Reason Staff Live Tweets the Florida Debate!

Join Reason staffers as we watch the 4,765th Republican debate. This one is in Florida. We will be tweeting about it.

Your Final Four:

Mitt Romney: Profile, Reason coverage page

Newt Gingrich: Profile, coverage

Ron Paul: Profile, coverage

Rick Santorum: Profile, coverage

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

Debate, eh?

[sloopyinca]

Yesiree, but I think we're here early.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Let's you and I debate.

Why won't you release your medical records? Is it because you are an illegal or because you are a gay?

[AlmightyJB]

It's because he's gay married to an undocumented fetus.

[Mitt Romney]

Because I am a robot and thus lack medical records.

[shamalamadingdong]

OK, fair enough. How about maintenance records then?

[Fist of Etiquette]

HOW DARE YOU BRING THAT UP, AND ON DEBATE NIGHT OF ALL NIGHTS.

[juris imprudent]

Ha! You don't see sloopy denying it, do you?!

[rho]

I'm looking forward to this.

I have "I'm Paying the Cost to be the Boss" on repeat.

[Chance Yohman]

"I believe the federal government has grown out of control, threatening the rights, liberties, and property of the people," Goalie Tim Thomas said in a statement. The decision to stay away, Thomas said, "was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country."

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/ne.....ama-bruins

[Mike M.]

Thomas is my new sports hero.

[Sy]

Ugh.. bruins..
The only thing that would make his statement more appealing is if he was in full butterfly when he did it.

[El Commentariosa]

GONG SHOW

[Bomb Everyone]

I have to admit, as much as I hate seeing Gingrich win and what it says about our voters, I am super excited to see what the Romneybot can do in attack mode.

[curiousgeorge]

I hope they did a patch update with new zingers.

[El Commentariosa]

Yeah but now he sounds like Siri

[Fist of Etiquette]

Anyway, what channel is this turd on?

[El Commentariosa]

NBC

[AlmightyJB]

Yeah, I'm skippin this. I'll go to bed not thinking about armegeddon instead.

[Heroic Mulatto]

While you wait:

Chuck E. Cheese is a Crip. He wears blue. He has a big-ass "C" on his shirt and here he is doing the "Crip Walk".

[BakedPenguin]

He can join Jimmy and Timmeh.

[The Question of Auban]

http://www.southparkstudios.co.....an-come-on

[Bomb Everyone]

Requests for tonight: Paul to hammer Gingrich on Freddie Mac stuff; and a question about Rand's detention today.

[Christina]

Who else turns the debates into drinking games? It'll git you drunk!

[poetry]

i see you're new here.

[juris imprudent]

Nope not tonight, got to be able to get through the SOTU y'know.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Monday Night Debate Yall!!!

[Fist of Etiquette]

Okay, Brian Williams, charm our socks off!

[El Commentariosa]

Is tonight's topic Movie Trivia?

[Sy]

Newt will Take "Ape Tit" for 400, Brian.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Lol On-screen TV Guide says Fear Factor....Seems about right.

[Arcaster]

LOL

[juris imprudent]

Joe Rogan would be an improvement on most debate moderators.

[Fatty Bolger]

That would be awesome. "Now before answering my next question, each of you will be required to eat a live scorpion."

[Fist of Etiquette]

Boom. Ron Paul: Loser.

[Bomb Everyone]

Three winners on stage, three big losses for the American people.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Electability Ron Paul do you have any?

[The Angry RPh]

Are you ready for some DEbate!!!

[Fist of Etiquette]

Who is this solid conservative of which Newt speaks?

[El Commentariosa]

Last Night's Taco Bell in about 4 hours.

[Arcaster]

zing!

[Bomb Everyone]

Wow, only THREE WORDS to get to "Reagan."

[Scruffy the Janitor]

GOP three degrees of Reagan

[Sam]

Hahahaha. My thoughts exactly

[Arcaster]

Newt Gingrich talking about "the Washington establishment".... still waiting for his head to explode.

[Xavier]

I agree with Newt, we need someone like that guy that he just described. Too bad, he isn't him.

[Bee Tagger]

Oh, it's time already for me to beg someone to point out that the social security IOUs beg to differ about those balanced budgets?

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Gingrich: Listen to some of these talking points, all of em are because of me 100%.

[Fist of Etiquette]

So, Newt is campaigning on Bill Clinton's behalf?

[Bee Tagger]

I got here late, how many times has Newt said "Tip O'Neil?"

[Fist of Etiquette]

DIS.

GRACE.

DIS.

GRACE.

[Bee Tagger]

Speaking of a long ass time ago, Dr. Paul, newsletters?

[Arcaster]

Fuck, we're going to get stuck with Mittens vs. Nuclear Titties most of the night.

[TomD]

Wrote this in an earlier thread; I'll ask it here instead:

What's up with this whole "nuclear titties" play on Gingrich's name, exactly? Did I miss something around here?

[BakedPenguin]

That was from Pro Libertate.

[TomD]

OK, that's a start. I like Pro Libertate.

So, uh... like, what's the pun all about?

[BakedPenguin]

Have you seen Gingrich's corpulent ass? He must have some major moobage. Hence, NEWcular Titties.

[TomD]

OK, I guess this is what my pedantic, aspergerish, irritating self is getting at: Was "nuclear titties" some sort of preexisting, pre-Newt little catchphrase?

Like, when somebody says "Hitlery Clinton" or "King George Bush," those are little puns based on existing familiar phrases. Which existing familiar phrase is "Newcular Titties" based on?

[BakedPenguin]

And the correct spelling is "Newcular Titties".

Unless I'm too drunk to remember the correct spelling.

[Arcaster]

Nah, you're right. Stupid me.

[Bee Tagger]

I think I'll enjoy Santorum not taking this well. You can usually count on him to take things super personally.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

So what are the odds Brian Williams brings up TSA and Rand Paul tonight to Ron?

[Arcaster]

1:33

[Sam]

DEFLECTION!!! It's my speciality.

Newt

[Fist of Etiquette]

Newt is doing a terrible job not wasting our time.

[Arcaster]

LMAO

[Kolohe]

Don't believe the hype (it's a sequel)

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Trivial Politics - (n.) anything that paints Newt in an unfavorable picture.

[El Commentariosa]

Ron Paul, is Mitt electable?

[Bee Tagger]

Rick, what do you think of Ron's answer about Mitt's electability?

[Fist of Etiquette]

Did Paul and Santorum drop through the floor already?

[Pointing Out]

Newt is angry at his lectern.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Come on Romney-bot turn it up to eleventy-one!!

[Apatheist]

I'm still at work so can't watch but here's Jezebel complaining about Steak and Blowjob day:

http://jezebel.com/5878562/int.....enate-seat

Choice comment:

Yeah, those are the women who are "empowered" but also don't hang out with women much because "women are so catty." I mean, I am not a frigid bitch, and I'll cook a steak and suck some dick for my guy because I love him, but framing it as a special day for men is kind of stupid and ignores the fact that most days are special days for men. Where is my lobster and cunnilinguis day, please?

That is what Valentine's day is, hence the need for S&BJ; day. Also, great "patriarchy" line about how every day is a special man day. What day do non-fahters have?

[Apatheist]

I'm betting she actually a frigid bitch and doesn't suck her non-existent guy's dick.

[killazontherun]

I don't know man, that is the most attractive sounding wording I've ever heard on that board. And I agree with her about the 'special day'. Fuck that shit. Valentine's Day is an excuse for the frigid assholes to hold back for the rest of the year.

[AlmightyJB]

Great way to kick off March Madness.

[AlmightyJB]

BTW...summary version of the jezebel comments: My boyfriend isn't like that because he's gay.

[Bee Tagger]

Holy crap. The 90s? Newt's been an asshole much much more recently, Mitt. What are you doing?

[Fist of Etiquette]

LOBBYIST!

[The Angry RPh]

REAGAN!!

[Arcaster]

Meh, if I can't hear Paul beat up on everyone, Mittens hammering Newt on being a scumbag will work.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Mitt learned that South Carolinians are idiots.

[Bomb Everyone]

Bingo.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

+1

[Arcaster]

I wonder if Santorum got a bit excited when Mittens said he had "incoming from all sides."

[Gannicus]

I'd love to see Mitch Daniels come storming out of the back of the stage and just clothes line all these guys (except Ron Paul). Then him and Ron would dance all over the stage.

[curiousgeorge]

I too, often wish that these debates ran similar plot lines to pro wrestling.

[Jumbie]

I actually watched wrestling tonight instead of this. Worked out well for me I think.

[Kolohe]

I miss Herman Cain.

[CE]

9-9-9!

Fixed that for you.

[Bee Tagger]

The ethics charges without substance? Yeah, we did those.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Mitt a terrible historian? Talk about the kettle calling the pot a minority.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Newt is both a terrible financier and terrible historian.

[Sam]

Bingo

[Pointing Out]

Ron Paul, are you still awake? Good. Now, back to you Governor...

[Arcaster]

LOL

[Sam]

Seriously, move on to the other candidates.

[Bee Tagger]

Rick Santorum speaks, my wife leaves the room.

[Bee Tagger]

That's a euphemism, Rick. Google it.

[Arcaster]

+1

[Bomb Everyone]

YAWNNN.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Santorum's path to victory? Something to do with dead babies.

[Arcaster]

What a fuckin douchebag. Why is he still around?

[Bam!]

'cause Newt could still implode (is likely to?) and 'cause everyone still dislikes RomneyBot.

[Bee Tagger]

Wow, Santorum is not going to take any responsibility for that headwind.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Santorum talking about crouching and sneaking in.

[Gannicus]

Wow, I'm glad to see this will be another debate with substantive questions.

[The Angry RPh]

Is drinking whenever someone mentions Reagan one if the rules? If not, it should be.

[AlmightyJB]

You should always drink when someone mentions Reagan whether it's a debate or not.

[Kolohe]

For the record, I'm still rather peeved about this site nuking the salty ham tears thread.

[Fist of Etiquette]

"Ron Paul, your little group of supporters are so cute..."

[Gannicus]

3rd party!!!! Drink!!!

[Arcaster]

14 minutes in and Paul speaks!

[TomD]

OK, so Brian Williams doesn't know what "begs the question" means.

[Jerry]

"honest answer" Fuck you Brian Williams.

[flacid tuna]

He just called Paul a liar!

[Stormy Dragon]

Santorum wants to remind us he didn't just lose a Senate race, he was involved in one of the biggest electoral meltdowns in GOP history.

