Republicans Debate
Posted by Michael Link on October 9, 2007 at 11:10 AM
Today at 4pm ET, the Republicans will debate in Dearborn, Michigan. The CNBC/MSNBC/WSJ debate is expected to focus on economic issues, so expect a lot of dodging on their records when it comes to taxes and the deficit.
Michigan is the perfect place for this debate, because the people there know just how tough things are right now:
Michigan leads the nation in unemployment, its 7.4 percent August rate far above the nation's 4.6 percent rate. The state remains the national center for the auto industry, even though it has lost 34 percent of its auto jobs in the past five years, dropping from 275,200 in August 2002 to 181,100 in August 2007, according to the U.S Labor Department.
Here are some highlights on the Republican candidates, thanks to our resource center:
- Under Rudy Giuliani, New York City's debt increased by 52%, by $14.8 billion.
- Mitt Romney earned a "C" on a Cato Institute Fiscal Report Card because he raised $500 million in fees.
- John McCain voted against the repeal of the Estate Tax, then voted for it, then explained how he really opposed it.
- Tancredo co-sponsored legislation that would impose a national sales tax.
- In 2004, Duncan Hunter voted against a bill to redirect tax cuts for those earning over $1 million and direct the $19 billion in savings to education, health, homeland security and debt reduction.
And then there's Fred Thompson, who will have his first presidential debate. Republicans strategists are saying he must "overperform" due to a "real or perceived letdown."
Comments (3) «
If I was to ask them a question it might be thess. As a member of the Quds Force of Iran, are they protected by the Geneva Convention? Or can Bush apply his form of water board interrogation?
Dearborn, MI, where they will be holding the debate has the largest Arab population in the U.S., and the largest Iraqi concentration outside of Baghdad. They also are having sectarian problems. I wonder if the Republicans will address their Party's "kill all the Arabs" rhetoric?
Who is going help the billionaires the most?
Who can most promise to deliver Bush-Reagan deregulation, and supply-side economics to help the Billionaires the most?
I could hear the theme to the Beverly Hill Billy billionaires in the background. Mister Slicks meet Mister Hicks. What a cast, indeed.
Romney played the slick Mr. Drisdale. "I'll just move some of my money into my campaign."
Rudy played the slick competitor banker trying to steal the Clampets from Mr Drisdale.
Thompson was the salesman trying to sell Jefro a used car from the Nixon days. "Look here, boy, it's got new tires and an 8 track player in stereo. That's all you need, Jeffro."
Huckabee acted like he wasn't in the Hill Billy cast cause he didn't want to play forth fiddle. He danced around and tried to hide from his name. He was hoping for an important policy question like how did he lose all that weight, and what's his favorite fruit.
Thompson was the big winner. He had more charisma than an old mule. "Not bad for just getting in" the tv reporters proclaimed. With a little more work, he can have all the charm, character, and charisma as Mr. Ed, the talking horse.
What a field! When people stop donating to them, they can all head over to Branson and put on a new production called "the Beverly Hill Billionaires."
(Banjo music plays as they wave bye on stage.)
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