Here is my run-down of the Republican presidential debate hosted by Fox News on May, 15, 2007. I hope this will help you in your quest for finding the right candidate to support. And please, I would love to hear your viewpoints as well, so feel free to leave your opinion about all the drama that unrolled during the first exciting GOP debate for this year.

Rep. Ron Paul of Texas: [Again... My favorite!] Started out by quoting Ronald Reagan saying that he was a larger man by admitting he made a mistake in Lebanon. Reagan’s mindset was changed when he witnessed the irrationality of the Middle Eastern politics and thought process, and he would not do that again. Ron Paul declares that we need the courage of another Ronald Reagan. Mentions that before 9/11, we had all the information needed to handle that situation, but it was inefficiency that caused the problems with the communications. Then gave the republicans a hard time for adding more bureaucracy to try to correct it, which everyone knows creates more inefficiency [I like the irony on that one]. Adding more bureaucracy is not conservative so he wants to cut Homeland Security spending.

He mentions again that he is against the policy of policing the world, and wants to bring back the message of the founding fathers on a non-intervention foreign policy, non-nation building and being friends with other countries. Then goes into a beautiful speech about [the real truth] how our meddling in the Middle Eastern countries is what caused all the tension and conflict between us and them. Bottom line, our Middle Eastern foreign intervention is what lead to 9/11. After Guilliani attacked him for saying this, he then explains blow-back: When we go around coercing and meddling with other nations believing that we can do whatever we want with no accountability or consequences, we will eventually feel the effect of it. After he finishes the whole panel goes crazy, all talking at the same time, and they all want 30 seconds to rip on this perspective. [Video included below article]

Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas: Brownback wants to pull people together in the policy of Iraq. Likes the idea of a tri-state style nation. Wants to lower gas pricing by drilling more at home — like ANWR (an Alaskan Wildlife Preservation Site). Plus, with the use of Bio-Diesel production in Iowa, he thinks he should be able to significantly lower gas prices and become energy independent by 2022 [he mentions nothing about forcing car manufacturers to raise their average mile per gallon though. Could he be afraid of pushing on car manufacturing corporations?].

Asked, “How would you explain to a rape victim that she would have to compound their circumstance by carrying the product of the rape to term with no availability of abortion?” His answer, “The basic question remains is the child in the womb a person… if it is a person then it needs to be carried to term. He wants to explain to the rape victim that it is a beautiful child of God and how it will not make the woman any better to abort it. [Note: He was saying all this with a slight happy facial expression... kind of creepy actually.]

Finally, when asked about war because of a domestic attack he stated, “[I] Would not go to the United Nations in the situation when American lives have been lost in regards to war. Then Brownback asked, “What is more important, American lives or how we are perceived in the world?” He then declares American lives are a higher priority then our perception to the world [Does he not understand that a serious negative perception can cause more American lives lost? It is quite the conundrum.].

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani: New York, New York, New York… They will and have followed us here. He then uses the Fort Dix terrorists as an example of following us here [although this is a horrible example because this was easily thwarted. Anyways, who in the hell plans to attack a military fort of soldiers and stock piled with all the most advanced weaponry within the very complex. These were idiots that were not tied to anything. They allegedly saw some al Qaeda training videos and got inspired. This is not "them" following us here.].

On the issue of governmental spending, Rudy is the man for the job because controlling spending in New York is easier than Washington. Although he brought me back by mentioning in reference to having government in a person’s private medical life, he wants to allow a woman the choice by not pushing government into their decision on abortion. Another interesting sound bite before the big finale was it sounds like he is for some type of amnesty for illegal immigrants.

The real entertainment began after Ron Paul gives his speech about our involvement in the Middle East, our occupation with building of all our military bases, and it causing their hatred towards America, and that lead to 9/11, Rudy said that it is absurd. After a small pause, he receives a tremendous applause while he gives this look of absolute disgust. Then continues with, “I am going to ask the congressman [Paul] to withdraw that statement, and say that he didn’t really mean it.” Obviously, Ron Paul does not back down and explains the “blow-back” scenario.

Lastly, on a question about torture and a hypothetical situation of domestic terror events, he said he would support any method that is available to get the information about future attacks from the arrested individuals that were known to be involved. Then says besides torture everything should be used, but after questioned, he supported water boarding. [Then a huge applause after the water boarding being mentioned. What a scary audience.]

Rep. Duncan Hunter of California: Wants to deal with China and their imbalance of trade. Recognizes that too many American jobs have been lost to China. Wants to zero the manufacturing tax on American manufacturers. Again he mentioned his involvement with illegal immigration by saying, he built the California/Mexico fence that was signed by Bush, and how he drew up a bill that extends it to Texas. On the question about torture and a hypothetical situation of domestic terror events with the addition of, “What if there was an African country that was involved and was housing the terrorists, basically “attack”! was his answer.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona: McCain starts off in McCain fashion by sticking with Iraq until we are done. “I’ll be the last man standing [in Iraq]!” Believes the republicans lost the 2006 elections NOT because of the war in Iraq, but because of the Republicans high spending habits [WHAT?!]. Stands strong on not being too narrow minded on conservativism, and wants to reach across the aisle to work with the Democrats. Then right after mentions radical islam again instills a little fear for good measure.