[PaxRomana]

+1

[sailshonan]

I am on the USF campus everyday, where the debate is being held. Lot of Ron Paul signs and supporters among the students. A friend just texted me that there are a lot of Paul supporters at the student watch party outside the debate...

[Bee Tagger]

Cut his mic! We must protect the Iowa narrative!

[The Angry RPh]

Jesus H. Not the "sincerity" and "third party candidate" thing again.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Ron Paul, making his case by talking about the machinations of the Iowa caucuses.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Paul calling out Newt, awesomeness.

[Arcaster]

Agreed

[Bam!]

What's the point of this questioning? Shouldn't a debate be about issues concerning the electorate, not about what your plans are after you lose?

[Bomb Everyone]

Silly rabbit, issues are for terrorists!

[Bomb Everyone]

Ron Paul, why the hell aren't you a team player?

[The Angry RPh]

Ron Paul, since you can't win who would you endorse? What a load of crap.

[Bee Tagger]

Brian Williams is about 2 questions from gently taking Paul and guiding him off the stage.

[flacid tuna]

I just looked up "asshole" in the dictionary and saw a pic of Brian Wilson.

[flacid tuna]

Williams too.

[curiousgeorge]

Beach Boys or SF Giants?

Which Wilson was it?

[BakedPenguin]

"Drove downtown in the rain..."

[Fist of Etiquette]

Newt Gingrich doesn't listen to anyone but Newt Gingrich.

[Kolohe]

Taxes!

[Bee Tagger]

Why is Brian Williams using his pillow talk voice?

[Eduard van Haalen]

So this is why NBC sucks so much!

Seabiscuit got fewer horse-race questions than this!

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Romney Tax write-offs for Mormon lingerie!!

[Brian D]

Congressman Paul, when exactly are you going to run third party, or will you support one of the three big government 'conservatives' here on stage with you when they get the nomination?

[Bee Tagger]

I actually kind of wish he'd ask the other candidates if they'd want an endorsement from Paul, given that they think he's irrelevant and has dangerous opinions.

[Arcaster]

It would be nice to have them put on the spot.

[Brian D]

Candidate Santorichney: I'd love for Ron Paul to tell his supporters to abandon their principles and vote for me!

[Arcaster]

Nice that Paul's only questions so far are: 3rd party? work with one of the jokers on stage with you?

[Stormy Dragon]

Romney demands to see our tax returns now! What are we hiding, huh?

[Bam!]

Brian Williams apparently just wants to attack the individual candidates instead of talking about issues. RomneyBot, what about your taxes? Paul, why are you still here?

[Fist of Etiquette]

Could those cads behind Brian Williams be any whiter?

[0x90]

Mittens wants a pro-growth tax policy. Growth of what, exactly?

[flacid tuna]

Do I put money in the Caymans? Sure.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Romneybot seems to have caught the Perry virus.

[Arcaster]

Gingrich is such a fuck.

[Gannicus]

Could we have one question about any relevant issue? Is one really too much to ask? Who gives a shit about Mitt's taxes.

[Bee Tagger]

What the hell just happened? Did Mitt try to score points by pointing that a fellow Republican's plan would result in him paying too little taxes?

[Scruffy the Janitor]

I think he was about to. This is getting sad. Mittens needs new emotion and logic chip.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Decent answer from Newt. Damn hate to admit it.

[Bam!]

RomneyBot doesn't have a father: He has a manufacturer.

[Fist of Etiquette]

They're talking about the previous model.

[flacid tuna]

Alan Greespan. Not discredited yet?

[Eduard van Haalen]

Newt quotes Alan Greenspan - way to get the get the Paul voters!

And they slipped in a tax policy answer - sneaky bastards, when they were getting all those beautiful process questions.

[Kolohe]

If everyone's tax rate is zero, howya going to pay for kicking out the ill eagles and keeping the Moose Limbs at bay, Newt?

[flacid tuna]

The moonbase will pay for itself. With child labor of course.

[ryan]

"Are you concerned with the degree to which we, the MSM, talk about your wealth?"

[flacid tuna]

"Let's be frank, you are a rich bastard."

[Bee Tagger]

I don't know who to hate without the South Carolina crowd cheering.

[El Commentariosa]

Could those cads behind Brian Williams be any whiter?

they look like extras from Eyes Wide Shut

[Fist of Etiquette]

Staples employs ditch diggers, for American Christ's sake!

[The Angry RPh]

I get the economics, but rich guys bragging about how little they paid in taxes is a loser with the rubes.

[flacid tuna]

"I'm not going to apologize just because most Americans are losers."

[Bee Tagger]

Brian Williams is a complete disaster as a moderator.

[Bam!]

25 minutes in, not a single real question.

[The Angry RPh]

Agreed. This is a snooze.

[Fist of Etiquette]

NO TOUCHING.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Santorum confused. Starts lying about believing in capitalism and free markets.

[Arcaster]

Santorum "I believe in capitalsim. I believe in free markets. But not for teh gayz!"

[Bomb Everyone]

or "I believe in it, but just don't practice it."

[Jerry]

Both Santorum & Paul haven't attacked Romney on Bain...

[Gannicus]

Santorum attacking the bailout. Nice.

[Arcaster]

Definitely need more of it.

[Stormy Dragon]

Uh, could we expand the merits of your various tax proposals a little bit beyond how Mitt Romney personally benefits from them?

[Bee Tagger]

Once again, Attack-dog Santorum is great.

[Arcaster]

Agreed

[Stormy Dragon]

Romney is upset that Gingrich's TPS reports did NOT have the proper cover on them.

[Bee Tagger]

Can someone explain the difference between Brian Williams' voice and someone falling asleep?

[LilDebbie]

omg i think romney just smiled. like a for real smile.

[curiousgeorge]

Uh oh, do we need to get Decker to run the empathy test on him?

[Lowdog]

Dude, it's the Voight-Kampff test.

And Romney would probably fail...not because he isn't human, but because he sucks. 🙂

[Fist of Etiquette]

Did Romney consult for Congress?

[flacid tuna]

I was a historian dammit! A h-i-s-t-o-rian!!!! Move on!!!

[Kolohe]

Single (non-Leher) moderator debate blow goats.

[Eduard van Haalen]

It's like high-schoolers egging on fellow-students to fight each other. "He just called you a lobbyist!"

[Jerry]

The four candidates should just walk off the stage and shove it to Brian Williams. This is just getting silly.

[flacid tuna]

Leave his personal relationship with Freddie Mac alone!

[El Commentariosa]

It was an open marriage.

[Bee Tagger]

Careful Newt, you already used your despicable face for the time you cheated on your 2nd wife, might want to scale back the response to an accusation of influence peddling.

[Arcaster]

If you were that fucking close to lobbying, is that really better than technically lobbying?

[El Commentariosa]

So long, Astoria.

[Gannicus]

Newt is such a lying weasel.

[Stormy Dragon]

Pointing out how everyone at your company had to get in depth legal training on lobbying law does not really futher your argument that you weren't involved in lobbying.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Gingirch: Romney, I don't think you understand how bad-ass of a historian I am. I am a pretty big fucking deal!

[Fist of Etiquette]

Fuck it, just give Obama another four.

[Kolohe]

Hell, I'm rethinking the 22nd amendment if it's this group ever again.

[ryan]

Romney knows corruption when he sees it.

[flacid tuna]

When does Paul take the stage?

[Bomb Everyone]

Who?

[Arcaster]

You missed the token Paul questions. Check upthread.

[Fist of Etiquette]

mleewelch:
Brian Williams is so awful that the candidates are now just asking each other questions. It's a great improvement.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

lmao!!!

[Stormy Dragon]

Gringrich did not lobby. He just "provided strategic advice to government sponsored enterprises".

[Bomb Everyone]

Historian, consultant, lobbyist...

How about we just say CORRUPT WHORE and move on?

[Arcaster]

Fuck, I've gotta cheer Mittens here. Hammer that fucker.

[Bee Tagger]

Did Brian Williams die? Should someone check on him?

[The Angry RPh]

Brian Williams has officially lost control of the debate.

[Bomb Everyone]

I don't think he really cares.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Awkward time!!!

[flacid tuna]

I wish there was a candidate who had been warning everyone of the financial disaster before it happened. I'd like to hear a guy like that speak.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Is Newt's head expanding like a puffer fish right now?

[sailshonan]

The size and shape of his cranium disturb me

[Gannicus]

Gotta love Newt's big government conservatism.

[flacid tuna]

I'm not your friend, pal.

[Kolohe]

I'm not your pal, buddy.

[Bomb Everyone]

I'm not your pal, guy!!

[Scruffy the Janitor]

I'm not your pal, friend.

[Kolohe]

Almost Newt Hulk Smash, but he stepped back.

[Brian D]

I'm beginning to suspect a giant cage will be lowered from the ceiling and Vince McMahon to grab the mic from Brian Williams.

[curiousgeorge]

Just wait till you hear the glass break and Stone Cold saunters out and pours beer on everyone.

[Anonymous Coward]

But wait! Who's that coming through the crowd? Then the music hits....

If Ya Smellllllllll!!! What the Rock...Is Cookin'!

[Jumbie]

Man you guys are old.

nowadays it's the sound of static and then Living Color blasts 'Cult of Personality.'

[LilDebbie]

oh mitt you beautiful bastard. i still won't vote for you but damn!

[Eduard van Haalen]

"I did, too advocate for more govt spending!"

[Fist of Etiquette]

petersuderman:
Bain, in fact, took advantage of tax carve outs and advantages whenever it could.

I don't have a problem with that, as long as they didn't lobby to create those tax advantages.

[Sam]

Yeah, doesn't every family?

[.]

I don' hass a prollem wif big sam gittin' lite cotten duty, so lon' az he dinnit aks da massa fo it.

[Lost_in_translation]

Oh god, Romney is playing directly in to gingrichs plan. What the hell is he doing?

Also will they just let Romney and Gingrich just argue all night?

[Bee Tagger]

Newt is too arrogant to know when to change the subject

[El Commentariosa]

Did I just hear the Mortal Kombat theme?

[Heroic Mulatto]

TEST YOUR MIGHT!

[sailshonan]

It has begun!

[heller]

That was painful to watch

[Amerifuntimes]

Is there a moderator there?

only a progressivator

[Sam]

Where ya at Brian/

[robert]

Have they asked Ron Paul anything yet?

[El Commentariosa]

Yes, if he'd endorse Newt.

