Tonight's MSNBC debate .... notes.......
Huck has picked up the Hunter agenda (resist China, expand our production) along with the Hunter endorsement.

Since this is exactly what I hoped for, I'm thoroughly happy.

Huck on the stimulus:

Most of this stimulus will go to China.

Says: As governor, I built new highways that did more to stimulate my state's economy than any sort of giveaway.

Suggests that improving our interstates, using "American labor, American steel, American concrete", would do a lot more for our country in a permanent way.

Properly reminds us that he saw the economic disaster afflicting most of America before these other Wall Street and Beltway candidates did.

On the question "should we have gone into Iraq", he explains the good reasons for that war much better than Bush ever did. If a Huckabee-quality communicator had been President in 2002, we wouldn't have many of our current problems.

Romney picks up Huckabee's China point, gives him credit, asks Rudy how we should handle China. Rudy goes flatly wrong: takes the time-worn American optimism toward China ("how can we ignore a billion customers?") which has been proved wrong over and over, as this commentary from 1944 demonstrates. In previous years, this dumb optimism only led to repeated disappointment (China wasn't a good export market), but in today's conditions it's suicidal.

McCain asks Huck about the effect of the national sales tax on the poor. It's an obvious softball, and Huck knocked it out of the park ... wonder why McCain asked it? Russert follows up with a tougher question about the numbers; why wouldn't it cause poor folks to pay more? Huck answers with numbers. Not fully convincing, but solid.

Huck asks Romney about 2nd Amendment and assault weapons. Not well asked; doesn't get into the facts about effectiveness of self-defense, which really needed to be mentioned in such a question. Romney gives his universal answer to every question: I'll consult my lawyers.

Later: Rudy pushes hard for nuclear power. Good, even if he's doing it in the context of a full-throated "Credo in unum Gaia."

McCain swears his allegiance to the Goddess [pbuh] in even more detail, and supports High Priest Algore's cap and trade system, which is purely a gift to China. Does his Pascal Wager thing again.


McCain: "...because they know that I'll put my country above my party every single time."

No, sir. Dead wrong. You, Comrade McCain, have stated openly, consistenly and repeatedly that you will put your own personal scruples above the safety of the country; that you will not allow interrogators to stop a pending attack. You have stated that you will allow millions of Americans to die rather than offend your own precious feelings. You have sworn an OATH OF DISLOYALTY to this country, Comrade McCain.

Ron Paul hits the false calibration problem: We really have 10 to 12% inflation, but the fraudulent 'Core Inflation' used for government benefits gives them only a 2% increase.

Russert asks Huck about the solution to Social Security. Huck pulls a cute joke to Romney, then gets specific. Says his national sales tax gives a more reliable funding stream for SS ... Russert scoffs, Huck does the Hunter thing again. Bringing back our industries and productivity is the best way to bring back our economy. Good point in itself, but the question about SS and sales tax never got specifically answered.

[I need to look at the 'Fair Tax' info to see if the numbers really do work out!]

Overall, good questions by Russert, fair treatment of all candidates including Paul.
  ¶ 7:39 PM