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10 favor rekindling Reagan spirit
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Kevork Djansezian / AP Republican presidential contenders line up before the first primary debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley. They are, from left, Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
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In a wide-ranging, fast-paced debate, the 10 Republicans who want to be the next president offered a unanimous view of past presidents Thursday evening at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum: They want to rekindle the spirit of Reagan, and they don't even want to think about a possible return of the Clinton family to the White House.
The current occupant received mixed reviews.
"What we can borrow from Ronald Reagan, since we are in his library, is that great sense of optimism," former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said. "You lead from optimism. You lead from hope."
When asked by moderator Chris Matthews whether it would "be good for America" to have Bill Clinton back in the White House if Sen. Hillary Clinton were to win in the fall, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney gave a startled response: "You've got to be kidding."
Arizona Sen. John McCain, asked what he would have done differently from President Bush, asserted, "I would not have mismanaged the war. It was badly mismanaged for four years."
But the central issue was not presidents past or present, but who would be the best Republican nominee to be the future president. On that score, the candidates used what for some was their first moment in the national spotlight to try to make a good impression and to separate themselves from the other contenders.
Sharing the stage with the three front-runners were Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, California Rep. Duncan Hunter, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson.
The debate transformed the Reagan Library into a national media stage as more than 300 reporters swarmed to Simi Valley and 500 invited guests sat in a makeshift auditorium erected directly below the presidential aircraft mounted high in the Air Force One Pavilion. Among the reporters were crews from more than half a dozen television news networks. Even Comedy Central sent a reporter.
More candidates may appear
Although the stage was filled with 10 candidates, before the long campaign is through, there could be others.
Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, who polls indicate would be among the front-runners if he entered the race, is scheduled to speak tonight in Newport Beach, where it is anticipated that he will shed some light on his presidential aspirations.
In marked contrast to the Democratic contenders who debated last week in South Carolina, the GOP candidates with one exception supported continued prosecution of the war in Iraq.
"We have a new general and we have a new strategy," McCain said. "That strategy can succeed. ... We must win in Iraq. If we withdraw, there will be chaos, there will be genocide and they will follow us home."
Giuliani, whose national stature was shaped by his visibility as mayor in the days and weeks following the attack on his city's World Trade Towers, said the United States must remain on the offensive against terrorism. "Americans have to lead against a sea of hostility," he said.
Only Paul, a libertarian who voted against the war at its outset, said U.S. troops should be withdrawn. He supports a return to an isolationist foreign policy and said Republicans won the 2000 presidential election because "we talked about a humble foreign policy and no nation-building."
Tommy Thompson said Iraqis should be given the opportunity to vote on whether they want U.S. troops to remain in their country. If they say yes, he said it would give legitimacy to continued U.S. involvement, but if they say no, "we should get out."
Since the format did not allow for opening or closing statements, the agenda was driven by questions from Matthews, host of the political show "Hardball." Many of the inquiries dealt with the social issues that have helped define the conservative wing of the party: abortion and stem-cell research.
On those issues, Giuliani stood out as the lone candidate to support abortion rights and was joined only by McCain in voicing support for spending federal funds to finance medical research using embryonic stem cells.
Giuliani said he hated abortions and would discourage them. But he called a woman's decision whether to have an abortion "a very, very difficult issue of conscience. Ultimately, since it is an issue of conscience, I would support a woman's right to make a different choice."
The others said they would cheer the day if the United States Supreme Court were to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that established a constitutional right to an abortion.
"It would be a glorious day," Brownback said.
McCain called the question of using tax dollars to fund research with stem cells taken from frozen embryos "a tough issue for those of us in the pro-life community." But, noting that the embryos would otherwise either be destroyed or perpetually frozen, he said: "We need to fund this."
The rest of the candidates said they support funding research that only uses cells taken from adults.
Former Ventura County Assemblyman Tony Strickland, a California chairman of Romney's campaign, said Giuliani's position on abortion will be a liability among GOP voters.
"If the central issue in the Republican primary is abortion, Rudy Giuliani is not going to win," he said. "I think everyone knows that, even Rudy Giuliani."
Romney, who supported abortion rights when he first ran for governor, but now opposes them, said his view changed after he studied the stem-cell issue in Massachusetts. He acknowledged that, like Reagan before him, he changed his mind on the issue over time. "I'm proud of that and won't apologize to anybody."
Gilmore pointedly questioned that position, while describing himself as "a consistent conservative not someone who's going to say one thing one year and another thing the next."
First of the debates
The debate was the first to be staged over the next nine months a rhetorical marathon that will perhaps come full circle and conclude back at the Reagan Library. Former first lady Nancy Reagan intends to invite the top Republican contenders back on Jan. 30, just seven days before California and 11 other states conduct primaries that likely will determine the nominee.
"Tonight was an important moment, but it's just a moment in what will be a long campaign," said Steve Schmidt, who managed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's re-election campaign last fall before moving on to take the same role in the McCain campaign.