[Jerry]

And if not, if he will run 3rd party. So I guess the newsletters and airline tickets will be next.

[Lost_in_translation]

Yeah, why he was still on stage.

[Lost_in_translation]

Haha they just stop the argument to go to commercial.

[Kolohe]

See, free enterprise does conquer all.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Brian Williams: Girls, you're both pretty.

[Bee Tagger]

And so are your homely sisters on the left and right of you.

[Gannicus]

Newt defending big government subsidies. And morons vote for this guy.

[flacid tuna]

We've let this go because, well, Ron Paul *shurgs* y'know?

[free2booze]

Oops. Romney just jammed Newt up. Didn't think he had it in him.

[Bomb Everyone]

So lets see: 30 minutes, divided by four candidates, = 7.5 minutes each.

So, pretty much fair, right?

[El Commentariosa]

After the break: Dance off!

[Lost_in_translation]

Santorum says "minions"!

[Bee Tagger]

I can't stand the commercials for Smash. They are all over Hulu and NBC On Demand.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Is that smash the way The Jersey Shore uses the term smash?

[Kolohe]

Kathy McPhee is super cute though, and that draws a lot of water in this town.

[Bee Tagger]

Yes, I should really just mute the TeeVee.

[Mensan]

A quarter of the way through the debate, and the only questions RP has had is whether hell promise not to run third party, and if he'll endorse Newcular Titties.

[El Commentariosa]

Smash: Like Glee but with grownups.

[Dekedin]

"I've always pictured Newt Gingrich glazed with an apple in his mouth."

I may have a vorarephilia fetish, but that's disgusting.

[free2booze]

Newt huffs and puffs.

[Mensan]

Houses in Tampa are cheap because most of them are shitty.

[Xavier]

I want minions, do I have to be Senate Majority leader to get them?

[veemee sashimi]

"Congressman Paul, when you inevitably lose, will you apologize personally to me for forcing me to ask you one or two questions tonight."

[Sam]

oh hey, who was warning about the housing crisis in 2001? i don't know, maybe that dude ron paul.

Hey, look at that, he's on the stage

[Bomb Everyone]

Where?! Are you sure?

[flacid tuna]

I picture Newt as Kai Winn from DS9.
http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Winn_Adami

[Brian D]

Santorum: We saw the housing crisis coming in 2005 and 2006, but we laughed at Ron Paul when he said it was coming in 2003.

[Bee Tagger]

Let capitalism work! Just not yet....

[The Angry RPh]

Newt defending his support of Medicare Part D should have killed his campaign right then and there.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

But, but but he is the choice of the TEA party!?!?

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Santorum: let capitalism work....the way I command it.

[LilDebbie]

romney looks like, "damn, rick, that's not half a bad idea. i'll have to use that."

[Anonymous Coward]

Has Ron Paul pulled out a lawn chair and a newspaper yet?

[beats me]

it might give him a bump in the polls

[Fist of Etiquette]

Who is this old dude talking about economic policy?

[flacid tuna]

Audience member who walked on stage.

[sailshonan]

When Santorum talks, I just see the Conan O' Brien schtick where he replaces someone else's mouth in a celeb/pols pic and Conan interviews him

[cynical]

You too?

[Stormy Dragon]

Santorum wants to punish responsible homeowners by shifting the tax burden of people who are underwater on McMandions to them.

[free2booze]

"The bubble was easily seen"

Apparently not. Newt, the "historian" didn't see it coming while he was advising Freddie Mac.

[LilDebbie]

pretty sure he saw it, recognized it, and carved out $1.6 million of it for himself.

[Xavier]

Newt is thinking "We want prices to come down? What? That doesn't make sense."

[Binky]

Go, Ron!

(Leave him alone, Brian.)

[Bee Tagger]

Anyone see a Republican candidate offering a cabinet spot to Paul?

[Binky]

Probably Education.

[Bomb Everyone]

Yeah- the one with the Kennedy china set, above the sink.

[curiousgeorge]

Aren't cabinet positions usually a handout you give to the guys who supported you? I don't see Ron really throwing his weight behind any of these guys.

[Mensan]

It's sad that RP has to use his speaking time just to explain how we got here rather than how to fix it, because most people still don't get understand that it's the gov't and the fed's fault.

[flacid tuna]

But will he endorse Newt? Focus on the important stuff.

[Arcaster]

Paul actually getting his message across clearly?

[RoboCain]

Unfortunately, it's probably too complicated for most people.

[Gannicus]

God I love Ron Paul.

[Arcaster]

Same

[Scruffy the Janitor]

lost decade comparison for the win?

[LilDebbie]

holy shit they let him speak long enough to get to his point.

[Arcaster]

IKR? I was just waiting for Williams to cut him off.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Black people janitor jobs?

[El Commentariosa]

Newt will now correct Ron Paul.

[Xavier]

Oh no, Romney started speaking. He flip flopped while speaking. "Yes we help them." "We have to get government out of the way"

[Bam!]

He doesn't flip flop: He twirls.

[Arcaster]

LOL

[Kodos]

Twirling Twirling... Always Twirling

[Lost_in_translation]

Paul gives a 2 minute history of the federal reserve over the last two decades.

[Gannicus]

Yeah, jesus that was amazing. He was so clear and composed.

FUCK YOU MITTENS

[Bee Tagger]

Ohhhhh please go to Paul after this answers from Romney.

[RoboCain]

What if I want a bank in my garage, asshole?

[Robert]

You may laugh, but in the 1980s they converted a garage in someone's house at Williamsbr. Rd. & Rhinelander Ave. here in the Bronx into a drive-in bank.

[flacid tuna]

Remember, with Newt it is only words.

[Mike Laursen]

It's all he has to steal our hearts away.

[Bill]

Don't you mean steal our souls away?

[Eduard van Haalen]

Wait, he was going to give each candidate 30 seconds, then he was just kidding and leaving it to Romney and Gingrich.

[free2booze]

"When you give that much power to Geitner"

Don't people realize that Newt is the only human capable of wielding power responsibly?

[Scruffy the Janitor]

how the fuck does Romney know about The People's Choice Bank??? And it is a car port Romney, not a garage!

[flacid tuna]

Why is Mitt against my garage bank?

[Bee Tagger]

The real Romney just shone through that answer.

[The Angry RPh]

Romney: You have to regulate markets because people aren't smart enough to avoid garage banks.

[Brian D]

Romney: "Free markets need to be regulated."

[The Angry RPh]

Romney: Regulation made me a BUNCH of money.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Garage banks. That's how the Dave Clark Five started.

[Mensan]

Didn't Castro already die?

[flacid tuna]

His double, yes.

[Xavier]

Invade Cuba!!!

[Arcaster]

Why not? This Iran shit might not pan out. Gotta have a backup plan.

[Arcaster]

Yes, Mittens, bad shit happened because of bad regulations. Good thing someone as smart as you can tell us little people how to do business.

[flacid tuna]

Don't let them in?

[Binky]

Cigar?

[Eduard van Haalen]

This audience doesn't even know how to applaud. These are Florida Republicans - they had an obvious applause line about Castro's death and the applause should have lasted for the rest of the hour!

[Fist of Etiquette]

Is Mitt going to make us all go on a hunger strike?

[Brian D]

Romney: We will fight for democracy whether the people want it or not."

[Mensan]

Saying we will fight for democracy in Cuba?

Is Mittens saying we should go to war with Cuba too?

[Newt Gingrich]

No, but I am.

[Confused]

I thought we were talking about Houses?

[Ma Nyana]

Wet foot? Watch it ...

[free2booze]

Newt's solution to Cuba: More nation building!

[Bee Tagger]

Newt thinks God is going to offload the final judgment of Fidel Castro onto some Indian angel.

[Stormy Dragon]

"We need to stand for the freedom of Cubans by preventing them from travelling or accessing goods and services outside Cuba."

[Kolohe]

There is already new leadership in Cuba. (well at least non-Fidel leadership, though not-Castro). Castro's death doesn't matter in the short term! Who are these 'credible people?' They should be the first ones up for budget cuts.

[flacid tuna]

Leave the judging to Jesus, Newt!

[Bam!]

Cuban spring? WTF? Why is this the U.S.'s responsibility?

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Cuban Spring? Isn't that pretty much all the time down there?

[Fist of Etiquette]

Bay of Newts.

[Vivian]

+1963

[Mensan]

Shit, Titties wants to invade Cuba too.

[Confused]

Thatcher? DRINK!

[Stormy Dragon]

Gingrich wants to invade Cuba now too.

[free2booze]

Cuba=Libya?

[flacid tuna]

Another president who will not tolerate Castro.

[Kolohe]

Because CIA actions have worked so well in Cuba before.

[ryan]

GO RON!

[Bee Tagger]

Nicely done, saying he's against the isolationism.

[Mensan]

Ron Paul = anti-isolationist. FTW!

[The Angry RPh]

YES!! He finally made the point that sanctions are the real isolationism.

[Brian D]

Newt: "We will use all available assets like covert operations. BTW, let me take a moment to reassure Iran that the U.S. did not kill that nuclear scientist of theirs a few days ago. Cross my heart."

[RoboCain]

Woo Paul!

[Scruffy the Janitor]

That did not sound like isolationism to me...

[Eduard van Haalen]

More applause for Paul's "isolationist" Cuba answer.

[Bee Tagger]

Will the media point out the first audible round of applause went to Paul and it was about foreign policy?

[Kolohe]

Paul gets some applause! Yes!

[ryan]

These Floridians (right?) like the idea of friendly relations with their next door neighbors.

[sailshonan]

Younger, second gen Cubans in FL are kinda sick of the sanctions

[Bomb Everyone]

Tomorrow's Headline: Isolationist Ron Paul Doesn't Like Isolationism, Loves Communists

[free2booze]

"We don't have to use force and intimidation"

Sure we do. How else are we going to justify our defense budget?

[Arcaster]

Paul hit that out of the park. It's just too bad it won't sell to the neocons that dominate TEAM RED.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Santorum going batshit ass insane now!!!

[flacid tuna]

Protect the hemisphere from Cuba!

[Bomb Everyone]

I hear their 1962 VW bugs are pretty lethal on the battlefield.

[RoboCain]

And the behemoth minions!

[Rick]

Starving Cuban children: an important US policy.

[Gannicus]

Iraaaaaaannnnnnn!!!!

[Fist of Etiquette]

Santorum concede's Paul's point that it's not 1962.

[beats me]

Someone needs to factcheck that.

