Tonight's debate

Posted: Thursday, January 24, 2008 10:10 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Republican debates

The Palm Beach Post previews the GOP debate in Boca Raton, FL. “Proving they are presidential material will be no small task for the five Republican candidates facing off in tonight's Florida Atlantic University debate. They'll need poise, wit and charm. They'll need to address regional issues such as property taxes and property insurance. And they'll be pressured to demonstrate that they not only can win Florida's primary Tuesday but also can defeat the Democratic nominee in November.”

“And, though the debate's MSNBC anchors may wish otherwise, the candidates also should try to steer clear of the intense and personal sparring that took place Sunday night between Democratic presidential contenders Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, one political analyst advised. ‘Republican voters don't want to see that in their debate,’ said Susan MacManus, a University of South Florida political science professor. ‘This state's Republicans want to hear about tax relief. They want to hear about controlled spending. They want to hear about security to a certain extent. But they really want somebody who looks presidential and can get the job done.’”

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Comments

Slim Pick'ens

Blue state baby (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 10:16 AM)

I'm curious if Barack Obama helped or hurt himself during Monday night's debate. Some, but not all, of the pundits believe he hurt himself nationally. I for one was glad he went after the Clintons. Afterall, it was a debate. I wonder what the voters as a whole thought.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 10:22 AM)

mitts gonna put his money where his mouth is...Rudy's gonna scare everyone in the building into a possibility of an airstrike on the stage...McCainn is gonna do his hokey speech like a dutch uncle....and hucklebee is going to go completely unrecognized as the others try to faze him out once and for all

sharonstoneseviltwinsister, Anytown, USA (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 10:38 AM)

Regarding who "can defeat the Democratic nominee in November," someone could help himself tonight by challenging Hillary's eligibility, since she and Bill have already had their constitutional limit of eight years as co-presidents. Returning them to the White House would nullify the effect of the 22nd Amendment.

Wayne Hunter, West Plains, Missouri (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 10:44 AM)

I sure would like to get a repose from the republicans or democrats to take a pledge to give the president a line item veto on all this pork barrell and wasteful spending that some of our loong time politicians are creating..We now can get on a bridge to no where, and if your afraid of the bridge you now can get on a 60 million dollar ferry to two isolated roads to basically no where, and if this works for you you may make it to the Capital dinning area for a diet lunch..(paid by the taxpayer). All this leads to putting ous in deeper ? THAN WE ARE NOW WAHINGTON AT ITS BEST I wonder how many would take a pledge to support the line item..Change

Russ Wells, Maine (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 10:47 AM)

I'll be watching a rerun of Barnaby Jones tonight, so please do not call.

George Bush (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 10:49 AM)

Thanks for the coverage of the debate. I work about 5 minutes from the FAU campus and I'm tempted to go over there and see how big of a media circus there is. I also want to see some of these Ron Paul nuts who keep littering the highway with their cheaply made signs! ;-)

Frank "Grimey" Grimes, Springfield, USA (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 11:14 AM)

What time, George did you say Barnaby Jones was on ?

Dick Chaney (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 11:18 AM)

will little timmy ask the powderpuff questions he usually reserves for the republicans?Hope he asks at least one of them why nobody likes him---like he did Hillary.Will Matthews drool over one these he men like he did over the the jjetjock suit that Bush pranced around in or the aqua-velva smell of the late Fred Thompson?I can hardly wait.It is a fact that he will not call anyone of them satan,witchy or express his hate for their spouse.

HMT-MI (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 11:54 AM)

Watch for Mitt Romney to win this debate tonight. He does great under pressure and tonight will be no different. He knows that the line up is out to knock him off, and he will be prepared. He is clearly the true conservative in this race, and he will recieve the nomination and many in the GOP hate him for it. Old blood in Washington love same old same old. This will not be the case with Romney. He brings fresh ideas to the table and strong leadership. Romney is the real deal and true conservatives will take notice tonight. Go Romney!!

Joseph, Grand Rapids, MI (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 12:01 PM)

"But they really want someone who looks presidential" *sigh*

Josh, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 12:31 PM)

How does the Republicans expect to get the money for the rebates they are offering???

Isn't the only ways either cut on expenses either Demested are the War???

Until the war is stopped... There is know way to help this economy!!!

