http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspxFrom Chuck Todd and Mark Murray in Simi Valley, CA *** Mirror Images: Maybe it's just us, but the most striking impression from last night's GOP presidential debate was how similar it was to the Democratic one. Like the Dem debate, the participantsen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182267Fri, 04 May 2007 13:22:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182267Robert Beck, Atlanta, georgia"Senator Brownback: Jack Abramoff, Mark Foley, Duke Cunningham in prison for bribes. Just last month, FBI raids of two Republican members of Congress. What's with your party and all this corruption?" What a loaded question. When will they ask Dianne Feinstein the same question about the Democrat party? http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182271Fri, 04 May 2007 13:23:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182271Still Crazy After All These YearsOn this date,"Four Dead In Ohio"-Crosby Stills Nash & Younghttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182279Fri, 04 May 2007 13:30:47 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182279mikee,abdn,waron paul was the strongest one out there, the rest are reruns.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182296Fri, 04 May 2007 13:44:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182296Pete, Norwood, MAI'm surprised that more pundits aren't talking about Ron Paul's performance. Judging by the results of the MSNBC polls, Paul ranked up there with Romney as far as impressions go, exceeding Giuliani and McCain, who both stumbled. The reason many second tier candidate don't get any press is that the media rarely gives it to them. Time to stop taking the easy route.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182316Fri, 04 May 2007 14:03:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182316J. Merle Stanley, Westcheter, NYSomehow I knew Gigolo Rudy "G" would say "911." It was just a matter of time, and he didn't dissapoint. Now we all know what we have to look forward to. Rappin' Rudy G's position on EVERYTHING will be "911." What do you think about Iraq, Mr. Gigolo? ANSWER: "I think that would be 911." What do you think about abortion, Rappin' Rudy'? ANSWER "I think that would be 911." What do you think about gun control Mr. Giuliani? ANSWER: "I think that would be 911." Rudy, tell us why you married, and subsequently divorced your cousin? ANSWER "I think that would be 911." Why do the Police and Firefighters in New York City hate you? ANSWER (.....and this time his answer would be the truth) "That would be 911." http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182328Fri, 04 May 2007 14:11:49 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182328J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NYPete, Norwood Ma.....Who really cares? After all, they're just Neo-Cons who aren't any different than Bush. I really don't think America either wants or needs four more years of this @#$!.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182335Fri, 04 May 2007 14:18:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182335J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NYRobert Beck, Atlanta Georgia......seriously, what IS with all the corruption and PEDOPHILIA in the G.O.P.?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182340Fri, 04 May 2007 14:21:54 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182340jerry/corpus christi texasIn USA TODAY yesterday, they talk about the way the GOP has fallen on hard times. Yet, when they bring up Rudy V Hillary, it's Rudy 51-46%. If I was a liberal and saw that, I would worry about anybody on the democratic ticket being able to take down Rudy. Judging from their debate, I saw more of what the GOP has to offer then the moveon.org debates.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182343Fri, 04 May 2007 14:22:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182343Nick, OhioIf this is the best the GOP can muster, then they are a party whose time for change is at-hand. There are no charismatic politicians (in the good sense of the term) like Ronald Reagan (although I never liked him and believed his 2 terms only built the deficit Clinton had to struggle with). And, there is no one up to the character in the GOP of a Gerald Ford. I used to believe McCain was in that league, but he's sold his soul to the Right and is supporting a President who at one point in time wanted to see McCain politically dead. The results of the debate speak for themselves. Paul has the largest number of positive votes. Who is this man who has come from obscurity? The GOP will place second in 2008 as there is no end in sight to the war in Iraq, which is the barometer for this race. We'll surely see once the primaries begin. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182349Fri, 04 May 2007 14:24:51 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182349Chrispin Barnes, New Orleans, LA.Ron Paul is right! He is the only candidate that echoes my sentiment on every issue. God bless Ron Paul, God America. Let's reinstate the Constitution!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182367Fri, 04 May 2007 14:34:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182367JJ in NJAs the blogger "Jon Swift" wrote, "When Rudy Giuliani is President, Every Day Will Be 9/11".http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182374Fri, 04 May 2007 14:45:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182374Lisa Fort Worth TXI consider myself independent because I favor some issues from both sides of the political fence. I liked what Ron Paul said about the constitution. Wouldn't it be refreshing to have a leader for whom the constitution has actual meaning?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182376Fri, 04 May 2007 14:45:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182376Susan, NebraskaSorry Mark Murray but I have to strongly disagree. I didn't see the similarity you spoke about. Last week, I saw a united, strong, intelligent, non slanderous debate. Last night I saw flip flopping and the same fist pounding that got us into Iraq. Maybe I was on the wrong channel.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182380Fri, 04 May 2007 14:47:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182380J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NYjerry / corpus christie, texas........at this time in 2003, the polls had Howard Dean as the Democratic front runner, and they also had Wesley Clark beating Bush head to head by about the same margin you posted for Rudy. Nice try, but no cigar, jerry. Gigolo Rudy "G" aint goin' nowhere. Sorry.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182384Fri, 04 May 2007 14:48:32 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182384Brian, Cedar Hill, TXI tuned in periodically to the debate and every time I did, these guys were invoking the name of their Lord God Ronald Reagan. Never once did I hear a reference to Bush other than a few distance shots or criticisms. Says alot about this lousy administration, doesn't it?