Live Debate Video / Discussion Thread

Posted: Thursday, May 03, 2007 7:20 PM by Countdown

~~Click for LIVE VIDEO~~

Live from Simi Valley, California, it's the longest named event in MSNBC history:

"The MSNBC, Politico.com, Reagan Library GOP Presidential Candidates Debate"

Let's get it on!

refresh for updates

7:20 -- The ten candidates doing the walkover together certainly was something new and different, it sorta reminded us of "Meet the Legends of the Boston Celtics Night". If you're keeping score at home, we counted just three American Flag lapel pins.

7:36 -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger escorts Nacy Reagan into the room to a standing ovation. The Governor was invited to deliver a welcoming speech to the crowd tonight, but turned the offer down and will be sitting with the former First Lady. "The governor believes this is a great opportunity to listen and learn," said his spokesman, Adam Mendelsohn. "This is the first in what could be a lot of debates in California."

7:45 -- The candidates take the stage, ten men in dark suits. Keith: "The choice of clothing seems remarkably consistant."

7:56 -- "Like heifers at the county fair."

8:02 -- Certainly the first major debate held in the same room as a big airplane

8:05 -- Looks like John McCain's debate plan is "go angry early"

8:10 -- It's interesting how the criticism of the war in Iraq so far has been discussed in the passive voice. "Mistakes have been made" -- no one has yet named "The Mistaker"

8:19 -- Jim Gilmore: We need to keep after Osama bin Laden because "he is a symbol". Actually, he's the guy who attacked us and got away with with, but we get the point. Romney follows us "He will pay and he will die."

8:22 -- McCain just smiled at the end the sentence: "and I will follow (Osama) into the gates of Hell!" as if he actually said "and I will follow him into the gates of Sea World."

8:25 -- "What about the ferrets Rudy?! What about the ferrets?!" -- Sorry just fantasizing that guy was in the crowd tonight.

8:27 -- Hmm, a question about 'organs' -- Didn't really see that coming.

8:30 -- That will be a glorious day of human liberty and freedom." -- it was the answer to a 'repealing Roe v Wade' question - but really, it could work for anything tonight.

8:33 -- Not sure we're buying Mitt Romney's explantion of his pro-life flip flop, but damn he looks good in that suit.

8:37 -- Tommy Thompson believes a company should be able to fire an employee over his/her sexual preference.

8:42 -- Worse than any of that, Duncan Hunter mentions CNN on our live MSNBC/Politico.com/Reagan Library/GOP Presidential Candidates Debate?! How dare you sir!

8:46 -- Tommy Thompson "I vetoed like 1900 things"... many of them bills.

8:48 -- Ok, somebody on that panel IS SNIFFLING INTO THEIR MICROPHONE! CUT IT OUT!

8:51 - from the comments section below: Ken Tallahassee FL "Every time tehyve said ronald Reagan I took ashot....if this keeps up, someonecall 911..........."

8:53 -- We miss Mike Gravel

8:55 -- Did you see "An Inconvenient Truth"?

8:57 -- "Mothers Behind Bars, and the Children Left Behind" -- we think that's coming up on MSNBC later tonight.

8:59 -- Stem Cell Federal Funds - 6 No's, 1 Yes (McCain), and 3 Maybe-Sorta's

9:06 -- Tommy Thompson: "The biggest problem we have in America is the alternative minimum income tax." ... um... really?

No... seriously?

9:12 -- Well that show of hands on "Who here does NOT believe in evolution?" needed a followup. It was so fast we're not even really sure who raised their hand, but it was three or four of the candidates. We'll be reviewing that tape, count on it.

9:17 -- for the record, it's over 25,000 American soldiers wounded in Iraq, according to the AP this week

9:20 -- With all precincts reporting TheNewsHole is ready to report the following results:

Mitt Romney: winner, extremely smooth, and the most handsome man in the debate.

Rudy Giuliani: 'much improved', stuck to his stance on abortion which took guts in that room

John McCain: 'stiff' and "slightly scary", seemed to answer every question with a series of campaign speeches, filled with the same rhetoric we've all grown tired of.

Tommy Thompson: kinda wacky and 'pretty much wrong on everything'

Ron Paul 'the closest thing to Mike Gravel we had"

Huckabee: 'seems really friendly'

The Unknown Sniffler: Sir, you made this whole thing creepy and uncomfortable to any one listening on headphones. Whoever you are, we hope you lose.

