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Winners: Romney and McCain

Posted: Thursday, May 03, 2007 9:45 PM by Hardball
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I disagree with 90% of what was said on the stage tonight so take my review with that in mind.  I am judging the performances by who made the best presentation of their beliefs, who looked most presidential and who articulated clear plans for his presidency.

I would have thought that Rudy Guliani would have been able to demonstrate more skill in this format. But Romney and McCain were the clear winners tonight.

Gov Jim Gilmore beat the pool of second tier candidates.
 

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Shocker! An msnbc analyst disagrees with conservatives? However, I do appreciate an honest and upfront disclaimer as to personal political beliefs. If only the rest of the media would be so honest.

B Mac, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Thursday, May 03, 2007 9:55 PM)

Hillary, I agree with you. However, who are they talking to? The Loyal Bushies, the old school GOP, or the majority of Americans? If they are trying to talk to America, they all lost. Bushies-McCain, old GOP-Romney.

salrock (Sent Thursday, May 03, 2007 9:56 PM)

In the debate, I (a lifelong Republican) would have liked to have asked this: "GWBush lied to us about WMD in Iraq to justify taking us to war; we were lied to about Pat Tillman and Jessica Lynch to stir-up patriotism to keep us in the war; we were lied to from the deck of an aircraft carrier about the end of the war. Will YOU, the candidate, vow to stop the Republican lies to the American people?"

Darrel Brandon, Clay City, IL (Sent Thursday, May 03, 2007 10:00 PM)

Mitt Romney gets my vote! He clearly is a breath of fresh air as opposed to those who have already been sitting as representatives of the people in congress and senatorial positions.

T Wilcox, Springfield, MO (Sent Thursday, May 03, 2007 10:02 PM)

In the Republican prez debate tonight Tommy Thompson said employers should be allowed to fire gay employees for being gay. Obviously very hateful, I wonder what the other prez candidates think about this issue?

Jeremy Salt Lake City, UT (Sent Thursday, May 03, 2007 10:02 PM)

As a Hispanic woman in this country I want to see leadership that I believe in. It concerns me that for over 30 years nothing has been seriously done to improve the immigration policies to protect our borders and provide more manpower to move the applications for foreigners who apply for citizenship to expedited and alleviate the bottle neck effect. Mi Voto es para el Senor Mitt Romney.

Hortencia Vasquez Wilcox (Sent Thursday, May 03, 2007 10:07 PM)

Regardless of errors in judgement, and mismanagement, the candidates are essentially endorsing the strategy of 'stay the course'. This is important. The Iraq war is the most important issue for 2008.

John (Sent Thursday, May 03, 2007 10:08 PM)

Mitt Romney has class clarity and a clear message. Any Democrat or Republican that makes his Religion the litmas test needs to catch a clue...were not living in their Daddies era...we need candidates who will lead. Paul Wyoming

Paul Cokeville Wyoming (Sent Thursday, May 03, 2007 10:22 PM)

No way! McCain was pitiful...smiling into the camera, posturing, droning on and on instead of getting to the point. The clear winners in my mind are: Huckabee, Tancredo, Thompson. Never heard of them before tonight. Proud of the men who were not ashamed to stand up for life (Tancredo), marriage (Thompson denouncing intervening on the gay question and leaving it to the private business owner),flat or fair tax (Huckabee), and other issues beside the war. Really hope the media does justice by covering more than the front runners.

tanalyn dollar, st charles, mo (Sent Thursday, May 03, 2007 10:36 PM)

These guys are all right wing extremists (differing by only a few degrees) who would make Mussolini and Franco proud! But unlike Mussolini, I doubt any of them could get the trains to run on time! "Republican moderate" is oxymoronic.

Robert (Sent Thursday, May 03, 2007 10:37 PM)

McCain should have been asked about his time in Vietnam and why he collaborated with the North by signing confessions and other things he did. There are other men that were in the same prison that believe he was wrong. Also what about the Keating 5 incident. Gulliani should have been asked about his three wives, and why he was living with a girlfriend in the mayors house when he was still married. Thompson should have been asked why he left the Bush administration so early. I didnt see the whole debate but I feel Thompson won. You should put some pressure on these fellows to answer some tough questions, that will be the only way will know who deservres to be in the white house

Dennis Hayes Chicago, Il. (Sent Thursday, May 03, 2007 10:42 PM)

Doesn't anyone read the news? Romney has changed his position on nearly every social position from his run for the governor of Massachusetts. He is simply an opportunist. He is slick but not the least bit credible. I thought MSNBC was overly critical of Mayor Guiliani. Could it be that his lead in the polss is threatening? The truth is that the majority of republicans favor abortion rights. Bravo Rudy.

