What should Fox ask the GOP candidates tonight?
5:15pm Eastern update.
As promised, here’s a sample of the questions you want asked…
John Ansell: “Will they refuse campaign donations from La Raza?”
Jose: “If incursions by Iran are not acceptable, why are ones from Mexico?”
Aloha Guy: “Which side are you on in the DC gun control case?”
Desert Lover: “Will you support illegal immigration laws like those passed in Oklahoma and Arizona at the National Level?”
“Would you support a CO2 emissions reduction program that penalized people or businesses for driving their car or using electricity?”
“Name $500 billion in government programs you’d work to exterminate.”
Sgt Tim: “As President, what Constitutional Rights would you direct our troops to advise OBL of should they capture him this side of hell?”
***
The Fox News GOP debate in South Carolina begins tonight at 9pm Eastern. The stakes are high. Ron Paul will be included this time around, so look for questions about the newsletters the blogosphere has been buzzing about the past few days. Here are the latest poll numbers: “McCain is now the front-runner with 25 percent, followed by Iowa caucus winner Huckabee at 18 percent and Romney at 17 percent. The results for all three top candidates are within the survey’s margin of sampling error. Fred Thompson, who is from the neighboring state of Tennessee, captures the support of 9 percent, while Rudy Giuliani and Ron Paul both receive 5 percent.”
After watching so many of these debates, we know what works and what doesn’t work. Focused, incisive questions–with focused, incisive follow-ups–work. Pre-taped video questions and reporter packages that eat up airtime don’t work. Setting up head-to-head conflicts between specific candidates–and allowing them to engage each other directly–works. Giving the candidates any time–30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, whatever–to recycle stump talking points/opening statements/closing statements doesn’t work. Catching the candidates off-guard works. Asking the same, retread questions that have been asked in every other debate doesn’t work.
What do you think Fox should ask the GOP candidates? Immigration is a huge issue, of course, in South Carolina. With the exception of the driver’s license question that Hillary botched, we haven’t had a truly illuminating discussion of the issue in these debates. Last weekend’s debates handled the issue poorly. The candidates were allowed to bloviate and spew platitudes about amnesty without pointed follow-ups. I mentioned the Mexican incursion report this morning as good fodder for questioning. I think Huckabee’s enticement of the Mexican consular office to Arkansas and the widespread penetration of illegal alien consular cards deserves tough scrutiny. Laura Ingraham exposed his shuck-and-jive routine on the cards last month:
Partial transcript:
LG: You didn’t come out against [the Mexican] consulate issuing consular ID cards though, did you?
MH: I actually signed a bill in 2005 that prohibited people from getting a driver’s license who were illegal–
LG: –that’s not answering the question, governor. I understand that. But that’s not answering the question. Because I’m staying on this consulate issue. On the issue of the Mexican consulate, did you or did you not oppose the Mexican consulates issuing ID cards that are then used by illegal aliens to open bank accounts and get a number of other social services beyond health care and beyond education in the United States.
MG: Well, what I want to do is fix this entire problem by having sealed borders.
As I noted last month, that’s not much of a “fix” if he’s inviting foreign consulates to rent out space for $1 a year to hand out bogus illegal alien ID cards so more immigration laws can be broken.
McCain should be hammered on shamnesty. Not just his flips and flops and the definition of shamnesty, but the profane, arrogant, contemptuous, scheming, debate-suppressing, amendment cherry-picking, process by which he wanted the shamnesty bill rammed through last year. Why has he been left off the hook for scheming with Reid and Kennedy on the “Grand Bargain” strategy? Doesn’t anyone remember?
All the candidates should be asked quick yes-or-no border security/immigration enforcement policy questions:
- Should the government continue to provide funding to cities that adopt sanctuary policies or not?
- Should illegal alien ID cards issued by foreign consulates continue to be acceptable in the face of strong opposition from homeland security and law enforcement experts?
- Do they support or oppose the expansion of the federal employer verification system being challenged by the ACLU?
- Do they support or oppose efforts to train local law enforcement officers to enforce immigration law?
- Do they support or oppose current federal DREAM Act legislation?
Yes or no. Simple.
Looking to other topics that have received little coverage in other debates, I’d also like to see the candidates be forced to go on record supporting or opposing the Bush/Hillary housing bailout efforts. What should be done to “solve” the “crisis?”
You know what I’d like to hear:
I’ve also mentioned Huckabee, Gitmo, and the ACLU as good fodder for questioning.
Romney should be pressed on RomneyCare. See Jonathan Adler’s NRO comment.
Send your suggestions for original questions or leave them in comments and I’ll post the best ones by 5:00pm Eastern tonight.
See what others have said
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Which of you actually read and propose following the constitution?
I believe Dr. Paul is the only one.
Will they refuse campaign donations from La Raza?
Most of the candidates are just promising more of the same government prescription: jiggling with taxes, entitlements and trade but effectively nothing is being changed. To change it might mean some of the big contributor/benefactors might have to settle for a 15% return on their investment rather than 50%.
