Highlights from the NH debate
All the good parts from the debate (highlights featuring Fred Thompson):
I think Fred hit a home run. Here’s what the media had to say about Fred’s performance at the debate:
“I think Fred Thompson had a terrific night.” (George Stephanopoulos, ABC)
“Fred Thompson won the debate.” (The Atlantic)
“[Fred Thompson] came to play tonight.” (ABC)
“[Thompson] and McCain sound like the adults on stage.” (The Atlantic)
“Fred Thompson talking some serious substance too — man, maybe I underestimated him.” (ABC)
“Every answer was thoughtful and well-crafted; his tone matched the tone of the question; he wisely refrained from interjecting in the back and forth squabbling. He very deftly reminded viewers that he served on key Senate national security panels and is bringing his experience to bear.” (The Atlantic)
“Still, it summed up what is likeable about Thompson – direct, clear, and logical.” (National Review)
“Thompson is excelling on policy and style.” (The Atlantic)
“Fred Thompson does get bonus points … for intellectually honesty.” (ABC)
“Fred Thompson does a great job of making the free market case for health care, in contrast to Romney’s statism.” (American Spectator)
“I think even the most ardent Romney supporters would agree that he didn’t handle the question on his MA health-care plan all that well. There was a bit of a deer-in-the-headlights look when Thompson challenged him on the plan.” (NBC)
“[Romney] was backed into a corner on mandates in health care by Fred Thompson.” (The Atlantic)
“How could [Mitt] have let Fred Thompson best him on a debate over healthcare? (ABC)
Possibly related posts:
As you made a point of before, it depends on who you talk to: http://hotair.com/archives/2008/01/06/video-luntz-focus-group-raves-over-romney-rips-fred-to-shreds/
Did you watch the whole debate? I didn’t but from the highlights you posted Fred seemed more alert than he has in the past. Still though, I think he lacks the energy/charisma needed to be a good communicator.
Here’s something you might like to add to your Romney bashing: http://artlaction.com/video/romney-fairytale
Have you heard of ARTL? Enyart is one of the main people behind it, and although I hate to see division among the pro-life community, they make a lot of valid points. Let me know what you think.
Sorry, I just realized those were two different debates.
Yeah, two different debates. I think Fred ripped Romney to shreds this time, especially when it comes to health care.
I haven’t heard of ARTL before, but I don’t see the point in in-fighting. I think they would have done better to try to work with the NRTL instead. We all want the same thing: an end to abortion. With Alan Keyes at the top of the list, I can’t imagine they’re going to be very effective.
Did you watch both debates?
I haven’t seen any of the second one. Have you?
Did you watch the first one? I’ve only seen a handful of highlights from both of them (the first one being ABC and the second one being FOX). So I can’t really say who won by relying on soundbites.
I think they did try working with NRTL for decades, and apparently NRTL has gone secular and rejects a personhood amendment. They also applauded the PBA ban which actually says it’s OK to perform a PBA just as long as you pull the baby out to the navel before butchering it instead of the neck. It also says that abortionists can perform a PBA if they think it’s medically necessary. I’ll have to agree with you about Alan Keyes though. I saw him debating homosexual issues with Obama once, and it seemed like they were both trying to use fancy words to sound intelligent, but neither could drive home a point.
The NRTL applauded the PBA ban because it reduced the number of abortions. They don’t reject a personhood amendment, they just think that the process needs to be done step by step. They want a gradual banning of abortion rather than trying to get everything accomplished in one fell swoop.
Does it reduce the number of abortions? James Dobson doesn’t seem to think so: “Ending partial-birth abortion… does not save a single human life.” -Dr. James Dobson, May 2007
http://www.focusaction.org/Articles/A000000246.cfm
What it does do is make the general public more at ease with abortion in general.
Please read this if you have time: http://artlaction.com/TheLegacyofJudas
Anyway, this has gotten off topic.
PBA is a horrendous procedure. I didn’t realize they had a loop hole in the decision that allowed the same baby to be killed by different means. Dobson himself praised the decision, though, and called it a victory, so I don’t see how the NRTL can be condemned without condemning Dobson at the same time.
Anyway, I still see the argument as one of means to an end. The ARTL can put words into the mouths of NRTL supporters and assign ulterior motives all day long, but it doesn’t change anything. I’m not one for conspiracy theories, and having a pro-abortion pro-life group would definitely fit the bill.
I don’t think it’s a conspiracy theory, or that they’re saying NRTL is pro-abortion, since they talk about the “unintended results” of NRTL’s actions. Obviously both groups want to end abortion, but what ARTL is saying is that NRTL’s strategy is flawed, because 40 years after abortion was legalized it still remains legal, and none of the judges elected to the supreme court openly recognize the baby has a right to life. If a “pro-life” judge says a federal amendment banning the practice would be wrong, does that sound like he believes unborn children have the right to life? Should it be left up to the states to kill Jews or own blacks?
I do think the tone ARTL is taking is too harsh, so there may be some bitterness between the two groups. But they do present a lot of valid points that shouldn’t be dismissed offhand.
Dobson was condemned as well, and he was sent an open letter: http://americanrtl.org/files/Documents/openltr2drdobson200709.pdf
I think that open letter is what persuaded him to say the PBA bill will not save a single human life.
Maybe it’s more accurate to say Dobson was “admonished” than “condemned.” I know Enyart loves Dobson and has a lot of respect for him.