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182402Fri, 04 May 2007 15:00:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182402Steve Turner Cedar Falls IowaThe GOP continues its deification of the Airhead Reagan. In twenty years from now, will the NeoNeoCons of 2027, be deifying the Airhead Bush? Hopefully he will be the last of the Republican Airbenders. Still the odds are that a new generation of them are currently in front of mirrors all over America, practicing their Air President smirks, and their GOP-Hip Mashed Potato Convention Dances. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182403Fri, 04 May 2007 15:05:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182403R.Merrell, Vietnam VetIt's obvious that the GOP candidates, by their own admissions during the debate, will continue to perpetuate the disastrous policies of the the Bush administration: Continuing the war in Iraq ad infinitum, further restrictions on civil liberty, increased government intrusion in to the lives of private citizens, large deficits, a lean toward creationism, beholding to the military-industrial complex (re: no-bid contracts, Haliburton etc.) to the detriment of the national good, ultra conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, tax cuts for the most wealthy, etc.etc. etc. This group has consistently supported Bush and his policies and they gave no indication that they will do anything different. Can the country really afford another 4 years like the last 7 ?? No.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182405Fri, 04 May 2007 15:06:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182405Dave, Matteson, ILReferencing a dead republican from the 80s as their idol didn't do anything for me. The world we are in today is so far removed from Reagan's era that we might as well be comparing today to the 19th century. No new ideas, pandering to the religious right (and the most radical percentage of their party) and references to Reagan don't make a good republican. They need to get away from the social issues (that they can borrow from both Reagan and Ford) and get back to fiscal responsibility. That is the hallmark of a true republican.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182407Fri, 04 May 2007 15:08:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182407Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VARon Paul was refreshing. I hope he garners support - at least enough to keep him in a smaller field - so that maybe the GOP can have a real debate about what "conservative" ought to mean and what the party ought to be about. I doubt this libertarian side would win the debate (in terms of gaining control of the party) but it would be an interesting conversation.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182414Fri, 04 May 2007 15:12:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182414JoeI wouldn't trust any of these hucksters to run my country. Under any one of them, we would be living in a world where, if you get pregnant, you must remain pregnant and deliver the baby by order of the state. A lot of soggy old men who are still living in the past. They apparently all want to be the next Reagan, as if Reagan didn't run up the biggest deficit we've ever seen. Unfortunately, Reagan's success was a function of the times. That era is dead and gone. And what was with the chortling every time Clinton's name came up? Bill presided over the most successful economic, social, and internation relationship gains in our country's history. They can't make that go away. Them are just the facts. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182441Fri, 04 May 2007 15:25:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182441J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NYRon Paul is just another Neo-Con, and we've had enough of that these last 6 years. Time for a change, vote Democratic!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182443Fri, 04 May 2007 15:25:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182443Lee in MV"If I was a liberal and saw that, I would worry about anybody on the democratic ticket being able to take down Rudy. " Keep singing yourself to sleep with that - that's perfect. Rudy Tutti doesn't have a snowball's chnace in hell - why - you'd have to be stupid enough to vote for Bush a third time.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182448Fri, 04 May 2007 15:28:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182448911truthdotorgRon Paul was AWESOME!!!!! He's on top in the MSNBC Poll in all categories but one! Let's demand a Paul/Kucinich (or vice versa) ticket!! They would be unstoppable!!! Brief Overview of Congressman Paul’s Record He has never voted to raise taxes. He has never voted for an unbalanced budget. He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership. He has never voted to raise congressional pay. He has never taken a government-paid junket. He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch. He voted against the Patriot Act. He voted against regulating the Internet. He voted against the Iraq war. He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program. He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year. Congressman Paul introduces numerous pieces of substantive legislation each year, probably more than any single member of Congress. What made me sick was when McCain hesitated to answer "yes" when asked if he believed in evolution. What a spineless schmuck!! I want to ask them where they stand on demanding a new, TRUE 9/11 investigation!! The "official" 9/11 story is a fairy tale!! Google videos: 9/11 Press for Truth, Loose Change 2nd Edition http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182455Fri, 04 May 2007 15:31:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182455Scott Mo.All I heard from all the candidate's is we are going to get more of the same if elected. More Iraq not less. They also said that the American People could go to hell as they didn't govern by the polls. The polls ARE the American People talking. I thought the American people spoke pretty clear when they went to the polls on Nov. 7th. I will remember these candidates the next time I go the the polls.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182461Fri, 04 May 2007 15:37:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182461Russell in MarylandMark Murray said "demonstrated why the GOP is no longer a party of libertarians" From some of the debate answers and past actions they also appear to not be the party of non-Christians, fiscal responsibility, the political center, the middle class, small government, states rights, peace, and accountability. So what exactly are they the party of?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182466Fri, 04 May 2007 15:39:34 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182466Russell in MarylandYou got it right Scott Mo. That is what I heard that scared me the most. With the exception of Ron Paul the will continue in the wrong direction that Bush has charted for America -- Stay the Course!