FOX News ought to use the numbers you posted this morning on the Mexican military incursions against the US and ask them point blank “what would you as President do upon taking office against Mexico’s unstated war with the US”.
Which one of you would be willing to sign a document that states you promise to secure the borders, keep the tax cuts and DESTROY IRAN!!!…I’m of the firm belief that the third one would be most important. I would also suggest the ryder to this document would be to make it legal to have anyone caught protesting something as irrelevant as the weather soundly beaten.
Question to McCain:
Senator, what is your take on the mortgage meltdown that is taking place? I ask that because you were a member of the Keating Five S&L crisis twenty years ago.
You do remember Charles Keating don’t you, Senator? After all you received numerous campaign contributions. Was there any quid pro quo? The Senate reprimanded you on ethics violations.
Keating…? I bet that’ll sting.
1. How do you plan to balance the budget?
2. How do you plan to restore the value of the dollar against other currencies?
3. Is the military sufficiently strong to deal with multiple situations that may arise? If not, how would you strengthen it?
4. Do you feel that Pakistan has been effective in stopping Al Qaeda and the Taliban from crossing the Afghan border and attacking our forces? If not, what would you do in response?
- Ask each candidate how they will deal with a dhimmi-led congress (which is a real possibility)
- Ask RP about the newsletters.
- Confront McCain about his liberal stand on immigration this summer, and why we should ever believe him again.
- Ask each candidate about possible picks for their cabinet positions.
- What is each candidate looking for in a running mate?
- If Israel is attacked, how will each candidate respond?
- What is each candidates opinion on the UN?
- Which dhimmi candidate are each hoping to run against?
- and hope NOT to run against?
- If there is an opening on SCOTUS, which sitting judge would be your model for a replacement?
- What are each candidates views on MSM leaks of classified/confidential information? What repercussions would they like to see?
Enough for now…
Just have them use you’re list michelle and were good to go. Have them answer those and I’d be happy, as long as they answer them and not do the snoppy dance all around em.
Here are a few off the top of my head:
- Will you secure our Southern border with a physical barrier to deter illegal immigrants from crossing into the US?
- Will you aggressively go after U.S. employers that employ illegal aliens?
- Will you take action to prevent armed Mexican personnel from violating our sovereignty by crossing our Southern border?
- Will you direct the Office of Homeland Security to aggressively seek out and deport illegal immigrants?
- Will you exhaust all means at your disposal to end the catch-and-release approach to criminal illegal aliens that reoffend upon their return to society?
Ok. I’ll shut up, for now.
I have one question for every candidate:
Do you think government is the solution or the problem?
My questions:
1. How do you plan to cut spending and/or lower taxes?
2. How do you plan to hold the government accountable for fiscal responsibility?
3. How do you plan to secure our borders against illegal immigrants and potential terrorists?
4. How do you plan to continue the War on Terror, and how will you correct the missteps of the Bush administration?
5. How are you a *true* conservative, one who not only reflects and proclaims the beliefs of genuine conservatives but practices those beliefs through your political career?
6. What would your administration do to secure the First Amendment rights of those who disagree with liberal social policies and lifestyles (abortion, same-sex marriage) and guarantee Americans the right to free expression of religion and free speech?
Given the utter disgrace Bill Clinton brought upon the United States presidency with his adultery what will you do to help restore the integrity of the presidency?
questions posed by #4 and #6 are good starts. ask huck where did you come up with your new stance on immigration? why do you have your minions attack Romney negatively but then cry foul when Romney provides a parallel on his and your records? why the clintonian methodology of campaigning?
to john mccain and huckabee why are you both running from your records on fiscal conservativism? john, why does rick santorum state in the senate you pushed against social conservative measures coming to the floor? suppressing the social conservative legilsation?
john, how is that your bipartisan always cost the conservatives? they gave the concessions and liberals didn’t so the legislation was positively a liberal piece of legislation? isn’t that really sabotage of the conservative platform? sabotage through subterfuge or as the liberal media calls it being a ‘maverick’?
english queen says it best!!
Pull a Russert and dig up all the pro-amnesty quotes of the leading candidates from this last year.
For example:
Flanked and supported by movie strongman Chuck Norris, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee told a roomful of Washington reporters Thursday that he will defend his effort to educate the children of illegal immigrants “even if it costs me the election.”
for John McCain: When you and Russ Feingold colluded to subvert the Constitution by passing the McCain-Feingold Incumbent Protection Act, did it’s passing embolden you to begin your next scheme of permanently opening the borders and destroying the United States?
One more question:
5. Will you block the influx of Saudi and other foreign money aimed at propagating extremist forms of Islam?
Boxers or briefs?
Sorry.
When did Tennessee become a neighboring state to South Carolina?
To all candidates:
Do you think that the death penalty in a general sense was intended to be covered by the 8th amendment’s clause forbidding “cruel and unusual punishment”?