With reference to Tancredo’s mentioning of him sponsoring a bill giving amnesty to illegal immigration, he says that is incorrect, and he would never give them amnesty. A question of torture came up, and he conveys that he does not support torture as he understands how it is not productive. Then McCain backs up that these enhanced interrogation techniques are by definition, torture.

Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado: Starts off with Iraq by saying, “We have to understand that we are going to be in Iraq, or at least the region for a long time. Our national interests dictate that.” Then says that the only department the government needs to spend on is National Defense. One of the moderators mentions that Illegal immigration is the center piece for his campaign, then the moderator mentions that McCain, Romney, Guilliani are soft on illegal immigration… Tancredo answers by saying McCain sponsored a bill giving amnesty to illegal immigrants and wants to have America work with Mexico on the border fence creation.

On the issue of global warming, Tancredo mentions that for every one scientist that says it exists, there is one that says it does not. [Which is a lie by the way.] But, does say that he wants to move away from oil products because it is a security problem. On the popular question about torture and a hypothetical situation of domestic terror events, he says when we are under attack, all theories that go behind our American policy go out the window because we are the only hope of Western civilizations [he basically says that torture is good to go]. If we go down, Western civilization goes down in all. [I don't get why these guys think that we are the only existence of democracy, and that we are the only beacon of light in the world. Have they ever been in another country that they were not bombing?]

Former governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts: With regards to leaving Iraq: “Those kind of circumstances that you would suggest [any circumstance in which the US would leave Iraq unstable] would be projecting failure.” He then proceeds to push an agenda of fear with everything he mentions is either untrue or highly unlikely. Wants to make it clear that he will not raise taxes and will cut the fat with government employment. Then, he gets on the bandwagon of wanting to work hard on pushing abstinence. Asked, “What would you say to someone that has lost a family member because of a illegal abortion due to a law that made abortions illegal?” His answer, “[Hmm, well he didn't answer, but what he did say is, 'the courts should not make the decision, the people should -- now I really don't know what that meant.]” Wants to give the illegal immigrants the ability to apply for citizenship, but they have to go back to their home country first.

On the question about torture and a hypothetical situation of domestic terror events, Mitt says that he wants all the people involved to be shipped out to Guantanamo Bay, so they have no access to lawyers or other domestic rights. Then mentions that instead of closing Guantanamo, he wants to double the size… and beef up the enhanced interrogation techniques to be used for gathering information from detainees [and I am assuming he included water boarding which is considered torture by the way.].

Lastly he decides to scare the hell out of me with the fact that he supports and agrees with the “No Child Left Behind”… he says he likes the standardized testing [obviously not observing the fact that the policy is a failure.]

Former governor Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin: [Preamble: did not get that much air time] Eliminate: Cut all agency spending to 95% of what it was the prior year, cut CDC spending. On the question about torture and a hypothetical situation of domestic terror events with the addition of, “What if there was an African country that was involved and was housing the terrorists, “Go in with all the power necessary” was his answer. Then mentions that any country that is anti-American and has terrorists should be aggressively handled with all the power and force of the United States.

Former governor Jim Gilmore of Virginia: Iran: Will you support a pre-emptive strike? Gilmore wants to “discuss” what it means for Iran to have nuclear weapon capabilities [pushing FEAR!]. The American public needs to understand about the tough decision when we may have to in fact strike. He thinks that some of the republican candidates were too liberal in considering themselves conservative. Gave Giulliani a hard time about being pro-choice, Romney a hard time about health care, Huckabee raised taxes… these guys aren’t real conservatives.

Former governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas: Wants to enable Fair Tax. Made a joke about John Edwards… “We had a congress spending money like Edwards at a beauty shop! [Massive Applause!] Talks about being pro-life then interjects for comparison the radical islamists who want to kill us celebrate death. Conveyed that the world is very dangerous. Believes that America should be a different America because of 9/11.

Video of Ron Paul speaking the truth about our foreign policy. This is real, and he is speaking for the truth, not for accumulating votes.

Are you a clear, consistent conservative? I hope not! But, this was the most popular and the seemingly most important question. Why am I against this stubborn conservativism? Well, being conservative isn’t always the best answer, but when you are trying to stand for this ultra-narrow conservative stance, you end up ignoring truths and distorting perspectives. Don’t get me wrong, there are many cases where I think being conservative is good, even great at times, but we all should take into consideration all the facts before deciding just to take the conservative route.

My next complaint of most of these candidates is how they claim to be “always” conservative, but are they? They sure seem liberal with military bureaucracy , military spending, sacrificing soldiers lives and the use of force in regards to foreign policy. In my opinion, this is one of the most important areas to be conservative and to take a more thoughtful, mindful approach. Well, I say Ron Paul all the way… now let me go cry since he has not a chance in hell. Unless, the American people stand up and declare that this kind of politician is the future of this dying country. What do you say?
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For more general information and photos of all the GOP presidential candidates see Wikipedia.org.