Debate Nonsense

The news, radio talk shows, and the blogosphere were all atwitter Friday after the Republican debates.  I am getting more than a little tired at the quest for the magic sound bite that will result in the coronation of our next presidential candidate.  I for one refuse to make a decision based on a stage performance.  If that was how we picked Presidents we would end up with some ridiculous figure like . . . . . well Barack Hussein Obama for President.  As with the last two debates, I don’t care who “won.”  I find a record infinitely more important than glibness. 

As a supporter of Governor Rick Perry I have to admit to cringing a couple of times during the debate.  If I were advising him I would tell him to fire his debate coaches.  Governor Halley Barbour is quoted as saying “The main thing is to remember to make the main thing the main thing.”  (He probably said it “thaang” but you get the point)  Governor Perry – the “main thing” is President Barack Hussein Obama.  Ignore Mitt Romney and Michelle Bachmann – they don’t matter. 

I remain extremely uncomfortable with Mitt Romney.  Yes he is a good debater – he’s been on the campaign trail for longer than Barack Obama.  If you had been running for President for as long as Mitt Romney has – you would be a gifted orator as well.  He’s the “country club Republican” that conservatives pushed aside to win with Ronald Reagan – we need to do it again. 

Congressman Ron Paul hits a long ball every now and then.  But down deep – he’s just a crazy old man. 

Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann is a little scary now.  She has this Gardasil thing stuck in her craw and she can’t get it out.  She has been repeatedly burned in public but she won’t let it go.  It is disgraceful that she continues to try and portray Governor Perry as being bought by a drug company when the governor sleeps with the most passionate anti cervical cancer advocate in Texas – his wife Anita.  That’s a great story – why not tell about the First Lady of Texas who wants to eliminate cancer?  Congresswoman Bachmann is wasting all of our time. 

Herman Cain is a likeable guy and unlike Barack Obama he is learning a great deal and he seems to get better every time I see him.  Secretary of Commerce in the Perry administration. 

Rick Santorum is trying too hard to hit a long ball.  He is rude and ignorant.  Like most legislators he hasn’t really been in the arena as a governor has.  Legislators vote for crap and the rest of us bare the consequences.  Rick doesn’t understand immigration as Pennsylvania has a border with Maryland, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Delaware (yes and a little bit of water up in the Northwest corner with Canada).  When Governor Perry speaks to dealing with illegal immigration Rick’s only response should be “Thank you for your insight Governor.”  I didn’t like his answer about homosexuals in the military as we do treat with the issue of sex in the military.  It’s just that we deal with it the way God had intended sex to be – not in a perverted way.  But he’s right – the United States Armed Forces exist to fight and win the Nation’s wars – they are not a jobs program or a social experiment. 

Gary Johnson – court jester in the Perry administration.  If Gary needs a job, he should offer to scoop his neighbor’s dog crap. 

Newt Gingrich is probably the smoothest debater and most towering intellect but I don’t think that he could motivate most Americans to get off the couch and go vote.  If we have to relive his marital problems it will be like the bad old days with Bawdy Bill Clinton. 

John Huntsman (I nearly forgot he was even in this race) should fold up his tent and go home.  Think about it – when was the last time you said “Utah is so well managed, I think I’ll move there.”  Really? 

I do think that debates are part of the process and that process has a long way to go.  I’m still pulling for Governor Rick Perry.