1. Please explain in 50 words or less what a dollar bill is and how it is best spent.
2. If you were president, would you have blown the five Iranian fast boats to hell instead of saying, “If it had been anyone other than Iran……?”
3. Is the Second Amendment an individual right, a collective right of the state or something you’ll play games with in order to steal some more votes?
Do you think border patrol agents should be sent to prison for doing their jobs?
Do you think Johnny Sutton is the one U.S. attorny that should be fired?
nbarry said (#8):
This formulation of the question will get the answer: “Ronald Reagan proved that lowering taxes creates jobs that grow the economy. I will keep taxes low and veto unnecessary spending.” This, of course, is malarkey.
If you want an honest answer, you have to ask more specifically:
Question: Is federal spending too high?
Answer: (all agree) yes.
Question: Besides elimination of waste, which specific federal programs should be reduced and by how much?
Only Ron Paul will give an honest answer.
Since most of these big government adherents believe in a living constitution, which is really the only way you can kill it by making it ALIVE, I really wonder if the commentators will delve into it or merely brush up against a few of the more popular issues?
between BarryF and englishqueen those are the best ?’s to ask in my opinion
Mitt, why did you appoint so many liberal democrat judges (64%)?
Several weeks ago on “Meet The Press”, Mitt Romney indicated his desire to ban “weapons of unusual lethality”. Could he please define this term, and does this mean that he does not agree that the Second Amendment guarantees the right to keep and bear arms?
oh enlightened one what would those answers be lgm?
meatpie and lgm agree on Ron Paul. HMMMM?
My question?
Can I get my money back?
I whole heartedly agree!
To Huckabee and McCain: Last Sunday, Chris Wallace interviewed Gov. Romney on Fox News Sunday. He asked:
You have both pledged to wage a “positive” campaign focused on the issues. How does an alliance like this, or even talk of an alliance like this by Huckabee’s campaign manager, Ed Rollins, no less - square with that pledge?
Some more:
- What are your views on a ‘national ID card’?
- Do you propose any changes to the tax system? (eg. Flat Tax)
- Will you intercede to allow additional fuel refineries and nuclear plants to be built?
- If concrete evidence that Iran is producing nuclear weapons comes to light, what should be the US response?
- A minor child is a citizen by birth, but from illegal parents. The parents are arrested, convicted and due for deportation. No other relatives are in the US. What should happen (to the child and parents)?
QUESTION: WHAT IS YOUR INCIVISE PLAN TO DEFEAT THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE? I’M YELLING BECAUSE NOBODY SEEMS TO BE HEARING US……..
… and just what would you actually DO to achieve your stated goal to “take Romney out”?
Do you support the taking away of all federal funding assistance for sanctuary cities? If not, does this mean you believe that states, cities and individuals can pick and choose which laws they want to obey?
Do you believe that the NEA is a problem? If so, how would you deal with the problem?
I want Fox to ask Huckleberry, why are you a two-faced piece of pond scum?
Should officials that help illegal aliens be charged with aiding and abetting criminals?
Other than yourself whom do you think is most qualified for President?
When the elites in NY decided that we were fortunate enough that they even mentioned the South on Tee Vee, it didn’t really matter whether or not they had maps in the newsroom.
I personally believe that New Yorkers are dumber than Miss South Carolina as she has the maps to show her that South Carolina has no border with Tennessee. Of course the media thinks that North Carolina and South Carolina are the same thing. . . To New York, the rest of the country is just hick space that they put up with.
To McCain:
How come when you were asked why you didn’t support the Bush tax cuts you evaded the question and spoke about Congressional spending instead?
To Romney:
How come the healthcare program you helped install in MASS was mandatory?
To Huckleberry:
How come you play the religion card?
How come you blamed the ARK school law for raising taxes so high as governor?
To McCain:
If you are against water torture, what would you propose doing in a “ticking time bomb” scenario?
The government currently steals (taxes) 50% of what I earn. Just exactly what percentage of my hard labor do you think the government is entitled to? And Why?
I bet Ron Paul has the best answer to this question.
Yes, and, Rudy, why did you make a TV commercial in Spanish if you are for a unified country?
Everyone has offered some great questions so I’ll tell you what I’d like to see in future Fox News Republican debates. Michelle and Laura Ingraham speak with Republican voters everyday and I’d like for Fox News to give a segment or so to Michelle, Laura Ingrham, and who ever so they could ask the questions on the minds of their readers/listeners. What I’d really get a hoot out of is for them to bring on Rush to specially question McCain and Huckabee. I believe I’d pay to see that event.
My question: Should the US be the police man of the world?
Questions:
1) Is the war on Terror a law enforcement issue or is it a national security issue?
2) If incursions by Iran are not acceptable, why are ones from Mexico?
3) What do you do with employers who hire illegal aliens?
4) Why haven’t any of you been interviewed by MM?
I would like this question asked to Democrats as well because I don’t think I’ve ever heard a Dem address it:
Tell us what you think would happen in Iraq if we were to pull out troops before the job is done, and how would this affect us at home?
