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The Spectacle Blog
On the merits, the 999 portion of this debate should be devastating for Herman Cain. The plan is not holding up well under scrutiny, which is why it is already being changed. Cain can point to no other analysis but one commissioned by his own campaign to support some of his central contentions about the plan. Cain seemed irritated under fire. Yet if the primary electorate has begun to deeply sympathize with Cain, there could be some backlash against the entire Republican field ganging up on him in that fashion.
Rick Santorum has challenged Mitt Romney on health care more effectively than anyone else in the GOP field. By getting Romney to once again defend the principle of the individual mandate, the exchange revealed how similar Obamacare and Romneycare are on the issue where Obamacare is politically and constitutionally most vulnerable. Romney will be reduced to arguing that he didn’t cut Medicare, which will bite him when he talks entitlement reform. This will be trouble in a general election.
Rick Perry, though turning in a better performance than usual, did not have the same luck in his immigration exchange with Romney. He does not have the record to back up his immigration attacks. And he is not as a good a debater Romney. The normally passionless Romney showed some real fire when going after Perry. He must have been pretending the Texas governor was Shannon O’Brien.
Ron Paul correctly pointed out that spending is a tax in itself, the real driver of government’s costs. He deftly mentioned his plan to cut $1 trillion in spending, which sadly isn’t getting enough attention tonight.
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More Blog Posts by W. James Antle, III
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/10/18/the-debate-so-far
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Clip of the Day
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Clint| 10.18.11 @ 9:08PM
Rick Perry Attempted To Nail Romney For Illegal Aliens Working For A Contractor On Romney's Property,While Perry Gave In State Tuition To Illegal Aliens.
It Looked Like A Cat Fight .
Meow, Hissssss !
Margie| 10.18.11 @ 10:36PM
"On the merits, the 999 portion of this debate should be devastating for Herman Cain. The plan is not holding up well under scrutiny, which is why it is already being changed."
You WISH it would be devastating, but honest men do honest business. Herman Cain is honest.
If there are changes, an honest man isn't ashamed to make them.
Clint| 10.19.11 @ 1:23AM
Cain's 9-9-9 Is A Joke, Joke, Joke.
The Candidates Patted Cain On The Head & Told Him "No Sale ".
Mike 3/505| 10.18.11 @ 10:43PM
Cain didn't show irritation. He was level and well considered in his responses. 999 may have some issues, but he defended it well tonight, against repetitive attacks.
Regards,
Mike
Margie| 10.18.11 @ 11:03PM
Very true words, well said!
bluecollarbytes| 10.18.11 @ 10:43PM
It's been obvious all along that Herman Cain's 999 couldn't stand, which is why I've been waiting and hoping for his pre-999 plans.
I believe Cain to be the most serious about fiscal matters than any other candidate. Reckless fiscal policy with virtually no regard for 'tomorrow' led the way into our current sputtering. If not 999, we still need a more sweeping approach to fixing what's broke than what I hear from the other candidates.
in order it was'
Cain- even suffering under the weight of 999
Newt- we could do worse
Romney-it would be worse, but at least he knows
hedge funds
Santorum- needs seasoning to take the sharp edges off, and get a handle on to many details swamping your message
Bachmann- 'foreclosure moms' won't win you the nomination
oh yes, then Paul...great stuff/horrible stuff
bluecollarbytes| 10.18.11 @ 10:47PM
ahem....perry, that other guy next to Romney. implode already
Dave B| 10.19.11 @ 12:38AM
May I offer a perspective that I have not heard nor seen on this issue with Romney? I believe this will have the opposite effect than what is being bantered about. Conservatives will demand that Obamacare be repealed... Romney is SAYING that and of all the candidates will almost be compelled to do it forthwith if, for no other reason, as payback for being nominated and elected. "Moderates" and liberals are deflated in their argument that Obama cares about people and Romney doesn't because Romney tried in on the state level as governor. Massachusetts people know (I'm one) that Romney was trying to apply a business solution to a problem we had with freeloaders flocking to our state to get the best doctors and hospital care in the world and as a taxpayer I knew he was trying to do something about the fact that I was paying for it and they weren't.
bluecollarbytes| 10.19.11 @ 8:56AM
I expect Any candidate with a real chance at the nomination to repeal obamscare if elected.
Romney is not leading this. The people are, just as they did in rejecting amnesty legislation a few years ago.
I accept though that Romney just gave liberal Massachusetts what it wanted.
martin j smith| 10.19.11 @ 7:43AM
One planb that has not yet been implemented does not make o break a candidate. But, a policy that has been implemented and shown to be destructive that can be a deal breaker. And, a polciy that pouts this nation in danger thru isolation is a dngerous one indeed.
Having said that--It is a long way to Tiporaree ( or however it is spelled )--Oh and that means the time to decide on the nominee in case there is any confusion.
Stefan Stackhouse| 10.19.11 @ 9:41AM
Here's a message for the candidates (and the pundits): When you attack a proposal for change and don't offer your own counterproposal, then what you are implying is that you are defending the status quo. It is a fair question to ask "why?", and that is a question that should actually be asked.
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