Too many other guys to rate... please feel free to do so in the comments. We're going home!

EMAIL THIS

Comments

They all look like weasels to me.

Sam, Alabama (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 1:33 AM)

Our answers lie the new book, FOLKS UPSET by the CAPITAL KARMA announced in the PR Newswire 5/2/07. We will continue to see presidential pageant style candidates who tap dance around the issues until we all agree a third party presidential candidate not betrothed to the right or the left is the best hope for our country. With a national debt near nine trillion and an income tax ravaging middle income salaries, it's time for the folks to say neither party is listening, so let's look at option #3.

Tricia White, Indian Harbour Beach, Fl (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 1:39 AM)

Linda Johnson, Sun City West, AZ - When they started talking about "the sanctity of life in all stages" I started SCREAMING at my t.v. "Then why won't you bring the troops home?!" Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA - Funny you should bring that point up, because after the Dems' "debate" someone posted here that if Clinton were elected, SHE would start the war with Iran. (O/T: my Pirates actually won)

JAM, Pittsburgh PA (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 1:52 AM)

Leigh Bielenberg, Atlanta Georgia: There were definitely three hands, and possibly a fourth wishy-washy, not-quite raised hand. As Countdown debated bloggers noted, "It was so fast we're not even really sure who raised their hand."

JAM, Pittsburgh PA (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:08 AM)

"Yes, I believe in evolution... but wait a minute, wait.. I'm not done!.... I see the hand of God in the Grand Canyon. Does that work for you? Am I in?" I too wanted to see who's hand was up for the "I don't believe in evolution" roll call, but it was a hasty side shot of them. At least Brownback was one of them.

Mary, Santa Fe, New Mexico (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 3:45 AM)

To be honest it seemed like just a promotion for a Ronald Reagan book. You watch them on a stage with the name printed all over the background setting. They must have mentioned Reagan's name about a hundred times during the debate and I just wonder if it is to get us all to forget about who is our President today?

Sam, Tampa, FL (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 5:41 AM)

"Now there ya go again spreading terrorist like peanut butter and jelly all over us you Republican boogymen devils." You can turn out the light Osama is not in the closet unless it’s Roves closet . The debate, sounded like the next incarnation of Ronald Reagan a Buddhist? I mean these guys are all goofy, no original ideas and they are all afraid, like a bunch crack hounds? Think about it here are a bunch of guys telling everyone be afraid while our guy in office is protecting you. Rudy didn’t in NY 9/11, George didn't 2001, we haven't heard from Osama since the last election hmmm, I suppose some new tapes will emerge pre election, and yes those terms of endearment they slip in that folks don't seem to think about, insurgents, and so on.All the guys they have been calling insurgents are have now became magically al-Quida. Who knows watch out next week Bill and Hillary they may start calling them Clinton’s but actually I think they are Roves “kids” out of his mind if you know what I mean. The1000 Republican names meaning terror for the non Civil war over there the Bush Guys and Tenet and Rice screwed up.You beat it out of there pretty quick too Tommy Franks to write that book after leaving weapons laying around all over the place General sir. Praise God and pass the terror Mitt, and senior Rudy, Tell ya the guy that scares me is McCain .They got some kind of EAP program back at the Senate. He is definitely “one toke over the line sweet Jesus.” Needs some rest. PTSD? Mr. Rove boy this is looking a little too familiar. Did you get to have one of the DC madams Account Executives Mr. Rove? Oh I almost for got this. See some of the economic and defense that gets left out from President Reagan reincarnated when you boys talk looks like this. … Here is something that occurred while he was President also along with the worst recession since the depression----In order to cover new federal budget deficits, the United States borrowed heavily both domestically and abroad, and by the end of Reagan's second term the national debt rose from $700 billion dollars to $3 trillion dollars. Reagan described the new debt as the "greatest disappointment of his presidency."

B A Buddusky (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 5:44 AM)

Reagan's name mentioned over and over and over again. Geez! Am I the ONLY one that believes Reagan was not Jesus reincarnated? Does ANYONE remember the foreclosure rate, the jobless rate, the number of homeless or IRAN-CONTRA during his administration? AND, I'm sorry but just because he said, "Tear down that wall", he was NOT responsible for ending the cold war.