#50 your point number 2 is dead on. FOX, Pay attention.
Will you support illegal immigration laws like those passed in Oklahoma and Arizona at the National Level?
Will you build the border fence that polls show ____ % of the American people want?
Will you press for passage of a line item veto as a means of eliminating “pork barrel spending”?
Will you support getting people currently on welfare back to work as a criteria for assistance and a means of reducing the number of people on welfare in this country?
My dream:
Question to Ron Paul: How do you explain the racist/bigoted/anti-semitic filth that appeared in your newsletters for many, many, many years?
Answer: Standard Paulian response: I didn’t write it.
Follow up: How do you then explain all the personal information in it making it appear it was written by you?
Answer: silence then maybe a rant about neo-cons
Follow up: Congressman Paul, you claim that this newsletter was ghost-written and that you paid no attention to it or it’s contents. So this means that you were either so incompetent that you allowed your subordinates to write this kind of filth under your name for YEARS without ever at least perusing it, or you agree with it. Which is it?
Answer: Another neo-con rant
One of the other candidates then invites Ron Paul to resign his Congressional Seat and leave the Rep party
Wallace requests security call the asylum to take the loon away as he goes into a spittle-flinging rant.
Oh yeah… here’s another one:
Do you think people against illegal immigration are racists?
How much jail time should Norman Hsu receive?
1. Would you pardon the two Border Patrol agents who were sent to prison?
2. Do you think SCOTUS should base their rulings on the Constitution, or look abroad for world opinion?
3. Which side are you on in the DC gun control case?
4. Do all the Amendments to the Constitution apply to individuals?
I don’t know but when they get to the dems, maybe someone should ask Hillary:
“If you win the election and become President, will you be bringing back the White House silveware you stole when you left last time?”
I think #48 is a really good idea. I think you could have the first pay per view debate if you let Rush question them all.
I also like #45.
Paul’s going to be there? In that case, my question has to be, “Which one of you is going to pay for my drunkblog of this? I’m going to have to keep up with VodkaPundit, and that’s going to take a lot of drinks.”
Whomever is next to Ron Paul:
Will you reach over and back hand him and tell him to shut up?
one question:
where do you and ted kennedy and the new york times differ in your political views?
All of you have stated a need to grow the size of the military. How exactly do you intend to that since it is an All Volunteer force?
Senator McCain, Governor Huckabee, and Mayor Guliani, please explain why you want to REWARD law-breakers:
Imagine a burglar who has stolen $5000 of your favorite power tools and your wife’s jewelry. At trial the judge gives him amnesty - no jail time and no fine. BUT THE JUDGE WILL CERTAINLY NOT LET THE BURGLAR KEEP THE TOOLS AND JEWELS!
Why do you want to reward illegal aliens with the ill-gotten goods thay came here to steal - residency in our country?
Second question: Can you honesty say that these two scenarios are different?
1. An (about to be) illegal alien bribes a BP agent to get into our country - cost: $3000
2. An illegal alien is allowed to stay in country by paying a $3000 fine.
Please explain how your plan is not accepting bribes from illegal aliens.
Senator McCain:
What date exactly will you pledge to have the fence on the southern border finished?
Will you free Ramos and his fellow border guard?
Will you disavow McCain Feingold as a mistake and call for it’s repeal?
We all know that the federal government has been derelict when it comes to enforcement. The question should be, as the chief executive of the government will you back up the states that take a pro-active role in immigration enforcement?
How and when in your term will you propose to Congress to stop the magnets that keep bring Illigal Aliens in to the country?
1) Ron Paul. Do you agree with the actions of your supporters who chased Sean Hannity through the streets as if he was just an some Rudy supporting hack.
2.) Fred Thompson. Many of our viewers have high definition TVs. If we promised not to be petty with our reports, would you consider hiring a make-up artist.
3.)Mr. Americas Mayor. Which of your wives is/was your favorite and why? The pre 9/11 wives, or the 9/12 wife?
4.) Mr. Mitt Romney. Were your sons disappointed when you told them that instead of summer at the Cape they would spend it driving around Iowa in a bus, or did the idea of finally killing the “Death” tax inspire them enough to go slumming with the peasants?
5.) Mr. McCain. If you are the Republican nominee would you accept Rush Limbaugh’s endorsement, or consider it as just another case of Rush “water carrying for the cause”.
Congressman Paul,
In 1991 you wrote that you were glad that you “voted in Congress against an expensive federal holiday” to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, whom you described as a “flagrant plagiarist with a phony doctorate.”
Congressman, why should any black person vote for you?
Ouch, thats going to leave a mark.
Congressman Paul,
In 1990 you wrote, “Homosexuals, not to speak of the rest of society, were far better off when social pressure forced them to hide their activities.”
Congressman, why should any gay person vote for you?
Congressman Paul,
You have referred to Israel as “an aggressive, national socialist state.”
and stated that the “Israeli lobby … plays Congress like a cheap harmonica.”
Congressman, why should any Jew vote for you?
BINGO!
