Republican Primary Debate Notes

Since I didn't get a chance to catch the Republican debates on Saturday I've had to rely on watching clips and reading articles on it. Based on what I've read and seen, here are the main points to take away.

• Romney shows some chinks in his armor. Whether it was his $10k bet to Perry that makes him look out of touch with the economic hardships that are facing this country, or his somewhat hypocritical comments about being a career politician, Romney looked more like Bizarro than Superman Saturday.
• As long as you identify as a Republican and claim to have repented for your sins, you could probably kill someone and Republican voters would still vote for you. Gingrich is gaining ground despite his hypocritical history.
• Bachmann is holding on for dear life. She's now trying to pick up Cain supporters by extolling the virtues of the 9-9-9 tax plan by essentially Americans should love it because they're stupid.
• Say what you want about Ron Paul, but the man is consistent. He doesn't preen or pander, the man just tows the Constitution line. I won't vote for you, but I do respect you Ronnie.

Looking forward to the rest of election season!

Smart People Debating Smart Subjects, Smartly

If you love debate but hate what passes for debate in the our culture these days take a look at Intelligence Squared US. Billed as" Oxford-style debates live from New York City", this series features teams of subject specific smarties attempting to persuade a live audience to endorse or reject a topic statement. Unlike the debates you may have seen on television lately, these people have some knowledge in their areas and are strictly moderated. None of that Anderson Cooperesque, weak enforcer stuff that politicians like. Just debate. The best part? The audience actually votes both before and after the debate and the team that gains the largest percentage of converts from the first vote, wins. That means a quantitative survey, not a pundit or a journalist or a "guy on the street" or a pundit, determines the outcome - it's actual people!


For a real hot-button topic, check out the most recent episode: The World Would be Better Off without Religion. Who will win? God only knows... or he doesn't exist...

Things I Learned During the Republican Debate Tonight

Michelle Bachman, apparently doesn't know that she has to beat Romney first. Instead of actually answering any of Blitzer's questions, she used every opportunity to campaign against Obama.

Newt Gingrinch is simply one of the most unlikable human beings on the planet. I don't have a clear idea of what his views are, I just know I don't like him. Can you do something about that permascowl?

Herman Cain's campaign team finally hired a debate coach. That debate coach neglected to inform him of the moderator's name. Right Blitz?

Ron Paul, I would have liked you better during my collegiate "Objectivist" phase. Plus, I keep expecting you to start handing out Werther's Originals during the debate.

John Huntsman looks pretty good. And being an ambassador to China shores up your foreign policy cred. Too bad most of your party's voters don't give a damn about foreign policy, and probably couldn't identify China on a globe.

Rick Santorum, why are you even here? Did you think that this round of elections needed its own Alan Keyes or did you just have some millions lying around that you felt like blowing?

Rick Perry must have hired the same debate coach as Bachmann. Although he did a slightly better job at demagoguery.

And finally, at this point I think Mitt Romney could kill someone and still get the party's nomination. Congrats Mitt, I actually liked you in 2008, honestly, but you've pandered too much to try and appeal to the Tea Party this time around.