LA, Seattle (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 7:52 AM)

Thanks for the comments. I fell asleep and didn't TiVo the debate. These remarks at least give me a flavor of what was going on. Perhaps they will have the debate video available to be viewed on MSNBC?

wmholt, Madison, WI (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 9:43 AM)

Words of advice: Don't fall for Romney. He's taken flip-flop and phoniness to a whole new level. Just looking at him gives me the creeps.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 9:49 AM)

to la seattle not only all of what you mentioned but regan also buted unions,and your right he was not responsible foer ending the cold war!doesnt anyone remember pope john paul II's work ?the conservatives act like regan was jesus himself. he and oliver north and the rest of them should have been should have been charged with treason! keep up the good work msnbc!!!! p.s God bless josh hancock(a cardinals pitcher who died last week end)we will never forget you josh you were a great friend and a great person,we love you and will always miss you! your friend doug.

doug b st louis mo (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:00 AM)

they had to bring up raygun, because it is too embarrassing to bring up this bush, or his poppa. i couldnt watch it at all. i just didnt have the stomach for it. according to nbc this morning, they mentioned raygun 19 times. [that all?] and i think the anti evolutionists were tancredo, huckabee, and one other southerner. there's a surprise. and of the clips i saw - could matthews just shut up, just a little??

Barb G, Albany NY (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:04 AM)

Brownback. the 3rd anti-creationist. not a southerner. kansas. what was anybody expecting.

Barb G, Albany NY (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:06 AM)

Leigh -- In case you didn't already get your answer, it was Brownback, Tancredo, and Huckabee that claimed not to believe in evolution. And McCain did, but he didn't (which pretty much sums up McCain on every issue). In fact, if pressed, I think McCain would take the position that God has mismanaged the whole creation/evolution thing, but he would be better, if only he was in charge, even though he doesn't have a Plan B. Is that clear enough?

Bonnie, Madison (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:20 AM)

Sam Brownback scares me...I've written him complaining about his votes since he is a senator from my state...now I'm worrying... is he's going to come "take me behind the barn and beat me to death with a dull axe"? YIKES! He's creepy---even folksy---he's creepy!!! And Chris Mathews-SHAME ON YOU for the question about Bill Clinton---it was beneath the dignity of the context of this debate. And SHAME ON THE CANDIDATES for biting onto it---their answers were tacky, low class, low rent, trashy, and obnoxious. It was just another example of how nasty and small minded the Republican party has become. YUCKO! The American people of sick of nasty politics---WE WANT ANSWERS!!!!! It was a very much out of place with the kinds of question that needed to be asked.

Susan S, Overland Park, KS (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:33 AM)

and whats up with mitt rommneys hair maybe he should be a more like john edward and getone of those expensive haircuts!tommy thompson also weirds me out! ghouliani was stutterinsg and stammering geeze if this is the best the republicans can field they are in trouble!!i watched a little of it and got sick so i switched to vh1 classic and watched acdc classic concert and led zepplin the song remains the same that was more entertaining than the regan love fest! msnbc rocks!!

doug b st louis mo (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:37 AM)

..."doesnt anyone remember pope john paul II's work" ... "AND, I'm sorry but just because he said, "Tear down that wall", he was NOT responsible for ending the cold war". Doug & LA: No, I don't believe the vast majority of Americans know the role the Pope played in ending the Cold War. The conservatives have been pushing this rhetoric about Reagan for years. The ending of the Cold War took years and years, through many presidencies. But it appears from all I've read that Pope Paul John II played the biggest role of all. My goodness, he started his campaign against the Soviet Union just days after WWII ended. And where was Ronald Reagan during this time? In Hollywood.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:47 AM)

LA, Seattle - Those of us not wearing neo con blinders with the "Reagan" logo do!! Last night was a joke, and this group of collective "Reagan want to be’s" was nauseating. Both because Reagan was a horrible president, his actions displayed his utter contempt for the middle class, his Administration had more criminal indictments than ANY in history and to date, yet these bozos want to align themselves with the jerk!! Thank God 2008 will bring a democrat back to the White House and many more to the Senate. What a collective bunch of idiots!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 11:25 AM)

