I just watched the Republican Debate in Iowa and it was interesting how many of the candidates are now giving lip service to the Constitution. In what they said, they haven't changed their stances to reflect actually obeying the Constitution but it's just interesting to see that they can no longer just dismiss Ron Paul. They understand that they have to say what he says if they want to stop losing ground.
Ron Paul was given more time in this debate and that was nice. A couple of the candidates don't care what the time clock says and will continue to talk well past the time they have been told to stop.
Many of them also don't answer the questions. This is normal but I have to wonder why the people running the debates allow that to be normal.
I would ask a question and point out that they didn't answer it and I would do it bluntly and move to the next candidate.
I liked the idea of lights so that candidates know when time is running out but I would take it a step further. A yellow light that shows that 15 seconds are left then a red light. Once the red light had been on for 15 seconds, the candidates mic would be turned off.
These ideas seem common sense to me. Sure, these are guys that are used to doing what the want and being in control but a couple things happen here. If it's your debate, claim it as your debate. Maintain control over the situation that you created by bringing them to your house. The other thing that's interesting is that a couple of these guys paid absolutely no heed to the rules that were set up. What does that say about them? Especially the ones that all of the sudden are paying lip service to the Constitution. If they can't follow simple rules, can you expect them to follow a "goddamn piece of paper"?
It was interesting to see the new turn. It was frustrating to watch them take 90 seconds to not answer a question they were given 60 seconds to answer. It reminds me why I don't enjoy politics. A couple of them talked about returning trust to the government but most of these guys are the same ole, same ole. Say what you think the right answer is, do whatever the hell you want to do, come back with spin to explain why you lied, and then do it all again.
Sadly, Ron Paul didn't give a clear answer when he was asked about what he would do about a Congress that would most likely hinder him every chance they had. I wanted to hear his answer. He was getting there saying that people would help but it doesn't get at the core. Congress doesn't represent the people. Congress represents corporations. How do you take a country that was created by the people for the people and give it back to the people? If he is elected, how will he get Congress to renege on the high paying deals they have going for them.
We voted in a new Congress to pull us out of the illegal war. They haven't done it. It doesn't look like they are going to do it. The people have spoken. 70% of us want an end to the war. We voted what we wanted. Poll after poll shows that, seriously, bring the troops home. You represent us. We want them home. Grow a set and bring them home. It hasn't happened. Instead, they are on the verge of handing over $70 billion more dollars with no time line. My favorite pundit line recently is that it's unlikely that Santa is going be giving backbones to Congress this year for Christmas.
Did they all lie to get into office? Maybe but I'll bet that a bunch of them went in with great intentions but things happen behind closed doors to change their minds.
If Ron Paul is elected president and he wants to take much of the control away from the government and give it back to the people, how will he do that? I wanted to hear that answer.
He spent to much time telling people that the Revolution wasn't his idea. We know that. The people that don't know it probably don't care. The official slogan is "Hope for America", I think, but that wasn't the question. The question is how do you change a corrupt system and restore the republic?
Despite my disappointment in that answer, at least it was only the one. In my mind, Mitt Romney epitomizes the stereotypical politician. He looks polished, he talks smooth, he doesn't answer the questions, and he smiles the whole time. A couple of the other candidates pointed it out too which was funny.
"Can you repeat the question? I forgot what it was while Mitt was talking but he sure talks nice, doesn't he?" That's not the direct quote but it was something like that.
Thankfully, that's the last debate for a while. Just like the CNN debate, my main complaint isn't with the candidates. They are doing what they do. Politicking. My complaint is that the people running the campaign let these guys run all over them.
I'll make the same offer that I made to CNN. If anyone is going to run a debate and wants someone who will stand up to the candidates and make them answer the question or mock them for evading the question, I have a lot of training in interviews and interrogation (without the use of waterboarding) and would be happy to donate my services.
I will do what the American people expect you to do as a journalist. Get answers.
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