Posted by unclneal on May 4, 2007 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Want your taxes to double or triple? Then vote Democrat. Want your taxes to stay where they are? Then vote Republican. Want Terrorism to grow and have the US attacked again? Then vote Democrat. Want the US to win in Iraq & Afghanistan? Then vote Republican.
Posted by rebel123 on May 4, 2007 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Win in Iraq & Afghanistan??? How exactly do you define victory when they have no clue who the enemy is? Even top military has said that a military solution is not viable in Iraq.
Posted by fujo on May 4, 2007 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's always as simple as taxes for Repubs. I don't mind paying taxes - they're a necessary component of efficient government, and the small price of freedom and democracy. What I don't like is when government takes my tax money, invades the wrong country, and then runs a huge deficit because of their great desire to cut the taxes of the wealthiest 2% of the population. Anyone who can still defend the current administration is clearly delusional. And that whole argument that Democrats in power=terrorists on every corner is the exact same fear mongering that the mafia has used so effectively for so many years - "Just stick with me and I'll keep you safe"
Posted by Jacksprat on May 4, 2007 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
These Republican all talk about being like Regan, however they should think about the first Republican and try to be like him. Lincoln would turn over in his grave if he see the Republican party of today. He was concerned with the common man, not not the rich followers.
Regan was not that great of a president and came close to getting caught with Iran Contra illigal thing. He was lucky some one took the fall. Now we have a President that also has everyone taking the fall for his mistakes.
Posted by racaroc on May 4, 2007 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Unbelieveable!
A year and a half before the general election and we've already had to endure "presidential" debates by both major political parties.
• Nine months from now, unrepresentative states like New Hampshire and Iowa get to make the first choices for us.
• The candidate who has the most money will be nominated from each party in about a year.
After that, the "real" campaign begins.
• The two candidates with money left will use it smear each other for two or three months.
• There will be no in-depth discussion about any of their important positions.
• The candidate who has the most smear money will find a way to win the election.
• In about two years, we'll find out who the Jackass we elected really is.
Is this any way to elect leaders?
Look at the presidential election in France.
• Short campaign.
• Real choices open to all voters in the nationwide primary.
• Equal access to the media for all candidates (even the recreational hunter political party)
• No need for fundraising and indebtedness to special interests.
• A no-nonsense discussion of the real issues facing the country.
• No opinion polls allowed in the last few days before the election.
• No real surprises about what the winner will do after elected.
How can americans continue to be leaders in the world, when our president is chosen on the basis of fundraising potential instead of ideas?
Posted by shaver_one on May 4, 2007 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Should we stay in Iraq? Ask the Iraqis. Let them decide if they need or want our help.
The Bush/Cheney Regime has already killed more Americans than died on 9/11. How many more are the Republicans going to kill?
The dictionary defines "terror": Causing fear, to frighten, state of great fear, force or oppress by fear.
Isn't that what the Neocons are doing by constantly punching the ridiculous idea of "defeat them there, or they will follow us home." They want Americans to live in fear...fear of Islam, fear of democrats, fear of anything and everything...the exact definition of terror.
The Republicans are the terrorists we have to defeat.
shaverone.blog.com
Posted by sokol_kiev on May 4, 2007 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The only problem with the form of debate used in last night's Republican debate, and the recent Democratic debate, is with all the candidates on stage, viewers/voters simply are unable to obtain any insights into each candidate. 30-second time limits are just enough time for the candidates to give sound bites versus more in-depth answers. There has to be a better format to use than this!
And why oh why couldn't MSNBC allow Brian Williams be last night's moderator versus Chris Matthews? Based on some of his irrelevant and ridiculous questions, Matthews personal agenda was so transparent during his questioning the Republican candidates. And some of the candidates, like poor Tom Tancredo, got totally shafted by Matthews. Every time he tried giving an answer, Matthews rudely cut him off. However, I will say regarding Matthew's dumb question of whether the President should pardon Scooter Libby… Congressman Tancredo gave the perfect answer of stating yes, the President should pardon Libby… but not before he pardons the U.S. Border Patrol Agents Compean and Ramos! I LOVED THAT! And of course Mitt Romney's perfect reply of "You've got to be kidding me!" to Matthews when Matthews asked the candidates yet another stupid question of if they think having Bill Clinton back in the White House is a good thing or a bad thing.
Posted by jskdn on May 4, 2007 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"How can americans continue to be leaders in the world, when our president is chosen on the basis of fundraising potential instead of ideas?"
ideasprimary.com is a website of the DLC.
However given the vitriol and partisanship we see here, I have to wonder how much real policy thinking matters.
Posted by racaroc on May 4, 2007 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
...."The only problem with the form of debate used in last night's Republican debate, and the recent Democratic debate, is with all the candidates on stage, viewers/voters simply are unable to obtain any insights into each candidate. 30-second time limits are just enough time for the candidates to give sound bites versus more in-depth answers. There has to be a better format to use than this!"....
The only problem? Even if it was the only problem, it's enough to expose these debates for the vapid farce they are.
I repeat--with this mindless system for choosing presidential candidates, it's no wonder we end up with mindless wonders in the White House.
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