[Kolohe]

So China the country with ICBM's that can hit the USA get love, but Cuba which is just some guys in inner tubes get none.

[Bam!]

Yeah, Ricky, those sanctions over the past 40+ years have worked wonders to bring Cuba to freedom.

[Bee Tagger]

Yeah, the Cuban people love us for our sanctions.

[Stormy Dragon]

Santorum sees you invade Cuba and raises invage Venezuela and Nicaragua.

[Arcaster]

+1000

[free2booze]

War on Terror?

[free2booze]

Who isn't working with the jihadists?

[Arcaster]

Santorum goes from Cuba to jihadists! Someone must protect us!

[RoboCain]

Doesn't Santorum know his fellow Catholics?

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Santorum to Cubans: You are not going to be free until you stop being so unfree.

[Mensan]

Oh, Iran is working with Cuba. Why didn't anyone besides Assjuice know about this?

[Fist of Etiquette]

Did they just release the doves?

[Jerry]

Yes Rick, Cuban atheists and Mexican Catholics just love those Muslim jihadists.

[Lost_in_translation]

Cuba apparently must burn, atleast until they become the 52nd state...

[Xavier]

I think it would be the 58th state, 59th if you make Puerto Rico a state first. (Using Obama's count, anyway.)

[Fist of Etiquette]

Naval contraction.

[flacid tuna]

Air, Space, Seas. ALL OURS BITCHES!

[China]

Not Cyberspace, biotch.

[Binky]

What if the Somali pirates start harassing our aircraft carriers?

[sailshonan]

So I guess that China should be threatened by the countries who trade and deal with Taiwan, little island off its coast

[Drax the Destroyer]

Sooo....how many neocons beat off every time they hear "Aircraft Carrier".

[Bingo]

Forget nukes, anti-ship missiles are the real force that stops us from invading places.

[flacid tuna]

There are two kinds of naval vessels: subs and targets.

[The Angry RPh]

But we're down to, what? 11 carriers AFAIK.

[0x90]

Let's build 15,000 ships per year!

[flacid tuna]

16,000. You are weak.

[Mensan]

While we're at it we should have parades through the capitol with our our nuclear missle launcers, comrade.

[Fist of Etiquette]

The American people get bored with the idea of war.

[free2booze]

"The American people have no desire to go to war anywhere... that's why I advocate covert operations, and regime change"

[The Angry RPh]

Newt: You bitchez don't like war? I'll tell you when to go to war!

[Kolohe]

Actually, I wouldn't mind having a 400 ship Navy and converting all the Army to Reservist and National Guard units.

[BakedPenguin]

But that might be Constitutional.

[Bee Tagger]

Twitter Search time:

BuddyRoemer Gov. Buddy Roemer
Should Rick Santorum and Ron Paul start throwing paper airplanes? They're totally being ignored. #NBCdebate

[Bee Tagger]

I believe he knows a little something about being ignored.

[Drax the Destroyer]

That's good...and bad.

[Eduard van Haalen]

Audience missing obvious neocon applause lines.

[Mensan]

They were instructed not to applaud. I'm wondering where they got the audience, because I looked into going, and they told me that tickets weren't available to the public.

[ryan]

'We have an interest in peace, so we need to bomb everyone'

I hate these Republicans

[Drax the Destroyer]

I tell people like this they better be the first fucks in Iran getting riddled with AK-47 rounds.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Strait of Vermouth?

[Colonel_Angus]

Biodome is on Starz. Pauly Shore 2012.

[Bomb Everyone]

Yeah that's it Newt- pompous arrogant dictators like seeing a bigger pompous arrogant power. That's what makes them stand down.

[Kolohe]

We oversaw the elections. The bastard stole what he was going to win anyway.

[free2booze]

Fighting season? Is that like deer season?

[Confused]

Deer Hunter? Russian Roulette for all candidates.

[Mike Laursen]

Finally, something that would get me to watch the debates.

[Gander Goose]

"The fighting season"?

How quaint.

[Fist of Etiquette]

"I wanted to get involved in the discussion."

"Knock yourself out."

[0x90]

Mittens wants to stand behind our troops. A wise policy, if you don't want to get pissed on.

[Stormy Dragon]

Romney is against drawing down troops before the end of the fighting season; it leaves them out of shape when the playoffs finally arrive.

[Gannicus]

I agree with Ron Paul on Iran completely, but I hate when he talks about Iran legitimately being angry with our actions. I don't think it plays well.

[Brian D]

It's far easier to just assume America always wears the white cowboy hat.

[Gannicus]

I must say that it came off better than I expected. This crowd is not bloodthirsty like SC was.

[sailshonan]

My friend is tweeting from the student watch party tent outside and he said that it's VERY pro-Paul and there is a lot of cheering any time he talks

[Arcaster]

What? We committed an act of war first? Surely not.

[Bam!]

I like Ron Paul but saying the U.S. is committing an act of war isn't going to fly well with pretty much any voter.

[Drax the Destroyer]

You mean any idiot voter who can't put things in perspectiv.....oh ....I see what you did there.

[Lost_in_translation]

Ron says things that are proved correct 5 years later.

For better or worse he's saddled his rhetorical horse to the "if it was us..." argument.

[Cytotoxic]

He said America couldn't win in Iraq, and so did I. I'm willing to admit I was wrong.

[Lost_in_translation]

Hahahaha, don't the up so early.

[Cabeze de Vaca]

What did we win?

[asdf]

What did we win?

[Mensan]

Of course not. They prefer to be lied to.

[Bomb Everyone]

And Paul loses the debate.

[Arcaster]

What? We committed an act of war first? Surely not.

[Kolohe]

The Strait of Hormuz issue is completely different separate from the other war issues (in that it's a proper causus belli)

[Fist of Etiquette]

Seriously, are those vampires sitting behind Williams?

[Fist of Etiquette]

(Not seriously vampires, obviously. The look more like early stage zombies.)

[sailshonan]

Vampires or fuckin' Canadian snowbirds. They are worse than vampires and drive slower

[Confused]

They are the presidents of the Young Republicans.

[Lost_in_translation]

Is there anyone these three won't go to war with?

[flacid tuna]

Latveria. Because it's fictional.

[Bomb Everyone]

But it COULD become a country one day, so we better kill them all so that they won't elect islamic jihadists into power.

[RoboCain]

Canada?

[Arcaster]

Missouri?

[Drax the Destroyer]

Heaven? Isn't Saddam building nukes up there?

[Bomb Everyone]

Nahhh, guy. It's a chocolate chip factory.

[Brian D]

I think Santorum indicated he might go to war against Florida.

[Bee Tagger]

He needs to keep mentioning our financial situation when discussing foreign policy. He doesn't have to compromise his principles, just make sure to include that part each time.

[Bomb Everyone]

He should have spoken about it in a trade sense- we buy oil from the Saudis and get along fine; why not the same with Iran? A healthy trade means less incentive for conflict.

I agree with the guy 100% but what he said was foolish given the setting.

[free2booze]

We trade with the Saudi's? But, what about the Jihadists?

[ryan]

Well, to be fair he had established earlier the importance of open trade and friendly relations. I'm not sure of the attention spans of the voters, however.

[Drax the Destroyer]

Whelp, hopefully Obama wins again, and has his balls squeezed by enough peaceniks to keep this shit from getting hot. I'm getting too old to be drafted.

[Cytotoxic]

The Saudi's are the world's premier financiers of jihadism. We are pretending to get along because that is easy. Trade is great but not a panacea.

[Well]

Then we must kill them all. That is the only answer.

[Cytotoxic]

We'll bomb them with flaming strawmen.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Every commercial during this debate was for NBC shows. Needy.

[Bee Tagger]

Their first mistake was agreeing to air the debate.

[Mensan]

Honda and Regions Bank are NBC shows?

[Fist of Etiquette]

No wonder they're in 8th place, right?

[Bomb Everyone]

Jersey Shore has twice the viewers, so that's where all the ads go.

[Confused]

I only want a car sold by an actor I am familiar with.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Broken penguin commercial? They won't stop talking about Sidney Crosby.

[RoboCain]

Republican Foriegn Policy:
"I CAN HAS MOAR VIAGRA NEOCON WAR BONER?"

[Bam!]

That girl has a very uncomfortable smile on her face. Relax, honey.

[Confused]

She's experiencing her first Santorum

[free2booze]

Adam Smith?

[yurpglurp]

Has this been discussed yet? http://www.bloomberg.com/news/.....eline.html

"Buffett's Railroad Among Winners From Keystone Denial"

Thank god Obama struck a blow against special interests!

[Bee Tagger]

That's Chelsea Clinton in a dark wig. Just admit it, Williams.

[Arcaster]

Oh, his name's Adam Smith, too? That's fucking hilarious.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Do her, marry Brian Williams and kill the other guy?

What say ye?

[Rick Santorium]

NUKE THE WHOLE COUNTRY!!

[Arcaster]

from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

[Rick Santorium]

I am pro life, that's why I'm advocating the wholesale slaughter of 10 million Iranians.

[flacid tuna]

I'd throw it in'er.

[Stormy Dragon]

And now we're brining out a writer from the National Journal for our "Attack the Media" speed round.

[free2booze]

Santorum will limit it, when the Iranians convert to Christianity.

[Jerry]

Pakistan got a nuclear weapon and nothing changed.

[Stormy Dragon]

The guy running the 7/11 has been a complete bastard to me ever since that day.

[Csonka]

+ papadum

[India]

Except that Pakistan can terrorize with greater impunity and there is a heightened threat of tens of millions of people being killed here because Pakistan is insane. It's basically 'sunni Iran' to some degree...don't make our mistake. Strike first.

[Stormy Dragon]

Iran is not just a little small country, it's a little small country with muslims in it!

[flacid tuna]

The World = Israel + USA.

[Bee Tagger]

Someone tell Paul to just let this topic go.

[Drax the Destroyer]

Well that's why we are fighting them over there Shitorum. So our soldiers can die over there instead of us dieing over here right? You fucking shitbag.

[The Founding Fathers]

Careful with listing "acts of war", if you catch our drift.

[Gannicus]

We faced down a giant country with thousands of nuclear weapons. Quit your fear mongering Santorum.

[The Angry RPh]

These people aren't the least bit embarrassed to whip up a frenzy about Iran getting "A" nuclear weapon. Disgusting.

[Bomb Everyone]

Yeah, but now we are the soviets- poor, overextended, bogged down in Afghanistan. The only thing the Soviets didn't do was USE the nukes. guess that's his solution.

