Five separate e-mails from the McCain camp claim their guy won, though Jim Addison at Wizbang Politics gives a slight nod to Giuliani and Wizbang Blue favors Romney. If you haven’t seen the debate you can watch it online at Fox News.
Now it’s time for Wizbang readers to have their say…
?>
Each time there’s a televised debate (Democratic or Republican) check back in at Wizbang for a post-debate poll. And before and after the debates don’t forget to check Wizbang Politics (Republican) and Wizbang Blue (Democratic) for campaign news and debate reactions.
Note: Due to the way the Flash polls were coded your vote may not be shown in the totals visible to you (and only to you) until you restart your browser session. Others will see your vote immediately, and it will be accurately recorded in the totals.
Update: Comments are closed.
It started out so well; the format was a great improvement over MSNBC’s version. But then the MSM habit of trying to live down to conventional wisdom became all too apparent.
Yes: trying to ignore Ron Paul. And no wonder: his 5 minutes of face time sent Wendell Goler to the emergency follow-up file, and made Giuliani cry (almost!).
And wasn’t the preliminary 30%/ 1st place flash poll results precious? It had Hannity disavowing FOX’s very own gimmick (hee hee).
True, the results, though consistant from poll to poll since the debates, should be taken with a few grains of salt, but still…
It will be a little more difficult for the media to lock him out of the next “debate”.
And did you see how Hannity’s butt started to itch while interviewing Paul afterward?
Squiiirrrmm…
I voted for Paul in the Wizbang poll, but it’s really probably a tie with Huckabee. Impressive.
Plus Huckabee touted the FAIR tax!!!
Tancredo and Hunter gave it a good try for being basically IGNORED (like Paul).
McCain beat Romney and Giuliani.
The worst was Brownback. With his sing-song voice and pasty smile, he reminded me of the pantload George Allen. With a little Algore thrown in to make him extra insufferable.
There was a debate on? (Checks calendar) I thought the elections were over a year from now?
It’s kinda like watching the pre-Olympics short subjects about the atheletes…in the summer, two years before the opening ceremonies.
No place to vote: I didn’t watch it, I don’t want to watch it and I don’t care. And I’m not a liberal.
Fred Thompson won. It was a slam-dunk. I saw smoke.
====================================
I am kind of surprised that Ron Paul has as many votes as he has in your poll…he seemed to stink a bit in my opinion. The rest of the poll seems to follow what my guesses would have been. (By the way, thanks for linking to the videos.)
Huckabee won big-time. His crack on Edwards (who has become this campaign’s Howard Dean; someone to laugh at and hope he becomes the Democrat nominee) in a beauty salon was brilliant. He also made the most convincing case for being the conservative candidate who can win.
a couple of observations from someone who won’t vote Republican..
Huckabee came across as the most concise and ah..ah..sane..
He is a real man of the south(unlike poser W)..and most of all he is consistent..
The best ticket for you folks
Fred T. and Huckabee..anything else would fracture the Republican Party for years..
Also..Fox playing the vote like American Idol?
Paul won because his folks were the only ones who know about text message..
…McCain should dump the drunken sailor joke, you know what I mean..
I’m with Kim, Fred won. Nobody else is close.
He’s got a sense of timing.
==================
Giuliani won the sound bite contest (Ron Paul body slam) with Huckabee (Edwards is pretty) a close second with McCain (drunken sailor) a distant third. But if you ask me who actually won the REPUBLICAN debate on substance I’ll answer differently.
Grampa McCain did not come across well. He stammered and gave meandering answers. kinda pitchy for me dawg. I think he missed his nap.
Giuliani, in my opinion, did not win the REPUBLICAN debate despite what I see most people saying. He was ok on the terrorism part, but just ok. Didn’t everyone expect him to knock it out of the park? He got a base hit and maybe stole second by putting Paul in his place. This guy still dances around the social conservative stuff which should make winning a conservative primary difficult.
Romney was good on paper but lacked the sound bite quality that comes out well on TV (unlike the first debate where his humor was displayed more). In other words, he answered the questions rather than regurgitate a pre-packaged answer. I think he may have edged out even Giuliani on the terrorism hypothetical with the substance of his answers. And I think he is believable on explaining his bona fides on conservatism. The flip-flop charges, the road to Damascus analogy, the even-year conversion theories are having an effect on Romney’s poll numbers as the other campaigners hoped , but I think these are not fair charges but mere politicking and his explanations of his move to the right are what conservative should be applauding rather than criticizing.