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182467Fri, 04 May 2007 15:39:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182467Bob, OrlandoA view from the left...I thought that of the "top tier" candidates Mitt Romney stood out as the most presidential, his answers, though maybe a little light on substance, seemed to be well thought out and positive. He handled the abortion "flip flop" well and handled the faith issue extremely well. Even when challenged by Brownback and Huckabee he still stood his ground. McCain showed his age and seemed a bit of a loose cannon. You have to respect him for what he has done in his career but to me it seems that time has passed him by. Giulianni did not seem presidential at all and didn't say anything that would make the Christian right feel more comfortable supporting him. I would say he was the biggest loser of the night because he did nothing to justify his frontrunner position. Were he the nominee I do not see him having a chance in a debate with the top tier Democrats. Of the second tier candidates Gilmore and Huckabee impressed me the most. Gilmore attemted to come across as a "consistent conservative" and in my opinion he accomplished that. He seemed to be well versed on the issues and someone who could work across party lines. Huckabee spoke from his heart and, to me, would be the strongest candidate to represent the Chistian right. Though I liked a lot of what I heard from Ron Paul, he did not seem presidential ( as if it mattered). Brownback was ok but Huckabee is a better candidate for that point of view. To me Hunter seemed dangerous and uncompassionate where Thompson and Tancredo were out of their league. Summing up, where I did not expect alot from this bunch, I came away more impressed than I expected. I could see a ticket of Romney-Gilmore or Romney-Huckabee as being a formidable opponent for the Democrats. I believe that a ticket with McCain on top would be a disaster for the Republicans and, though Giulianni maybe a better general election candidate than a primary one, I was not impressed in the least. Whoever emerges from this group will have to cut back on the war rhetoric to win the general election unless things change substantially (for better or worse) in the Middle East over the next year and a half. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182472Fri, 04 May 2007 15:41:47 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182472Sierra, San FranciscoThis is a pack of dull, gray hacks. Santa Clauses in business suits. Flat tax !! tax cuts!! tax free capital gains !!! "Tax and spend Republicans" more war !! Stay the course!! More troops !! a bigger army !! more guns !! good old boys!! more torture !! more Guantanamo !! no abortion !! keep them in their place!! bare foot and pregnant !! Bring back the 50's!! ... WE CAN BEAT THESE BOZOS!! WE CAN BEAT THEM !! Nominate ANYBODY BUT CLINTON !! ANYBODY BUT GORE !! Then the Democrats win. This evil spell is broken. What's so hard to understand ? Obama, Edwards, Richardson can all win. Come on, Democrats !! Don't drink the Kool aid !! Obama-Edwards '08, Richardson-Obama '08http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182476Fri, 04 May 2007 15:45:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182476Steve, Las Vegas, NVIt wasn't even close! Ron Paul all the way! I'm a Democrat and I would vote for Ron Paul over everyone in my own party.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182477Fri, 04 May 2007 15:45:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182477Robert Catalano, Salem, ORRon Paul reminded me how far the Republican Party has given up its principles during the present Administration. The rest of the candidates talked a good game but the repeated references to Ronald Reagan made me want to throw something at the TV. Is this all the Republican party has to offer: 20 year-old ideas and loyalty to the worst president since General Grant (Bush)? http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182479Fri, 04 May 2007 15:47:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182479JimRon Paul is the only real choice - and we obviously cannot trust the media to give him fair coverage.. they want somebody who doesn't care about the Constitution. but thank God for the internet - We The People need to get in gear to spread the word of this awesome candidate.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182482Fri, 04 May 2007 15:49:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182482Dennis E., Dallas, TXRussell in MD. Think of every bad thing you can that can happen to this country and to us and that is exactly what they are the party of. This whole bunch are losers. The only thing they are good at is pandering and posturing. No substance what so ever. Maybe that is why they focus so much on a social agenda. It's in their nature to try and control what other people do.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182506Fri, 04 May 2007 15:57:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182506Danny Taylor, Superior, WIHunter finds appeal with the borders, language, and culture advocates because of his hard stance on immigration and illegal aliens. I am not against immigration but I am against illegal immigration especially where it negatively impacts our economy - wages. I have personally experienced the fallout of illegals taking contract labor jobs away from highly skilled contruction tradesmen. An employer can employ 3 illegal aliens laboring for the price of 1 skilled tradesman. The quality of the lower paid laborer's work is usually substandard to that work performed by the tradesman. Illegal laborers not only negatively impact the level of the constuction worker's wage, but it presents a health and safety risk because the work quality is substandard, and it presents itself as a national security issue as well. I had hoped to hear more on the illegal immigration issue from other GOP hopefuls but Hunter is so far the loudest and most consistant on the subject. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182508Fri, 04 May 2007 15:59:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182508Owen Vander, Evansville, INHoover, Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush, Bush-Looking at that list makes sense the Repubs deify Reagan. Except for Reagan, Eisenhower and Ford, the rest left the USA in worse shape than it was when they took over. Curiously, I do not believe any of those Repubs were considered overly intelligent by their peers. Conversely the Dems would have a harder time deifying just one from their list : FDR, Truman, JFK, LBJ, Carter, Clinton-Arguably only LBJ and Carter left the country in worse shape when they left office than when they entered it. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182512Fri, 04 May 2007 16:01:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182512Susan, MiamiSo there were 10 white men standing around and telling women what they should do with their bodies and snickering like jr high boys when asked about Hillary and are against stem cell research and making blustery statements about possibly starting more wars and how macho they'd be if president. What awful examples of males and human beings for that matter.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182513Fri, 04 May 2007 16:01:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182513Rey OlsenGiuliani was the only one who could point to a record of considerable achievement as Mayor of a city that he led to become a model of harmony among disparate emigrants from over 100 nations. Rudy deserves the chance to duplicate that model for the rest of the nation and the world. We need a harmonizer.