[Drax the Destroyer]

He obviously a giant pussy who pisses in terror when he thinks about muslims. What a wussy piece of traitorous shit.

[Mensan]

Assjuice is opposed to theocracy? It's funny how as a senator he took his orders directly from the Catholic church.

[free2booze]

She's really a dude

[Confused]

SHE'S AN ENVIRONUT

[db]

As a long time Pens fan and Bruins hater, I have to give it to Tim Thomas, and will be a Thomas fan forever because of this.

[Mike M.]

I just hope for Thomas' sake that the Scum-in-Chief doesn't strip his citizenship away from him, indefinitely detain him, or have him assassinated.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

How many times did she practice that in front of the mirror?

[0x90]

I got news, Rick: you cannot stop them.

[Bee Tagger]

Oh wow, a spike in oil prices ruined the economy?

[Jerry]

Oil prices are high because you talk about attacking Iran Rick.

[Bee Tagger]

Santorum is openly ignoring questions. I'm guessing no one will care.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Woo HOO Sarasota County!

[ryan]

Santorum's inner dialogue: "Why isn't this woman at home bearing children?!"

[Arcaster]

LMAO

[Drax the Destroyer]

Hmmm....that so the state of the economy has nothing to do with a devalued dollar? Burdensome taxes? Hordes of destructive bureaucrats? Once again, fuck you Shitorum. Goddamnit, I'm enraged.

[Mensan]

That brings up an important question: Why the hell do people come to Florida? This place kinda sucks. It's hot, and humid, and nobody can drive for shit.

[RoboCain]

The coke?

[Yup]

Gabrielle Anwar in a bikini

[The Angry RPh]

Because it was sunny and about 75 today, bitchez.

[Mensan]

82

[BakedPenguin]

It's 75 degrees in January?

[Mensan]

It got up to 82 today here.

[The Angry RPh]

I sit corrected.

[Mensan]

Could have been 75 where you are. That was according to the thermometer on my back porch.

[Lowdog]

Not sure how hot it was here on the Space Coast, but it was warm. I love it here, but I agree about the quality of driving.

Gabrielle Anwar needs to eat something.

[killazontherun]

She has a beautiful soul, and if she gets any skinnier you'll actually be able to see it.

[RoboCain]

Que?

[Bee Tagger]

What? They all support English as official language? Is that true?

[Fist of Etiquette]

Official language of the United States or of the United States government?

[The Boss]

Rick is in it to win it, and I'm in it with him.

[Rick Springfield]

I think that's Jesse's Girl

[flacid tuna]

Good question.

[Fist of Etiquette]

What is the common bond? Catting around, obviously.

[Xavier]

Speak English, Bitches! Or I will use the NDAA to lock your butts in prison!

[Bomb Everyone]

We speak AMERICAN!

[Brian D]

Ahmadinejad is craaazy and doesn't mind dying for a cause. He just can't get his hands on a vest full of dynamite and hop a ride to the market. Once he gets his first nuke, he'll be sure to strap it to his long (124 mile) range missile and shoot it halfway towards a country with 200 nukes pointed his way!

[Kolohe]

So foreign languages are good as long as your pandering!

[free2booze]

Does Newt have an "English first" ad in Spanish?

[Stormy Dragon]

Gingrich denies there is any equivalence between his pandering to hispanics and his pandering to nativists.

[Unification Church]

Federalese, biotches!

[Bee Tagger]

Longer Newt: I would have ballots and programs... lets say other ballots.. that help them understand the ballots... like say having other ballots in their language.

[Fist of Etiquette]

FUCK THIS. THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF AMERICA IS AMERICAN.

[TomD]

Oh, Christ, progressive print journalist chick wants to pull out the old cliche PC bullshit questions.

[Fist of Etiquette]

McCormackJohn:
I hope Newt attacks the liberal bias of Beth Reinhard's glasses.

[Stormy Dragon]

Romny went to a school that taught in his native language: 80x86 assembler.

[Kolohe]

And then quickly picked up the language of moisture vaporators. And Bocce.

[Obi-Wan]

Mitt is not the droid you're looking for.

[Ted S.]

BTW: Your live update plug-in suddenly went dark gray, making it impossible to read.

[Eduard van Haalen]

I refreshed it when it happened.

[Eduard van Haalen]

or closed the ad.

[Ted S.]

When I first opened the page, I got the ad, but it was about 15 minutes later that the area just suddenly went dark gray.

I have H&R set to show only cached images, but when I turned on all images I didn't get an ad there until I reloaded the page. (Actually, I have plug-ins such as GDFlash set not to load until I click on them, so I had to re-click on it and then close the ad again. Tough to see that there's an ad there, too, if you don't have images set to load.)

Never mind that all this and H&R is still a memory hog.

[Arcaster]

Excellent answer by Ron Paul.

[Drax the Destroyer]

I'm sure those pieces of fucking Santorum in the audience wouldn't agree.

[Bomb Everyone]

Wow- Paul butting in!

[Santorum]

Ha, ha.

[Nobody]

We DREAM in English.

[free2booze]

Holy Shit! How did Debbie Wasserman Shultz get on the panel?

[Drax the Destroyer]

Cock-sucking, of course.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

I saw a documentary on the Dream Act before, it was called Inception. Very informative.

[flacid tuna]

Anyone else doing the MSNBC live feed? Is it stalling out for you too?

[ryan]

It looks like MSNBC had to bring someone with some balls in to ask real questions.

[Xavier]

You know, German lost by 1 vote, I think we should make German our official language, Amerika ?ber alle!

[Mensan]

It is one of the easiest second languages for a native engish speaker to learn.

[Bomb Everyone]

"I love the troops, except the brown ones."

[Fist of Etiquette]

Shame people into wanting to leave.

[Arcaster]

Holy shit! Adam Smith pwned Romney!

[Stormy Dragon]

Self-deportation? Apparently border control is now a job we have to rely on illegal immigrants to afford.

[Tom Wisty]

Is that like self-abuse?

[Eduard van Haalen]

People will need a card to get work.

The conservative, limited govt candidate, ladies and gentlemen!

[Newy Gingrich]

I traded up pretty good in the chicks department as a congressman, imagine the kind of poon I can score when I'm president. I already have my eye on you Katherine McPhee. Smash indeed.

[free2booze]

That's right, if you don't get a permission slip from the Feds, you can't work in America

[Fist of Etiquette]

"Let me see your card. Yep, it says here you're illegal. I expect you to want to leave by the end of the month."

[Bomb Everyone]

Mittbott FAIL.

[Bee Tagger]

Every bit of criteria that made the question about Newt's open marriage a super important one to ask is true about Rand Paul and the TSA today. I'm guessing they don't bring it up.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

What a great way to deal with immigration by Santorum: fuck up our economy so bad people will want to leave!!

[flacid tuna]

Illegal acts like sodomy.

[Bee Tagger]

Does that work for Rick? I've told women that the way they're workin' it, it should be illegal and it certainly did not work.

[Fist of Etiquette]

EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE OF AMERICAN AIR YOU'RE BREAKING A NEW LAW.

[Drax the Destroyer]

FUCK SUBSIDIES.

[Binky]

Now those are subsidies I can support.

[Drax the Destroyer]

Don't you dare turn my rage into laughter.

[Yup]

he Skipped Ron Paul on immigration

[Brian D]

Ron Paul has answered enough questions for one debate. We might ask him about his newsletters though.

[Stormy Dragon]

Santorum: we need to ban illegal immigration so we can have more heartwarming stories of parents abandoning their children.

[Lost_in_translation]

Illegal immigration is a continual law breaking, eh?

[Sharon Stone]

omg guize. liek our leader is for the ppls and stuff. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3150217924279&set=a.2737341882636.2145888.1530035362&type=1&theater;

[Amerifuntimes]

This bs has been making the rounds on my facebook news feed courtesy of all the morons from my liberal arts college. Arrrggh. What kind of idiot simply and smugly reissues to the propaganda issued by a candidate trying to get reelected (the pic of the janitor) as their way of offering their contribution to political discussion??

[Fist of Etiquette]

Self deportation doesn't work. Alec Baldwin never made it to Canada.

[Justin Bieber]

Baby, baby, baby!

[flacid tuna]

Newt lost his personal battle with sugar.

[Cytotoxic]

I've never been more pro-sugar. Or pro-diabetes.

[Bam!]

Sugar, do-do-do-do-doooo. Honey, honey.

[Bee Tagger]

When Newt is stumped, the world is stumped.

[ryan]

Rick Santorum has the same effect as my old preacher... Impossible to pay attention.

[Lost_in_translation]

He has no idea how to fix an economy. Now how to tell a young girl she's going to hell for an abortion, he's all over that.

[Kolohe]

I guess they hired enough historians.

[Drax the Destroyer]

Also, FUCK NASA.

[The Angry RPh]

The USDA doesn't even know how many people it employs, and Archer Daniels Midland is considered a case study in corporate welfare. No coincidence.

[Dwight]

Beets beat Bears!

[labdad]

Beets, bears, Battlestar Galactica!

[Bam!]

RomneyBot just launched the "Bash Obama" program.

[flacid tuna]

Moonbase!

[LilDebbie]

yeah i'd cut sugar subsidiesANDLETMETALKABOUTJOBS!!!!

[Kolohe]

90 rounds of golf should be pretty darn good for the Florida economy, no?

[Bomb Everyone]

My old roommate in ND was daughter of the Sugar Beet lobbying organization prez. Pretty god damned sick to see small farms subsidizing corporate biz.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Ron Paul cares not for your drinking water.

[Damn Yankee]

Floridians drink swamp water.

That explains a lot.

[Mensan]

Only South Florida aka Northern Cuba

[Jerry]

The Everglades, are you serious? Are you serious?

[Brian D]

I suppose it could be a serious issue for Floridians?

[Bam!]

A serious local issue that the President and the federal government has little power over.

[Mensan]

Not really.

[RoboCain]

Yeah, what was that about?

[robert]

I think RP did fall asleep a little before that one

[Lost_in_translation]

Paul should have segued back into the illegal immigration side talking about reducing subsidies but reforming our immigration program, which could win him alot of Hispanic votes.

[robert]

agreed, ignoring that question would have been the best response. Then make her ask it again and go "Oh, I don't really care about that shit."

[Stormy Dragon]

Okay, who are you and what have you done with the real Ron Paul....

[LilDebbie]

it's easier to say "we'll have enough fat with overseas spending" than explain why it's retarded to send money to a centralized entity only to have it given back to you sans administrative fee.