Huckabee and Hunter both had good moments but remain in the second tier.
Brownback was just OK.
Tancredo who is tenacious on illegal immigration (which is good), stutters and stammers more than McCain and does not make his case.
Thompson may need his oil changed. The animatronics were clearly malfunctioning. Weekend at Bernie’s came to mind.
Gilmore wouldn’t answer the questions and his answers left a lot to be desired.
Paul… well he has a principled approach, but it is the approach of the moonbat left. This approach is truly frightening and naive. The thought that terrorism would end if we left Iraq is so patently absurd as to make one wonder if Paul (and the loonies who applaud him) are playing with a full deck. But, one is not left wondering that for long, his answers to other questions during the debate make it clear, he is not ready for prime time.
Romney-Giuliani: tied (I think Romney may hold a slight lead on substance)
McCain: second
Huckabee – Hunter: Third
The rest should not be invited back.
Nice notes, Scotty. It’ll be Romney/Thompson. Combines substance and style. Possibly reversed if Fred keeps filling rooms with smoke.
==================================
I’m with James. Where’s the button for “There was another debate last night? Isn’t it early 2007?”
I have a word for those (and there are a lot of you) who are in love with Fred Thompson. You are in love with a fantasy candidate and you need to wake up from your dream and get real. Thompson, as he is not in the race yet, cannot be judged on his merits. Therefore, people are assigning him Hero status. You’ve made him the perfect conservative candidate in your minds and believe he would give the exact right answer to every possible question, etc. Why do you assume this? Thompson’s track record is less than stellar and I don’t know if he would perform well in an actual debate. He performs well when scripted but I’ve heard him speak extemporaneously and it’s not all that. So, Conservatives why do you kneel down to worship Thompson? Probably because you think that the current cast of candidates is not going to win against the Democratic field. Well I think Giuliani, McCain, Romney are excellent and the second tier has a few guys in it that would be fine Presidents. So why are you holding our noses currently. I just don’t get it.
I think he is a stalking horse, who may be around the bend before The Darby gets out of the starting gates. You do hear the crashing and screaming of dying horses in the starting gates, don’t you?
====================================
I have little doubt that MSM will rain on the backstretch, and dry it out by the time their horse(s) get there.
================================
I kneel to his knowledge of Libby. It’s about the only thing I’ve heard him speak about on which I can judge.
=================================
And not to worry, Romney can outmoney Soros.
==============================
You miss the point Scotty. Sneering at Fred’s supporters is pretty darn stupid, I think. Put bluntly, right now this is a four-man race – McCain, Giuliani, Romney, and Fred Thompson. EVERY other candidate is playing catch-up. Ron Paul, Jim Gilmore, Sam Brownback, and Tom Tancredo frankly have no chance at all right now, while Huckaby, Hunter, and Tommy Thompson know that they need something big to get into the race for real.
Going back to the big four, McCain has a lousy record with most conservatives. Giuliani’s stance on Abortion is principled, but will cost him dearly in the South primaries, while Romney has to address his major changes in position over the years. These flaws explain why Fred has not yet declared he is running; the front-runners are weakening each other, and the chihuahuas in the race will be gone by the fall. Fred’s 8 years in the Senate are a decent barometer, and his current statements resonate with conservatives. Why should he take the hits if he doesn’t have to? Presuming Fred is going to run, he will eventually have to make clear, definitive statements on plans and policy, but right now he does not need to do so to have support. And at this time, I have simply not heard from any GOP candidate whom I would prefer to Fred Thompson. Understand, I am talking about now, not that I would vote for Fred right now, but that right now what I have heard puts me more in Fred’s camp than anyone else. And there are, I think, a lot of Republicans who are thinking what I think.
Clinton sold the racetrack to the Chinese while Dole was in the stables.
======================
Wow, I got wacked by a real life Wizbanger!
