Republican Cage Match

Sharpen your elbows, everyone, it's the fall campaign season! The Fair and Balanced Fox network sponsored a Q&A with the Republican candidates Tuesday night in New Hampshire, and we started to see some policy differences come into focus between the old white men of the GOP (this group is not exactly a poster for diversity, is it?). Here are some tidbits that you can use at cocktail parties, if you like to pretend you were watching the debate:

Ron Paul, everyone's favorite Libertarian rabble rouser, and Mike Huckabee, the media's 'Person of Interest' in the race this month, momentarily squared off in what was an actual debate - mano-a mano, addressing each other directly on the issue of the Iraq War. Their exchange crystallized the national debate on the war. On the one side, Huckabee represented the pragmatists. "We broke it, we bought it", so we have to finish the job in Iraq (whatever that means). Paul spoke for the millions in this country who believe that victory is ill defined, and that our continuing presence only serves to perpetuate the original mistake of going to war. Both were respectful yet forceful in expressing his opinion. Neither won the debate point, and we are still fighting in Iraq.

John McCain has begun to make his move. Post debate reactions were universally positive on his performance. Don't be surprised if he accepts the GOP nomination in 2008. At this point, he represents the Republicans' best chance versus the Democrats, in spite of his pro-surge stance. Good luck trying to smear this guy's reputation (Keating Five role, notwithstanding). Half the men on the stage Tuesday night practically endorsed him. Guiliani is praising him in the hopes of winning his supporters once McCain drops out. Look out, Rudy, that might not happen the way you planned...

Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo continued to embody every negative stereotype the public has of a mean spirited, insensitive, hawk Republican. Example: Hunter was asked a hypothetical about an elevated threat from Iran, and he launches into his first 5 proposed military steps - including his plan for ground troops. That guy is a loose cannon (pardon the pun).

You REALLY want change? Vote for Ron Paul this year and hold on to your hats! He'd be an interesting candidate, if we were starting a country from scratch. Unfortunately, we have this pesky 240 year history of world involvement. Can't just stop tomorrow, lock the doors, and say, "My bad."

The Fair Tax was raised again, and Huckabee is a big proponent. The Fair Tax, as I understand it, is a 23% national sales tax, in place of the income tax. The theory is that we should tax consumption, not earnings. I'd like to hear an entire 90 minute debate on the tax code, frankly. Most candidates continue to use the tax code as their personal social engineering petrie dish, and perhaps it's time we stop that nonsense.

Fred Thompson wasn't there. He was in Hollywood, preening for Leno. So what?

Newt Gingrich will decide whether to join the race by the end of the month. Now that could be fun.

JS