ago

      The only way to get your share of Medicare is to get very sick and stay that way for a long time, once you're old. I don't think anyone actually seeks that.

  157. shrike   14 years ago

    Flava Cain pussing out on retirement age.

  158. Not Sure   14 years ago

    CNN's live poll: Independents like Cain's Personal Retirement Accounts. More so than Republicans (WTF?!)

    1. Not Sure   14 years ago

      CNN's live poll: Republicans like Romney, Independents not as much.

  159. Patrick   14 years ago

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Galveston in RP's district?

    1. Joe M   14 years ago

      It is.

  160. Joe M   14 years ago

    I was confused about Romney's response, then I remembered he's on pure attack mode. He's not interested in giving a substantive answer, he's just talking about the blandest generalities, spiced with buzzwords stolen from other candidates playbooks.

    1. shrike   14 years ago

      Romney like a hockey team with a 1-0 lead ...

      speaking of which?

      1. Robert   14 years ago

        Yeah, but Weiner's the one killing the penalty.

        1. Greg   14 years ago

          I thought he was the one pulling his goalie?

  161. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Man asleep in the audience. First person I'm jealous of for being there.

  162. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Someone more eloquent than Bachmann? This could, literally, be anyone.

    1. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

      On cue, "Crongress"

  163. Not Sure   14 years ago

    President Besh? Who's he?

  164. Barack Obama   14 years ago

    Bachmann, why you bringing up old shit?

  165. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    A ginger! The end is nigh!

  166. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Here comes the out-religify segment of the broadcast.

  167. Amakudari   14 years ago

    Here's the thing: they keep talking about "our kids."

    The people who will be affected by the first large increases in taxes or cuts in benefits related to entitlements are voting age adults, and have been for a while.

  168. shrike   14 years ago

    Pawlenty - "I suck up to fundies".

  169. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    This is some supremely thick irony from Santorum. I'm flabbergasted.

  170. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    TPaw just dropped a God bomb on the mutherfucking HOUSE!!!
    +1!!!!!

  171. Draco   14 years ago

    "Faith and Reason"

    Whoops. Santorum just lost the Objectivist vote.

    On the other hand, he may have cemented the Thomist vote - which is probably a win for him.

  172. Not Sure   14 years ago

    CNN's live poll again spikes above other candidates when Ron Paul answered.

  173. Joe M   14 years ago

    News flash: god gets applause.

  174. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Let the Herman Cain trainwreck commence!

    1. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

      Better than that Super 8 trailer.

    2. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

      That wasn't so bad. He just dislikes the bad ones.

  175. shrike   14 years ago

    Put RP on legal drugs for an easy win, you stupid fucks!

    Oops - Flava Cain axed about Muzzies!

  176. David   14 years ago

    "Here's the thing: they keep talking about "our kids."

    The people who will be affected by the first large increases in taxes or cuts in benefits related to entitlements are voting age adults, and have been for a while."
    Bbb-but you'd have to stop kickin' the can down the road and take immediate action, OH MY GAWD

  177. Not Sure   14 years ago

    CNN's live poll: Independents hate Muslims. (Was above 90)

    1. Joe M   14 years ago

      Yeah wtf? I would've guessed Republicans would've been higher that time.

  178. Amakudari   14 years ago

    Cain just lost the Wahhabist vote.

  179. shrike   14 years ago

    Fuck Cain - Neil Boortz sucks his cock - so I hate him.

    1. SIV   14 years ago

      Neal isn't shillin' for Herman. Expect Boortz to endorse the most "mainstream Republican"

  180. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    "We have a Constitution..."

    And we have an individual mandate.

  181. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Newt just Godwinned the shit outta this joint. Debate over!

  182. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Nazis! Commies!

  183. Joe M   14 years ago

    Wow, Newt, so gutsy of you to say no traitors in your administration.

  184. Not Sure   14 years ago

    CNN live poll: Republicans and Independents both liked Newt's answer. Confirmed: Everyone think Muslims are traitors.

  185. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Newt Gingrich: No to hiring enemies of the United States to serve in his administration.

    1. Patrick   14 years ago

      Sadly, too long for a bumper sticker.

  186. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    Deep Dish - that's at least one Muslim that'll be voting for Cain. Seriously, I went to High School with him. Smart guy.

  187. David   14 years ago

    "Deep Dish", sorry, your position on thin crust pizza was the deciding factor for me casting my vote for you.

  188. Koan   14 years ago

    Gingrich just clearly stated, and with greater eloquence, what Cain was verbally fumbling about. Good answer too - this is something I consider a libertarian blind spot. If it were me, I would have zero Muslims working in a capacity that asked them to place the Constitution ahead of their faith, since technically, it's impossible for them to do so.

    1. shrike   14 years ago

      Agree - but same with Christians.

