Thursday, July 26, 2007
Hot Air » Blog Archive » Disaster: GOP may bail on September CNN YouTube debate; Update: Ruffini responds to Hewitt
Hot Air » Blog Archive » Disaster: GOP may bail on September CNN YouTube debate; Update: Ruffini responds to Hewitt:
While the format of the YouTube debate may have been over played in terms of how new and revolutionary it was, it does give a voice to the public that it hasn't had in the past. I think that it would be a sad mistake for the republicans to skip this debate, it would be bad for the republicans and it would be bad for America. For the Democratic debate, over 3000 questions were submitted, and only about 30 were shown during the debate. Either you don't trust that 30 questions will be found that can make it a fair debate, or you don't trust CNN to select them.
I think the point is well made about the Democrats not appearing for the Fox debate, it showed a weakness on their part. If the Republicans do not appear for the CNN/YouTube debate it will show a similar weakness on their part.
"The debate Monday night was no worse than the three previous ones and even if
it hadn’t been, having to endure two hours of talking snowmen is worth it given
the endless mileage the Democrats would get from them skipping out. “The GOP
can’t face the people, the GOP can’t handle unorthodox questions, the GOP has no
sense no fun” — it’s a PR disaster in the making. Although I’m not surprised
it’s Rudy who’s leading the way. Formats that don’t lend themselves to pat
answers aren’t his strong suit."
While the format of the YouTube debate may have been over played in terms of how new and revolutionary it was, it does give a voice to the public that it hasn't had in the past. I think that it would be a sad mistake for the republicans to skip this debate, it would be bad for the republicans and it would be bad for America. For the Democratic debate, over 3000 questions were submitted, and only about 30 were shown during the debate. Either you don't trust that 30 questions will be found that can make it a fair debate, or you don't trust CNN to select them.
I think the point is well made about the Democrats not appearing for the Fox debate, it showed a weakness on their part. If the Republicans do not appear for the CNN/YouTube debate it will show a similar weakness on their part.
Daily Kos: Thompson, GOP savior, has only raised about $3 million?
Daily Kos: Thompson, GOP savior, has only raised about $3 million?:
There are a number of things that might explain the low funding. One could be that he hasn't joined the race yet and maybe people are not sure he will. The funding could increase when and if he joins.
On the other hand I think that the truth is that with a few exceptions the shine is rubbing off and people are starting to see that he is not the outsider that he has tried show Americans. He is a lobbyist who was close to Libby and Nixon among others, he has few news ideas that would make him stand out from the other candidates that are already in the race.
I would rather see Thompson drop out of the race he hasn't even joined and McCain to be given a boost as a result.
"Sources close to the presumptive campaign tell NBC News that Fred Thompson's
fundraising is down 'markedly.' One claimed it has 'slowed down big-time.' The
pace is described as a consequence of the delayed announcement to enter the
race.
'The Friends of Fred, Inc.' will report to the IRS its revenue by July
31st. Sources reveal to NBC News that number will be in the range of about $3
million. Five million dollars had been the talked-about June goal. Sources
describe an early burst of donations in June and say the summer fundraising has
fallen off. While additional fundraisers are planned, sources say the scheduling
of fundraisers was 'frozen' for a time while the team was going through some
internal strains. "
There are a number of things that might explain the low funding. One could be that he hasn't joined the race yet and maybe people are not sure he will. The funding could increase when and if he joins.
On the other hand I think that the truth is that with a few exceptions the shine is rubbing off and people are starting to see that he is not the outsider that he has tried show Americans. He is a lobbyist who was close to Libby and Nixon among others, he has few news ideas that would make him stand out from the other candidates that are already in the race.
I would rather see Thompson drop out of the race he hasn't even joined and McCain to be given a boost as a result.
Captain's Quarters
Captain's Quarters: John Doe Protection Restored?
I think this is going to make America stronger, and will embolden people to speak up when they see something that they think would be a threat to our country.
"A last-minute press by Republicans in a conference committee may have
restored protection for national-security tipsters against litigation, according
to the Associated Press. The conference report for the stalled security bill has
not yet been released, but it appears to have been salvaged for political
expediency, as Democrats have despaired of getting anything accomplished this
year:"
I think this is going to make America stronger, and will embolden people to speak up when they see something that they think would be a threat to our country.
New Life For Mideast Peace Process?
Captain's Quarters: New Life For Mideast Peace Process?
This sounds like a good move forward in the process. I don't know if Israel is going to be willing to give up land that it feels is important for its security though. In the long term I think that the trade will help Israel more than it will hurt it. The weapons of today and tomorrow are not going to be fired from the Golan Heights, but from hundreds of miles away. The weapons that Israel is and will be facing more of in the future are weapons of mass destruction. If giving back land can undermine the power of the groups that lie on its borders Israel wins. More so, the enemies of the state of Israel are not on its borders as much as they used to be. It would be better to focus on Iran, and allow Hamas to take Gaza, than to not be able to focus on Iran because of a war with Hamas.
"Arab League envoys paid a historic visit to Israel on Wednesday to present a
plan calling for a comprehensive regional settlement, saying they were extending
'a hand of peace' on behalf of the Arab world.
The one-day visit by the foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan marked the first time the 22-member group has sent representatives to Israel. The Arab League peace plan envisions full recognition of Israel in return for an Israeli withdrawal from lands captured in
the 1967 Middle East war.
The visit highlights a dramatic change of direction for the Arab body, which actively pursued Israel's destruction after the Jewish state was created in 1948. The league refused to recognize Israel for decades afterward and suspended Egypt in 1979 for a decade after it become the first Arab state to make peace."
This sounds like a good move forward in the process. I don't know if Israel is going to be willing to give up land that it feels is important for its security though. In the long term I think that the trade will help Israel more than it will hurt it. The weapons of today and tomorrow are not going to be fired from the Golan Heights, but from hundreds of miles away. The weapons that Israel is and will be facing more of in the future are weapons of mass destruction. If giving back land can undermine the power of the groups that lie on its borders Israel wins. More so, the enemies of the state of Israel are not on its borders as much as they used to be. It would be better to focus on Iran, and allow Hamas to take Gaza, than to not be able to focus on Iran because of a war with Hamas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