DJ: I agree with almost everything you said; so, how can you call me stupid? I agree that Fred’s 8 years in the senate are a decent barometer and that is why I say his track record is less than stellar. Its a pretty moderate record. (gun control, fuzzy on pro-life/choice, supports McCain-Feingold, fiscal questions , etc.)
Don’t you think my fantasy candidate theory has any merit at all?
Even the Democrats (and MSNBC commentators) are starting to say that our lust for Thompson is a sign of desparation regarding our poor crop of top candidates. Lets not give them fodder for the cannon.
Hey, if Thompson (and Newt for that matter) who have such a cult following get into the race, I am willing to measure them up to the top three and make the best choice when the time comes. But I think the pining for Fred does diminish the lustor of the top three who are all extremely good.
First off Scotty, Fred’s popularity is not based on “fantasy”. You’re not setting your credentials when you sneer at millions of people.
Next, have you paid attention to what Fred’s actually said? I don’t think so, judging by what you put up here. So I think you have some homework to do.
And third, I like Romney but have serious doubts about Giuliani’s refusal to give in to the base on Abortion, and McCain? Well, after what he said and did over the last 7 years, the man will never get my vote in a Primary.
And I don’t give a fart in the wind for what Democrats and liberal media want to say. It’s not credible to pay attention to MSNBC or anything like it. I make up my own mind on a wide array of sources, and I work hard to avoid media filtering. I could not care less what Katie Couric wants me to believe.
… but of the men in the actual debate, I’d say Huckaby did the best. Giuliani did too much hedging for my taste, McCain never addressed his execrable record as a Senator on campaign finance “reform” and he totally failed to give a credible answer to how he would prevent a terrorist attack if the only means to do so included “enhanced interrogation” tactics. Romney stated his position well, but did nothing which set him as a leader in the race.
Of the wannabes, Ron Paul, Tancredo, Tommy Thompson Gilmore, and Brownback proved they could not handle the key responsibilities of the President’s office, while Hunter and Gilmore gave good answers but failed to show they should be considered major contenders. Mike Huckaby did the best job of the little leaguers in acting like a serious contender.
If you can’t judge Fred on merits, what does that say about Obama or Hillary?? lololol And they’re the Dem frontrunners!
I guess we can go round and round on this. But, there are now, not in the future, 4 serious candidtes. Rudy, Mitt,John and Duncan. With The Huck somewhere in the 2nd tier mix. The rest should drop out and support the nominee. As to the coy Fred and Newt, they might make it 6 serious people. But, all Pubs, all Pubs have to ask themselves: Who can win a national-general election. We need to win; we have to win for the safety of the nation. We may have two who can win so far: Rudy and maybe Mitt. I will wait to see how, how , Fred can win nationally. If he can, on to the Convention. But, we must win. Rudy is center-right, Mitt is center-right-conser., Fred is a McCain clone but more conservative. Newt is perfect and cannot win. Who can win? Now, I see Rudy. Warts and all. He is far better than any Dem. Any!
Ron Paul simply hasn’t been bought out and compromised by enough special interests. Once that happens, he’ll lose his enthusiasm for protecting privacy rights and caring what the Constitution says. Hopefully, Paul will come to the light pretty soon, take contributions and donations from Blackwater and KBR, and then he’ll start advocating outsourced wars.
In the meantime, sign me up for one of those Giuliani brand National ID cards and put me into that national database ASAP. I want my government to defend me from using mass transportation without my identification papers, regardless of whether I’m actively hurting anyone or not. Once implantable chips are available, I’d like one of those, too, plus maybe a tattoo of my government-issued number. That way, I’ll never forget who makes sure my liberties are protected.
In fact, I hope Romney does double the size of Guantanamo. Bush is much too liberal on this issue, wanting to shut it down. I hope myself, my family, and my neoconservative friends are the very first to be imprisoned and tortured for our own security.
I am so tired of voting my fears.
I want to vote my hopes.
I refuse to vote for the person that is “the lesser of 2 evils” (ie: Rudy Giuliani over any democratic frontrunner).
There are a couple of solid conservative people in the debate, who continually seem to get less coverage in the debates than the more nationally recognized: Romney / McCain / Giuliani. It’s a shame. Not a single one of those 3 fit the bill (not even a combination of any 2 of those will work).