      I hate all superstition equally.

      1. Auntie Semitic   14 years ago

        How 'bout Joos?

    2. heller   14 years ago

      I'll give you a hint: The Constitution isn't a libertarian document.

  189. shrike   14 years ago

    But Newt hates us Secularists - like me and the FUCKING FOUNDERS!!!

    What a fucking tool who thinks he is a historian.

  190. Jerry   14 years ago

    Question for Newt Gingrich: is America ready for a Catholic president?

    1. shrike   14 years ago

      Too easy - JFK.

      better - is USA ready for a rational prez?

      1. Jerry   14 years ago

        But Catholic baiting was happening at the same time as commie baiting and nazi baiting, something Gingrich should have known as a historian.

        1. shrike   14 years ago

          Newt is FOR baiting.

          just not his kind. Easy for him to deflect.

  191. Not Sure   14 years ago

    CNN's live poll: Independents like spicy.

  192. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Governor Romney just lost the Canuck vote.

  193. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Romney: revealing Bruins score came across as very human
    The laugh: strange alien.

    1. shrike   14 years ago

      DADT boring the shit out of everyone and I am pro-gay rights.

  194. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    FOR THE CHILDREN!!!!

  195. Not Sure   14 years ago

    CNN's live poll: Independents not up with traditional marriage.

    1. Not Sure   14 years ago

      Independents really like marriage being left to the state.

  196. SIV   14 years ago

    MICHELLE!!! Michelle!!!

    1. SIV   14 years ago

      Perfect answer

  197. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Pawlenty's words: lost the gay vote
    Pawlenty's dimples: bringin 'em right back

  198. David   14 years ago

    Ron Paul won that round.

  199. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Government marriage is gay.

  200. MWG   14 years ago

    Gay marriage?

    Seems the candidates are competing for who can be the biggest dick.

    1. hazeeran   14 years ago

      Paul lost.

      1. MWG   14 years ago

        I get what you did there.

  201. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    "23 Foster kids: Mr. Cain, does that mean Ms. Bachmann has 23 foster kids, or 30?"

    1. SIV   14 years ago

      WIN!

  202. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    An amendment would overturn state law.

  203. Amakudari   14 years ago

    Is it just me, or is Pawlenty pissing everyone off? Libertarians, sure, but he's the squishiest Republican there. Who likes this guy?

  204. Patrick   14 years ago

    We're actually in 4 wars, T-Paw.

  205. David   14 years ago

    Government marriage is gay as hell.

  206. Puffopadrino   14 years ago

    My favorite part,"I hate fags more than you do!".

  207. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    Gingrich: No meatgazing or snorkeling allowed in my military!

  208. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Bachmann would keep don't ask don't tell but not go into states to overturn their gay militaries

  209. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Punish the gays unless they're into that.

  210. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Point for Santorum: he is truly authentically disgusting.

  211. generic Brand   14 years ago

    Bachmann, as president, would confer with the "commander in chiefs [sic]"

  212. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Sanctity of straight life.

  213. Almanian Towelie   14 years ago

    I have no idea what's goin' on.

    You wanna get high?

  214. shrike   14 years ago

    Wingnuts - KILL ABORTION DOCTORS!!!

    All will agree, of course.

    1. sevo   14 years ago

      One of these days, a strawman will learn to hit back, and you'll be in deep trouble.

  215. MWG   14 years ago

    I once heard Bachmann raised 23 foster children. Is that true?

    1. Publius Cato   14 years ago

      In a row?

  216. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Declaration of Independents??? She stole Welch and Gillespie's book title!

  217. Draco   14 years ago

    Abortion Rights:

    Thomas Aquinas 7
    Ayn Rand 0

    based on these candidates' answers.

  218. SIV   14 years ago

    Bachmann-5 babies

    Ron Paul- FOUR THOUSAND!

  219. Amakudari   14 years ago

    Live births per candidate:
    Bachmann - 5
    Romney - 0
    Pawlenty - 0
    Paul - 0
    Cain - 0

    1. Amakudari   14 years ago

      And no, delivering kids doesn't count. That's like leading the league in assists.

      1. Almanian   14 years ago

        +5

        1. Matt   14 years ago

          Good for her, that doesn't qualify her to tell other women what to do though. Must be nice to be able to afford 5 kids. Not everyone has that luxury.

          1. SIV   14 years ago

            5 of her own
            23 that other people didn't want
            I'm sure the 23 are quite happy they weren't aborted

            1. sevo   14 years ago

              "I'm sure the 23 are quite happy they weren't aborted"
              Are you familiar with the concept of 'non-falsifiable'?

            2. Robert   14 years ago

              5 of her own
              23 that other people didn't want

              Well, we know who's the candidate of the Illuminati.