Ya did a much better job than me LA,Seattle,and Keith I have been screaming about the terms(insurgents,al-Quida,and any cracked up paranoia Republican Leaders can trying whip up folks to be afraid of in Iraq.The only thing in Iraq is a civil war,death and,destruction,and more dead and wounded Americans killed everyday,killed for the most secret mission of all,so secret no one knows what it is,so secret someone makes up a different name to call the enemy every several weeks as long as it fits the Republican political agenda.It's like they huddle up on a football team run by Wood Hayes.Play 1# play run,play 2#run,play#3 run,all runs terror,terror,terror.We'll trick em this time boys.Get one for the "Gipper."And they all learn the same play on the same day so I guess their email is working again because out they all come quacking like good little quackers,quacking the same quack."Keep it the same guys so they believe us its al-Quida this week and we can protect you" better than the end of my finger does McCain. You all need burping you been drinking too much old Reagan formula. Never have seen anything like it.All em from Senators Mitch McConnell,,the Administration the whole Republican platform ,Mitt Romney, to Rudy G this land was made on fear for you to be elected? Now how the hell does an organization like this loose emails and documents Rove.They all run the fear and terror play on the right snap count no off sides.The only thing they have lost is the TRUTH! Roll over Wood Hayes sorry about the run analogy but I didn't really care for you,Woody Guthrie yes you are reincarnated in "This Land is Made for You and Me" both of ya had guts and I did care for you. As for you Mr. Reagan I remember you well and don't think you would like these folks using your grave as a platform to run for President.I guess they forgot about the other graves, all those Marines that killed by that explosion in Lebanon in 1983 in those barracks, 220 Marines, 18 Navy personnel and 3 Army soldiers in This was the deadliest single-day death toll for the United States Marine Corps since the Battle of Iwo Jima (2,500 in one day) of World War II and the deadliest single-day death toll for the United States military since the 243 killed on 31st January 1968 — the first day of the Tet offensive in the Vietnam war. The attack remains the deadliest post-World War II attack on Americans overseas. Reagan assembled his national security team and planned to target the Sheik Abdullah barracks in Baalbek, Lebanon, which housed Iranian Revolutionary Guards believed to be training Hezbollah fighters. But Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger aborted the mission, reportedly because of his concerns that it would harm U.S. relations with other Arab nations.Hell of a price to pay for relations.No one is going to read this no one that gives a shit. Those record deficits to finance weapons that were sawed up later you big bad defense boys,and that economic growth plan on borrowed money,and the recession of 1982 worst since the depression,the Japaneses were getting like beteween 13-14% on those long term Treasury Bonds Mr Republican Economic boys,they owned about 1/3 of all of our bonds,to finance part of that recovery along with rest of the high intrest bonds to sold to everyone,[our debt]that little market correction crash,the stock market crash of 1987 was the largest one day stock market crash in history kinda made it pucker didn't it boys.Yes those were the Reagan years as you noted LA,Seattle.

B A Buddusky (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 11:39 AM)

Even though I'm not a Ronnie fan, I'd back off on their repeated use of his name comments... After all, it was his library they were in and his widow was in the front row. Of course, they're going to kiss his butt. Also, sad they had to go back 20 years to find a positive Republican...

Walter J. Murdock, Cincinnati OH (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 12:03 PM)

Huckabee, Brownback & Tancredo raised their hands as nonbelievers in evolution. Pretty incredible, isn't it? Not surprising about Brownback as Kansas State School Board wanted to have Intelligent Design taught as part of the Science Curriculum. As a Republican who has served on a National Campaign 30 years ago, I am embarrassed for what my party affiliation has come to represent. They have abandoned all moderates who believe in: a true limited government, the rights of the individual as supreme, the Constitution, government of, by and for the people, the Geneva Convention, and the right of privacy. For shame to the Party which panders and small parochial interests and are using fear mongering to promote an autocratic, imperial Presidency. For Shame.

