Breaking Down the Debate, and the “Straight Talk”

Posted on January 24, 2008

Cross-posted from Right on the Right:

First off, let me tell you, that this is going to be a long post that’s going to both show highlights of the debate and point out some of the factual inconsistencies of the night. First off, on the tax issue, John McCain said he was always for tax cuts:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWr3rhGJviQ[/youtube]

Sen. McCain: “I’ve been involved in all of these issues, I know now stop the irresponsible spending. I’ve always been for tax cuts, I have alwaysâ€¦uhâ€¦ although, I voted against the first tax cutsbut these tax cuts have to be made permanentâ€¦”

That bit of video and excerpt comes from my earlier post about McCain and his tax cut flip. McCain says that he voted against the Bush Tax Cuts because they didn’t include spending cuts, but where was McCain’s counter-proposal? Where was his amendment to the bill? Also, on the economy, McCain said he didn’t know where the quote came from about him not knowing much about the economy. I know where the quote came from:

Sen. McCain: “The Issue Of Economics Is Not Something I’ve Understood As Well As I Should.” “Like Mike Huckabee, who joked recently that he ‘may not be the expert that some people are on foreign policy, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night,’ McCain suggested to reporters Monday that American consumer culture offered a short cut to expertise. ‘The issue of economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should,’ McCain said. ‘I’ve got Greenspan’s book.’”

John went on to say that he knows a lot about economics, but his record doesn’t reflect that. Even the Politico bashes McCain on the economy. These were only the first two inconsistencies in McCain’s argument tonight. Meanwhile, Hot Air has highlights that include Mitt shining on the War in Iraq:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2b_HYPgDj0[/youtube]

On this issue, Michelle Malkin says Mitt even managed to out-McCain McCain. He also received a good grade from her on the issue in general, saying he gave strong answers on Iraq. McCain has been batted down by Giuliani and others for saying that he was the only one for the surge when it was announced, so it appears he has abandoned that angle.

Back to McCain’s record, he touted his McCain-Lieberman bill in his answer regarding Climate Change. Climate Change is the new buzzword for global warming because in many places, it’s getting colder. He defended McCain Lieberman while ignoring key points like this one:

McCain-Lieberman Would Have Hiked Gas Prices- “The increases in gasoline prices projected to occur (is) 9 percent in 2010 and 19 percent in 2025.â€ (â€œAnalysis Of Senate Amendment 2028, The Climate Stewardship Act Of 2003,â€ Energy Information Administration, 1/6/07)

ROTR- McCain Didn't Talk Straight Gas prices hiked by 9 percent in the next 3 years and an additional 16 percent in the next 15 years? This is in addition to the cost of living adjustment and inflation adjustment that’ll naturally occur! And finally, to rebut McCain’s last piece of straight talk, he said he won amongst Republicans in New Hampshire. According to the Washington Post, that’s not exactly accurate:

In New Hampshire, a state McCain had won in 2000 and lavished time and attention on this time around, he lost self-identified Republicans narrowly — 35 percent to 34 percent — to former governor Mitt Romney. But, it was among independents where McCain’s winning margin came as he won that bloc by 13 points over Romney.

In South Carolina, McCain lost Republicans by a statistically insignificant margin, but carried independents by a massive 42 percent to 25 percent margin — ensuring his narrow three-point victory.

Where did your numbers come from Senator? Were they the same numbers that gave you the idea that there’s a “concenus” on global warming? Were they the same numbers that said we’d make huge gains by pandering to the hispanic voting bloc with an amnesty plan? Pathetic night for Maverick.

» Filed Under Elections, Global Warming, News, Politics As Usual, Revisionism, Socialism, Stupidity, UN, Video

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One Response to “Breaking Down the Debate, and the “Straight Talk””

kerwin on January 25th, 2008 3:46 am

I am not really concerned how knowledgeable a Presidential candidate is about the economy. I am more concerned whether they have the ability to choose counselors who are qualified in the field and wise enough to know a valid and sound argument when they hear it. I myself judge economics by success and Republicans are currently failing to measure up and therefore America is calling for change. The question is; can any of the Republican candidates meet that call for change? Thompson failed.