          2. Wind Rider   14 years ago

            Goes a long way towards explaining some of her positions - she's obviously had unprotected sex, and it took her 5 episodes to figure out how that works. Good on her for playing mommy to 23 extras - but I don;t feel like being a part of the next 300 million or so she wants to play mommy for.

          3. Anonymous Biotch   14 years ago

            As long as you get every childless person in your village to pitch in with property taxes, you sure can afford 5 kids. After all, it takes a fucking socialist village to raise 5 kids.

      2. Joe M   14 years ago

        Come on, don't you think you could come up with a conversion ratio, maybe like 1000:1?

        1. Amakudari   14 years ago

          This isn't hockey. In my opinion, babies are more like scoring in basketball.

          1. Pope Jimbo   14 years ago

            WTF? Have you ever tried dribbling a baby? Dude they don't bounce well and the soft spot in their head makes it super hard to tell which way they are going to rebound off the rim.

  220. shrike   14 years ago

    T-Paw - "I am more pro-feti than you, bitch!"

  221. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    T-Paw personally impregnated every woman in sight in Minnesota. That's how Pro Life he is.

    1. shrike   14 years ago

      T-Paw/Weiner!!!

  222. Puffopadrino   14 years ago

    Where does Bachmann stand on the death penalty?

    1. ?   14 years ago

      On your neck?

  223. generic Brand   14 years ago

    Deport that bitch!

  224. Almanian   14 years ago

    ROADZZZZ!

  225. MWG   14 years ago

    Illegal immigration?

    1. Almanian   14 years ago

      ANCHOR BABEEEEEEEEEEEZ!

    2. MWG   14 years ago

      Sanotrum's a dick and Paul... doesn't really make sense.

      1. MWG   14 years ago

        Damn! Newt seemed reasonable.

  226. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Legal immigration. It's a great wellspring of hard to understand accents.

  227. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Somerset County. Sly 9-11 reference.

  228. Not Sure   14 years ago

    Paul: Learn to focus.

  229. Almanian   14 years ago

    I came to this broadcast looking for intelligent life....AND COULDN'T FIND IT ANYWHERE.

    Except on H&R, bien sur...

  230. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Ron Paul just lost Martin Luther's vote.

    1. Almanian   14 years ago

      RAAAAACIST!

      1. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

        Can't we all just get along?

    2. M. Luthizzle   14 years ago

      "You'd BEST be recognizing the PROTESTANT compassion, G-Ron! Don't make me get up out this grave fool!" --

  231. Almanian   14 years ago

    When are they going to talk about the Ground Zero Mosque?

    Cause THAT's what I want to hear about!

    1. shrike   14 years ago

      Wait for the Fox News debate.

      Mosques and Sharia' 100% all the time - all for you!

  232. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    Holy crap Ron Paul just shat all over the stage. That was a mess.

  233. Dylboz   14 years ago

    The Catholic Church? REALLY?

  234. Mike   14 years ago

    Ron Paul, PantslessGrandpa for President!

  235. generic Brand   14 years ago

    This moderator sucks a gay illegal immigrant's aborted anchor baby's dick!

    (NTTAWWT)

    1. Anonymous Biotch   14 years ago

      ROTFL.

  236. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Cleaning up the bureaucracy? Lemon squeezy.

  237. Koan   14 years ago

    Man, T-paw is almost as reprehensible as Santorum. Cain is actually growing on me a bit. Romney is not coming off very well.

  238. Fire Tiger   14 years ago

    I showed up to this thread with a case of beer and only 1 call to drink. Damned teetotalers.

    1. Almanian   14 years ago

      DRINK! DRINK! DRINK! DRINK! DRINK!

      I hope that helped. Just trying to be helpful.

    2. Anonymous Biotch   14 years ago

      Remember to thank Allah and the Holy Prophet Mohammed before you drink your beer.

  239. Not Sure   14 years ago

    CNN live poll: Independents seem to be more in favor of anti-immigration policies than Republicans.

  240. Dylboz   14 years ago

    He can focus alright. It's always the economy, I mean, the Fed, stupid. Even when no one wants to hear it. That, and the Catholic Church.

  241. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Newt Gingrich: Binary Hunter

  242. Puffopadrino   14 years ago

    Bear Patrol!

  243. Matt   14 years ago

    Cain is holding his own. Too much Muslim baiting though. That's not necessary and is undercutting his credibility.

    1. Matt   14 years ago

      Can't believe I'm saying this but I actually loved Romney's rebuttal to Cain's Sharia obsession.

    2. Almanian   14 years ago

      SHARIA GROUND ZERO MOSQUE AL QUEDA MOOSLIM ANTI-ISRAEL!

      1. MWG   14 years ago

        Ground Zero Mosque? What the hell is that?

