The Debate Continues

Now a question about how all the candidates on stage trail Hillary in the polls. Romney trails by twelve points. Romney's answer is the usual: global jihad, "emerging economic superpower in China," blah blah. Cites his own business experience as a sign of how well he understands economics; contrasts that with Clinton's inexperience running anything. True as far as it goes, but it doesn't go far enough to take Romney to the White House.

Lots of cheering and cheering from the audience, which doesn't like Hillary and thinks that Hillary-hatred amounts to a substantial political program. The Republicans are sunk: they only know how to emote. That their emotions against Hillary are correct is beside the point. This audience has evidently popped too much Prozac.

Giuliani's response to the Hillary question is to crack jokes. Gets hoots and applause.

So far, no discussion of the fact that there's a bloody war going on in Mesopotamia...

Are Floridians just stupid? Giuliani keeps pandering to the audience, talking about how greateful he is for Florida for defeating Gore. Great, but ancient history...

McCain is now talking about Iraq, but he's not saying anything of substance. Doesn't say how he's going to win this war that we've been losing for nearly five years. In fact, his answer, to a question about the difference between himself and Hillary on Iraq, shifts into a discussion of the Woodstock museum. McCain says he doesn't remember Woodstock because "I was tied up at the time." Lots of hooting and hollering and applauding -- a standing O! -- from the drugged-up, sexually dysfunctional, statist audience. Yay for other people who fought in wars that we lost! Hurray! Gimme another blue pill!

Huckabee, putting on his serious face, says there's nothing funny about Hillary Clinton being president. Rants about Islamofascism. Well, there's something pretty funny about Huck being president. It aint gonna happen, for one thing.

Now Thompson, reciting some more talking points. This is going nowhere. Attacks liberals for "insulting" generals.

Paul gets a question about the Iraq War--Hillary is against it too, says the Fox News moderator, so what's the difference between them? Paul points out that most Americans want to come home -- and the Prozac audience boos. Paul points out that Hillary wants to stay in Iraq for at least another five years. Paul also mentions that our civil liberties have been eroded. "We need to get back to the basics, believe in the constitution, believe in the rule of law, and not allow our government to spend endlessly and bankrupt this country." Gets applause from the audience.

Another question for Thompson, about the solvency of the country. Thompson spouts cliches--bankrupting the next generation, "they don't have a seat at the table," blah blah. It's not wrong, but Thompson has nothing specific to say and can't be trusted. Words without meaning. Ok, now he gets to something specific: indexing Social Security to inflation. That's something, but not much.

Giuliani gets the next question. Thompson, the question says, will be accused of trying to cut benefits, "are you prepared to be as bold?" Giuliani says we need to get a consensus behind private accounts. Points out that Medicare and Medicaid are going to be twice as expensive as Social Security in ten years. Giuliani, as terrible as he is, often comes off as better versed in technical questions than the other neocons. Points out that the people who are not covered by health care right now are consumers -- they're not the poor, who are covered by Medicaid, but people who are buying things and who choose to buy something other than health insurance. Not a bad answer, all said.

Romney says he's prepared to be as bold, but not by cutting benefits for poor Americans -- good grief, a totally nonsensical answer. Talks a little about private accounts, says he wouldn't index benefits to inflation except for rich people. "Democrats also love America," he says, blah blah.

Huck now asked about private accounts. Says that Bush used the wrong word with "privatization," should have used "personalization." Says government should stop robbing the Social Security trust fund. This is all pretty banal. Says he wants to give seniors the option of a one-time buyout, for those who don't need Social Security.

Paul: points out that the government is not very good at centrally planning the economy. Says we need to provide for the elderly, but let the young people get out. Talks about the dollar's loss of value; unless the dollar is shored up, the attempt to keep up with cost of living increases won't work, because the currency will be worthless. A new foreign policy would tide people over, with the money redirected from the military. Gets applause.

McCain now asked. Talks about Tip O'Neill and Reagan fixing Social Security; says it has to be a bipartisan solution, with personal savings accounts.

Hunter now gets the question. He decides to talk about protectionism, thinks that Americans are going to get bigger paychecks by keeping (inefficient, uncompetitive) manufacturing jobs in the U.S. Gets wild applause for protectionism. Brit Hume asks, incredulously, whether Hunter really thinks he can solve the entitlements problem with trade policy. Hunter says, basically, yes.

Tancredo: Zzzzz.... Talks a little about the plan to give Social Security benefits to illegal aliens, which he opposes (as does anyone with an ounce of sense, I would think).

Commercial break, thank God. Next round is foreign policy.

This ordeal is brought to us by Bristol-Meyers-Squibb, we're informed. I need a drink.