[SIV]

Hey! What'd I miss?

[Binky]

You are too a lobbyist!

Nuh, uh. You are!

[Fist of Etiquette]

I have yet to see a commercial for ER. What has NBC come to since I last tuned in?

[Eduard van Haalen]

Let the audience show emotion, already!

Were they worried they'd do another "let Ron Paul speak" deal?

[0x90]

I liked Brian Williams better when he was Tom Bwokaw.

[robert]

I may never watch another show on NBC ever.

[FoxNews]

** squirts shit out nose **

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Ugh David Gregory comparing Football to politics. I FUCKING HATE THAT COMPARISON!!!

[Fist of Etiquette]

David Gregory is cashing in on the Super Bowl.

[El Commentariosa]

2 Planet Fitness ads in a row.

[RoboCain]

That place sucks ass.

[ryan]

I'm feeling that Ron's gonna get about 20% here.

[A Serious Man]

So. What am I missing?

[El Commentariosa]

What happened to the Cosby Show, NBC?

[Bee Tagger]

No! Please no. Not the Schiavo debate again.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

No kidding. Because NBC doesn't think anything else is more relevant to today...

[dunphy]

i find it amusing that other repub candidates get criticized/ridiculed for their stance on illegal immigration but not ron paul.

ron paul is about as anti-illegal immigration as the average repub

i can't recall ANY post criticizing, let alone ridiculing him for this stance

he supported the secure fence act of 2006

he has spoken against amnesty for illegal immigrants, etc

[Lost_in_translation]

I'm pretty sure Paul isn't interested in legislation concerning building a billion dollar fence.

[dunphy]

again, he SUPPORTED the secure fence act

i didn't say it cost a billion dollars. he's a libertarian (small l), i doubt he would support the spending of a billion dollars on many things

but again, he is strongly against illegal immigration

the interesting thing is that HE does not get criticized or ridiculed for it here AT ALL despite the fact that his stances vis a vis illegal immigration are about the same as the average repub candidate, if not more harsh in that he does not support them getting free emergency medical care, etc.

again, he is sympatico with the repub party line on illegal immigration, and far more against it, than many a repub who has supported amnesty

yet NO criticism for it here

that smacks of hero worship to me

[Lost_in_translation]

Illegal immigration is wrong. Now the reason we have so much of it is because our immigration system is fucked but being a libertarian doesn't mean you have to be for illegal immigration.

[Bill]

His usual answer is he does not want to see illegal immigrants get benefits like food stamps but we should reform the system.

[Sy]

And he's smart enough to shut the fuck up about it until he's asked...

[Uncle Joe]

His stance is: first get rid of the welfare state, then immigrants can come in.

This is a stance that is shared by other libertarians as well.

The fact that libertarians can share certain views with Republicans (such as free enterprise, at least on paper) means nothing. Libertarians have never claimed they are the complete opposite of conservatives, just like they are not the complete opposite of liberals.

[dunphy]

which entirely misses the point

he gets a free pass for it, from the same people who accuse others who are anti illegal immigration of everything from racism to xenophobia

[Lost_in_translation]

Well when the other candidates make claims like "all illegal immigrants are violent criminals" or "we need to build a fence and electrify them as they try and climb over" or "illegals are bad but those that go to church are ok" you can imagine listening to Paul and his "we have a right to deport illegals but the real issue is the welfare state and the way we handle immigration" might be alot more damned appealing.

[Fist of Etiquette]

In partnership with the Quorum of Twelve.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Terry Shiavo? Fucking seriously????

WTF!!!

[Kolohe]

Terry SCHIAVO?!

[RoboCain]

WTF??

[RoboCain]

WTF??

[Arcaster]

One of my Canadian friends just posted this on my FB wall. It's pretty damn funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrhA0sEkuaM

[Drax the Destroyer]

Goddamnit, TERRY SHCIAVO!!!!???? I just forgot about that bullshit, and you assholes just dredged that up. FUCK.

[Cytotoxic]

Thanks media for reminding me why I hate you.

[Bam!]

Santorum came down, waiting for her to die so he could play with her lifeless body.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

+1

[BakedPenguin]

And lie in bed with it with his family.

[LilDebbie]

these internets, sir. haz them.

[Binky]

If the United States were Terri Schiavo ....

[Stormy Dragon]

Santorum: Whoa, whoa, whoa, why would I want congress to do anything, when an activist judge could do it?

[The Angry RPh]

Agreed. WTF?

[Bomb Everyone]

How about.. do you think they're a dictate of government?

[Bee Tagger]

Wow, Newt. What the hell is an ordinary measure for someone condemned to die that you feel comfortable saying we give extraordinary measures?

[Byron Williams]

Ron Paul, so i heard your liek a racist and shit.

[0x90]

Shorter Santorum: I hear people say "let's not make this a federal case" and I say, "no, let's."

[Stormy Dragon]

Gingrich: if we're going to let prisoners rot for decades in legal limbo, dammit I want coma patients to rot for decades too!

[Mensan]

In some circumstances your rights should be respected?

Fuck you, Titties!

[Schiavo]

Let this question die.

[Cytotoxic]

I shouldn't laugh...but I am.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Ron Paul: Have your shit together before you go veg.

[Bomb Everyone]

Personal responsibility? Sounds like crazy talk to me.

[ryan]

'Is there a heaven for vegetables... Mr. Santorum?'

[Your god]

OK, that was funny.

[The Angry RPh]

In fairness, it was an incredibly stupid question.

[flacid tuna]

Santorum has the Teri Schiavo action figure at home (w/ retractable feeding tube action).

[Binky]

Draw a comparison between Terri Schiavo and Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri.

[Arcaster]

Sputnik!

[Mensan]

It was blown out of proportion by ASSjuice butting in in the first place!

[Eduard van Haalen]

Space race!

No way to go to space without govt aid!

[Bam!]

Hey, lady; there ain't nothing in space. No need to spend money to get there.

[Drax the Destroyer]

FUCK NASA. FUCK SPACE. FUCK FAMILIES. FUCK THE ELDERLY. FUCK EVERYONE.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Adam Smith:13 years ago a man named OJ was acquitted for murder. What does that mean for sugar production in the Florida everglades?

[Kolohe]

Romney was already pandering this way in a previous segment, so this was a good question for him

[Eduard van Haalen]

"Space coast"

[Bam!]

They added that phrase to RomenyBot's word list last night.

[Mensan]

I would vote for Space Ghost over three of these guys.

[Space Ghost]

HEY!!

[Mensan]

It's a Florida thing. Each coastline area has a different name. The area around Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach is called the Space Coast.

[Lowdog]

CB in tha house! 🙂

[Bee Tagger]

C'mon NBC, let's make this 2 straight debates without a single question about the debt.

[Fist of Etiquette]

NASA employees, vote for me!

[Bomb Everyone]

"We need to cut spending by blasting it into space"

[Kolohe]

Who do you think funds the research in the Universities, Mitt?

[RoboCain]

Space Ghost?

[Short Viking]

Coast to Coast!

[Gannicus]

Romney wants to cut spending and then goes and talks about a million things to keep spending money on.

[RIck Santorham]

If elected, I would go back in time and abort roe v. wade.

[Bold Vision]

If we can put a man on the moon, why can we not put a man in the center of the Earth?

[free2booze]

Romney wants to turn NASA into a GSE? If he becomes President, maybe he can hook Newt up with a sweet consulting gig.

[The Angry RPh]

And he was talking about the "necessity" of regulating markets. The real Romney has appeared tonight, and it's not pretty.

[Jerry]

Remember when the only fault Romney could find with Gingrich was his plan of space colonies...

[Bee Tagger]

There he is! Newt loves him a good public-private partnership.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Space race? What race is going on? Did I miss something?

[Bomb Everyone]

"The last time Ron Paul's congressional district was redrawn, he ended up with NASA's Johnson Space Center as a new neighbor. A group of Houston businessmen soon invited their new congressman for a primer on the value of the space shuttle.

Paul's reply came in a note they thought was a joke. "He told them space travel isn't in the Constitution," said Patricia Gray, a former state Democratic lawmaker once nudged to challenge the Republican."

[Drax the Destroyer]

More evidence on why Ron Paul is awesome. Those fuckers at the Johnson space center should be getting paid a quarter what they currently do designing me a flying car working in the salt mines of Toyota. Get on it, bitches.

[Cytotoxic]

What is The Law to our dreams of zero-gravity shenanigans and crony capitalism shenanigans?

[Lost_in_translation]

NBC is trolling the republican primary. What the hell are half these questions?

[Kolohe]

A lot of advances in aviation was the Post Office contracts subsidizing passenger travel

[Stormy Dragon]

Romney: we shouldn't just dole out pork based on the suggestion of NASA's lobbyists. I want the full panoply of space-based rent seekers to be advocating more slop for their trough.

[flacid tuna]

Why would they be drawn to Florida? Does Florida have some special properties?

[RoboCain]

From space, it looks like a big penis.

[Bomb Everyone]

One with "Electile disfunction"

[Duh]

It sticks out.

Please, get with the program.

[Duh]

It sticks out.

Please, get with the program.

[Duh]

It sticks out.

Please, get with the program.

[Duh]

It sticks out.

Please, get with the program.

[0x90]

Shorter Mittens, Titties: crony capitalism + NASA = AWESOME!

[Bender B. Rodriguez]

Gehd your ass to mahs!

[Drax the Destroyer]

So...what will Florida look like in post-apocalyptic 'Merica? I imagine giant radioactive alligators roaming the countryside.

[Brian D]

I think I saw that in an episode of Thundarr the Barbarian

[Eduard van Haalen]

Again a topic change after asking only Romney and Gitties

[robert]

Romantic? What? Really?

[RoboCain]

Newt is planning a zero-gravity three-way.

[Newt Gingrich]

Watching Star Trek as a young lad, the Orion Slave Girl had a profound effect on me.

[RoboCain]

Once you go green, there is no in-between.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Economix fail.

[Stormy Dragon]

Gingrich: the current state of the space program is a severe crimp on our ability to launch a massive invasion of mars.

[Bee Tagger]

Ha, these questions. Are they reading DailyKos comments but in a polite tone?

[Bam!]

"Space coast" is really more of a "space peninsula".

[Arcaster]

What's-her-name: the Bush tax cuts failed, explain.

[ryan]

Why don't they strap politicians in these debates to lie detectors?

[RoboCain]

Fire hazard?