  244. shrike   14 years ago

    There are no winners in this debate.

    Someone needs to pull their cock out and fuck Michelle Bachmann in the ass to get my vote!

  245. Joe M   14 years ago

    Ooh, wow, an actually good question.

  246. generic Brand   14 years ago

    Paul McCartney needs to learn how to read

    1. John Edwards   14 years ago

      I'm doing okay so far?

  247. David   14 years ago

    Hell yes! Ron Paul is doin' better on this one.

  248. Joe M   14 years ago

    Ooh, yeah, Paul rehearsed this talking point. I read it earlier.

    1. Joe M   14 years ago

      Specifically the own vs rent point.

  249. Draco   14 years ago

    Ron Paul is lovable, but obviously not electable. We need to face the truth here. He'd make a great Supreme Court appointee though!

    1. MWG   14 years ago

      I hate to agree. I agree with almost everything Paul says... when I can understand what he's saying.

      1. Amakudari   14 years ago

        He just comes off as really jumpy. Too many of his answers consist of a laundry list, and then he finally stops and elaborates on one.

        1. MWG   14 years ago

          This.

  250. Not Sure   14 years ago

    CNN live poll: Independents like Ron Paul's eminent domain response more than Republicans. (Above 90)

  251. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Crowd: Yay for property rights.

    1. Joe M   14 years ago

      There's hope yet.

  252. generic Brand   14 years ago

    Maybe already been said, but definitely some Ronulans in the crowd

    1. SIV   14 years ago

      Romney goes for the Taliban vote.

  253. MWG   14 years ago

    Energy independence!

    Barf.

  254. Amakudari   14 years ago

    The best thing about the NH deal is that it probably wouldn't reduce "dependence on furrin oil." It would just steal shit.

  255. Joe M   14 years ago

    Romney: good stuff good, uh, America, get on track baby.

  256. Joe M   14 years ago

    See, Santorum is relatively good on economics. He's pointing in the right direction, though his arrow stops a bit short.

  257. David   14 years ago

    There's a lot of Ronulans period bro, they follow him around like flies on shit.

  258. generic Brand   14 years ago

    Haha T-Paw a little too quick with the "coke" call. Better get SWAT on the stage during the commerical

  259. Draco   14 years ago

    Oh good... They're going to address the War on Food.

    The ethanol subsidy is perhaps the single worst policy in the past 20 years. Unless you want to see people around the world die of starvation. And have your car engine destroyed from the inside.

    1. Robert   14 years ago

      The threat always seems to come from the inside, doesn't it?

  260. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    John King just lost the Royal Crown vote.

    1. Not Sure   14 years ago

      Ever see the Boston Legal episode where they compared Pepsi and Coke to Republicans and Democrats, and then called third parties Royal Crown? Was awesome.

  261. Matt   14 years ago

    HELL yeah, foreign policy up next. This is about to get NASTY!

    1. hazeeran   14 years ago

      Can't wait for the Chamberlain accusations!

  262. shrike   14 years ago

    Pawlently's "Coke" answer was the clear winner now - for the crucial Southern vote.

    Hands down winner.

    1. Fire Tiger   14 years ago

      No, for the southern vote the correct answer would have been 'RC'.

      1. CE   14 years ago

        You mean "Dr. Pepper".

  263. Koan   14 years ago

    Rapid poll: who do you fuck in the ass first? Bachmann or Palin?

    1. Almanian   14 years ago

      yes

    2. Amakudari   14 years ago

      Skeptical of both. Seem too fertile. Don't know how it would work, but it just seems too risky.

  264. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    Foreing policy's next? Where's HERCULE TRIATHLON SAVINIEN to explain it all? I need me some HTS...

  265. Jerry   14 years ago

    Romney: against private property taking, except when it serves to build a stadium for the Boston Bruins.

  266. David   14 years ago

    Heh, we're about to hear some Neo-Cons argue that it's a good thing that we have 900+ military bases around the world. We're in for a treat! Ron Paul is gonna kick some ass on this part.

  267. Almanian   14 years ago

    SUBWAY has my vote, so far

  268. generic Brand   14 years ago

    Is that Mike Ditka asking the FP question?

  269. generic Brand   14 years ago

    Is that Mike Ditka asking the FP question?

  270. ?   14 years ago

    Does the winner get to impregnate Michelle Bachmann? And what if she wins? A strap-on session with Santorum?

  271. generic Brand   14 years ago

    Fuckin' Romney, wants to hand it right back to the terrorists

  272. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Ha! Great spit take from the soldier on the Taliban gaffe.

  273. hazeeran   14 years ago

    Romney: neverrrr leave

  274. Terr   14 years ago

    Romney, you slimy cunt.

  275. Puffopadrino   14 years ago

    The Talibanian Canidate

    1. hazeeran   14 years ago

      Romney won the Pashtun vote.