In fact, DOUBLE BINGO!!
Guantanamo Section:
Leave it open or close it?
Detainees - should they be covered by the Constitution of the USA? Follow up: Should they be allowed access to the court system of a US citizen or military tribunals?
Follow up #2: Are they covered by the Geneva Convention even though they don’t fit the criteria of a uniformed soldier, but instead murder while wearing street clothes to blend in?
Immigration:
Should English be made the official language of the United States? (”Yes” or “No” only)
Are there jobs that Americans won’t do? (”Yes” or “No” only)
Should a person that emmigrates to America be forced to swear allegiance to the US Flag and defend it even above their country of origin?
Should burning the Flag of the United States be illegal?
Marriage:
At the Federal level, should gay marriage be recognized or not? (not allowed to say “civil unions” or “states”).
Follow-up: Would you support an amendment to the Constitution defining marriage as being between a man and a woman?
Congressman Paul,
In the first debate you stated: “19 thugs flew planes into the WTC and Pentagon buildings”.
Congressman, why should any AMERICAN vote for you?
To all: Will you veto all ear-marks? If not, explain why I should help pay for a bridge to nowhere in Alaska or for a Woodstock museum.
To Huckabee: Will you seek legislation to prevent states like Arkansas from requiring parolees to leave the state in return for being released early from prison? If not, explain why a criminal should be released early in the first place if you don’t feel comfortable having them live near by.
To Ron Paul: Please name 10 prominent Americans who are NOT Neocons? How does bringing all our troups home, locking the doors, and hiding under the bed make me safer from the
IslamofascistNeocon boogie men that are out to get me?Gentleman,
Will any of you secure the southern border with Mexico from the illegal invasion American tax payers are being burden with?
Are you Gentleman Nationalists?
Will you as President throw out Mr. Chertoff, and replace him with Leatherneck, or someone like Leatherneck who can follow orders, and get the job done?
Whatever the questions, they should always include the words:
“specific, detailed”
What Republicans do not need is an Obama, someone generically talking about “hope” and “change.”
We don’t need a mommy to hug us and make us feel better. We need a leader with specific plans.
One of those specific questions:
Is the word GOD in our pledge and on our money a good thing YES or NO only.
Most of you support the ongoing war in Iraq. In your own words, explain to the American people the importance of our presence there and what is being accomplshed by maintaining our efforts.
Ron Paul is welcome to keep his mouth shut during responses.
Show of hands:
How many of you would like to go home and quit this carp?
How many of you will agree with the consensus and all of the evidence form 30 years ago that we are now in an ice age?
If a plane or two took down the Sears Tower in Chicago, which Muslim country would you attack first?
When we invade Iran, will the draft you install also include women between the ages of 18 and 34, not just men?
In a time of economic crisis will you promise not to confiscate We The People’s gold as you did in 1933?
will you open hunting season for trolls?
When are you going to end the illegal jackpot baby program?
Ha, ha. Nice try. You’re being disingenuous, sir. The 14th Amendment was meant to protect the children of slaves. Surely you don’t believe the authors of the 14th amendment meant to reward people for sneaking over the border against our laws and sovereignty?
This might get some interesting responses:
“The dhimmicratic candidates include a black man (obama), a woman (clinton), a hispanic (richardson), a homosexual (edwards), and a nut (kucinich). The republican candidates are all men, all white and, with the exception of RP, relatively sane. Why do you think this is the case?”
This one for Huckabee:
“Which prayer will you recite as you press the nuclear button?”
This one for Fred!:
“When are you going to get off your butt and start creating some excitement in your campaign?”
This one for RP:
“Dude — WTF?”
This one for Rudy:
“Besides your handling of 9/11, why do you think you have the credentials to run this country? And if you do become President, will we have to keep an eye on you and the interns?”
Just trying to stir the pot - needed to blow off some steam & lighten up a bit.
When does life begin?
When does life end?
If people would stop buying into the media’s hyperbolic treatment of Ron Paul and actually listen to what he’s saying or written, they could form their own opinion. Right now, lassitude rules and people, I believe, are generalizing their opinions based on the prevailing media coverage, which, as we well know, is NOT designed to inform but to form, mold and shape to their desired agenda.
confiscating the gold was done in 1933? wasn’t that a dem called Roosevelt? last i checked he was a dem? i know dems love to live in the past and not really progressive but we are talking about a Republican debate even though we have a bunch of liberals running for the Republican candidacy. I guess not too far off? Huck (Liberal (R)) Huck, McCain (Liberal (R)) and Guiliani (Liberal (R)).
troll, Muslim, same thing to you…kill em all!
Nice try tatters, I base my regard for him on him not the media. and trust me I’m not a big media fan.
1. If a train carrying Norman Hsu leaves San Francisco heading east at 60 miles per hour, and a semi-trailer full of illegal aliens leaves El Paso headed north at 65 miles per hour, and a boatload of undocumented Chinese leaves Shanghai headed east at 18 knots, and a carload of Saudis who have overstayed their student visas leaves New Jersey headed west at 70 miles per hour, which one will arrive in Omaha first?
not hardly fed up.