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182535Fri, 04 May 2007 16:17:11 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182535MK,MOWith steve forbes whispering in gulliani's ear on how to take from the poor and give to the rich how could anyone not uber wealthy ever consider voting for this joker, better wake up America.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182536Fri, 04 May 2007 16:17:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182536JoeCHI, Chicago, ILThere was one clear winner and one clear loser in the debate last night: The Democrats and Chris Matthews, respectively. The debate was a fiasco. Chris Matthews was in way, way over his head. While the hyper-manic out-of-focus Matthews may have some charms on Hardball, these skills do not serve either the candidates or the moderator in this format. Further, couldn't have Mattews left his Clinton-bashing at home for one night, at least? The DNC should send Matthews, MSNBC, and The Politico a thank you note and a big bouquet of flowers.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182539Fri, 04 May 2007 16:18:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182539Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VABob in Orlando - you may have hit on the key point here, regarding Ron Paul. As a second tier candidate, his lack of "polish" wouldn't even be noticed in most circumstances, with everyone arguing back and forth over how the big three looked. But Paul seems to have generated some excitement - with viewers if not by a single MSNBC employee. So... are we to start looking at this guy as a player in the race? If so, his style starts becomming important.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182554Fri, 04 May 2007 16:30:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182554OliviaIn my view, MSNBC's "Rising from Ruin" blog, which has just added several new stories, should be required reading not only for any future debate moderators and other newspeople who might interview the candidates, but also all presidential candidates, whether Democratic, GOP, or any serious 3rd party. Reading it might jog the memories of both newspeople and candidates who may have forgotten or gone into denial about one of the 2 most tragic events to happen in the first few years of this century. I'd hoped that last night Chris Matthews would exercise better news judgment than did Williams on this issue, but he also seemed to be living in a pre-Katrina world. Instead he wasted time on such irrelevancies and old news as Hillary and Bill Clinton and the Terri Schiavo case. The story "Memories or hope?" is especially poignant and thought-provoking, consisting completely of striking, sad photos taken along the devastated Mississippi Gulf Coast 20 months after Katrina. They show bits and pieces left of what I imagine had been lovely homes, with no sign of anything being rebuilt--and one wonders what happened to their inhabitants, where they are now and how they're faring. Anybody skeptical about Katrina recovery's validity as a substantive national campaign issue needs to view these photos and read the rest of "Rising from Ruin's" recent articles. They will learn that Katrina is far from "yesterday's news" to storm survivors who are still in a world of hurt in Mississippi, Louisiana, and the rest of the affected area. Another first-rate "Rising from Ruin" story is the one on the rental shortage. The lack of affordable rental housing is one of myriad hardships that, if not dealt with satisfactorily, will keep Mississippi's and Louisiana's Gulf Coast communities, New Orleans, and other areas of the storm zone from repopulating and recovering. Callously telling storm survivors they should move elsewhere (as many clueless bloggers suggested in response to the story) is not the answer. Many in Mississippi and Louisiana who have been trying to put their lives back together are unable to move because of their circumstances, being financially strapped, and/or unwilling to leave what's familiar to them. While newspeople and candidates are fiddling around with silly questions about such trivia as the Clintons, Edwards'haircut, hedge funds, and Walmart, Mississippi and Louisiana are dying a slow, painful death due to the Bush Administration's having written them and their suffering people off. The candidates' and newspeople's silence on Katrina recovery needs to be broken IMMEDIATELY. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182562Fri, 04 May 2007 16:34:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182562j flThe question isn't who won the debate but who was the biggest neaderthal. Hard to answer that one.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182563Fri, 04 May 2007 16:35:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182563Ryan, MichiganI have a feeling I'm going to hate it when the Republicans debate, from now on. Mainly because I come on here the day after and read nothing except hateful and rage induced inflamatory rhetoric. I realize that the vast majority of you don't agree with the Republican's on many things and that's fine. But the pure hatred is hard to read, I'm sure you have your reasons for it, its just shocking to me the words that are used to describe the current president and the Republican party.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182568Fri, 04 May 2007 16:42:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182568911truthdotorgRon Paul is light years ahead of that rat pack. It is SO sickening when the people in this country are more concerned about someone looking "presidential" (whatever that means) as opposed to SOUNDING presidential!! Romney looked and sounded like a Ken doll - FAKE! Which is more important??? Grow up people!..... And talking about looking and sounding presidential, has everyone not seen our current imbecile-in-chief in action over the past 6 years?? He's an absolute embarrassment and disgrace!!........ Google videos: 9/11 Press for Truth, Loose Change 2nd Editionhttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182578Fri, 04 May 2007 16:49:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182578Sierra, San FranciscoOwen Vander: JFK got us into Viet Nam, accelerated the arms race and tried to assassinate Castro. LBJ passed the Civli Rights Act, leaving the country in the best shape its ever been in. ... Oh, and Reagan made it OK for "conservatives to "tax cut and spend" and run up stupendous deficits.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182586Fri, 04 May 2007 16:54:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182586jtbBrian Cedar Hill: you hit the nail on the head. THEY ain't thinking about GW.They don't give flying leap about GW. He is past tense as far as they are concerned. But they are hoping the Dems keep up their attacks on someone not even running in '08. The only close parallel was '76, when Carter beat Ford, but Ford was the sitting V.P. None of these guys are REMOTELY linked to GW's administration. It WILL be an interesting election. Can't blame Iraq on these guys.