  276. MWG   14 years ago

    Endless War baby!

    1. Almanian   14 years ago

      The Beach Boys next album

  277. shrike   14 years ago

    Oh GAWD!!!

    GOP anti-matter "Lets be anti-war" after Bush/Cheney rah rah war love.

    I am truly sick.

    Go Ron Paul!

  278. Anonymous   14 years ago

    I'm commenting without even watching!

  279. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    EastAsia. I mean Eurasia! Eurasia!

  280. Almanian   14 years ago

    Go Ronnie, go Ronnie, go Ronnie...

  281. Not Sure   14 years ago

    CNN live poll: Independents liked Ron Paul when he said "Libya." Didn't like anything else he said.

  282. hazeeran   14 years ago

    Paul's up to date compared to Paws, more than two wars.

  283. Dagny T.   14 years ago

    Wow, I turned this shit on for a few moments of respite from the pathetic excuse for hockey the Canucks are playing. Romney is worse.

    1. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

      If it makes you feel any better, I think the Bruins have a few Canadians on their team, too.

      1. Dagny T.   14 years ago

        It doesn't! Vancouver is my former hometown, and those goofy Canadians will lose their shit if they win the cup. If home ice advantage holds out, maybe the Canucks can pull it off in game 7, because they aren't looking good so far.

        1. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

          In hockey, early leads were made to be lost. So don't give up.

    2. Mensan   14 years ago

      I'm rooting for orcas since the bears beat my Bolts.

  284. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Ron Paul: Our troops making things worse.

  285. Joe M   14 years ago

    So Republicans still like bombing foreign countries, apparently. Independents are a little more intelligent, however.

  286. Almanian   14 years ago

    *barf*

  287. Dylboz   14 years ago

    GAWD! Quit verbally fellating the military! GET ON WITH IT!

    1. Almanian   14 years ago

      yeah, that's what caused me to *barf*

      1. Dagny T.   14 years ago

        Me too. Platitudes AND time-wasting! How presidential.

  288. Joe M.   14 years ago

    Pawlenty, shut the fuck up you fucking phony-ass motherfucker.

  289. generic Brand   14 years ago

    Ron Paul just killed that debate better than a SEAL team takes down terrorist leaders

  290. Almanian   14 years ago

    I can't watch any more. 5minutes is too much.

    Bye, all!

  291. proegg antichicken   14 years ago

    that motherfucker. Invoking "support the troops" is forced applause. You can't not clap, that's treason.

    1. Anonymous   14 years ago

      Try not standing up for the National Anthem. Baseball fans can be so mean.

      1. proegg antichicken   14 years ago

        Yeah, but I'll stand for that. Tpaw is just a pandering whorebag, baseball less so.

  292. MWG   14 years ago

    Pawlenty is such a douche.

    1. shrike   14 years ago

      bag.

  293. Puffopadrino   14 years ago

    "Sept. 11th" Drink!

  294. Not Sure   14 years ago

    CNN live poll: No one likes Libya.

  295. proegg antichicken   14 years ago

    who's this bitch?

  296. Almanian   14 years ago

    You know who else likes to "lead from behind"?

    OK I'm outta here for real...

    1. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

      Buttman.

  297. SIV   14 years ago

    Fuck the Frogs!

  298. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    "Leading from behind."

    "We're the head, not the tail."

    Are we back on DADT?

  299. Dylboz   14 years ago

    I like RP saying hey, THE POTUS RULES THE MILITARY, and NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND! I hate all this deference to the Pentagon. "I'll listen to the Generals" is bullshit!

    1. Matt   14 years ago

      Took some serious nuts to say that! Wow.

  300. Joe M.   14 years ago

    Okay, everyone, the debate is almost over. What's the official storyline going to be for this one? Let's see:

    "Romney steady, Bachmann makes a big splash."

    That was what they were prepping up beforehand, I believe.

    1. Not Sure   14 years ago

      Newt didn't slit his throat.

  301. Puffopadrino   14 years ago

    We're not a "bottom".

  302. Draco   14 years ago

    Go Michelle! No vital national interest in Libya!

  303. obi juan   14 years ago

    fraNCE!!!

    I like how she got louder when she said it.

  304. MWG   14 years ago

    Bachmann: North africans and arabs fighting dictatorships are Al Qaeda terrorists in sheeps clothing.

    1. MWG   14 years ago

      Same with Newt.

  305. Ryan   14 years ago

    Fundamentally! Drink!

  306. Amakudari   14 years ago

    Libya was the second-largest producer of people who wanted to kill Americans in Iraq?

    Maybe we shouldn't fucking be in Iraq.

  307. Jerry   14 years ago

    Note to Bachmann: Libya bombed a German disco full with American servicemen.