A, please explain how the fractional-reserve banking system works and what fiat money is.
B, Whats the benefit of a privately owned central bank, who owns it and what was the profit taking last year?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt-based_monetary_system
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_currency
Not that I give a hoot about conspiracies, I just think a Presidential candidate should know very well how our financial system works.
Should the elected president be charged for fraud if they do not fulfill their campaign promises, barring unforeseen circumstances.
On January 10th, 2008 at 4:05 pm, zorro said:
When does life begin?
When does life end?
It begins at the beginning.
It ends at the end.
Couldn’t resist.
Senator John McCain,
How can you claim to be a “conservative” when you:
~repeatedly opposed drilling in ANWR that might have reduced dependence on foreign oil.
~voted against the Bush tax cuts in 2001 and 2003.
~co-sponsored a bill that restricts political speech (McCain-Feingold).
~oppose the Bush administration’s use of enhanced interrogation techniques, which have been important in deterring terrorist attacks.
~co-sponsored legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants (AKA amnesty via McCain-Kennedy).
?
Mr.Huckabee. It has been alleged that your son tortured and hung a dog while working as at a summer camp. Would you attribute the differences in the outcome of this and the Michael Vick case to:
a. Misuse of your executive power?
b. Lack of media coverage by Greta/Nancy?
c. Race of accused?
d. Quantity of dogs tortured?
e. The Arkansas dog was mangy (not in uniform). The dog wasn’t tortured. Arkansans don’t torture?
How do you feel about news networks winnowing candidates for you?
Here are the questions I’d like answered by all the candidates:
• Do you believe that the 2nd Amendment preserves an individual right to keep and bear arms, including so-called “assault rifles?”
• When is it acceptable for the government to break the law or violate an American’s constitutional rights? Specifically address the fourth amendment and habeas corpus.
• Explain why you support or do not support the Federal income tax (up to 35%) and the Social Security and Medicare (FICA) tax (an additional 15.3%). If you support these taxes, explain the benefit given to the American people by sacrificing up to 50% of their income to the Federal government. If you oppose these taxes, how would you prevent a deficit if they were eliminated?
• Do you support laws that limit campaign finance donations (e.g. McCain-Feingold)? If so, how do you justify them in light of the First Amendment?
• Do you support a national ID card for American citizens?
• Would you support a CO2 emissions reduction program that penalized people or businesses for driving their car or using electricity?
• Can a United Nations resolution justify American military action without a declaration of war by Congress?
• Would you be willing to support a “path to citizenship” for illegal immigrants already in this country?
• What would you change about the war on drugs, keeping in mind that $500 billion dollars later, the incidence of drug addiction in this country has not significantly changed, and our prisons are overflowing with non-violent offenders (for example, marijuana smokers)?
• What will you do to reduce the dollar’s decreasing value?
• To what extent should the Federal Government “bail out” homeowners affected by the subprime mortgage crisis?
• What military programs would you cease, or reduce funding to? What military programs would you initiate or increase funding to?
• What role, if any, should the government play in promoting or rewarding certain family structures over others? Justify your answer in light of the equal protection clause.
• Name $500 billion in government programs you’d work to exterminate.
• How should the voting system in this country change to break the two-party monopoly?
• Assuming the border was secured, and illegal immigrants were deported, what would your immigration plan be? What factors would preclude immigration? Would you employ quotas, or let the labor market determine the immigration rate?
• When should our troops come home from Iraq?
• Was the invasion of Iraq justified, even though the reports of substantial WMDs and material support for al Qaeda turned out to be false ?
• Under what circumstances would you ask congress to authorize a war against Iran ?
• What American security interests are threatened by the Israeli/Palestinian conflict ? Would you continue to fund both sides of this conflict ?
• Will terrorists ever surrender to us, ending the war on terror? If not, is it reasonable to assume that this war could last hundreds of years? How do you convince the American people to support a war of that length?
That’d be one sweet debate. Won’t happen, though. We’re going to get the same fluffy, spin-able questions, and lots of unfair personal attacks.
J S Ragman #93
The Saudis.
Should Dan Rather war his collar up or down?
Should Dan Rather wear his collar up or down?
Politicians answering questions. I am always reminded about the character of the governor in The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. His answer was to Do A Little Sidestep, as I recall the song Charles Durning sang.
The only way to know what a candidate will do is to not listen to their answers; you must review their record.
Period.
Fox should ask them all (McCain and water pistol packing Huckabee last):
Absolutely correct uhangthight…a dem also gave us the lovely Federal Reserve Act, the Railroad Act and the IRS (Wilson).
But the “New” Republicans are bankrupting this country and have admitted they can confiscate just about anything they want to bail them out:
http://www.gata.org/node/5606
On January 10th, 2008 at 4:31 pm, nyc123me said:
Should Dan Rather wear his collar up or down?