Larry M. Kegel Valenca, Calif. (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 12:34 PM)

Ron Paul is the only presidential candidate serious about tax relief and controlling spending. His record proves it. He is also the only candidate with a plan for real security from attacks and from the shrinking dollar. www.ronpaul2008.com

Adam, New Wilmington, PA (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 12:41 PM)

I think it's great if Romney, a DC outsider is shunned by the other Republican Candidates. Tells me he brings no baggage or obligations in the beltway like the others are more likely to do. We need someone who isn't already soiled and brainwashed to the DC environment.

Jeff DeRegnaucourt (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 12:48 PM)

Which ones will support a re-instating of the military draft? Which ones will support these economic stimulus checks be sent to illegals too?
Will the subject of building our infrastructure and thereby providing jobs for the middle-class be brought up? Will drilling for oil in ANWR and off Florida even come up?

Radio Rick, Taxconsin USA (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 12:54 PM)

For Republicans, everything hinges on this debate. Will it be Romney or McCain? This should be entertaining!

P.D. (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 1:21 PM)

I cant wait for the debate. I love watching these debates and hearing how Republicans are so much better than us Democrats,. Maybe, they should come up with ideas that will actually work. I am supporting Hillary because she is a strong woman like my wife!

David DelPrete (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 1:34 PM)

This should be a great debate! although i cant wait for a possible HILLARY - ROMNEY debate. that would be a PPV event.

adam devaney (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 1:36 PM)

Booooooorrrrrrriiiiiinnnnngggg!!!!!!!Will McCain be able to stand that long?

j fl (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 1:40 PM)

We want to hear about a person who will not let Congress spend without limits. We want a person who will lower taxes for us and help businesses bring back jobs through tax incentives. We want to hear about tax reform and how we are going to fix social security. We want to hear about fully funded Medicare and no cost deductible prescription drug plans for seniors.

We want to hear the good old fiscally conservative views to come back, not the Neo-Con Democratic lite policies that we have had for the last 8 years.

There is a reason that a company moves oversees, when it is taxed to death here it does what it needs to survive. I lost 35% of my income to taxes this year. 35%. That would have been better spent on goods, increasing business profit, allowing for more jobs which would increase a moderate tax base. Instead it was spent on Washington stupidity in the form of failed FEMA, studies on the breeding practices of the spotted squid, and Homeland Security. We need to get back to the CONSERVATIVE part of this party and leave the religious rhetoric and mass pandering at the door.

Bill, Albany, NY (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 1:46 PM)

I am afraid all the candidates will personally attack Governor Romney again. He is surging ahead in the Flordia Polls and McCain will sit back and jab and jab just like in previous debates and then the analysts will say how great McCain is. Listen to Mitt as the voice of reason tonight. Listen to McCain flip-flop on his tax policies and call Romney a "pig" again because Romney is squeaky clean on all sides.

TKB, Salt Lake City, UT (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 1:56 PM)

Amen to this article, What we need is a leader. Not an angry old man, not a relegious zelott, we need a man who knows how to lead and effect real change.

I'm rooting for Romney or Rudy. What I would love is a a Romney/Gulianni ticket. This country would be unstoppable with those two at the helm.

Robert Hansen, Clearwater FL (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 2:01 PM)

Of course Romney has Huckababy and McCain mad - He is taking the Presidency from them!

By the way - Are McCain and Guiliani walking around with their WIVES or their DAUGHTERS?

Real integrity there, guys... what do your first and second wives think of the latest model?

Kelci Thomas, Orlando, Florida (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 2:01 PM)

I predict Mr. "nice guy" (ha ha ha) McCain and dumbass sidekick Huckabee will try and get mean toward Romney... and Romney will intelligently stick to the issues - in which he dominates.

Hmmm... Which one would YOU prefer in the White House?

Julio Suarez, Miami, Florida (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 2:04 PM)

Romney has won me over. No one else on the GOP side has even a CLUE when it comes to Economics.

Romney has a Masters Degree in Business from Harvard.

Perry Shuerholder, Jacksonville, Florida (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 2:05 PM)

This election is now turning heaviliy to the economy and many Americans (of all socio-economic positions)are concerned with the fiscal competency of our leaders. When the Repulicans had control of the Executive branch and both houses of Congress, the following problems occurred under the control of a party which is supposed to be fiscally conservative: out of control deficit spending; significant long-term debt; a very weak dollar; significant infusion of money from China, Japan and other countries which now hold a significant portion of our debt and future and high-paying and highly-educated careers (e.g. network and software engineering, etc.) were shipped to India and Ireland, which cannot be replaced by county college retraining as some of you have suggested in your stump speeches. Why should the American people trust that the Repuplican party can turn this economy around with a split government when they caused such financial turmoil when they had total control of government?

