If you missed the debate last night, you missed a pretty good one. Once again, Romney and Newt went after each other, but, it was warranted. Each of them have been running ads against the other and they had an opportunity to call each other out on them. Rick Santorum tried to play peace maker and get the debate back on track.
Mitt Romney had a good debate. Newt has attacked Romney lately in Florida ads over his Cayman accounts and his Swiss accounts. It is proven that Romney has broken no laws with his taxes or investments, so the attacks were baseless. Romney was finally able to stand up for his success with his head held high. How have we gotten to a point in this Country where we are willing to demonize someone for personal success? Isn't that what the American dream is all about? Romney made his own money. He didn't inherit his fortune. How is that wrong? As his fortune has grown, he has invested millions and millions of dollars into our economy.
Romney also scored big against Newt about immigration. Newt accused Romney of being anti-immigrant. Romney clarified his stance on legal and illegal immigration, and pointed out where Newt's accusation was incorrect.
Newt Gingrich had what may have been his worst debate to date. He seemed to spend most of the evening on his heels. Another new development last night was how few mentions there were by Newt of Ronald Reagan. With all the recent stories coming out minimizing Newt's actual influence in the Reagan presidency, he appears to have felt the heat. He mentioned Reagan about 3 times. In past debates that number would have been 15+. He did stand his ground on the Regan issue, and he has received some endorsements from Regan insiders.
Newt lost points by trying to attack Romney for having investments in FreddieMac and FannieMae. Romney actually does have those investments, but so does Newt. You and I might have those same investments. Romney has an investment portfolio that is managed by someone else, much like our 401k. He has no control over which mutual funds this investment manager buys and sells.
Rick Santorum had a good debate. He showed a lot of passion. He scored big attacking Romney on the RomneyCare/obamacare. Santorum made some good points. How is Romney going to stand up on a stage and debate obama on the health care issue when Romneycare was a model for obamacare.
I also like Santorum's stand on Cuba. obama talks about normalizing relations with Cuba even though Cuba is committing the same human rights violations that got them sanctioned in the first place. Appeasement isn't going to improve the lives of the Cuban people.
Ron Paul had a good debate. Like always, his ideas and opinions on fiscal policy are outstanding. At every debate he claims that he would cut $1 TRILLION dollars from the budget in the first year. I believe him. Actually, I don't think it would be that difficult for someone that really tried. There is so much waste, fraud and abuse that $1 TRILLION would be the tip of the iceberg.
Ron Paul talked about his ideas for dealing with Cuba. I had to disagree. Again, appeasement isn't going to help the Cuban people who suffer daily.
Like always, this is just my take. If you want to add anything or have a different opinion, feel free to voice it in the comments...
Free trade and open communication isn't appeasement. It is what will help the Cuban people the most and will bring down the Castros quicker than anything else.
ReplyDeleteChris, you don't think trade with Cuba would put more money directly into the pockets of the castro regime? Many in the Cuban community of Florida would not want us doing anything to support castro and his goons.
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