I can answer that . Up on the left and way down on the right.
#102 Marshall Russ
Incorrect, as they have forgotten to exchange their food stamps for cash to pay the toll on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and were detained as toll-jumpers.
On January 10th, 2008 at 4:37 pm, J S Ragman said:
#102 Marshall Russ
Incorrect, as they have forgotten to exchange their food stamps for cash to pay the toll on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and were detained as toll-jumpers.
No, wrong because Hsu would get off the train in Vegas thinking he was still lucky enough to get more money for Hillary. The illegals would get off the truck in Lincoln thinking they could actually meet the man.Everyone knows a boat leaving Shanghai would get Shanhaid before it got to international waters.
Question:
Mike Huckabee you say Gitmo should be closed. What do you propose we do with enemy combatants taken during a time of war?
I’d ask them what they think of Bush’s call for an end to “occupation” of Arab lands. I suppose he thinks that would cement his legacy by kissing islamofascist butt?
Anyway I’m sure that Ron Paul would love that (a Palistinean terrorist state). How the heck can anyone be so clueless? Israel needs a terrorist state next door? Bush and Rice are clueless or dangerously deranged.
#110 Marshall Russ
You are correct, it was a trick question. Norman Hsu would have committed Arkancide before arriving. The semi-trailer leaving El Paso was of Mexican registry and not up to US safety standards, so it was detained for faulty brakes south of Denver. And the boatload of undocumented Chinese was discharging oily waste within 50 miles of the US coast, and was likewise detained by the Coast Guard.
The correct answer is that none of them would have made it to Omaha, NO THANKS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
Thank you for playing.
Social (in)Security is broken and no amount of hyperventilating democrats is going to be able to fix it. What specific steps would you like to see taken so individual Americans can once again control that portion of their confiscated income to prepare for retirement? And what time frame do you propose?
#89 check out the links and story provided over at http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com regarding the authorship of those nasty racist newsletters published under Paul’s name. Sure looks like he is the author in many cases. Personally I don’t need the media to show me that he is a lunatic and attracts lunatics and the gullible sheep. Also David Duke has some advice for Paul in another LGF story.
I think Paul and Obama are peas in a pod regarding future of Iraq. It is waste of American lives to work so hard and then have some jackass some in and say eff it all- pull out now, regardless of consequences.
Mr. Candidate: Every year thousands of individual Americans and businesses have their lives disrupted by law suits. The news shows are replete with examples of seemingly insane monetary awards being made by juries to people who can charitably be said to be addicted to stupid behavior. Do you Mr. candidate support TORT reform, and if so does it include any form of loser pays provision?
W
I would extend that question to include all people not included in the last draft. How about 18 - 54?
The question I’d ask is: “Gov Huckabee has expressed his interest in the FairTax during this campaign. Would any of you gentlemen, if elected president, sign the FairTax Act into law if it passed the Congress?”
After following #115 gullomclones link to LGF, I would ask Ron Paul if he will be attending future debates attired in his white robe and hood.
I agree - actually, I think men and women for a mandatory 2 years (minimum) after high school and before college. 4 years (minimum) if you drop out of high school (you study for and receive a GED the first year).
But 35-54? How many do you think would pass the physical? Too many cheetos and cream soda, I think.
Personally I’d like to know why Fox has been so adament in keeping Duncan Hunter frozen out.
Ask them if they would arm the Border Patrol to stop the incursions of Mexican nationals/military/police with the narcotic traffickers in the border.
Ask them what they perceive as the border patrol’s responsibilities.
Good questions, Mark. If the campaign survives to Wisconsin, I will be back here to pull them from the memory vault and ask them.
Another Fox News debate with Republicans and none with the cowardly democrats who continue to run away like pathetic jackrabbits from the cable News outlet that conitues to squash the other cable outlets by huge viewership numbers.
I hope someone uses a few moments of their bully pulpit on stage to call sharp and strong contrast between the Republicans and the Democrats on this issue. Rudy did it but only once, and the rest have not done it at all. Americans in the aggregate or practical and clear-headed; put this contrast before them enough times so that they remember it, and the voting public will know who the couragious candidates are, and who are the pathetic, yellow-stained cowards.
100% of the debate should focus on the War on Terror. The first one that advocates blowing up Iran right now has carte blanche.
If they want to try and face down US ships, to quote Dubya…”Bring it on.”
The rest is nonsense, and should be reserved for the democratic debates.
Respectfully,
eric
How do you feel about agricultural price supports? Bear in mind that you you will not be elected if recipients of price support payments don’t vote for you.
Do you believe Homeland Security money should be distributed on the basis of need to the areas most likely to be attacked, or that it should be divided evenly among the states regardless of risk?
Do you believe signing statements carry constitutional weight? If so, why?
Oh, and moderately off topic…January 9th was my birthday.
So advocating that we blow up Iran…and then follow through with it…would be the best present I could ask for.
May the debate tonight deal with wiping Armageddonijad off of the map.
