Michigan GOP Debate – Live Blogging

Hi Everybody …

The debate begins in a few minutes here in Michigan. I’ll be updating this post as events merit. Most importantly, let’s all remember to be praying for Gov. Huckabee as he participates in this first debate that includes newcomer Fred Thompson.

Kerry

Here we go …

First question goes to Fred. He sees no reason to think we are heading for a recession. He thinks that there are pockets in the economy who are having difficult. (Long pauses while looking for words).

Good line from Romney: he said he was nervous about debating here today because he thought Gov. Granholm would put a tax on the debate before they were done.

McCain did not even address the tax question … he talked around it, but did not address the heavy tax burden on the middle class. If they don’t give this question to Huckabee, I will be upset. When pushed for an answer, McCain said the tax system is fair.

Matthews to Huckabee: Won’t the fair tax cause people not to spend? Mike: Chris you know Americans better than that! We love to shop! This will stop taxing productivity and allow us to export products instead of jobs. I want everyone to know that is watching this that while the economy is good for most people on this stage right now, I know that for many people watching right now -especially right here in Michigan – that you are working two jobs just to put food on the table. And to those people who are struggling, I hope that we can address these issues tonight on this stage. (Mike so far, is the only one who spoke to the people directly and not just to Chris Matthews).

Tick tick tick … it’s been several minutes since hearing from Huckabee. Right now Rudy and Mitt are being given free-time to go back and forth at each other.

Another question for Fred … twice now he has basically said “too bad” to people who are struggling and losing their jobs, because that’s the price paid for a dynamic economy.

Now McCain says the current tax system is unfair …. not what he said earlier.

Another question for Romney. 20+ minutes since Huckabee had a question.

Another Rudy question. Tick, tick, tick …

(interesting how they have them lined up on stage … Rudy, Fred, Mitt, John in the middle … Mike and Rp on their right. Tom, Duncan, Sam to their left). I am so sick of the MSM.

Mike got to jump in with a need for FAIR trade and not just Free trade … free trade that is not fair is what is killing the jobs of the American people.

McCain wants free trade no matter what (he didn’t seem concerned with it being fair).

Tancredo said no to Dubai owning 20% of NASDAQ. He said he’d consider letting them buy Walmart (not exactly sure what he was going for with that comment).

Another Fred question … why does he look like he is peering over the top of reading glasses when he is wearing no glasses?

Break time. 4:42 pm. Huckabee has spoken twice in 42 minutes.

Question for Fred before the break. Another question for Fred after the break (this time about Iraq). 4:46pm.

4:50pm. Still waiting.

Sam Brownback getting in a promo for his Iowa “dog and pony show” he’s putting on with Sen Biden.

4:51pm another question for Fred. tick, tick, tick, tick … anyone surprised that Chris Matthews is running the debate this way? The questions to Fred so far are hardly challenging.

4:53pm … now to Mitt.

Group question about needing congressional approval for a targeted attack …

Hunter … depends on window of opportunity

Paul … absolutely, not allowed to go to war without congress approval (the question had nothing to do with declaring war)

Huckabee … A president has to do whatever is necessary to protect the American people … if there’s time you go to congress, if not you protect the American people. Chris asked him “what if congress says no?” … Huckabee’s response was, it is more important to me that I, as President do what is necessary to protect the American people and not allow millions to die while politics are going on in Washington.

Topic changes to Oil. First question to Rudy. Come on people … give this one to Huckabee … he’s the one with the plan to get us energy independent by the end of his second term!

5:06pm … waiting again, tick, tick, tick, tick, …

To Huckabee (still talking energy) … we must rush in and become energy independent, we can not take 30 years to do this. All options must be on the table … nuclear, bio, wind, coal, water, solar. We cannot take our energy problem into Goober and Gomer and let them fix it when they get time. We need to take the mentality of a Nascar pit crew and get it done well, and get it done quickly. We must stop depending on (and making them rich) countries that support terrorism for our energy needs.

How do Republicans win back the confidence of the American people?

RP – we have to bring all Americans home and stop subsidizing farmers and other nonsense.

MH – we must restore the optimism to let them know that we recognize the big problems and that we (I) have big ideas to change them. (In other words a little duct tape is not going to fix the problems and Mike Huckabee has the solutions!)

(is it just me, or does Mitt remind anybody else of game show host Wink Martindale?)

5:17pm … tick tick tick tick …

(I like Duncan Hunter … he would make a fantastic Sec. of Defense in Huckabee’s cabinet).

Tancredo answers “stop illegal immigration” no matter what the topic is.

5:19pm … commercial break

5:22pm …

5:23pm … we’re back.

Now on to social security.

First question to Fred (she said that Fred is the only one with specifics on how to address the problems with funding social security and medicare). 1. need growing economy; 2. let people provide for some of their own retirement. 3. index benefits to inflation instead of wages for future retirees. (Apparently he is the only one they’re going to let talk about social security).

5:28pm … tick tick tick tick … back to Mitt

Are unions good for America and answer it as if you are a member of a union?

MH – unions will become more prominent as the economy worsens, because they are the natural result of people saying “i can’t go from a $70,000 job to a $15,000 job and feed my family”. People will feel a need to have unions to protect their jobs and their wages.

5:34pm – still going down the line with the union question

5:35pm – to the auto industry. President Bush said the auto industry needs to produce a product that is relevant, rather than looking to Washington for help. Do you agree?

McCain – Yes, but we need to create a climate where health care costs are under control and social security is stable.

Another question to Fred …

Question to Rudy … 5:38pm. Question about policing the internet (Rudy – we should police the internet, but not tax it).

5:39pm … tick tick tick tick

To complain about the inequality of time and questions given to candidates, call CNBC at 1-877-251-5685

Commercial break, 5:40pm

5:44pm – they ask Huckabee to talk about SCHIP plan in just 30 seconds. The real answer is that individuals must be given the opportunity to control their own health care … not govt controlled, not insurance industry controlled, not business controlled.

Fred’s 30 second question sounds like something I had in Junior High civics class “what is the danger of a weak dollar?”

Will you support the Republican nominee without knowing who they are?

RP – no.

Tom – not if they do not truly carry the foundation of the Rep. party, no.

Sam – yes, I will support the rep. nominee

This is the lightning round … they put the clock on Huckabee, but not on Rudy.

5:52pm

Mitt – will support the nominee of the party. Mitt says this process is like an episode of Law and Order … a huge cast, conflict and Fred shows up at the end.

5:54 pm … “Sen. Thompson, who is the prime minister of Canada?”

UGH! I missed Huckabee’s question! (My basset hound had to go outside … what bad timing!)

Online Poll for who won the debate at: CNBC

Thanks to everybody who “watched” the debate here with me on the blog … it was fun chatting and complaining about airtime with you!

Let’s go out and make this a great “post-debate” for Mike Huckabee!

Kerry