[dunphy]

i lol'd.

[Gannicus]

Those questioners were atrocious. My god.

[Your god]

Want me to smite 'em?

[Dekedin]

NASA is where I have trouble being a "true" libertarian. I support private space, and hope people like Branson succeed, but I can't help feeling that a lot of this stuff was made possible by stuff like the space race. If NASA had a real goal, I can't help but wonder what they would be capable of. I don't know, some people may disagree, but science is one of the least offensive areas of government when I think about spending.

[sailshonan]

Tell the outta work rocket scientists they can get jobs at Ron Jon's

[dunphy]

i agree. and don't worry about the no true libertarian people. it's not a litmus test for libertarianism. plenty of people will say "youre not a true libertarian if you support" x. they are almost always wrong

[The Angry RPh]

A lot of people get weak in the knees over space. But there's nothing special about it. Most of the same benefits could have been realized if the gubment decided to build an underwater city, for example.

[Andrew Ryan]

Building underwater cities is private sector work.

[0x90]

What happened, may have happened quicker, due to your being forced to pay for it ahead of the schedule by which you otherwise would have. Doesn't mean it happened better, or that it wouldn't have happened at all without NASA. Doesn't mean that it would have happened in NASA's absence, either. At least in that case, though, if it did, it would've been not just because you liked the idea of it, but rather because you'd had a compelling interest in participating financially, by one means or another.

[Lost_in_translation]

Never underestimate rich bastards willing to throw billions of dollars into space travel. Alot of billionaire nerds now. I'd rather let them send their rockets up than keep spending billions on not sending anything but high school science projects up to the space station.

[Drax the Destroyer]

Eh, NASA was effective in its heyday because it was staffed by the best and brightest from private industry. After decades, NASA, like any bureauacracy has calcified by becoming risk averse and overburdened with pointless paper work. Most engineers "working" for NASA don't do anything vaguely like engineering. It's a sad bloated organization that's full of overpaid underworked zombies afraid to actually do something worth a damn to most people. Until we have some breakthroughs in physics, blasting bodies in to space is generally a waste of time anyway.

[Jumbie]

NASA was effective back then because unlike most govt jobs there was a built in accountability system to produce results: The Russians.

[Fist of Etiquette]

"To my fellow panelists, don't let the doorknob hit you on the asshole..."

[Bee Tagger]

"Explain how free markets work when they factually don't"

[Gannicus]

"I'd like to thank my fellow questioners in that segment, Ezra Klein and Markos of Daily Kos."

[Kolohe]

Nah, 'Space Coast' is a real thing, because "Titusville" sounds like a Dukes of Hazard location.

[BakedPenguin]

Pretty much.

[El Commentariosa]

After the break: The lightning round. All questions worth double money.

[Ben Bernanke]

** pumps fist **

[Fist of Etiquette]

We will be the undocumented space aliens.

[TomD]

"Mr. So-and-So: As president, what would you do to ensure that the residents of This State We Happen To Be In Right Now are properly pandered to?"

Ugh, this shit sucks.

[Mr. So-and-So]

Free orange juice for everyone!

[John Gotti]

Were these questions contrived by a 7th grader?

[Eduard van Haalen]

This debate is excruciating-er than the others.

[Fist of Etiquette]

You're not onstage, Williams.

[ryan]

It's hard to answer a question that makes no fucking sense.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Did Brian Williams find these questions off of a Popsicle stick?

[Kolohe]

Tax Cuts, Wars, and SOUL!

[flacid tuna]

Thought bubble over Mitt's head, "Oh fuck!"

Romneycare...

[Bam!]

I've always wanted to take a debate and edit it like that old reality show, "Blind Date." Thought bubbles over their heads and whatnot.

[Stormy Dragon]

Romney: I helped the cause of conservatism by raising a family

Gingrich: Oh yeah, well I raised three families!

[Bomb Everyone]

Paul: I delivered 4000 families!

[P.S.]

And a lot of Hell!

[TomD]

My first literal LOL of the night.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

lol

[Mensan]

Assjuice: Well I have 47 children, because the pope told me that contraception is evil.

[Bomb Everyone]

Blah blah blah. Really bad debate.

[Lost_in_translation]

I think once you get to the thousandth debate, you've pretty much covered every 3 times atleast so now you're down to just asking the candidates how their day was.

[Bam!]

And enacted ObamaCare(Beta).

[Fist of Etiquette]

Romney got the book plug in.

[sailshonan]

Ouch...sounds painful

[Just Gotta]

Not as painful as the Santorum plug.

[The Angry RPh]

And another Reagan mention. Yawn.

[El Commentariosa]

Who should moderate the next debate:
Stephen Wright
Emo Phillips
The socialists from Russia Today

[Seriously]

A panel of 7th graders.

[robert]

Luis CK

[John Gotti]

Michael Steele

[Sy]

7" grade panels.

[Bee Tagger]

Newt just explained how he spent his entire life in Washington.

[Newt Gingrich]

I went to a Goldwater planning session in 1964. Huge letdown. Total sausage-fest, man.

[Jerry]

And after that Goldwater session, Gingrich went on to work for Nelson Rockefeller.

[Bomb Everyone]

How dare Gingrich even speak Goldwater's name.

[RoboCain]

"I sucked Lincoln's dick in 1864"

[Bam!]

Santorum keeps talking about "gaps"

[Bomb Everyone]

"huge, HUGE" gaps.

[Bee Tagger]

Classic Santorum. Ensuring Paul doesnt get to answer his question because he says things that require Newt and Mitt to reply.

[Bomb Everyone]

"Well I would say, Brian STFU about other candidates and ask me about me."

[Arcaster]

Yes, Santorum, do the only thing you do well, attack Mittens and Newcular Titties. Don't fucking stop. Give it to 'em good and hard. Don't forget to call them names and call them whores.

[Arcaster]

Fuck.

*pull their hair and call them whores.

[Gannicus]

That's the only time I like Santorum.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Santorum: It's going to be hard to stand.

[Bee Tagger]

Santorum is right, except when he says that he's the conservative.

[Stormy Dragon]

Does "creating a contrast with Obama" count as a racist dogwhistle?

[RoboCain]

Everything counts as a racist dog whistle.

[darius404]

Oh, did you guys glance at that article too? I'm no Republican, but MAN, that was a strange one.

[0x90]

I think Santorum just endorsed Paul.

[Bee Tagger]

Very solid answer from Paul.

[Gannicus]

Agreed. I think overall he's been great tonight.

[The Angry RPh]

None of the others are real conservatives. RP needs to hammer that.

[TomD]

Yeah, that was pretty passionate and crisp and bad-ass.

[Bomb Everyone]

Paul WIN

[Newt Gingrich]

Consti-whatsit?

[The Angry RPh]

Don't worry about it. It's a living document.

[Lost_in_translation]

Ron: why don't we just follow the fucking constitution???

Win!

[Most Republicans]

Because we are hypocritical pants-wetting fucks.

[Stormy Dragon]

Romney's record: Donnie Osmond's greatest hits

[John Gotti]

+100

[Drax the Destroyer]

Romney repeal Obamacare? Yeah fucking right.

[Bomb Everyone]

"I almost make him homeless ha ha ha!"

Mitt Bott humor sequence fail.

[mad libertarian guy]

ANyone who believes that Romney would repeal Obamacare is an absolute idiot.

[Arcaster]

Yep, but TEAM RED doesn't really care. They just want their guy in charge.

[Fist of Etiquette]

"I bet Ted Kennedy $10,000 he couldn't beat me."

[The Angry RPh]

That sorry spectacle should have cost both of those assholes severely. I still can't believe how it just blew over.

[Try This]

"What is your favorite passage in the Constitution? Quote it verbatim and explain why in detail."

[Bomb Everyone]

Uh.. um.. something about general welfare and commerce.

[mad libertarian guy]

But that would be a question of relevance, and they just can't have any of that shit.

[Scruffy the Janitor]

God damn these questions can not get anymore inane.

Holy Shit man!!

[Drax the Destroyer]

There are many reasons were are screwed. This is reason #12,456.

[TomD]

There are many reasons were are screwed. This is reason #12,456.

It's not, actually. The questions reflect premises, assumptions and givens that ultimately are the whole root of the problem.

Starting with the idea -- implicit in nearly every question -- that a president is supposed to have so much power/sway/influence in the first place.

[TomD]

(To be clear: What I mean by "it's not" is that it's not way down the list at #12,456.)

[Stormy Dragon]

Gingrich asks people to be with him. Particularly his secretaries.

[0x90]

Shorter Rick & Titties: "Be afraid. Be very afraid. Vote for me."

[Bee Tagger]

If anyone is looking for any terrible ill-fitting clothes or old man jokes to tell, a Twitter search for "Ron Paul" should take care of you.

[Drax the Destroyer]

There are many reasons were are screwed. This is reason #132,756.

[Fist of Etiquette]

So we are or aren't a great nation?

[RoboCain]

We are, but we aren't, apparently.

[Bam!]

RomneyBot's debate strategy seems to consist of targeting one sentence at the asked question, and then talk about whatever he wants.

[El Commentariosa]

I figured out the order of questions: Romney - Newt - Romney - Newt - Santorum - Romney - Newt - Santorum - Romney - Newt - Santorum - Paul - Romney - Newt - Romney...

[Try This]

"Why are low home house prices a bad thing?"

[Eduard van Haalen]

"Wait, this amateur hour we're having is a dress rehearsal, right? We're actually debating live? Shit!"

[Scruffy the Janitor]

Crack down on cheaters, I think he is looking at you Gingrich.

[LilDebbie]

classic propaganda technique, newt: elevate your enemies. i believe sun tzu was the first to note this.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Brian Williams just won the Florida primary.

[Mitt Romney]

What I would do is have the federal government buy Michigan and California, load them up with debt, and then sell them off to Mexico and Canada. It's called destructive creationism.

[Gannicus]

What a waste of time, insubstantive debate. Brian Williams and the other 2 were terrible.

[Bomb Everyone]

SUCKY DEBATE.

[Fist of Etiquette]

NBC wants Gingrich to be the nominee?

[Jerry]

There is that granddaughter again, do we know her name yet?

[Arcaster]

whose?

[Dan G]

I like Linda Paul. She seems like a cool chick to hang with. There is a short video of her giving an interview.

http://nashua.patch.com/articl.....eo-8750699"

[mad libertarian guy]

I'll say that the first row of the audience behind Williams was the biggest bunch of douchebags I have ever seen.

