The American Mind

Again we have a debate-that-isn’t. That’s not bad since watching nine men pummel Rep. Ron Paul so much it would make his internet followers cry (then shut down Digg in protest) would get boring quickly. This is a CNN-run group interview. Rush Limbaugh (weblogging!!) called CNN’s effort “a modified inquisition.”

Hugh Hewitt sees this as a “Rudy-Mitt-Fred race.” Sen. John McCain did all he could to defend his immigration bill. You can’t say he doesn’t believe it’s what’s best for the nation. By challenging an agitated base and taking them on squarely could destroy his chances for the nomination.

Mitt Romney’s skin tone was too bronze. But substantively he was solid like always. You know he knows his stuff. I give him bonus points for using the words “null set.”

Rudy Giuliani looked the part of war leader. Rich Lowry described him as “quick, commanding, authoritative-sounding.” He was solid and firm defending the Islamist War and challenging the MSM to report the truth if the Iraq surge goes well.

Sen. Sam Brownback’s green tie is either emitting gamma radiation endangering the other candidates or sending out subliminal messages. I still have no urge to back him so I’m going with the former.

Most annoying moment: Rep. Tom Tancredo calling Teddy Roosevelt a conservative. TR ran for President as a “Bull Moose,” the progressive/liberal/big government Republican party.

Most surprising moment: Rep. Duncan Hunter showing off some foreign policy gravitas. I don’t like him on trade, but I could see him as a muscular, Rumsfeld-like Defense Secretary.

Second-most surprising moment: Mike Huckabee taking the creation/evolution question head-on. He wondered what the point of the question was. “It’s kind of silly to ask that of a Presidential candidate, because I’m not writing the curriculum.” This is all Chris Matthews’ fault.

Ron Paul has another Ron Paul moment claiming Iran is no threat to U.S. national security. Funny how those Iranian weapons killing U.S. troops in Iraq prove otherwise.

As for Fred Thompson Ann Coulter ripped on him making him look that much better in my eyes.

Finally, what about my ex-governor Tommy Thompson? Well, he’s a Thompson but not the actor. I’m glad that’s cleared up. Tommy knows health care policy, but he sounded like he’d make a great Surgeon General. As President he wouldn’t send President Bush to the U.N. Instead, he’d ask him to speak to kids. Hopefully it doesn’t involve My Pet Goat.