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182590Fri, 04 May 2007 16:57:34 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182590Amy B "We could use a man like Herbert Hoover again..didn't need no welfare state, everybody pulled his weight, gee our old La Salle ran great...those were the days"http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182592Fri, 04 May 2007 16:58:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182592911truthdotorgSee Ron Paul in this Google video......America: Freedom to Fascism....... Paul/Kucinich in 2008!!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182606Fri, 04 May 2007 17:09:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182606DesmondI have a question why is it if a Democrat changes their mind on a position it is called flip-flopping but when a Republican does the same thing it is called evolving?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182611Fri, 04 May 2007 17:12:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182611Bob, OrlandoPaul in Woodbridge...unfortunately I don't think it really matters what the viewers think about Ron Paul or any other candidate. It seems that all that really matters is the main stream media's opinion. Whoever they annoint as the frontrunner(s) becomes just that because of all the attention directed towards the chosen few. It is almost impossible to be a successful candidate without the backing of the media. As to your comment about Ron Paul's lack of polish, I can't think of any political maverick that has much presidential style. Maybe that's what makes them appealing to some of us commoners. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182612Fri, 04 May 2007 17:12:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182612Dave, TnAt least we have two veterans with sons serving in the military. The democrats have none. Guess that makes all the democrats chickhawks. Anyone but a Socialist scum bag in 08!!!! Watch France & see the future of what democrats would do to America. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182626Fri, 04 May 2007 17:23:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182626MK,MODanny Taylor, The republicans have made it quite clear they do not intend to address the immigration issue, too many good republicans are enjoying the riches from slave labor while the taxpayer takes care of the medical and criminal costs. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182640Fri, 04 May 2007 17:33:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182640Connie, Tn.If Ron Paul has such great answers, why is he still a Republician in good standing. Talk about selling out!!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182661Fri, 04 May 2007 17:45:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182661Scott. Mo.Right on JoeCHI, Chicago, IL With his Clinton bashing and talking over people as he does on hardball only shows of utter stupidity.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182673Fri, 04 May 2007 17:54:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182673Coy Reese, Shady Spring, West VirginiaThe Republicans sing the praises of Ronald Reagan as often as they blame President Clinton for everything wrong in America, from the Civil War forward. Amnesia about Savings & Loan debacles (costing the American taxpayers billions), Iran-Contra, and the inability to utter the words A.I.D.S. as thousands of Americans died, have defined the Reagan Presidency in many of our eyes...the guy didn't walk on water. None of these white, middle aged, wealthy clowns, offer anything other than "stay the course" and four more years of George W. Bush. No thank you.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182674Fri, 04 May 2007 17:56:21 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182674Steve AlthouseAlthough there isn't a republican on the face of the earth I would ever vote for, for any reason, Ron Paul was impressive. As a pro union, middle class, combat disabled former Marine, until the ignorant cowboy came along, I thought Reagan was about as bad as it could get. Except for Paul, all these other clowns want to be a combination of the two worst presidents in history!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182706Fri, 04 May 2007 18:17:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182706Gregory CrishRon Paul still has the lead in the MSNBC poll. The idea that there's been a unanimous decision by all the MSNBC pundits to ignore Ron Paul, is embarassing to the news organization, and frankly, I'm offended they're ignoring us!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182717Fri, 04 May 2007 18:29:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182717Gary, Franklin, WisconsinTen aging, angry men looking like they had just had an enema. Among the top three (a) McCain seems in the early stages of Alzheimer's, like Reagan in his second term, (b) after his performance Giuliani should just come out and admit he likes wearing a dress, and (c) Romney seems so scared both his record as Massachusetts governor it is only a matter of time before we hear his "brainwashing" excuse on abortion. Three among the other seven with so little interest in science they reject evolution out of hand. Why is the religious right so afraid of acknowledging that God created a universe mankind can understand? Why do they not realize that one person can have both a religious faith and a real time world view? Back to the Salem witch trials with this bunch, their version of "Homeland Security". http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182749Fri, 04 May 2007 18:56:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182749MK,MOryan mich, what I find shocking about the desciption of the republican party in these posts is that it tends to be mostly accurate. the republican party has abandoned it's roots , the american people and has became a fascist anything for a buck monster that has nothing to do with conservatism.Take from the poor give to the rich and kill anything that does not agree,shove capitalism down the worlds throat and disregard what anyone else thinks because they are not smart enough to think for themselves thats what your current republican party stands for. The rage is quite overdue and understandable to some people,look at what has taken place over the past 6 years and point out one positive change for this country or globaly,time for change.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182753Fri, 04 May 2007 18:58:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182753Dennis E., Dallas, TXRyan, Michigan. I am sorry that you are offended by the hate that you perceive emanating from these posts following the Repub. debate. I guess it could be in part that Dems. were taught so well by the right wing bashers and hard line Repub. rhetoric on issues over the past 6 years or so. Remember "it is not patriotic to say we should get out of Iraq". I don't recall any Dems. accusing Repubs. of a lack of patriotism when they were expressing their views in the past. What other kind of response can you expect when these so called candidates continue to bash Clinton 6 years after he left office and you have Boehner spouting the way he does about any Dem. iniative in the house. It appears we are a house divided and will remain so for some time, or at least until the Repubs. learn to sit down and reasonably discuss things as you do most of the time on these blogs.