James L. Mason, Boonton Township, NJ (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 2:07 PM)

I think Romney has ALREADY proven he is Presidential.

The question is: Why is MSNBC (Todd) being biased against him?

James Quick, Anaheim, California (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 2:07 PM)

The current Republican rankings... http://truthalert.net/Republican%20Presidential%20Candidate%20Rankings.htm

Mike, Hermosa Beach, CA (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 2:12 PM)

I was just looking at the MSNBC Exit Poll from Nevada and noticed something interesting. Among Protestant voters, 43% voted for Romney and 13% voted for Huckabee. Among Catholic voters, 35% voted for Romney and 5% voted for Huckabee. Among LDS voters, 95% voted for Romney and none voted for Huckabee. Among "Other Christians", 30% voted for Romney and 17% voted for Huckabee. Among those who identified themselves as "born-again/evangelical Christians", 37% voted for Romney and 23% voted for Huckabee. All of that says that conservative evangelical Christians voted overwhelmingly for Romney while no Mormons voted for Huckabee. It seems that evangelical Christians are seeing Huckabee for who he is and what he really stands for thanks to groups like Evangelicals for Mitt. If you want to know why evangelical Christians are turning their attention and support to Mitt Romney, see

www.evangelicalsformitt.com.

It's a great site and you'll learn a lot about the issues.

Phil, Aberdeen, NC (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 2:22 PM)

looks presidential? how about "supports the same issues that the people do"?
it's so pathetic that winning an election is about fashion and popularity

adam, west fargo, nd (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 2:26 PM)

There will be some sparing. Unlike the Democrat's debate earlier, this will have a lot less given that there are five still in the race. In the Democrat debates, it was changing who was teaming up on the third. I wonder who will team up on Ron Paul? Could it be all of them? I hope that Ron Paul understands that he has many people donating but not voting for him. That is why he won't win.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 2:37 PM)

When America says we want someone who looks "presidential," we mean someone who looks like all the others we have had...white male with lots of political and/or military experience and leadership qualities, gray hair or no hair, suit and tie.

Seemingly, the Democrat lineup should quit now and save their time and money since no one comes close.
Obama has precious little experience in politics and no military experience, he's not white and doesn't have gray hair. He looks nice in a suit and tie but that won't get it done if you must be "presidential."

Hillary draws a big goose egg in all areas.

Edwards come closest but he's all but out of the running already, unable to carry any of the states so far and extremely low percentages of the votes.

Amidst all the bickering back and forth in the Democrat field, none of the three front runners looks, acts or seems "presidential."

However, on the Republican side, Rudy, Mike, Mitt and John each have ALL of the requirements to be "presidential." FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

Richard Lucas (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 2:56 PM)

As a life-long Democrat, I believe that these debates serve as a reminder of how little regard the Republicans have towards the working folks.

David DelPrete (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 3:22 PM)

I am very interested in Huckabee's Fair Tax. I Know that it does not tax necessities but how does it affect our Real estate? I would like to hear him elaborate on this.

Darla Adlong, Jonesboro AR (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 3:31 PM)

For those who do not have cable, show this debate on NBC TV!!!

a (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 3:40 PM)

The debate should be on the free NBC network, not the pay cable station. NBC should follow ABC and keep the debates on the free TV stations, since it is in the public interest.

Thank you (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 3:47 PM)

Rudy Giuliani is a fool and a sex addict he also has delusions of granduer he will finish a distant third in Florida and he will probably drop out of the race when that happens.

larry miller hagerstown maryland (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 4:19 PM)

What we really want to hear is Dr. Ron Paul's ideas on the Economy! Out of control spending MUST end.

Tim Millerick, Villa Ridge, Missouir (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 4:27 PM)

Ron Paul rules.

Jo mama, nowhere'sville, ca (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 6:01 PM)

Ron Paul is the true consistent conservative!

Dool (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 6:50 PM)

2 questions for the GOP Debaters toninght:

1. Who did you vote for in the 2004 presidential election? Why?

2. If you voted for Bush, knowing what we now know about Bush, Iraq and Bush's cabinet, why should we trust your judgement now?

Gordon - Potomac, Maryland (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 7:13 PM)

Answer the question Huckabee!

Lawson - North Palm Beach, FL (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 9:24 PM)

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