Kate Mead, Jackson, Wyoming (Sent Thursday, May 03, 2007 11:00 PM)

Ron Paul won the debate. He was refreshing and didn't stick to the GOP talking points.

Allen Sircy Nashville, TN (Sent Thursday, May 03, 2007 11:06 PM)

Ron Paul has the best ideas of any of us GOP's. I'm finally happy again to be a Republican, and think he's got the most intelligent and honest concepts in the last 50 years.

Howard Baker (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:48 AM)

Rudy Giuliani was clearly the most articulated of the bunch! He is just out of favor with Mathews and Co. Giuliani was not given as manu question or was extended the courtesy given to others by Mr Mathews!

Kevin Alvarez, Miami, Fl. (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:59 AM)

I think the clear WINNER is Dr.Ron Paul he is should be the nominee. This country should look at Ron Paul background he is the one this country needed, he may not have the ald after Ron but he will carrie the flatform for the Social Conservitive. GO Ron GO!!! I mean Dr.Ron Paul

Chris Kaneko,Springdale Ark (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 3:40 AM)

This debate was far from the end of the political theatre that we will see on both the right and left fronts. In stead, we will slowly see the narrowing of the candidates. Obviously, there are a few candidates that shouldn't be back (although they will due to the early start). The problem, however, is that the Republican party needs to decide what issues are most important. Depending on the issue and the party's response will depend on who should get the nod. It will be interesting to see (for both parties) as both parties tend to pander more to their extremist facets. Can the Republican's break the stranglehold of the hateful religious right and join the majority of America (70%)? Time will tell.

Morgan, Seattle, WA (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 4:40 AM)

MITT 2008!!!

Vivien, Ventura, CA. (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 5:11 AM)

GO MITT GO!!! Romney is by far the most outstanding of the candidates on every issue. Other good notables tho are: Duncan Hunter, Huckabee and Gilmore...these four seemed the most intelligent and presidential. Guiliani can't be trusted on abortion and gay marriage; McCain is OK but too militaristic; Ron Paul whimped out against the war in Iraq and may be too unpredictable; the rest are all good guys but there can only be one winner. MITT 2008!!!

Vivien, Ventura, CA (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 5:12 AM)

I totaly disagree with you Hillary Rosen. There was one clear winner in this debate. He showed great skill and talent in this debate. Ron Paul stood out here in this debate. This independent would vote for Ron Paul if the choice was Ron Paul or Barack Obama and the election was held today. Ron Paul seems to be the only politician in this debate with a clear path before and behind him. He did not bounce around the questions when answering nor did I feel he is holding back from the truth. Also Ron Paul, presents himself and has acted as a true republican not some washed up political figure like Romney or Guilini. Romney has things in his closet. He just does not feel like he is being honest and he seems to let his emotions get in the way of being a leader. After this debate I am in fear that if any of these men other then Ron Paul becomes president this country will end up starting world war three. It felt like the only canidate that would make any effort to help the United States become a strong economical and independent country once again is Ron Paul. This debate has giving me a better light on all the republican canidates and Ron Paul leads the pack.

Mark Raymond, Hinsdale, New Hampshire (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 7:47 AM)

With 70 percent of the population against the war the three top candidates sounded like Bush wanabees.

Bob Katz, Stamford, CT (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 7:58 AM)

A pro-war Republican nominee cannot win the 2008 presidential election. The only GOP anti-war candidate, Ron Paul, is head and shoulders above the warmongers who occupied the stage with him. Rep. Paul is also a staunch defender of the American people's civil liberties. Dr. Paul is the only candidate in the field who is for limited government at home and abroad. He is Mr. Republican.

Murray Sabrin (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 8:07 AM)

If anyone reads the news, they would find a hundred flip flops in yesterday's debate. Matthews' question regarding Bill in the White House was a terrible question. Why would you ask a question when you know what the answer will be? Matthews was the clear loser!

sally, (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 8:32 AM)

Ducan Hunter in my opinion did well. He is what a moderate conseritive wants. But needs to talk more about what he woudl do about our issues (health care, Soc.Sec. ect. Appears focused and needs additoinal visability.

Greg Jones, Birmigham, AL (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 9:11 AM)

Before the debate I thought Rudy had the best shoot for president, but during the debate I noticed that he lacked experience and I was disappointed with his answers. McCain showing was good, but he is a career Washington politician and we need new blood to lead our great nation and not someone who’s from the same rotten barrel of apples. I have to agree with you, Romney was the clear winner in the debate. He’s answers were clear and concrete, and had the presidential look and charisma to lead our nation. As a Reagan Conservative I believe Romney is our front runner for President.

Jay - Atlanta, GA (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 9:27 AM)

MSNBC's "You Rate The Candidates" is pretty interesting. Ron Paul is rated 35% positive, Mitt Romney 30%, Rudy Guiliani 25%, John McCain 20%, with about 32,000+ people responding as of 7am PDT. Regardless what the pundits have to say, it certainly seems Ron Paul wins in a land-slide up from his pre-debate positive rating of 9%.

