THE FOX NEWS REPUBLICAN DEBATE

Rudy Giuliani has been arguably the most effective conservative chief executive in America since Reagan. Now he doesn't agree with conservatives on some social issues but what he did in New York is really impressive. I teach a course at the Kennedy school on governance, not a political course, and we assign a book on Rudy Giuliani's mayoral team, it is such an impressive story.--Bill Kristol

Fun Tidbits about the Debate:

--Bill Kristol made the above statement before the debate and I thought it was pretty profound and very true.

--I love Carl Cameron

--I thought the Frank Luntz poll group was a bunch of whiners but they did make a couple of good points. One guy said Ron Paul was certifiably insane (Amen!!) and they all agreed Hillary was a socialist.

When asked what the most important issue was that should be talked about it was the war and foreign policy. They also said that they were looking for a candidate that had passion, leadership, backbone and would kick ass. To be honest if those are their requirements I think Rudy is the person that fits that bill and thats why I was most impressed with him in this debate.

--This was the most enjoyable and best Republican debate to date

--I wish Ron Paul and his groupies would go away!! I am beyond tired of having to listen to him during the debates. Although, it was nice to see him get booed numerous times.

--I basically tune out most of what Paul and Tancredo have to say.

Grading the Candidates

Rudy Giuliani--A
Rudy hit it out of the ball park for me last night. I was so impressed with him on several levels and if I had to pick a nominee today it would be Rudy. Why was I impressed?

--He scored big points for me on his answer about Defense of Marriage. If numerous states start legalizing same sex marriage then we will need a Federal Marriage amendment. I couldn't agree more. I loved his line about marrying a bunch of couples and as far as he knew they were all men and women but it was New York.
--He was awesome on school choice. This is a HUGE issue for me and he was stellar on his answer about caring about the kids and wanting parents to be in control. This got a huge Amen! from me.
--He had great lines about Kerry and Gore, put a huge smile on my face.
--He gave great answers about Iran and Russia, loved the Teddy Roosevelt quote
--He gave a good response to Fred about tort reform, he talked about that very subject when he came to KC in 2004
--I loved his lines about what he agreed with Hillary on

Duncan Hunter--A-
There is something about Duncan Hunter that I just really like. Of all the 2nd tier candidates he is by far the most impressive. He got some great laugh lines in last night. I loved his response to Romney on health care:

But Hunter said Romney's health care proposals have too many mandates that drive up the costs of health care.

"It's got to have, for example, fertility coverage. Well, what if you're 90 years old? We may appreciate Governor Romney's optimism but you may not need fertility coverage," the California congressman said.

I also loved what he had to say about Republicans being the party of freedom:

A Democrat president with an aircraft carrier sitting a few miles offshore said we will not help the freedom fighters. And a thousand miles away from there is El Salvador, where a Republican president, Ronald Reagan, hung tough, brought freedom to El Salvador. And you know something? Today, they are fighting side by side with our guys in Iraq, Hunter said.

Fred Thompson--B
I hate to admit it but Thompson was some what of a disappointment last night. He had some good answers on things but he didn't do anything to inspire passion. I liked his answer on Education and vouchers, his line referring to the Haditha marines and he had a great response to the lazy question but otherwise not a big night for him.

Mitt Romney--B-
This was the first night when I thought Romney seemed somewhat likable. The thing that most impressed me about him is that when he gave an answer you got the impression that he really knew what he was talking about. He was good on his lines about Hillary.

He was also good on defense of marriage although I thought he was a little hypocritical saying he was proud of his past/record. His past includes saying that he was more pro-choice and pro-gay marriage than Ted Kennedy.

Mike Huckabee--C
I'm not even sure Huckabee deserves a C but I can't handle ranking him lower than McCain so he lucks out and gets a C. I DO NOT understand the appeal that some seem to think he has. I think he is extremely condescending and the more I see of him the less I like.

John McCain--C-
He doesn't seem to get why Republicans are still sore at him as he was talking in his pre-interview before the debate. He thinks its immigration and the war. For me and many others its getting stabbed in the back time and time again, especially the gang of 14 betrayal.

He did have 2 good lines last night that were fairly impressive. The one about the Woodstock Museum:

In case you missed it, a few days ago, Senator Clinton tried to spend $1 million on the Woodstock Concert Museum. Now, my friends, I wasn’t there. I’m sure it was a cultural and pharmaceutical event. I was tied up at the time" (as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam).

Also, the one about Putin and the KGB.

Tom Tancredo--D
This guy needs to follow Brownback's lead and drop out of the race. He is bitter and resentful. The only good line he had was about Pelosi being a horrible Congresswoman and Secretary of State.

Ron Paul--F
Certifiably insane says it all, and the fact that he got booed continually.