Republican Presidential Debate

Tommy Thompson's idea of letting the Iraqis vote on whether to keep US troops there was the best idea of the night and would be a win win outcome for the USA. If the Iraqi's vote "NO", then that gives the US an exit strategy not based on surrender and retreat, remember Al Qaeda is going to claim victory no matter when or how the US leaves, their opinion is irrelevant. Hezbollah claim victory in Lebanon last year, despite being pushed completely back and losing 1109 compared to 100 Israelis. The Israelis forced a UN "peace keeping" force to come to the border and halt rocket attacks, a victory despite not getting back one kidnapped troop.

If the Iraqi's vote "YES" it proves that the Democrats are wrong in stating the majority of Iraqi's want us out, it also proves the alledged majority of the US public are wrong in believing that. It would give the US much needed legitimacy in the middle east too.

Mitt Romney is obviously the most photogenic with the most hair and least grey, he has the 1950's hollywood movie star looks and tan, he looks like the college quaterback who would date the prom queen. This will win him alot of support with the baby boomer women, he is still not clear on where he stands on illegal immigration, if he adopts the Tancredo position I think he will leap to the front.

Dr Paul is the only anti-war candidate, he is correct that a traditional american conservative republican position, is against any kind of intervention that is not a direct threat, one can argue endlessly on whether Iraq/Iran represent/ed such an imminent threat. He is also correct to bring up the fact that the USSR had 40,000 nukes at one time, actually more than the US, Ronald Reagan DID NOT ATTACK THEM, he recognised the threat and built up arms accordingly, he did not need to order a preemptive strike and there was no disaster.

Duncan Hunter and Jim Gilmore appear to be the tough, mature, old school conservatives who appeal to a base. Duncan Hunter gained alot of support for building a real fence on the California border and he seemed to follow traditional conservative themes, as well as a "NO Amnesty" stance on illegals.

John McCain claims to want to cut spending, but then turns around to say he will use Federal funds for stem cell research, he is just going to be another big spender. Like Bush, he is not going to have the balls to cut any programs, he is not going to cut any mandatory spending, the value of the dollar will contnue to slide, making Americans poorer in the world. Tancredo is right, that endless vetoes will not touch the deficit.

Unfortunately, despite having great conservative positions, Tom Tancredo appeared nervous and stuttering, the last thing Republicans and America need is another stumbling, fumbling, inarticulate President who cannot speak clearly and is laughed at around the world. He was also unclear as to what "disengagement from Iraq" would entail.

The debate was kind of stupid though, he was stuck at the end and ignored by Chris Matthews who could decide who to let speak over time and who not to.