What part of your ethics, hopes and ideals are you willing to sacrifice? I don’t want to sacrifice any! Now is the time to find the candidate that embodies those, and then help them win. Now is not the time to make weak guesses as to “who can win?” and start selling out to our fears.
Now is the time for heros!
Nick, you’ll cheerfully cede to your merchants to rob you with, what you refuse your soldiers to save your life with. No eye of the needle worries for you.
==================
Everyone else made jokes. Ron Paul make points. He is only one who can stop the impending disaster. Hillary is going to do nothing. Her only concern is to be President. Rudy is owned by those whom the President should stop. Will the American people undertstand the real issues? What can one do to wake people up and focus on issue rather han jokes? I feel insulted when someone wanting to be my President clawns around to captivate my sympathy. Have we really become that stupid? Perhaps not. Go Ron,go!
People like Ron Paul because he speaks to the as intelligent individuals and as willing to tell things like they are.
But most people are idiots.
Why are so many willing to fight a never ending warring against Islam? The current administration as well as many of the republican “front-runners” have no set goals for Iraq. We CANNOT financially afford to wage a guerrilla war in the Middle East for 10+ years. We already have military obligations around the world that are perceived by the populations as imperialistic. Our country has a $9 trillion dollar debt that is basically ignored; our entitlement programs are scheduled to run out of money in less than a generation. America, we are BANKRUPT! The Federal Reserve Bank (a non-govt entity) prints money unchecked no longer reports M3 money numbers. The US dollar is being deflated. Yet somehow Ron Paul is WEAK on the WAR ON TERROR and foreign policy because Ron Paul repeats the same facts that were giving as testimony by CIA, FBI and other intelligence officers as the reasons for the 9/11 attacks. Last time I checked Mr. Bush pushed the Patriot Act through congress again; allowing the government to interfere with how my mortgage gets funded or tracking how much Sudafed I buy while America’s borders & ports are left wide open. I’m not a crackpot check this stuff out for yourself. Our liberties ARE disappearing! Washington DC needs to make a 180 turn and get back to basics. We Americans need to look at what is and is not happening in our country. I don’t think Ron Paul is perfect but he’s one hell of a start in the right direction.
While I think he is being facetious, just in case he is not, Nick should know that Ron Paul has been around a long time, and if he was going to sell out or become disenchanted with things like property rights, it would have happened a long time ago. I think it is quite intriguing to know that Ron Paul has continued to get re-elected speaking the truth and remaining consistent and openly rejecting pork — maybe, just maybe there is some hope. I know that anyone — left or right — who says they want a candidate that doesn’t sell out, one who doesn’t play the games, or peddle influence, etc. — if they really mean that and vote for any other candidate they deserve exactly what they vote for. And, they should know the next time they start lamenting about the state of politics that they have no room in which to complain. If Ron Paul has the courage so should any one who recognizes what he is doing. If we as a free nation can have a Ron Paul standing before us and not elect him president then we no longer deserve freedom nor to be among honest men.
Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace
Ron Paul is the only one who has the strong vision to save both America and what is left of the Republican party. The Republican party has been taken over by NeoCons. Look up the history of Neocons and there left wing “socialist for Nixon” brand of politics that included an emphasis for foreign intervention. see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoconservative. Those who call Ron Paul leftist are uneducated. This talk sounds like the sound bits on talk radio and Faux news. The Bush administration has done to the Republican party what it did to Iraq. Ron Paul will set the party back on course to the ideas of Goldwater and the founding fathers.
What it comes down to is that Hillary and Giuliani are charlatans on the same team.
Looks like Ron’s in the lead…silly constitutionalist.
Bombing for Peace is like, fucking for virginity!
I think the Fred supporters here should know (and particularly the Fred supporter who strongly disliked McCain), Fred ENDORSED McCain’s candidacy for President in 2000, and voted for McCain-Feingold. He’s also a member of the think tank that is the major backer of the North American Union (CFR). He’s voted for affirmative action, giving special subsidies to women-owned and minority-owned businesses, funded the National Endowment for the Arts (you know, the people who paid for “Piss Christ”), and more. He is not a Constitutionalist by a long shot, and only moderately conservative. Go see for yourself:
http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Fred_Thompson.htm