Tuesday, October 09, 2007

HORSERACE

The Republican Debate in Michigan, Part Four

McCain: I would have asked Americans when we united to serve I would have asked them to consider the military, the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps.

McCain: I'm the only one on this stage who said, four years ago, that this wasn't going to work [not enough troops in Iraq]. Thank God the American people are giving us a little window.

Matthews to Paul: Would we have gone into Iraq if we were so dependent on foreign oil?

Ron Paul: Probably not. Then says it is "mercantilism" and "neo-colonialism."

Brownback gets a little applause for saying the military is doing ""a fabulous job." Touts his campaign event with Joe Biden.

Thompson says that he didn't say that WMDs were in Iraq right before the U.S. invaded, he said that Saddam Hussein had had them. Refers to Israeli strike in the 1980s. "Left to their own devices, he and his sons would have been... developing a nuclear capability." Again, a much better answer than his vague and generic answers on the economic stuff.

Does Bush need authorization to go into Iran? Romney: We'll let the lawyers sort it out. You hope to not have to use military force, and use tougher sanctions. Treat Ahmedinjiad like the thug and buffoon he is.

Matthews asks each, Do you believe the Congress has to authorize a strike on weaponry in Iran?

Hunter: Does not need that if the target is fleeting. Fleeing? If the window is narrow, the president has to take it on his shoulders. If he has time, you want to go Congress.

Ron Paul: Absolutely. This idea of talking to attorneys baffles me. Open up the Constitution and read it!

You know, for Ron Paul is doing pretty good... He gets some applause.

Huckabee: A president has to do whatever is necessary to protect the American people... Never let the American people get hit first.

McCain: Of course you want to get approval. Depends on the scenario. At minimum, consult the leaders of Congress. This may be closer to reality than we are discussing tonight.

Thompson: I think John has it right... I don't think anybody running for president should minimize the powers of the office before he gets there... In any close call, you should go to Congress, because you're going to need the support of the American people. 

Giuliani: Depends on the circumstances. It's desirable to go to Congress.

Giuliani suckerpunches Ron Paul for saying we've never had an imminent attack: "I wonder where he was on September 11th."  This time around, it seems a little less powerful. Ron Paul insists that was a strike on U.S. interests here, instead of overseas. Rudy points it was planned on Afghanistan.

On oil, he says Iran would be a paper tiger if the U.S. were more energy independent. 

10/09 04:51 PMShare