Bruce D. York, PA (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 12:07 PM)

Pat, Boston, MA - I couldn't agree with you more. I was always curious as to how a republican was elected Governor of Massachusetts, but his "flip-flopping" answers that question. However, I still can't understand why California keeps electing republican after republican for Governor. The "top three", as they have now been labeled, are not anywhere in the league of the likes of President Bill Clinton. If he were on that stage last night, he would have handed all of them "their lunch". I was VERY disturbed that Chris Mathews would even ask a question with reference to President Bill Clinton living in the White House again. I found it insulting, as he knew damn well President Clinton would be insulted, as he was; and it was without doubt unfair and an underhanded attack against democratic front-runner Senator Hillary Clinton. I was extremely disappointed with Chris Mathews for asking that question, which in my opinion, was completely out of line. Chris Mathews placed “attempts to be funny” over “character” and displayed deplorable conduct. In addition, MSNBC should have never allowed that question to be asked; and I am therefore equally disturbed with MSNBC. Perhaps the next moderator of the Democratic debate should ask "how many wives and/or divorces do you feel crosses the "moral line"? Considering the leading democratic candidates all have ONE spouse to their names, in comparison to the three leading republican candidates who have SIX collective spouses, I guess that would be an “appropriate” question right Chris Mathews? You were wrong, and your question was despicable and unwarranted.

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 12:51 PM)

To David Mark I thank God for Keith! What you call Bush bashing is what many of us call getting the truth out. Keith is the only liberal out there with the guts to call attention to the mess this administration has made. We need more people like Keith. And yes, more Jon Stewarts and Steve Colberts.

Stevie SLC Utah (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 12:54 PM)

the only winner in last nights unn errrr debate (yeah thats the ticket) was the Democratic party....and perhaps RON PAUL....who sounded alot like Goldwater i did win a small wager though, thanks to roooody, who invoked the spectre of Ronald Reagan more times then any other republican on that stage (besides perhaps chris matthews) I think we are seeing the clear difference between democrats and republicans in this campaign Democrats are looking for the person who can BE the best next President Republicans seem to be looking for the person who LOOKS the most like a president should look.... Best comment I heard about the debate was that Romney and rooody could star in the GOP remake of La Cage Aux Folle....with rooody in the drag roll....after that i couldnt stop hearing the theme from the play every time rooody or romney came on the screen

Hannah Faye (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 1:21 PM)

Two lackluster debates.This can be forgiven in that this is the earliest campaign for president in the nations history[apprx.two years out when candidates officially declared themselves].The GOP,like the Democrats, largely stayed on message.There were those on both sides that strayed off the reservation[Paul and Tancredo for the GOP,and Gravel and Kucinich for the Democrats].Both sides waffled in the ''handraising''period of the debates[GOP-evolution,Democrats-guns in your home].Both sides have flipfloppers among the first-tiers[Hillary and Obama,McCain,Romney and Guiliani].Both failed MSNBCs ''truth meters''.Of the two debates placed together,Obama was still hurt the worst by his response to the ''al Qaeda bombing''question by Williams,and is still trying to regain traction as a result of that response in Iowa.The GOP however,gets props in that the debate was moderated and controlled by liberal media interests including POLITICO[which is not a rightist creature],and yet there was a full embrasure of the give and take by the Republican candidates.The Democrats to their detriment,cowardly backed out of FOX-Urban League debates in Nevada,as it was presupposed by some of the Democrats that FOX does not engage in ''legitimate news'',which is hogwash,if one removes the commentative aspect of the O'Reillys and the Hannitys,who would not have moderated the debates anyway.

Lee Holmes (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 1:45 PM)

Lee Holmes - I'll state it again for you Lee. It was Roger Ailes, President of Fox News Channel, who insulted Senator Barack Obama with a racial slur. Ailes attempted to tie Senator Obama to Pakistani terrorists at a republican event. Do you EVER state the real facts Lee?? MSNBC did nothing like Fox News, and NO one stated Bill O'Reilly or Sean Hannity had ANYTHING to do with the DNC pulling the debate from Fox. President & CEO Roger Ailes can look in a mirror and find the person to blame for the DNC yanking the debate from underneath their "BRIGHT RED" carpet at Fox!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:05 PM)

I see that Tommy Thompson has now apologized for his "gay gaff" last night. He blames it on not being able to hear the question clearly because he lost his hearing in one ear a number of years ago. Sure. That's understandable. He couldn't hear the question, which naturally caused him to say that employers should be free not to hire gay employees if it went against their moral beliefs. Anyone could make that mistake. That's probably what caused his recent anti-semitic remarks, too. At least it wasn't because of a drinking problem. (Do these guys never run out of excuses?)