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182787Fri, 04 May 2007 19:29:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182787bobf Ryan, I did not get that feel for most bloggers. But of course I have a different slant on things. I think you might have mistake frustration with hate. Remember the beating us democrats took during the Clinton impeachment days. Now that was true hatred at it's best. Americans were not dying in foreign wars like they are now. Clinton did not condone torture or use renditions like our current one does. Basically the impeachment of Clinton was all about hate from the republican party. The american public saw it for what it was and that was 64 million dollars down the drain over a blowjob. When americans are dying, civl rights being eroded, condoning torture and using rendetion methods, creating deficits etc. These issues bring out the passion in people. It is not just about what he said or she said, it is about how do we get ourselves out of the predicaments we are currently facing now. A president that goes against the public's opinion is going to get hammered. If he is your president, then you are going to have to hang in there. The same thing I had to do during the impeachment/witch hunt of President Clinton. It was not fun listening to the pompous politicians/religious nuts try to out holier than thou the next person. Do not even get me started on the conservative talk/radio shows. Hang in there Ryan, Everything in life is a circle. Republicans and democrats come in and out of power. We can thank the american public for voting either party out when they become to extreme. Like the democrats of the early 90's to the republicans of 2006.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182797Fri, 04 May 2007 19:41:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182797Carrie, Elkridge, MDDesmond, I don't think you're allowed to say that the Republicans "evolve" on issues instead of flip-flopping. After all, many of them don't believe in evolution. Perhaps they simply "create" new positions on the issues.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182798Fri, 04 May 2007 19:43:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182798MOnique Viator, Houston, TXI could not disagree with you more concerning your comment about last night's debate being so similar to the Democratic one. Last night, I saw a bunch of white, concervative non-progressives who wanted to see Roe v. Wade overturned, who still could not recognize evolution because it conflicted with their fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible, and who, for the most part, did not want to see stem-cell research advance the way it should, because they could not see the obvious differences between living human beings and babies, as opposed to a fozen stem cell in a refrigerator somewhere. The Republican party just keeps on refusing to evolve and progress, and I find their beliefs and their platform utterly embarrassing and terrifying. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182803Fri, 04 May 2007 19:51:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182803DesmondYes, we know Republicans don't spout hate. They just call people faggots and link a candidate to Islamo-fascism and proclaim only they have the ear of their god. No hate or exclusion there.It's the grand "Old" Party.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182809Fri, 04 May 2007 19:56:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182809Bob, OrlandoRyan, if you read my first post from above you will see that I tried to be objective as possible. I am not considering voting for any of the Republican candidates at this time but do respect their positions on the issues. I was not impressed by a few of them but overall I can see where there is the makings of a competitive ticket. Please take the time to read my post and I would be interested in your take on the debates as you always seem to make a lot of sense even though I don't usually agree. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182813Fri, 04 May 2007 19:58:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182813Lee in MVRyan - stop, before you make me cry. I can only imagine the angst you must have felt when Chicken Dick called 60% of the country "unpatriotic," especially when we all knew he meant "treasonous." You're going to hate the next several years. At least you are (I think) stable enough to not "eat the gun," which is what I think some of our more famous right wingers might do, IF sanity and reason return to this country. See you in Iran.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182818Fri, 04 May 2007 20:04:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182818John Doe, The Peanut GalleryRyan, Michigan: I wouldn't call it rage or hate. I would call it outrage and contempt. I really do apologize if anything I, personally, have said has come across as hatred or filled with rage. But I think you, as a Republican, should really examine what your party has done to the country. In the time that the GOP was in complete control of the country they raised the debt cap five times, they went to war based on intelligence that has proven wrong in most cases (including one case of forgery re:the yellow cake misstep), they allowed the major shipping port at the terminus of the busiest waterway in the east to languish after a hurricane, the leadership in Congress hid a sex predator, the leadership in the DOJ fired prosecutors who didn't indict members of the opposition, political operatives gave power point presentations to members of the federal bueracracy on how to use public resources to aide GOP candidates, the Attorney General refered to the Geneva Conventions as "quaint", we have given untold billions of dollars on non-competative government contracts to firms who have direct ties to highest levels of the White House, we have had US citizens spied upon without proper authorization by intelligence agencies who are only allowed to work outside the borders of US unless granted permission by FISA, and they did all of this while taking the largest amount of vacation time in the history of the US Presidency. If outrage and contempt (or heck, even rage and hatred) are not the proper response to what the Republican Party has done, what IS the correct response?? At a certain point we are obligated to call a spade a digging tool. This President has been a train wreck from day one. This adminstration has set the nation as a whole back by decades and they did with the help of the Republicans in Congress. This is not an instance of a rogue President. This a politcal party that has been charmed by radical elements of the far right onto a path that can yield nothing but calamity. And that the base of the GOP refuses to break with their party leaders when it so clear that they are no longer in the mainstream will keep your party in the minority for the next several eleciton cycles. And beleive me, I don't relish that thought. Our system works best when the houses of government are divided. But I will take a long standing Democratic trifecta over a long standing neo-con trifecta any day of the week and twice on Sunday.