    1. Matt   14 years ago

      ...25 years ago

  308. proegg antichicken   14 years ago

    GOOD question.

  309. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Greg Salts: Fire the troops.

  310. Terr   14 years ago

    what the fuck did herman cain just babble?

    1. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

      For the first time, a candidate was hoping for that 30 second mark.

      1. proegg antichicken   14 years ago

        Luntz's classroom of 'tards will eat it up.

  311. Patrick   14 years ago

    Cain clearly inherited his way with words from his grandmother.

  312. Mike   14 years ago

    Oh my god Cain paraphrased his grandmother!

  313. SIV   14 years ago

    He knows the answer to his own question.

  314. MWG   14 years ago

    Military Question: Awesom

    Santorum's a dick.

  315. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    THE SOVIETS ARE COMING!

  316. shrike   14 years ago

    Ron Paul - clear winner.

    But not based on performance - based on the others douchebaggery.

    1. MWG   14 years ago

      How the republican party has fallen when the least articulate also appears to be the smartest.

      1. The Thinking Man's NASCAR   14 years ago

        Appears to be? Try "is".

  317. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    I'm calling it: Romney/Santorum: Lack of Affect for American in 2012!

  318. Ryan   14 years ago

    Fecklessness. I'm impressed.

  319. Amakudari   14 years ago

    God I hate Romney.

  320. Koan   14 years ago

    Foreign policy CLUSTERFUCK!

  321. Puffopadrino   14 years ago

    I'm totally fine with that Lithuanian military base over in Crown Heights.

  322. Koan   14 years ago

    What the fuck is with that moderator's mumbling?? It's not even mumbling - it's like "Erp.Um.Erp.Hmm.Erp." I almost expect to see him twiddling his knob when the camera pans to him. CREEPY!

  323. Bender Bending Rodriguez   14 years ago

    I kinda liked this Cain guy when he played the cop in "Die Hard", and the dad in "Family Matters" As a candidate, not so much.

  324. Mensan   14 years ago

    Polls represent a burumiter?

  325. Joe M.   14 years ago

    That is one of the stupidest questions ever. Wtf does talking about polling have to do with being president?

  326. proegg antichicken   14 years ago

    they can't help but reference Palin, she looms large

  327. Joe M.   14 years ago

    Wait, the VP question was worse.

  328. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    Biden's shining example of buffoonery is his opinion on Iraq?

  329. generic Brand   14 years ago

    Probably THE best question of the night, putting them on the spot and making them dis Biden at the same time

  330. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Pawlenty: Iraq Mission Accomplished

  331. Not Sure   14 years ago

    CNN live poll: Everyone liked the Biden bashing; Independents didn't like Sarah Palin support.

  332. MWG   14 years ago

    Pawlenty is campaigning for Palin.

    Barf.

  333. Ryan   14 years ago

    Independents dove when Paw said Palin was qualified to be Pres.

  334. shrike   14 years ago

    T-Paw "Iraq shining example of success"

    Someone put a buttplug in that idiots mouth!

    1. Joe M.   14 years ago

      Ask Santorum.

    2. Jerry   14 years ago

      If by success you mean having a car bomb explode outside a police station in Basra, killing five: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Wo.....t=hs&or=tn

  335. Joe M.   14 years ago

    Interesting, independents don't like "moderate" Romney's response as much as Republicans.

    1. Not Sure   14 years ago

      Independents seem to like Ron Paul. WTF?

  336. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    PICK GARY JOHNSON. DO IT.

  337. iluvthefed   14 years ago

    DRINK

  338. Joe M.   14 years ago

    HAHAHAHA, hilarious surprise: Paul's litmus test is how you feel about the Fed.

  339. David   14 years ago

    Lol, Ron Paul cracks me up.

  340. generic Brand   14 years ago

    "They haven't even told me how they feel about the Federal Reserve, yet!"

    Thattaboy Ron!!

  341. Patrick   14 years ago

    Ron, you could have said Gary Johnson and taken CNN to task. Fastball right down the fucking middle.

    1. shrike   14 years ago

      True. RP isn't a A-ready.

      But he is still the WINNER!!!!!

      RP!!! YeeHAW Motherfuckers!!

      1. Patrick   14 years ago

        As a new commenter, let me join in a tradition of veteran commentators on H&R.

        Shut the fuck up, Shrike.

        1. shrike   14 years ago

          Join the list of failures!!

        2. Mensan   14 years ago

          Fast learner

    2. Matt   14 years ago

      Well he did technically answer the question. But man that was kind of cold.

      The libertarian subset of the Republican field seems to be more hostile to each other than the rest of the candidates are to each other.

      1. Robert   14 years ago

        Of course. You should usually try first to knock out the candidate most similar to yourself.

