Introduction and last nights GOP debate.

When I got home in July from Bolivia after two years I started seeing lots of news about election 2008. At first I didn't take too much interest (I was still trying to get used to talking to girls again and eating good food), but after reading up on it and seeing some of the arguments of the candidates, I began to get really interested. Since about October or so I have been glued to the screen (Internet and TV) finding out more about the candidates and watching their debates. I have to admit, I am addicted to it. I find this year's race very intriguing. We have so many candidates from so many different backgrounds that it is hard not to be interested. Look at it, On the democratic side we have a woman and a black man, on the GOP side we have a Vietnam vet, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon), a Southern Baptist Minister, and a former Libertarian party member. We are in for a treat and I will be posting my take on all of the happenings during this election cycle.

The CNN/POLITICO/LATimes California Debate

I have mixed feelings about last night's debate. I feel like CNN did a poor job on moderating. Although I support Romney, I realize that as long as there are four people campaigning, there are four contenders, and all deserve the right to share their position. That being said I did enjoy the 1 on 1 grudge match between McCain and Romney. I felt like Romney came out on top and was able to get his message across. I enjoyed them going back and forth on the timetables, because it was able to show both candidates viewpoints, and I think it was clear who's was correct. One of my favorite parts of the debate was when Romney was able to set the record straight. As a Romney supporter I had heard many of the arguments that McCain leveled against him and I was glad to get the truth about what McCain was saying straight from Romney last night on 3 issues. For those who didn't watch Romney had his record questioned on the following 3 issues.
1. Job Loss in MA
2. Why his health care plan is now in debt
3. Why he raised fees by "730" million dollars as Governor of MA
This is how Romney replied



I thought that Ron Paul really got a raw deal and wasn't allowed to share his viewpoints. It's also interesting to note that Anderson Cooper, the moderator, told him that he would come back to him about a certain question that Paul wanted to address and he never did. I believe his words were somewhere along the line of "... please, I promise that you will get your chance to respond to that question, in ... two minutes ... I promise." That didn't help the credibility of the media now did it?

I think that Huckabee did well with the time that he was given. All he had to do was talk in his pastorly voice and throw in a few one-liners and he didn't hurt himself any. Although most would say Huckabee is no longer a factor, I believe that he still will play an important role in the primary process.

So the question is: Who helped himself out last night? Who hurt himself last night? and Who, if anyone will benefit from the debate?

My opinion is that Huckabee helped himself out by staying relatively quiet (although not his choice). Romney did a great job answering claims and showing his intelligence, but I don't know how much that will help him, especially seeing how many so called "experts" on TV will stop at nothing to derail him. McCain hurt himself, plain and simple, it probably won't be enough to have a huge impact on voters, but he came off as petty and stubborn. I think that this debate won't have a huge impact on the race, but I do believe that anyone watching it was able to clearly see the differences in the candidates.

This is a very exciting race, and we should all be proud to live in a country where we can have an impact and a voice about who will be the next President. God Bless America