[Gannicus]

Bigger than the ones on stage?

[mad libertarian guy]

Yes, even if only because the look on their faces said "It will be me on that stage in 25 or 30 years debating on why I should rule the peons."

[robert]

What do you wanna bet NBC includes RPs question on the everglades in their review here?

[Jerry]

With Andrea Mitchell on the panel, I doubt they will show Paul's critique of the Federal Reserve.

[waffles]

Peter, the personalities thank you too.

Titties, Mittens. What does it all mean?

[Mr. FIFY]

Titty-Mittens?!

[.]

I liked this Andrea Mitchell lady better in the Dark Crystal.

[RoboCain]

What the fuck is she wearing?

[blueman]

+1

[Alex]

I think Paul's last answer was one of his best answers I've seen out of any of his debate performances.

[Lost_in_translation]

Paul knows his shit about constitution but 99% of the time the debates don't want to talk about that. I mean, that's like ancient history.

[Arcaster]

Yep, that shit doesn't sell like Invade Cuba!

[Fist of Etiquette]

petersuderman:
Thank you to the Multiple Internet Personalities who left 788 comments on tonight's debate blog post.

But yet they don't quote any of us in tweetblog.

[Matt Welch]

It's basically impossible. You've got the TV, you've got the Twitter stream (that you're typing on) ... and then you've got the squirrels.

[Nipplemancer]

that's what interns are for!

[Fist of Etiquette]

I quoted you, sir.

[SIV]

I only left one.

[Bee Tagger]

One major reason they love talking about Gingrich and Romney is that they never have to deal with actual issues or positions on issues. They can just deal with the soap opera stuff.

[Fist of Etiquette]

"Political flirtation between Gingrich and Paul."

[Lost_in_translation]

I almost vomited.

[darius404]

That makes me shudder.

[Drax the Destroyer]

Why does that make me think of HeyZeus being tempted by Satan in the desert?

[cynical]

Weird, the GOP Dem-hate-boner for Gingrich in SC made me think of him as Barabbas. Not a good sign that I'm getting into messianic modes of thought.

[The Angry RPh]

VW playing the 'Nuge? WTF?

[robert]

Stranglehold baby. gets may attention everytime.

[TomD]

So, NBC's post-debate panel was struck by this new "flirtation" between Gingrich and Paul, as evidenced by Newt's overtures to Paul on the Fed, etc.

Whether or not that emerges as one of the news-cycle memes, it certainly seems clear that all the candidates are now aware they can't be dismissive of Paul or his base.

[Arcaster]

True, but how many Paul supporters would vote for one of these assholes? I'm voting LP if Paul doesn't get the nomination, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

[darius404]

Yeah. No matter how I vote, I would like to see Ron Paul as the GOP candidate, and Gary Johnson as the Libertarian candidate, to up the odds. Good luck with that though.

[killazontherun]

There is a loose money crank that is running against Johnson whose sense of arrogance and entitlement is stratospheric. If he gets it (can't recall the name), then I'm not even bothering to vote. Paul > Johnson > nobody.

[curiousgeorge]

Is it Lee Wrights?

[Lowdog]

Yo tambien.

[Dekedin]

I like d Romney's line about how he "wouldn't trust a politician who paid more taxes than he owes," or something to that effect. It's important to remember taxes aren't patriotic, they're a necessary evil, no more, no less. Anyone who's glad to pay taxes and wants to pay more is an idiot. They made Romney's tax situation controversial, while I actually liked his answer on taxes the most out of Romney's time in the debate.

[TomD]

I like d Romney's line about how he "wouldn't trust a politician who paid more taxes than he owes, It's important to remember taxes aren't patriotic, they're a necessary evil, no more, no less. Anyone who's glad to pay taxes and wants to pay more is an idiot.

I doubt he'd disagree with you there, but I don't think that was his actual point. He was merely trying to say, "Anybody who's too disorganized to file their taxes accurately is obviously too incompetent to be president."

I think he kind of mangled what he was trying to say, so it didn't quite come out right.

[Dekedin]

Oh, maybe I misunderstood his point then. I thought he was making a moral point about paying more than you owe, but the disorganization thing makes sense.

[killazontherun]

^this. Personally, as an aside, I actually like Romney, but I would never vote for him. Unless it was for a second term where he proved to be a closet libertarian who substantially changed the direction of the country. But that is indulging in wishful thinking based on the odds being in his favor at the moment that he is going to be president, and I'm hoping something good comes out of this clusterfuck.

[curiousgeorge]

I completely agree with this sentiment. He's a very lovable robot, and doesn't have any positions that make me cringe. I'll still never vote for him because I see no point in allowing the Republicans to nominate someone who will so obviously not rock the boat. Now's not the time for status quo politics.

[Mike M.]

Nobody in the world wants to personally pay a dime more in taxes than they owe. Not even the lefty shitheads who love to sanctimoniously pretend that they do.

[Amakudari]

This is nice and all, but he had $45 million in capital gains and paid 15% in capital gains taxes.

This year, if someone has $60,000 in income (single, self-employed, standard deduction), he'll pay around $9,000 in federal taxes, another $9,000 in FICA/OASDI (and, let's face it, a lot of that ain't coming back) and let's say $3,500 in state taxes (California). That's about 35%. If you start looking at utility of income -- subtracting out basic costs of living and using the result as the denominator -- it's clearly a greater burden on the middle income earner. And most of that is pure cost; you're not receiving much from government, either.

I'm cool with Mitt's rate being at 15%. It could be 0% for all I care. What I, and I suspect many others, are not cool with is that the government grants preferential tax treatment to eight-figure capital gains over a five-figure salary, and he's not really supporting, say, at least a revenue-neutral re-weighting of the tax code by treating capital gains (inflation-indexed, even) and earned income similarly.

[Cyto]

Corporations have to value their assets by "mark to market" on a regular basis. That could work for cap gains. Declare your unrealized gains quarterly - defer taxes until they are fully realized.

Win-win for the trading industry, tax attorneys, accountants, auditors... Just think of the jobs created!

[MikeP]

Way to throw California tax in there on the middle class guy, but not on Mitt!

In California, Mitt's capital gains tax would be 10.3%, raising his total over 25%.

[Amakudari]

Probably because Romney's not paying it.

California's income tax rates are actually average until you start nearing six figures. The capital gains taxes there are IIRC the highest in the nation. By contrast Massachusetts' tax is middling (5.3%) and I don't believe New Hampshire has one.

Corporations have to value their assets by "mark to market" on a regular basis.

This depends on the type of asset. For short-term instruments it's true and for hard-to-value things you are required to "mark to model," but there's a reason book value and market cap rarely equal.

[AlmightyJB]

I never cared for Mitt until he started getting attacked for being a capitalist (by the GOP candidates no less, ugh). I never knew he was Gorden Geiko, that's pretty awesome. It's typical that I admire that which the establisment distains.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Holy shit, the room emptied out like they were about to show NBC programming.

[Bee Tagger]

Really, Brian Williams? I thought you were a legit indie music guy. You went with Peter Bjorn & John from like 6 years ago for this segment?

[Bee Tagger]

Now, The Kooks?

[Jerry]

Funny how they placed this female reporter just two doors down in the hotel from Gingrich. They really tried to get her embedded.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Future Ex-Mrs. Gingrich.

[ryan]

goodnight y'all

tu ne cede malis

[Arcaster]

sed contra audentior ito

g'night

[mad libertarian guy]

Local News (Lexington, KY) lead-in: "Would you refuse a pat down from an airport security official? A KY US Senator did."

[juris imprudent]

It's like haiku - 500+ comments and not one more than three sentences.

[El Commentariosa]

Oscar Noms come out in a few hours.
Any bets?

[mad libertarian guy]

That none of them will be worthy, and that all of it will be politically motivated.

[Liberdouche]

My butt hurts and the world is against me but I'm too douchey to wear black lipstick and eyeliner.

[Drax the Destroyer]

I think having the restraint to not wear black lipstick and eyeliner would reduce the douche quotient. You know what raises it? Trolling people you think are butthurt and irrelevant. Get a fucking life.

[DK]

That it will be one of the questions at the next debate.

[Seriously]

"Explain why, given that they are the future of this great nation, children are not allowed to vote."

[A Serious Man]

Senator Santorum, recently the Iranian movie "A Seperation" was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Do you feel the governent should be concerned about the spread of Iranian culture to Hollywood?

[Lucy Steigerwald]

That I forgot to see at least 80 percent of said movies!

[Lewis H]

Sure Ron Paul, the banks did no wrong. Let them do whatever they want.

Ron PauL: The government made them do it! If they were just free to do whatever they wanted they would be responsible! Pinkie swear!

[Eduard van Haalen]

There ought to be a way to put those banks out of business, but Paul doesn't have the guts to suggest any method of doing this!

[curiousgeorge]

Well perhaps you're not familiar with the pressure banks received to expand their lending businesses to riskier pools.

I suggest this gem from Thomas Sowell.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t.....P94lpOQ4BQ

[Arcaster]

Aren't you quite the ignorant fuck? Ever heard of incentives? Go troll somewhere else.

[Lewis H]

the current crop of GOP candidates are trying to compete one another for saying the most stupid thing possible.

[Sharon Stone]

Similar to your posts on this message board.

[Smarter]

Run, Mitch, Run!

[Miss Universe]

Great that Ron Paul calls for the government to stay out of our personal lives, though I'm puzzled as to why my uterus would be excluded

[heller]

Abortion thread is that way, honey.

[Bee Tagger]

I'm puzzled why you think a President Paul can do anything about the abortion laws.

[Drax the Destroyer]

Your uterus is not excluded, but if want a certain procedure you might have to truck it to New York, California, Canada, Mexico, or fall down the stairs a couple of times. It's not perfect, but its better than this constant bickering over bullshit that's irrelevant compared to more daunting problems. Moreover, I second BeeTag's question.

[Drax the Destroyer]

if *you* want

[Bee Tagger]

Thanks, Politico. From their 6 Takeaways

5) Ron Paul was playing for laughs
Or something. But Paul, who has had moments of rather serious policy discourse during some of the past debates, did little in this one to stand out.

http://www.politico.com/news/s.....71868.html

I get the impression that they think someone else discussed something of substance last night.

[Cyto]

This has been the official meme for all political analysts since the start of the new year. At least a few of them note that Paul's failure to "stand out" is not his fault, but due to the moderators ignoring him.

[Moe Ron]

Wow. Just. Wow.