Respectfully,
eric
Oh, and for all those nervous nellies out there, Giuliani, McCain, Romney and Thompson are all fine men. We are lucky to have such a strong group in terms of pursuing the War on Terror…and with regards to lower taxes as well.
Huckabee is on his way to being a trivial pursuit question, and Rupaul will hopefully be with the rest of the inmates in the asylum, being closely monitored by Tancredo so he cannot escape.
Respectfully,
eric aka the Tygrrrr Express
http://www.blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com
(Peeks out window) Did hell just freeze over? lgm actually posted something that makes sense.
This won’t happen, of course, but at the opening of the debate, Chris Wallace should strongly caution each participant that ALL DIRECT QUESTIONS must be answered in an EQUALLY DIRECT MANNER. And if they veer of on a tangent, they will be immediately interrupted and brought back on topic.
Never happen.
/preview not working
Are you in favor of stiff, mandatory, per capita, civil fines for employers found to be employing illegal aliens?
I have a compound question:
Why are you so liberal and boring?
No, Azygos, hell didn’t freeze over, and yet lgm made some comments that (shock) made some sense. I’d like to address an error in his logic, however, back in post #25.
He states that the idea of lowering taxes and growing the economy were malarky. I am assuming he said so because deficits increased.
The problem with his logic is that the economy did in fact expand, and revenue to the federal government did in fact increase.
The problem we faced during the 1980’s, and have faced even under Bush II, is that spending climbed. Both times tax reductions increased revenue to the government, but, alas, both times spending outpaced income.
Spending is what produces deficits. The economy increased, but big spenders (then, democrats, now, republicans acting like democrats) were in no way contained.
I do like that lgm wanted a very specific question asked: what programs would you cut to reduce the deficit? Unfortunately, we all know that no politician alive would answer that one directly, I dare say not even Ron Paul.
Question for Fred Thompson:
You said this afternoon on Sean Hannity’s program that nothing legal could be done to prevent anchor babies other than a constitutional amendment and that constitutional amendments very rarely succeed.
Don’t you think conservatives would prefer a candidate who is willing to show some fight rather than having such a lazy, defeatist attitude?
I guess I did not get my question in in time, but it’s “How did a nice party like the GOP get stuck with a bunch of turkys like you?”
turkeys
Question for John McCain:
Since there are industries like the farming industry that ‘needs these workers’ that will “do jobs that Americans won’t do”, should we consider providing these same workers to other industries that might like underpaid workers as well — the auto industry comes to mind. I am guessing that GM wouldn’t mind illegals to replace the high-cost union workers they now employ. I am sure there are many companies so why shouldn’t we accomodate them as well?
The exchange with Huckabee is sickening. Any politician who ducks a direct question is automatically eliminated for my vote. Why would anyone consider voting for a dishonest politician? Of course, if we didn’t then we wouldn’t be voting at all.
Question for McCain.
You want to raise the CAFE standards for American autos, which will raise their cost to the consumer by thousands of dollars.
Why should we not consider this to be a tax raise by you?
My question would be:
What do you call borrowing money when you have no intention or ability to pay it back?
I’d then follow up with a question on how they expect to back the IOU’s for the Social Security Trust fund without raising taxes.
The Dems are stealing from Americans every year and they keep stealing more and more.
I haven’t heard any real answers about SCOTUS.
Name one SCOTUS decision from the past 20 years that you think was decided incorrectly and why you disagree with SCOTUS.
Who would you nominate (a real person) for SCOTUS if a position were to open?
How can we stop judicial activism where our courts are rewriting laws?
The border fence, where is it?
The Middle East is in transisition, who is going to admit we will have a permant presences in the region, for a good long while, why? Petrol Politics.
Here are some questions I’d ask (dear God would I love to be an audience member for a possible Rush debate):
To Ron Paul:
Why do you hate the military so much?
Are you a protectionist, an isolationist, or both?
Why do you hate Israel so much?
If you were a nut (or currently are) what kind of nut are you?
Why can’t the US compete, educationally, with other students in the world (to any candidate and Paul)?
How do you propose the US contend with China?
If you think that China owns all our debt, then why haven’t they collected on the debt they owe?
If you’re a Republican, then why are you trying to damage the party so much (this could go to any of the candidates as well)?
Do you think if we trade with the terrorists they’ll stop killing us?
Why are you a politician? Why don’t you just stick a stethoscope down your throat?
Why do you find favor with the anarchist youth of this nation who support you? Will they take care of you in your old age?
To the candidates as a whole:
What counts more in a presidential candidate: making easy promises or actually holding to core, conservative values?
You talk about growing the military. There is a growing disconnect between the civilian and military populations. Young people no longer care about this country (not all) and leach off of it. Would you institute a mandatory, 2-year military service, as Germany and Israel do, where all 18-25 year olds serve the military but also get either college tuition assistance, employment help, or job placement help afterward? How would this work and what would happen to young people who didn’t serve? Could we put them at the border and defend it or deport them altogether?
Do you think people respect the military
or do you think that people