 Mike
Huckabee, Ron Paul
Move Up in Polls for
a Reason Say Harvard
StudentsThe New York Times asked real live registered-to-vote college students what they thought of Wednesday night's CNN/YouTube Debate. Much of the talk has been centered around Mike Huckabee performing well (he certainly didn't do much to hurt his chances while frontrunners Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney hurt their chances from the get go). Congressman Ron Paul and Senator John McCain also scored points, or so it seemed. "The real answers are given even more appeal when compared to Romney and Giuliani’s repeated self-plugs ," commented Kristine Beckerle, 18, Rockland County, N.Y., Class of 2011. "Mike Huckabee gave a clear, concise answer to a question from a student he did not necessarily agree with. This is the reason he is gaining ground with voters. He disagreed, but with reason. His entire aura is honest and convicted, and voters respond better to that than the angry, fist-throwing demagogue that Romney is displaying."Sam Novey, 19, Baltimore, Class of 2011 had this to say about the Texas Congressman, Ron Paul:
"Ron Paul showed why
he is the only
candidate who is not
just blowing hot air
about cutting
government spending.
The Department of
Defense and
Entitlements make up
about 75 percent of
the federal budget.
Every debate about
the budget deficit
that is about about
reducing the burden
on taxpayers rather
than politics should
start with these two
issues.
Unfortunately, these
are programs are
politically hard to
cut. But it is pure
political theater to
get up on stage and
crow about how you
will fight tooth and
nail to stop $1
million dollar
earmarks for
congressional
districts but won’t
touch the political
sacred cows of DOD
and entitlements.
Novey made an interesting observation about Duncan Hunter as well: "Duncan Hunter’s spot plays like a used car commercial. I thought he was going to ask me to come get a Jeep Cherokee at his holiday sale." Beckerle shared in the opinion that the strongest candidates during Wednesday night's CNN/YouTube debate were Paul, Huckabee and McCain - not Romney or Giuliani.
"The questions are
becoming specific
and pointed, trying
to force the
candidates to give
real answers. Yet
still Fred Thompson
dodged. But then the
two candidates who
have gained ground
with individual
voters, Huckabee and
Paul, showed exactly
why they appeal.
They were asked for
three programs they
would cut, and they
gave three programs
they would cut, with
explanation. That is
what people want to
hear, an answer with
reason and
knowledge. "Romney and Giuliani both looked like children. Actually, that’s unfair to the youth of this country, who were asking some of the best questions of the night. Clowns maybe? Rabid dogs? "In contrast, I thought Huckabee and McCain really presented themselves well. Huckabee was obviously likable, but he was also calm: there was none of the defensive insecurity that oozed out of the two frontrunners. And McCain projected strength, not the in the “I’m angry and I’ll toss the Mexicans back over the border fastest” style of the others but in a much more dignified sense. He was the adult in the room, who could roll his eyes at their antics and take Romney to school on torture." Katie McCabe, 20, Omaha, Class of 2009 made this observation about Mitt Romney:
"Romney evaded far
too many questions,
especially for a
YouTube debate when
the voters are the
ones do the asking.
He even appeared
defensive at times
when asked for a
follow-up. He seemed
shocked that Cooper
would “dare” to
challenge his
responses (Ex: Do
you believe the
words in the Bible?
“Uh yeah, umm I mean
[insert his prepared
response].” Filed Under: 2008 US Presidential Betting Odds ---- Payton O'Brien, Gambling911.com Senior Editor, POBrien@CostiganMedia.com Originally published November 29, 2007 11:06 am EST |
"Few politicians
have the courage to
take on the budget
in a meaningful way
because it involves
either raising
taxes, or taking on
DOD and
entitlements. Ron
Paul is an outsider
candidate because he
has that courage,
but it is refreshing
to hear someone
seriously take on
the budget in a
presidential debate.
He is the only
candidate in either
party doing that
right now."
"Overall, McCain is
doing a good job in
the debate. He is
calm and when he
goes over his time
limit he does not
speed up or get
excited, he just
continues. Even when
booed he does not
change his tone. His
calm demeanor gives
off a feeling of
control and
confidence that are
essential to a
presidential
candidate."
"Romney was the
governor of a
Democratic state. He
had to compromise,
and in doing so, the
state made great
progress in health
care and
immigration. He has
a decent record. I
just want to tell
him, “For the sake
of consistency,
transparency,
honesty, please just
say a few unpopular
things to preserve
your integrity.”
When Romney gets out
of his head and just
talks about policy
instead of worrying
about embodying the
Republican brand, he
is a force. He could
be the unifying
candidate, but based
on his performance
in this debate, he
is just a
politician."