Republican Debate Part 1

My thoughts as I watch the YouTube debate tonight:

I should be outlining for my exams.

Rudy Giuliani is in trouble. Accusing Mitt Romney of hiring illegals was a major stretch and probably cost him all credibility with me for the rest of the debate.

Mitt Romney reminds me of John Kerry. I think he would be good for the economy, but I don't trust him.

Fred Thompson looks very old. He needs the Law & Order make up crew to help him out.

John McCain looks defeated already. He's speaking like a second day convention speaker, maybe even a VP candidate, and it's disappointing, because I like what he is saying.

I like Mike Huckabee. Sure, spending tax dollars on education for children of illegal immigrants is not popular with republicans, but at least he sounded reasonable and convicted. Unfortunately, he just said he would get rid of the IRS, and as nice as that sounds, it is really unreasonable. We need taxes. Maybe not as much as we pay now, but seriously...get rid of the IRS?

Here's an income tax question. Let's see what they say:

McCain - will not support replacing the income tax with a retail tax, but would support cutting the income tax from the 30% level it is now.

I like this answer. It's realistic and honest.

Unfortunately, he now compares the war now with WWII and Hitler. Maybe popular with hardliners, but the country would not like this answer. He now sounds very defeated, like he is just pushing an agenda with no regard for winning the primary.

Ron Paul cracks me up. I would love a "smaller government" candidate, but not him.

Question:

Would you promise to not raise taxes?
Yes from everyone but Hunter, who recognizes national emergencies can arise. Fred and McCain don't make pledges to anyone but American people.

Point to Duncan Hunter. I like honesty.

Question about farm subsidies. I'm in NC now, where not much farming is done. I'm gonna check out for a little while and outline. More to come.