May 03, 2007
Pre-Spin Analysis: Not Hardball
The regimented rules, the ten candidates, and the two moderators – no three moderators – produced a colorful, disjointed and largely unexceptional first debate.
Of the top three leading candidates, Rudy Giuliani seemed the most confident, but his cultural liberalism was laid out for all to see, Mitt Romney looked to be charged up, if too practiced, and John McCain, with a scratchy voice, seemed a little nervous at first, but he was in the zone by the end.
There were no major surprises – except, perhaps, for the lack of chaff directed at Giuliani, Romney and McCain. The second tier of candidates did not exert themselves. There were no angry clashes.
All the candidates, save Ron Paul, had careful, pre-prepared responses to the inevitable questions about Iraq. McCain delivered the night's most memorable line: "I believe we're on the right track."
McCain and Mike Huckabee went the furthest in criticizing President Bush, but Huckabee refused to give Bush a grade for his conduct. Giuliani praised Bush for taking the offense against terrorists and urged Republicans to "remember" that there has been no major terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11.
For a moment, it seemed as if McCain and Tom Tancredo would colloquy about immigration, but Tancredo did not press the point and McCain did not willingly heighten the contrast between the two. Romney and Giuliani refused to endorse a national identification card; McCain, citing the 9/11 commission, said he supported the idea in principle.
Moderator Chris Matthews tried to draw out Giuliani on abortion. Giuliani was ready for the question and answered easily. He admitted he once favored public funding for the practice in New York, and said he would not mind if the Supreme Court refused to overturn Roe v. Wade. He would feel "OK," he said.
Giuliani later set out his personal view of abortion rights: “I hate abortion., I would encourage someone to not take that option. … I would respect a woman’s right to make a different choice.” Conservative bloggers struggled with his answers, and one reporter concurred , but Sam Brownback cozied up. He said he could, in theory, support a nominee who was not pro-life.
Six Republicans politely disagreed with Nancy Reagan on embryonic stem cell research. Tommy Thompson said he didn’t know – the research was still out. John McCain endorsed federal funding. Giuliani did, with caveats.
The candidates touched on Romney’s religion, indirectly. Mike Huckabee, responding to Mitt Romney’s contention that the content of his faith is not relevant to his political life, tried to clarify: “I’ve said in general. When a person says my faith doesn’t affect my decision-making, I would say that the person is saying their faith is not significant to affect their decision process.”
Romney was given a chance to respond. “Of course, everyone is a person of faith,” he said. We’re a land that’s the envy of the entire world… in part because we’re a people of faith… but not because people have a particular religion, not people of a particular church or a particular synagogue.”
Sam Brownback jumped in: “This is a key point. We’ve been trying to run religion out of the public sphere. We should invite it in and celebrate it.”
No more mentions of Mormonism.
Among the other revealing moments:
? Giuliani said "the better place to decide that in a much fairer way.. was in the courts." McCain said Congress acted "too hastily." And Romney -- who always has to answer questions like that first -- well, we didn't hear what he said.
Giuliani correctly (to our ears) answered a question about the difference between Sunni and Shiite Muslims; historically -- shiites believed that only Mohammed’s descends could be caliphs; Sunnis believed that any practicing Muslim could attain the title.
Does John McCain believe in evolution: “Yes” But – “When I hike the grand canyon and see a sunset, I also [see] the hand of God.”
Three Republicans raised their hands when asked whether they did not believe in evolution. Not sure who – the picture cut away.
Would McCain be comfortable with Tom Tancredo as head of the INS? In a word, No.
At times, the Politico’s John Harris stolled back and forth across the stage like an NFL referee marking off
penalty yards.
On health care, Romney put himself on the record: he favors the health care plan he helped to write in Massachusetts. “I love it,” he said. And so did Ted Kennedy – a point Romney brought up. So – this should end accusations that Romney is running away from his (positive) record.
Giuliani implied that he alone could build a new Republican governing majority. “Neither party has a monopoly on virtue and vice.” If Republicans win, they have to “bring in moderates and Democrats.” [MARC AMBINDER]
Posted at 09:30 PM
Comments
Agree with you that McCain was too loud and forceful and Romney was very very rehearsed. Romney does not sound natural. As a centrist republican here is my ranking of who won the debate:
1. Mike Huckabe
2. Sen. Brownback
3. Paul
4. Hunter
5. Gilmore
6. McCain
7. Giuliani
8. Romney
9. Tancredo
10. Thomson
Ari | 05.03.07 09:44 PM
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Thanks for the great coverage, folks.
Jenna | 05.03.07 10:11 PM
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Romney and Giuliani both endorse a national i.d. card for foreigners. Fmr. Gov. Gilmore, in my opinion, did the best of them all.
Trevor Ten Brink | 05.03.07 10:15 PM
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To me Rudy looked lost most of the times while McCain was very shrill and Romney was too artificial. It became very clear that Brownback is the most conservative but not charismatic and Mike Huckabi was both conservative, clear and likable. We need a likable real conservative and I liked Huckabee the best.
Tom Rice | 05.03.07 10:28 PM
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By the way why were they talking about Iran more than Iraq. Its better if we talk about the real current problem which is Iraq and not run away from it.
Tom Rice | 05.03.07 10:32 PM
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The anti-evolutionists were podium numbers 2, 4, and 10: Brownback, Huckabee, and Tancredo.
Nathan E. | 05.04.07 01:54 AM
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