    3. CrackertyAssCracker   14 years ago

      +1. I had that in real time too. It wasn't that hard.

  342. Joe M.   14 years ago

    OMG Newt you make me sick.

  343. MWG   14 years ago

    Bachmann: I've learned about the goodness of Americans in the last 2 hrs.

    Barf.

    1. Stormy Dragon   14 years ago

      If Michele Obama had said that, tomorrow's headline would have been why she didn't think America was good before tonight.

      1. MWG   14 years ago

        I was thinking the same thing regarding Bachmann. 2.1 hours ago she thought Americans where a bunch of assholes.

        1. Mensan   14 years ago

          I still think that.

  344. Bee Tagger   14 years ago

    New Hampshire is so great because they're so easily pandered to!

  345. Amakudari   14 years ago

    Iraq will cost around $3 trillion. That's $10,000 per American.

    I'm sorry, it better be a pretty damn awesome place with cheap beer and nice women that Americans can go to for free for anyone to say it was worth it. Last I checked, it was full of sandstorms and car bombs.

  346. Mensan   14 years ago

    I learned that CNN wants to limit the candidates' time to answer, so they would have time to ask irrelevant questions about boxers or briefs.

  347. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    T-Paw just stole the Beantown vote.

    1. shrike   14 years ago

      yes -the 30% GOP vote.

      What a dipshit.

    2. proegg antichicken   14 years ago

      the pandering whore is strong in this one.

    3. Kolohe   14 years ago

      However, he did astutely calculate that Canadians don't vote.

  348. Ryan   14 years ago

    Think of the children!!!

  349. Mike   14 years ago

    Oh the people of New Hampshire! *gargle gargle*

    1. Joe M.   14 years ago

      Keep gargling.

  350. Mike   14 years ago

    Oh the people of New Hampshire! *gargle gargle*

  351. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Wait. This whole time that wasn't Anderson Cooper moderating?

  352. SIV   14 years ago

    Fuh duh chilluns and grandchilluns!

  353. Irresponsible Hater   14 years ago

    I've learned to live a little more. I've learned to love a little more. I've learned that my back hurts when I stand too long at a lecturn. And before the debate, back in the greenroom, I learned to try harder not to sit on my own balls. I just about cried back there.

  354. Mensan   14 years ago

    That's Newcular Titties, Anderson Cooper. Get it right!

  355. Joe M.   14 years ago

    Paul really REALLY should've said Gary Johnson. That would've been awesome.

  356. shrike   14 years ago

    How will Frank Luntz spin this debacle?

    Off to Pravda!

  357. Koan   14 years ago

    Winners: Bachmann and Paul. Everyone else . . . losers, by degree. Gingrich actually made some spot on observations. Cain was ok, but he cannot master the issues with the requisite authority to make him a real consideration. Santorum/T-Paw/Romney . .. all of them are basically the same level of evil.

    1. Mike E   14 years ago

      Basically how I view the whole thing.

    2. SIV   14 years ago

      I'll third that.

    3. Matt   14 years ago

      Bachmann was less than impressive mostly. As much as I disagree with Gingerich at times, he is articulate and a good orator. I like Cain's speaking style -- very direct -- but the Muslim-baiting's gotta go. Santorum -- again, disagree with him on lots of stuff but he makes good points. As for T-Paw, I can't understand why anyone takes him seriously. He almost put me to sleep every time he talked. Hopefully he'll drop out soon and he'll probably kiss up to Romney -- I think he's positioning himself as a VP candidate right now. Seriously how much better would this debate have been if Gary Johnson had been there instead of Tim Pawlenty? He was a way better governor than t-paw, that's for sure.

      1. Matt   14 years ago

        Edit -- meant to say Santorum makes ARTICULATE points, not "good" points.

    4. Thorbie   14 years ago

      Agreed. Bachmann presented herself well. The dumbest thing she said was the contradiction of not trying to change an individual state's marriage laws while also supporting a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage. Paul mumbled a lot and actually to my surprise I wasn't that satisfied with many of his answers. He actually didn't sound that different from the other candidates, other than having a much much clearer understanding of economics. Everyone else took at least one idiotic position. Romney didn't denounce Romneycare, Pawlenty was for "fair trade," Cain avoided taking a position on issues and made a bizarre comment on muslims, Santorum is running a purely social conservative campaign and Gingrich reinforced his campaign staff's decision to abandon him.

      1. Kolohe   14 years ago

        The dumbest thing she said was the contradiction of not trying to change an individual state's marriage laws while also supporting a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage

        I'm going to her credit on being wrong on policy but neither dumb nor inconsistent. She said she wouldn't use her 'power as the president' to overturn state marriage laws. A constitutional amendment is a different thing. (and which everyone else except Paul supported wrongly too)

        1. Matt   14 years ago

          I love how Republicans support amendments that have no way in hell of actually passing. Great way to throw scraps to the mob without actually doing anything (in this case it's actually a good thing nothing gets done).