Randy, San Jose, CA (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 9:53 AM)

Ron Paul is being totally ignored. He won the debate, just look at the message board. No one wants to even address him today. I'm shocked. I'mm an Independant, and am trying to find a candidate to support. So far, he has my support on the Rep. side...this post better show up, it's about the 4th time I have said something only to have it lost in the process..

Lynne (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:12 AM)

Romney looks like a plastic Ken Doll. He speaks like he is getting his thoughts from a Magic 8 Ball! What a phoney he is!

Diane Petersen, Clarence, NY (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 10:14 AM)

Romney is indeed in a curious position. He looked Presidential and spoke with confidence, but what is a Republican voter to believe. Is he just another politician saying anything to get into the White House and then backtracking on the promises, like GB?

reve st. clair (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 1:18 PM)

When Ron Paul was asked if he trusted the media, it seemed like a stupid question. He replied that he trusted the internet more that television. The pundits on this site represent the television media and the fact that none of them even mentioned Ron Paul shows just how out of touch with the audience they really are, when you look at the results of their own internet poll. This, of course, is why I no longer watch television and why most informed voters (ie. the internet voters) have consistently voted Ron Paul. We are not fooled by talking heads.

Jason Hill, Arvada, Colorado (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 1:19 PM)

Mitt Romney looks good, and he talks a good game. The problem is his religion. I will NOT vote for a Mormon. I just can't do it. To me, Mormonism is nothing but a glorified cult and way too many Mormon's have their political, business, and personal decisions dictated to them by church elders. No way, no how am I voting for a Mormon.

Kye Morgan, OKC (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 1:28 PM)

Mitt Romney is the modern day version of a Republican John Kerry.They are both rich, Ivy league polished, and fake. They will tell you what ever they think it will take to win & if pollings show that their stand on an issue is wrong they will "change their minds". I want a candidate with convictions. I like Mike Huckabee!!!!!

Misty (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 1:42 PM)

I find it disgusting that despite his excellent performance in the debate and his overwhelming and stunning support in the MSNBC and Drudge Report polls, Ron Paul continues to be totally ignored by the mainstream media. Personally I'm a Libertarian and have been a fan of Dr. Paul since his '88 presidential campaign, but I hadn't been paying close attention to his campaign this time until I saw him in the debate yesterday. I was honestly surprised and heartened by the reactions I've seen in the polls and discussions, since I'm used to the message of freedom being ignored, as it continues to be today by the mainstream journalists who seem to be dead set on force-feeding the "1st tier" candidates of McCaine, Romney, and Giuliani down our throats.

Adrian Bisson, Fort Wayne, IN (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 1:47 PM)

Ron Paul won the debate, he is the only one standing up for our troops, and making this administration accountable for all its mistakes, lies and putting our Country and our soldiers in harms ways under false pretenses. It seems that he is the only one that knows the history of the Middle East. Great Mr. Paul as a Texan I am very proud of you!

Ruth Arras, El Paso, TX (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 1:50 PM)

I think the real winners of the Republican debate were the Democrats! These men all showed more of the same ideas that got us where we are today - embroiled in a pointless war we can't get out of, a sluggish economy, a loss of rights and personal freedoms, and forced religious values. I did not hear anything new or surprising.

Ken Brawn, Germantown, MD (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 1:52 PM)

Look at your own poll ! Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate with any fresh ideas...the rest were like a bunch of old parrots.

Vic Pittman Salem Oregon (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:05 PM)

I found Gilmore to be the best overall IMHO. I did like Dr. Ron Paul also. Paul/Kucinich ticket? :P I wish but would never happen due to media bias. Guliannis only impressive moment to me was his knowledge of the difference of Sunn/Shiite, otherwise he seemed very wishywashy to me. McCain just looked lke he was just using the whole roduction to create soundbites for the campaign. Tis a shame but Im leaning to Biden so far with Gilmore influence and I am a Republican. THough if Ron Paul or Kicinich makes it much further I wold support either just for the "shakeup factor"

Douglas, Blacksburg, Va (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:06 PM)

What has Guilliani ever done but happen to be the mayor of a city that was attacked on his watch...Making that egomaniac president would be like making the captain of the Titanic heasd of the Navy..what a joke ! Ron Paul is the only Republican that stands for American values. McCain should be institutionalized.

Joe American (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:10 PM)

I am surprised that no one is discussing the fact that one of the candidates said it should be up to each business/company in America whether it wants to fire gay employees because they were gay. I know they are republicans but that was bad.

