New Hampshire Debates

So I watched the New Hampshire Republican and Democratic debates last night on ABC. Now I normally would be watching my Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday nights, but since they suck this year (and I'm patiently waiting for the house cleaning to start) and I really do love politics, it was a no brainer for me. And I was well rewarded with a very interesting and compelling evening of contrasts, insights and subplots. One of these individuals will become the next president of the United States and usher in the post Bush era... and not a damn minute too soon if you ask me.


(btw, my Leafs lost 3-2 to Philadelphia - so yay for me for making a good choice :-)).

The format of the debates is an unusual one as they took place back-to-back on the same stage in Manchester, New Hampshire (site of the next caucus in NH). What was amazing moment for me was in "halftime"- when the Republicans were ready to leave the stage, and the moderator (ABC's Charlie Gibson) asked the Democratic candidates come on the stage and so they were all together. I must admit is was quite a sight watching the dynamics and interplay.. after all, they've been shooting at each other for over a year now and yet, here they were, on the same stage, all gunning for the same prize. I thought it was one of amazing moments of democracy.


Mike Huckabee (Former Arkansas Governor) is a very, very effective communicator - has impressive grasp of the English language and is dripping with sincerity and conviction. I can see why Huckabee surprised most observers by winning the first caucus in Iowa last week. He is an ordained Southern Baptist minister and is the strongest of all of the Republican candidates at connecting with the masses. He's someone who answers difficult issues by simplifying and boiling them down to his faith and his values and the American ideals. Huckabee has a bit of that Ronald Reagan magic. He's a got a great ear for voters' speak. Now I'm not sure he'll win the republican nomination, but I'll tell you something - he'll be there at the end. The longer this race goes on - the more support he's going to get as he really does grow on you. He is, by far, the most likable and there's much substance in his words. Much truth. Having said all that - his strong religious roots scare me. It's not that I'm against religion - I'm not - it's just that government and religion have to be separate. Not sure if Huckabee will do this - although he says he will. He was for the troop surge Iraq and against abortion, same-sex marriage, and civil unions. Also, the neo conservatives love this guy - all this is enough to make me pause. He might at the end be the republican candidate and I have to admit - it would be very interesting to see him debate with Hillary or Obama on the issues.


You know, it's refreshing to see someone beating out kazillionaire Mitt Romney (former Massachusetts Governor) who is trying to buy his way to the presidency. Mitt had a horrible night in NH and thank god I say. He's your typical white, cookie-cutter, male with plenty of dough - with the glossy attack ads and I hope he loses huuuge. I don't trust him at all - there something real greasy about this dude - I get a real bad vibe from him. The latest polls in New Hampshire shows he is second to none other than.... John McCain.

John McCain (Senator) is my favourite of all the candidates but for some reason he struggles as a campaigner. Not sure why. He did finish second to Bush in the 2000 primaries and I often wonder how things would have turned out in Iraq with McCain as leader? And yes, he continues to support the war in Iraq. Now his stance is that Yes - we should have gone into Iraq BUT... the execution was handled quite badly (and continues to). I often wonder - if McCain were president back in 2002 - would he have gone to Iraq...? I would like to think he would have waited for more proof and listened more to the other countries and worked with them (unlike the current idiot in office). I could be wrong. It is interesting to see that McCain is indeed leading in New Hampshire heading into tonight's battle. I hope he does well. He is a good man.

I think Rudy Giuliani (Former New York Mayor) will probably be there at the end with Huckabee and McCain but I wish he wouldn't keep playing the 9-11 card. I guess it's working but I would want to see him run in his own right as opposed to relying on a tragedy. There is no denying though, Rudy is a scraper and in it for the long haul. I don't agree with his positions, but he's certainly winning folks beyond the state of New York. Not sure what kind of president he would make.

Fred D. Thompson (former Senator and actor). Er, loved him on Law & Order. Hmm...er, nice suit. I don't really know Thompson but I wonder if he will win it all because people "know him" from TV... A sadder statement I cannot make. And if this does happen - the boobs that elected dubya twice - will be at it again. And I will have to move to New Zealand.

Quick word on the Democrats... I think Barack Obama is building up a huge surge of momentum and is in the right place at the right time in the post Bush era. He's young, his message of change is striking a cord and he is not dubya. Frankly I like Hillary the best - I think she would make a very good, intelligent president, but Obama-mania is about to explode. As for the passionate John Edwards - he would make a terrific VP.

A world without Bush, Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld - I just can't wait. It will take years to undo the damage these incompetent, self-serving bastards have done to us all ... We all need this sad, sad chapter to come to an end, and not a minute too soon. It was been a horrible eight years.