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182822Fri, 04 May 2007 20:05:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182822DesmondCarrie, Elkridge MD, 'evolve" has become their mantra for explaining their change on social issues. Mr. Romney has used it.I found it highly amusing.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182826Fri, 04 May 2007 20:10:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182826Amy Bcorrection Dave, TN: Senator Joe Biden's son is in the military. I wish you would watch the Meet The Press video from last Sunday (its on the website.)I think you'd be impressed with Biden. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182833Fri, 04 May 2007 20:15:34 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182833Brian, SeattleI am not Republican hating here. I generally reject the this party or that party arguments, but I was thinking this through and I was having a hard time coming up with anything of any real importance that the Repbulicans in Congress or the Presidency have done right in the last six years. Foreign policy? Education? Taxes? Response to natural disastors? Environment? Security? Immigration? Social Secuirty? Budget? I can on my own come up with what they they have done wrong, as well as what the Democrats have done wrong, but I am really curious what the Republican supporters feel their party has done right. Any thoughts? http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182851Fri, 04 May 2007 20:32:05 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182851RDP, Chesterfield, MORyan-You can look to the neocons, the incompetent Bush administration, Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rove etc. and the republican congress that let this happen (no oversight)for the answer to all the current rhetoric. You seem like a reasonable and thoughful person, but for you to overlook what this President and administration has done to this country, is at best disengenious on your part. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182868Fri, 04 May 2007 20:49:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182868Carrie, NW IowaDave - Look at the biographical information on the Democratic candidates. Hillary - no sons. Edwards -dead son, young children. Obama - 2 young daughters. Biden - son in military. Dodd - 2 daughters. Need I go on?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182877Fri, 04 May 2007 20:55:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182877bobf Dave from Tn, Senator Webb's son is also going over there. Hey we are now even. So what the hell did this just accomplish?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182879Fri, 04 May 2007 20:55:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182879bobf Dave from Tn, Senator Webb's son is also going over there. Hey we are now even. So what the hell did this just accomplish?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182887Fri, 04 May 2007 21:02:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182887Charles, Austin, TXI'm not a Republican, but Ron Paul makes me want to change over to one so I can vote for him. The media won't promote Ron Paul because they get their $$ from the same place the rest of the nine GOP contenders get their $$ from and DO NOT have the American people's interest at heart.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182923Fri, 04 May 2007 21:32:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182923Mick, UKWriting as a subject in the UK, I can say that if I was a citizen of the USA, a country I've followed closely since the early sixties, I would vote for Gravel or Paul if my choice was only Rep or Dem. Surely it is not beyond hope that an anti-corporations/ private equity groups party could set up and via the internet, become the party of choice for the great majority of citizens. It would catch on worldwide and then the People, not the corporations note, in 'For the People, By the People' will have the say on 'war', 'global warming', etc. Our media, worldwide, will not be owned by the few and will revert back to the days of say Daniel Ellsberg and Watergate, not perfect then, but so much better, so much. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#182956Fri, 04 May 2007 22:11:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182956Houston[[Hunter: Anyone else surprised by Hunter's stronger-than-expected performance? He seemed to match McCain on answering the Iraq/Iran questions with authority.]]... AUTHORITY? Hunter thinks "we gotta fight 'em there so we don't have to fight 'em here" That's not authority; that's lunacy.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183015Sat, 05 May 2007 00:29:33 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183015Steve Turner Cedar Falls IowaDesmond. When a Republican changes its' mind, it is called, 'Intelligent Redesignation".http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183048Sat, 05 May 2007 01:10:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183048R.Merrell, Vietnam VetJTB: "Can't blame Iraq on these guys" ?? Ever listened to Duncan Hunter, John McCain, or Rudy G.? They have fully supported Bush and Co. and continue to do so. They have no solution but the tried and true, "If we don't fight them there, they'll follow us home and we'll be fighting them over here" rubbish. This group of GOP candidates, with the possible exception of Paul, are nothing more than enablers and perpetuators of Bush's War Without End. They all talk about "victory in Iraq" but never, ever explain what that means, what it looks like, how and when it will be achieved, and how much more blood and money it will take to finally end this debachle. "Mistakes have been made" is a cop out because there has been no attempt to correct those mistakes other than to throw more money and U.S. servicemen and women into this ongoing disaster. Which is an even bigger mistake. By supporting Bush, these candidates own it (Iraq), too.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183053Sat, 05 May 2007 01:20:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183053D. Da CruzI am OFFENDED by the structure of this program. The questions were stupid. Candidates were not given equal opportunity..that means someone at msnbc made a judgement as to who was "worthy" of more time. I should have known when they had that horses behind Matthews be the mc that it would be a sham. Matthews is a rabid, flaming liberal and he does not play it down the middle. He is disrespectful...interupting and talking over the candidates and distracting them while they were attempting to articulate their positions in the INSUFFICIENT time they were allowed. In fact the format..asinine questions...prevented me from knowing where the candidates stood on important issues. Matthews epitomizes everything that is bad about liberal big media. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183062Sat, 05 May 2007 01:44:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183062Amy B Portland, MEI have only been able to watch thr first segement,so far, but I really like Gov. Gilmore. I had no idea a Republican could acknowledge that we have to regain the respect of the world in order to defeat terroorism. I'd vote for him. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183125Sat, 05 May 2007 03:26:21 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183125Jane, Southern MississippiKent State - it was a tragedy. Our own national guard killing our students (unarmed). Hopefully the tape unearthed will bring to justice the ones who killed the students.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183144Sat, 05 May 2007 04:10:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183144Mark M Lakeview MichiganI guess alot of folks were not listening last night. Ron Paul said he would pull us out of Irqq, he voted against it in the first place. Ive heard him on other talk radio and he would beef up our southern border where we need troops.I liked the part of getting rid of the IRS. He has actually put bills in congress to do just that. Wake up America you may just get one more chance. Any vote other than for Ron Paul is a vote for world government. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183281Sat, 05 May 2007 14:45:02 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183281JOHNNY JUSTICE ANYWHERE USAGONZO GATE...IT WILL NO GO AWAY! GONZO GATE IT WILL NOT GO AWAY!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183339Sat, 05 May 2007 16:31:21 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183339Gull I. Bull, Who Cares! No Borders Man!You guys are right. Stupid republicans. I say we ban the GOP. Make America a one party system. The Democrats are right on every issue every time and the radical religious right-wingers are so pathetically wrong about everything. I say we ban heterosexual relationships! Only same-sex partnerships should be recognized as legitimate! No pregnancy should ever be carried full-term unless it was invitro fetilization of a lesbian and the sperm donor should be a homosexual male only. Once the child is born, he/she should be taught from day one that traditional American values are outdated and are nothing more than downright predjudice! Morality is dangerous, man! I say live and let live! What is right and wrong anyway??? It's all relative, one big shade of gray! We should ban religion! I've had enough of this love one another crap! Religion kills, man! Take all the guns away so only the government has firearms! Especially if it's an all democrat government. They know what's best for all of us! Why even hold elections? Somebody will just steal it anyway! Let's name Hillary Clinton Supreme Potentate for life! She will lead us bravely into the future and beyond! She should appoint all members of Congress and all judges. I trust her and the democrat party in every facet of my life! I want to give them my children so they can teach them to behave and think in the proper manner! In only one generation we could turn the world into a real utopia if everyone will just follow the left! Imagine! http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183358Sat, 05 May 2007 17:15:12 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183358j flOk, ok, In the past six years I have learned to hate republicans. But I still have republican friends. Ha!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183500Sat, 05 May 2007 23:33:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183500Mike, Albuquerque, NMI watched the Republican love fest with Reagan the other night and although I wasn't surprised I wasn't impressed either. Wasn't it Reagan who was president when the Iran-Contra affair came to light. Where we not the first ones to supply Iran with arms. The quote that I think McCain gave that said they looked Reagan in the eyes and released the hostages brought back old memories that I have always thought that the Reagan-Bush (the first one)aranged for the hostages release while they were planning Iran-Contra. Wasn't the first Bush head of the CIA and had all the connections that made Iran-Contra possible. Wasn't Reagon just at the right time and at the right place for most of his actions. Wasn't he the formulater of the trickle down theory that never worked fairly. He may have exuded optimision but remember he was also an actor. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183519Sun, 06 May 2007 00:10:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183519Jonathan, Providence, Rhode IslandWhy is MSNBC not talking about Ron Paul? He is the only one with truly original Republican ideals. The people have spoke here at MSNBC, we love Ron Paul. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183636Sun, 06 May 2007 06:40:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183636Jane, Southern MississippiSierra, Eisenhower got us in Vietnam, with "advisers." JFK was assasinated just before he planned to get us out. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183764Sun, 06 May 2007 16:56:01 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183764Mark ThiemeApparently there are Republicans among the Al-Qaida in Iraq. Ayman Al-Zawahri, the apparent number two al-Qaida dude in Iraq, released a campaign videotape this weekend in support of the GOP stalwarts, agreeing in total with their "stay the course until everybody dies" strategy for "victory." Maybe this is the "bipartisan support" the President has been seeking. Who would have guessed?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183824Sun, 06 May 2007 20:34:54 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183824Lee Holmesbobf:You assertion that the Clinton administration did not use rendition and had no knowlage of torture is unfactual.The programs roots actually begin in this administration with a presidential directive [PDD39] signed by Clinton in 1995 and expanded by his NSA,Richard Clarke[who coined the words ''extraordinary rendition''], that allowed suspected terrorists to be ''rendered''to Islamic states including Jordan and Egypt where it was known by the administration that torture was utilized.One incredible blunder involved the 1998 rendition of a al Qaeda suspect[Ali Mohamed] to Jordan where he was later released, by US Asst.AGs Jamie Gorelick and Chicago-districts Patrick Fitzgerald. Torture was in fact used by the Egyptian MUKABAHRET[its intelligence service]which included electric shock,suspension-by-limbs,and water tortures.At least one suspect was ''disappeared''in 1995 after being captured by US forces in the Balkans and transferred to Egypt after being routed through the CIA for interregation.Also see:The Library of Congress[www.loc.gov]Keyword:''PDD39'' and ''Triple Cross:How bin Ladens Master Spy Penetrated the CIA,the Green Berets and the FBI And Why Patrick Fitzgerald Failed To Stop Him''Lance,Peter. Regan Books,2007,Chptr.I-IVhttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#183990Mon, 07 May 2007 12:43:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:183990Dorothy"That's me in the corner, that's me in the spotlight, losing my religion...."--REMhttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/04/182264.aspx#184577Mon, 07 May 2007 21:34:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:184577Still Crazy After All These YearsSteve Turner," Devil incarnate" -Henry 1V-Shakespeare