Meghan (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:24 PM)

I think Romney did a great job putting out his message. He did talk about his state's great experiment in healthcare and did a great job explaining his change of heart in his public policy on abortion. He is the only one up there who has seen flaws in public policy, come up with plans, and implimented those plans. McCain and Rudy can talk all they want but their track records can not compare.

Kim (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:32 PM)

The clear winner was the Democratic Party. It looked like a bunch who were trying to get as many words in their alloted time as they could, whethr what had had to offer made any sense or not. For the most part, they had that "deer in the headlight" look about them, praying not to say anything stupid. After Bush, they will have to come up better than with these losers.

Jay Lowy, Encino, CA. (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:38 PM)

I had never heard of Ron Paul before this debate and I will never forget him. He is not wishy washy like the other candidates. Guliani said he decreased poverty in New York during his tenure, but he only moved the poor people to another county. Paul is the only pro-constitution rep up there and he has my vote.

Dustin Gritters, Pella, Iowa (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 2:54 PM)

I am a Republican who would vote for Lieberman over these potentiates if he ran on an Independent ticket. That man is not afraid to stand by his views, even when he is scrutinized and alienated by his "own" party.

Russ, Pocatello, Idaho (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 3:09 PM)

They were all pathetic....Republicans better come up with a new candidate! And the comment about Clinton and measuring drapes was inappropriate.

Paula - MorrisPlains, NJ (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 3:21 PM)

Why is no one talking about Dr. Ron Paul other than American citizens on message boards? He clearly won this debate and the MSNBC polls show that, and the Candidate Ratings show him shooting way up from before the debate. Dr. Ron Paul wins this debate by a landslide by showing he is not political hack. His voting record shows that too. Amazing that he gets re-elected in his district over and over again by a landslide even when the Republicans are losing seats in the House and Senate.

David Welker (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 3:38 PM)

When asked what tax he would change, Romney replied that he would have no tax (on the middle-class) on capital gains, and no tax on interest made through investment accounts. He sealed my vote with that comment.

Christian, NY, NY (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 4:04 PM)

Lots of politicians want to believe that to get the nations votes they just have to stand for what they believe in. Lets face it, there are a lot of ignorant people in America and they don't understand what is being said, nor do a lot of them care. I know that these guys are trying to get the republican votes but they need to think in the long run. Will the public want to see their face all over the place, and really listen to what they stand for over and over again. I had to listen to most of the debate and only got to see bits and pieces of it because I was cooking dinner and taking care of our toddler. This was my take on it from lsitening and catching bits of it. Romney has an nice voice to listen to, and he is easy on the eyes.... he's a republican clinton. What I heard from Ron Paul was a weak voice that cracked a couple times, he sounded like a really really old man. Mccain got on my nerves with all his hand movements and "speech" like responses. Hunter is not bad to look at and has a nice voice, but it isn't strong and confident. Tancredo is who stood out to me, not only because of his policies but also to look at him, and hear his voice, you just feel safe. Like a father or grandfather who will protect and take care of you if you allow him. Most democrats are superficial, if they weren't Clinton never would have been elected. On that note, this election, to get the over all votes of dems and repubs, it comes down to policies, speech, voice, and looks.

Brooke Baugh Perris, CA (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 4:31 PM)

They all have certain similarities. They're all caucasian males who go to church. They all think they have the right to legislate morality. They all think they have the right to deny 300 million people stem cell research because of their religious beliefs and disavow the constitutional separation of church and state. Just as some southern churches belittle women, they also belittle foreigners in a xenophobic lesson about the Iraq War being righteous and it being the fight for the survival of our civilization. If we lose, we will have our throats slit during our sleep. Now, I grew up in southern churchs and only a preacher can make grown men believe they have ascended into some sort of sheet slinging, B-52 flying army of democratic invaders with an ordained manifest destiny to chemically bomb Iraq into a Chevron station. The only mention of the word oil was Thompson and Giuliani talking about energy, not Iraq I believe. These Americans really believe they have a right to randomly kill innocent people at their whim and call it national security or spreading democracy. We have sent our sons to knock down their doors during their sleep and shoot them. Maybe we should stop it.

Bob Pensacola (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 4:40 PM)

Ron Paul won the debate.

Joe Mellon (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 4:51 PM)

Although I might be in the minority with Republican voters, I did find Rudy Guliani's answers to be better than I had expected them to be. The question is whether we can trust his answers, and I have not decided as to that yet. Romney seemed to me to be the winner. He seemed to be in his element. He is obviously trustable as to the abortion question (as he is a Mormon). I need to hear alot more from McCain on immigration. His last bill stunk to high heaven. If he has anything similar in mind for the future I will be voting, assuredly, for someone else. The borders need to be secure BEFORE any talk of amnesty. Otherwise I will consider him alongside Romney and Guliani.

Scott McIntyre (Sent Friday, May 04, 2007 5:06 PM)



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