The GOP Field - Capable - image The Blazed dot com
Mitt Romney and Michelle Bachmann were the obvious winners in the Bloomberg – Washington Post – WBIN TV GOP Debate held last evening – Romney for his measured responses, cool composure and a show of humor more than met the expectations set by the nature of the forum – the economy. Bachmann, who is not performing in the polls as well as her counterparts, did an outstanding job last evening – it appeared, during two particular exchanges as if Romney and Bachmann would make a perfect pairing – both agreeing, calling upon and complementing each other. In the second segment of the “kitchen table” style debate, moderated by PBS’s, Charlie Rose, the candidates asked questions of one another – Most were aimed at Romney, not without criticism: Romney however, turn to Bachmann, asking a question that invited a serious response, rather than critique – she more than met expectations – later Bachmann acknowledged Romney very positively in response – setting up a candidates chemistry with one another. The fact that the field of eight offers six extremely effective candidates: those who have solid ideas and plans on the economy, the background, knowledge, and most importantly, the drive to take on the most difficult task at the most difficult economic time, makes this one of the best GOP fields seen in decades.
In this opinion and in order of performance, the field placed: Romney, Bachmann, Santorum, Paul, Huntsman, Cain, Gingrich, Perry. It is not without some prejudice that the focus on Romney and Cain and Perry, left little time for other candidates to show their worth in both previous and this debate. Based on the tone of answers, the content and overall demeanor of the candidate: Santorum, if given more time, is solid and knowledgeable, and has risen substantially in expectation, Paul, who is more Libertarian than Republican, gave solid answers, and appeared to feel most at home in this environment – again, with Paul as with Santorum, a lack of focus on the candidates does not give full time for viewers to assess the individual merit. Huntsman also held his own, although appearing a little less confident than in previous debates while Gingrich, the one that can be counted on for both wit and worthy answers in the forum, appeared to sit this one out – as if he were not feeling up to par. Cain, needed to expound on more than his 9-9-9 plan – and when asked his choice of the individual he would choose to replace Timothy Geithner answered Greenspan. Cain was on the board at the Kansas City Federal Reserve in the 1990’s – this was a time of virtual prosperity, and although that may have been his basis, it belief the fact that Greenspan, as notably pointed out by Ron Paul, was in his career assessment entirety at the Fed, “A disaster”. Paul chose Volker an appointee of Jimmy Carter, who served until 1987 at the Fed and was, in Paul’s (and this bloggers) opinion, responsible for holding the line on inflation during the 1980’s. It would be Paul’s preference to eliminate the Federal Reserve and re-institute the gold standard.
Finally, Rick Perry’s performance in this debate mirrored the past performances – dismal. The Governor of Texas does not appear comfortable in the debate forum.
Best line of the debate goes to Michele Bachmann during a discussion on the merits of Cain’s economic plan and the distrust by most of those on the podium of giving Congress another “revenue stream” (Bachmann): “When you take the 999 Plan and you turn in upside down I think the Devil’s in the Details”
If one is a reader of this blog, it is apparent that, residing in Massachusetts does not make for a Mitt Romney “fan”, however, in looking at the performance, and content placed in the performance, one must give Romney his due. Additionally, in honestly recalling his performance as Govenor (based on being a constituent only), the Commonwealth fared well – given the fact that Romney was the sole line of defense against a legislature that is comprised of an overwhelming majority of Democrats, the vast majority Progressives. (Thus giving the handle: The Peoples Republic of Massachusetts” to the Commonwealth when locals speak to the state government). Negatives from this point, are his refusal to acknowledge that although his health care plan was sound in theory, that once he left office, it fell to the Democrat controlled legislature and under the control of the new Govenor, Deval Patrick. In that time, mandates appeared, which have driven the cost of the program over the edge. In addition, private insurance in the state (there is limited choice of carriers) is consistently (on an annual basis) rising in cost by double digital percentages. Commonwealth Care, the State’s plan, is no longer accepting new “clients”, and those who cannot afford either the state insurance (if it were available) or the more costly private plans, are able to obtain a hardship waiver, and avoid the fees assessed for non-compliance to the mandatory program. Mandatory and Fees are what make this health care program in Massachusetts a Conservatives’’ nightmare. Granted Romney, at the time did not have a crystal ball, however, trusting the Democrats controlling this particular state (home to Barney Frank, Richard Neal (known as Pelosi’s Tax man) and the balance of the state’s Congressional democrats) not to drive a limited savings program into a billion dollar giveaway, which ultimately hurt the middle class, was, in a word: naive. Therefore, choice of Romney is not out of out “state pride”, or any “GOP” label, but an honest assessment of the man and his performance – he appears more than capable of taking on the task at hand.
As does Bachman, Santorum, Gingrich, Paul and Cain.
The full video via the Washington Post is shown below.
The next GOP Debate will be held on the 18th of October: CNN is the Network, sponsored by the Western Republican Leadership Conference and held in Las Vegas, NV.
In closing there is a good reason why the Obama Team is attempting to diminish the field of eight, outside of the obvious From Bloomberg: Obama Aides Seek to Counter Republican’s Message on the Economy Before the Debate” worth the read. It is that the field is effective and has the plans that are proven, are confident that they are able to take on the task, and hold no illusions as to its difficulty – noting this all with both the gravity of the situation, however, with the clear point that as a nation, the American People will prevail, and perhaps most importantly, they have a sense of humor.
Perhaps the most telling as to winners and losers and the overall appeal of the field comes from personal conversations during the debate, from a conservative viewpoint and one which many might consider the “typical New York East Coast Elite liberal viewpoint: These diverse individuals saw and agreed on the same points in this debate: favorite quote of the conversation and most telling for Michele Bachmann (from a devotee of the press) “I’m not hating her” – translation: She’s capable, worth watching and I may be changing my mind – The fact that those Democrats who are Democrats (rather than Progressives, and even some who may be Progressive, but on the fringe, are now desperate for an environment and a leader who will get us on the path to “out of this mess”. They are looking towards the GOP field, and they, as well as Conservatives, like what they see.
The Washington Post Debate in its entirety
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