Bonnie, Madison (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:12 PM)

dare i say it - the last decent human republican to be president - Teddy R? maybe Ike. he did warn us about the military industrial complex. Postwar republicans -- uh, Nixon????? i dont think so, and then idiot Ford who pardoned him?? and then Raygun, surely the most clueless among the clueless. these toads all got state funerals! what do nixon, ford and raygun have in common? Kissinger, dumbsfeld, and Cheney. Not a trustworthy bunch, not at all. But dems need to get it and keep it together, so that the likes of these thugs dont get back in office anytime soon.

Barb G, Albany NY (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:13 PM)

Dr. Ron Paul clearly won the debate.

Jimmy Brown, TN (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:26 PM)

Re: Democrat and Republic "debates". These weren't really debates, just Q & A; but it was interesting that some dems had guns in their homes, and some repubs didn't "believe" in evolution (as if it was a religion). Next it will be, do you "believe" that human activities are altering earth's climate? or do you "believe" in the scientific method? What we need is to ask questions that get to the core of real solutions to problems regardless of "religious beliefs" or faith-based view of the facts. Using the word "believe" or belief just leads to further polarization of the issues. Stop framing questions in ways that do not lead to answers based on facts... Probably won't matter anyway b/c these people ignore facts. Both "debates" very disappointing, both parties wallow in fear, is this all we can get?

S. Q., western Kentucky (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:31 PM)

I watched the debate and found it hard to stomach at times. I would say that the Democrats won. It was as if each of them was stepping up to try to prove that he was each more ignorant than the previous.

JW, Chicago (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 3:09 PM)

Bonnie, Madison - How right you are Bonnie!! The excuse flow faster than George W. Bush's interruptions of one incoherent sentence with another incoherent sentence!! The Republican Party, much to my delight, has a collective bunch of bigots, buffoons and complete morons competing for their criminal Party's nomination. I can't wait to see more!! Gay Rights – NOPE!! Evolution - NOPE!! Abortion - WON'T ANSWER HONESTLY!! Iraq - Can't Answer - "IT'S AN ONGOING CONFLICT!! Criminal Reagan - "The Second Coming of Christ”!! This group can and would be out-debated by a classroom of first graders!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 3:22 PM)

PAM-It is unneccesary to troll these boards,never mind spamming these which is the product of an unoriginal mind.I have answered you in full on another blog-thread.[''Your Space Is My Space...''As usual,the audience need merely pick up on the original thread and follow it from there,which will include my original[and quite factual]post, and be regaled with PAMS verbal attempts to fit MOPAR parts on a FORD engine].

Lee Holmes (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 3:32 PM)

Do I believe Reagan was a bad person? No. I also believe he was a wonderful husband to Nancy. But even though he has passed doesn't all of the sudden make him a great president. He was not. Being a halfway decent human being doesn't necessarily make you competent at what you do.

LA, Seattle (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 5:23 PM)

Cindy in Texas, I'd certainly like to know what they're all REALLY thinking too but, as establishment shills, we'll probably never know.

Chris M. West Virginia (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 11:03 PM)

I would love to see Ron Paul get coverage on Countdown as the only anti-Iraq War, anti-Patriot Act, pro-Habeus Corpus candidate in the GOP lineup. He may be the only Republican that could represent any challenge to a Democratic White House in 2008. Maybe this is why he is being ignored? Thank you, Countdown, for holding this administration's feet to the fire on so many issues. Ron Paul, however, should also be addressed and evaluated by the mainstream media on his own merits and his own positions. A Paul presidency -- if it were even remotely possible -- would certainly be a very good thing!

Christopher Kula (Sent Saturday, May 05, 2007 1:35 PM)

Sorry to bust everyones bubble but the Democrats are in the process of committing suicide on Iraq. They are full of piss and vinegar now but come the general election they will be handed their heads.

William Bransford, Little Rock, Ar. (Sent Sunday, May 06, 2007 4:46 AM)

Let me guess LA, the greatest presidents ever were Clinton and Carter, go figure !

Larry Charleston, SC (Sent Sunday, May 06, 2007 3:10 PM)

"I see that Tommy Thompson has now apologized for his "gay gaff" last night. He blames it on not being able to hear the question clearly because he lost his hearing in one ear a number of years ago. Sure. That's understandable. He couldn't hear the question, which naturally caused him to say that employers should be free not to hire gay employees if it went against their moral beliefs." Actually I believe the question was worst than that. to paraphrase: Do you believe that an employer, because of his religious beliefs, has the right to fire a homosexual?