  358. Draco   14 years ago

    Be prepared for an onslaught of left-wing feminist fury against Michelle Bachmann which will make the previous effort against Palin look like a pillow fight.

    1. shrike   14 years ago

      Won't happen - yet, unless MB becomes famous.

      The liberal whores I know (and love) are for Tina Fey and anti-SP.

      MB needs some Big Exposure first.

      1. Matt   14 years ago

        Meh -- that's not going to happen. Bachmann is a lot more composed and disciplined than Palin, at least as far as I can tell. She's more businesslike. Not as good bait for press attacks.

        1. Wind Rider   14 years ago

          I see someone has forgotten how easily Ms. Bachman's buttons can get pushed, and she can spout off the most knee jerk response a good marionette of the media can deliver. . .

  359. Draco   14 years ago

    Be prepared for an onslaught of left-wing feminist fury against Michelle Bachmann which will make the previous effort against Palin look like a pillow fight.

  360. Kolohe   14 years ago

    The Nobama sign won the debate.
    http://www.theonion.com/articl.....for,20680/

    Everyone was nice. And everyone but Paul was basically the same (which is not a big surprise)

    I bet everyone that was on that stage (and their advisors - where they exist) already realizes that everyone can't keep being nice and being the same and overtake Romney.

    1. Matt   14 years ago

      I really would have liked to have seen Johnson in this debate. This is exactly the kind of debate I was afraid of. Everyone is super cordial, Ron is his usual self and Mitt walks away looking the best. He is cleverly positioning himself as RP lite on many issues.

      1. Joe M.   14 years ago

        He's positioning himself as everyone-lite. Taking bits and pieces of conservative talking points and mixing them into his generic campaign speech bullshit.

        1. Not Sure   14 years ago

          Turn it off

  361. Matt   14 years ago

    T-Paw is one of the most submissive candidates I've ever seen for president. He totally rolled over for Romney on the Robama care question. How obsequious can you get?

    1. proegg antichicken   14 years ago

      just you wait. I'll bet T-paw can be more spineless than a worm. He the "safe" inoffensive choice that makes everyone vomit.

      1. shrike   14 years ago

        You're too kind to T-Paw.

  362. Puffopadrino   14 years ago

    Is Romney really the shoe-in to loose to Obama next year or can any other of the candidates on that stage be the one to fail?

  363. Turkey   14 years ago

    I wish Ron Paul would have done better. His responses fealt good. But his response regarding the Fed seemed too intellectual, and not enough to convince the hoi polloi of a problem. Time for more malt liquors.

    I like turkey pot pies, they are delicious.

  364. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    I thought there was going to be a section where CNN asks candidates their opinion of various Palin emails.

  365. Fist of Etiquette   14 years ago

    Gibbs is right now trying his best to shine the turd that is Obama, but CNN isn't letting him use his Blame Bush polish.

  366. shrike   14 years ago

    I'm happy the SPYder is up 90% under Obama after an ass-whipping under Dumbya.

    But hey, call me a crazy capitalist!

    1. yonemoto   14 years ago

      you better go to cash, dumbass.

  367. .   14 years ago

    Not one damned question about the drug war or the militarization of the police. Nothing about government drug policy. Nothing. Do these guys even live in the US?

    1. Matt   14 years ago

      I'm just glad they brought it up at the last debate at all. I'll say this for Fox News -- they're not afraid to get the candidates a little more fired up and stir some controversy with their questions. In fact their questions are more confrontational, and I think that was positive.

      1. Thorbie   14 years ago

        Don't forget the part about actually including the candidates. I think Fox must have had Gary Johnson on at least 4-5 times since it was known he would be excluded from the CNN debate, including being on Stossel for an entire hour with a rundown on his platform that was more clear and fruitful than anything from this debate.

  368. A Serious Man   14 years ago

    Pretty tame I must say. I guess they yieled to the Gipper's 11th Commandment: Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican.

  369. mike   14 years ago

    Granted, there were differences but didn't this seem like the Ron Paul show? The answers were almost always in the same court..at times it felt like they were trying to out RP each other.

  370. Wind Rider   14 years ago

    . . .and with that, the clowns piled back into the car, and weaved off into the sunset. . .

  371. Joe M.   14 years ago

    I told you the media would be all over Romney and Bachmann as "the story".

  372. nfl jerseys   14 years ago

    http://www.tradenfl.com
    http://www.tradenfl.com

  373. asdf   14 years ago

    Most timid boring fucking debate ever.

  374. ed hardy jeans   14 years ago

    health is the big problem in our life!
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