Ok, just to prove that I've got too much time on my hands, I'll sit here w/my laptop and give the play by play....or at least hit the highlights of what jumps out at me between trips to the fridge.
8:05
First, as I expected when I wrote that post below, it's waaayyy too crowded. Nothing close to being correctly defined as a "debate".
When asked if whether the day Roe is overturned would be a good day, all candidates but Rudy gave a clear yes...(Rudy hemed/hawed)... Believe it or not, Tancredo gave the best answer in mentioning the forty million children that have been aborted...but the had the benefit of going last.
8:15
McCain looks bad. I mean very bad. During his first two questions, I thought it looked like he'd collapse. I hope for his sake he's sick or something tonight...otherwise he's being outperformed by Tom Tancredo.
Speaking of McCain 45 minutes (or three passes) to get around mentioning the "special interests", (of course he never defines "who" they are).
Romney talks on appointing strict constructionists judges...points out that when you've got judges that stick to the Constitution, it allows people to fight the issues out in the political process.
Rudy tells us he hates abortion..."but ultimately....(he) would respect a woman's righ to make that choice".
McCain defends his border/amnesty boondoggle...get's cut off by Chris Matthews.
Around 8:30
Hunter makes a great point about the political rucas on global warming gives a great opportunity to make moves towards national energy independence....then igores the time clock.
Ron Paul won't shut-up...
Now we move on the stem-cell research...(w/Nancy looking on)...Romney says he won't allow embryo cloning/farming...Brownback wants to use adult stem cells...Gilmore, no...Huckabee, no...Thompson, can't say "yes" or "no"...McCain wants to thank Mrs. Reagan...says "yes" to federal funding embryonic stem cells...Ron Pauls points out that the Constitution doesn't allow it...Rudy says "yes" to fed. funds...Tancredo says it doesn't "need" federal funds...
Health care...Romney promotes his program in Mass., ("affordable, portable")...says can't "get the market to do it's job", give people private sector choices...an 27 other states are working on health care reform.
9:00
Taxes:
McCain defends opposing Bush's tax cuts...he still looks bad. I think it doesn't help him being on stage inviting comparison w/so many other candidates.
Romney calls for a zero rate on capital gains. Brownback wants a flat tax. Gilmore brags about getting rid of the car tax in Virginia. Huckabee wants a "flat, fair, finite, friendly" tax. Hunter wants to talk about manufacturing. McCain says give president the line item veto. Ron Paul talks about the "inflation tax" (??) Rudy says get rid of the death tax.
McCain believes in evolution....most of the rest don't.
OK, it's been a little uninteresting here...that and had to go to the fridge.
9:10
Rudy talks about the natioal ID card...but is this just for immigrants? Romney backs it, but is specific to immigrants. Brownback is against it. McCain says the 9/11 Commission wants it... Ron Paul is wagging his finger against it... This issue is getting away from immigrants though.
Romney to the rescue...makes it specific that this whole ID card business applies to IMMIGRANTS. Can't believe Matthews didn't make everyone get more specific on an issue that big to begin with.
9:25
Softballs about whether or not Bill Clinton should get back into the White House....duh...
McCain takes a shot at Bush...says the war was missmanaged for four years...(hmmm)
Now we're in a lighting round that my fingers can't keep up with...Tancredo's talking too fast, forgetting to breathe.
9:30
It's over... Matthews wants us to follow him to the "spin room"...I'm switching to Fox... Newt's on, says the "debate" is a joke. Format is terrible. Ditto.
More: Beltway traffic Jam [3] - Malkin's liveblogging [4] - more at Heading Right [5] - Sister Toldjah [6] - PJ Media [7] - Vodka Pundit [8] - Liberty Papers [9] - Right Wing News [10]