Mary, Santa Fe, NM (Sent Monday, May 07, 2007 12:46 AM)

LA: I have to beg to differ with you to some extent. Being a half-way decent human being is probably the most important characterestic for anyone to possess who holds the office of the President. I'll take that characterestic over all others any day even if that person may be a little shy on the side of intelligence. And that Larry-SC is why Carter and Reagan were average or better Presidents. Then you have the other side of the coin, intelligence with perhaps less (yet some) form of human decency, and that is why Clinton was an average or better President. But then you have the third category. A person who lacks both. They are the most dangerous and the least appealing to hold the office. And that is the category into which the current President appears to fall. How does one defend that statement regarding the current President? Simple. The lack of intelligence is a no brainer, and any person who is willing to continue to sacrafice American lives in Iraq lacks beyond a shadow of a doubt, human decency.

C A, Tuscaloosa, Al (Sent Monday, May 07, 2007 10:34 AM)

Anyone recently see the "Usual Suspects." What a line up. It also reminded me of an all male rendition of the "Stepford Wives." I was sure I was going to see someone's head explode. I felt so good and new there was a light at the end of the tunnel ( and not an oncoming train) when I saw the Democratic Debate. I walked away from that smiling and firmly believing in hope and a sense that good things come to those who wait. We have been waiting way too long and I could not concentrate on the Republican Debate,KO looked uncomfortable and I thought any second would vomit and I had to turn it off. I looked at the so called top three contenders, Romney ( Mitt, what kind of first name is that, let alone his son's name, Tagg), McCain ( stealing words from other people and trying to convince the viewing public, he can do the job this time) and Guiliani, ( the hero of 911 and Mr. photo op, who cant decide what side of the fence he needs to be on). I walked away feeling a bit confused, a little uptight, and wondering, God forbid we get another Republican in the White House, how soon can they be impeached? With the President's approval rating at an all time low of 28 %,I am grateful that 2008 is just around the corner. This line up was not a "Few Good Men" but it ended as for the night with "As good as it is going to get." KO, I know you have had better nights covering political events and I hope your recovery process was not too labourious, Denise

DCohn, Cleveland, OH (Sent Monday, May 07, 2007 2:39 PM)

It's great to see all the support on this forum for Ron Paul. I've been following him for years. He's what this country needs.

J McD, Harrisburg, PA (Sent Monday, May 07, 2007 6:53 PM)

Bush and Cheney and Big Oil are now placing our troops in stationary targets, posts within badass slums. That's exactly where I would want to be, in a stationary target with some guys I can't speak too. During Nam, the Air Force put security policemen in rocker towers on the airbase perimeter. They had K-9 further out but they were in stationary targets like a frigging Christmas ornament hanging on a tree. I didn't serve in Nam but had many friends who did and one of the things the VC did was crawl up and turn around the Claymore minds and they raise a fuss and the troops would detonate the minds in their face. I don't think stationary targets is a good idea. The Shia ripped the head off a Sunni step-bro of Saddam and then send our kids into the same slums to make them be like us. Republicans are just out of their minds. Five hundred more dead Americans by September.

Bob Pensacola (Sent Monday, May 07, 2007 8:44 PM)

Lee Holmes - No, it's unnecessary for you to lie and state factually incorrect information on these blogs consistently Lee!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Monday, May 07, 2007 11:20 PM)

Could someone tell me WHY Ron Paul's runaway victory in the debate is being totally ignored by the "major media"? This was not the result of media savvy Ron Paul fans, but (I believe) was the result of intelligent people seeing the only living, breathing, intelligent man on that stage and voting for him. Is our press really the US equivalent of Pravda (in the bad old days)?

Jim McMichael Brandon, MS (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 7:38 PM)

I want to know what types of jobs the candiates are creating? Are they more low paying retail jobs? I have not heard one idea regarding bringing back manufacturing jobs which are needed for the US to prosper. For my vote a candidate will have to set out a plan for revitalizing manufacturing in the US.

M. Dedrick Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:11 PM)

<< Previous

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=181257

More News Hole

Recent Posts:

Archives:

Categories:

The Essentials

Syndicate This Site

Add The News Hole to your news reader:

ABOUT THE NEWS HOLE