Introductions. Dull. Romney declares that he is a husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, and [oh yes] formerly Governor of the [liberal] Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Arkansas Governor (ex) Huckabee gets a laugh line for being from a town called Hope. "Give us one more chance."

First question to Romney on the subject of Iraq. Was it a mistake to invade? Romney calls the question, incorrectly, a non sequitor, then corrects himself and calls it a null set. Romney then blabs on "if" this "if" that. Basically he says "I supported the President based on what we knew at that time." Romney says, "Harry Reid was wrong. We did not lose the war in Iraq." [What war is this guy talking about?] Blitzer gets annoyed. The question was after all, knowing what you know right now was it a mistake to invade? Yes, Romney, the question is IF WE KNEW THEN WHAT WE KNOW NOW. He calls it an unreasonable hypothetical. "We did what we did. We did the right thing based on what we knew... we made mistakes following the collapse of Saddam Hussein's government." [So basically no answer.]

Giuliani: ABSOLUTELY THE RIGHT THING TO DO. Giuliani loves the war in Iraq. He loves that we toppled Saddam. He says it is unthinkable to have Saddam in charge of Iraq while we are fighting a war on terror. [HUH?] He says we have to look at it in context (of what, Giuliani's candidacy?)... because we can't look at it in a vacuum, it's part of the overall war against terror. [It sure is now!] Giuliani is upset that Democrats are not fearful enough of Iran. [The question was about Iraq, however.]

McCain: I DIDN'T READ THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE. But here are the facts according to John McCain: sanctions were not working anymore (justification for war?); massive scandal in the oil-for-food program (justification for war?); he used weapons of mass destruction on his people before and he was going to do it again. We did the right thing, but we mismanaged the aftermath.

Brownback: I CAN'T REMEMBER IF I READ IT. [Finally someone who falls back on the usual excuse, i.e. faulty memory.] Brownback had lots of meetings on this. Brownback wants to divide Iraq into Kurdish, Sunni and Shiite states. He most decisively did not answer the question.

Was it appropriate for members of Congress to authorize war without reading the NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE?

Former Virginia Governor, Jim Gilmore, who chaired the commission says NO! They should have read the NIE. [Ok, that's progress.] Gilmore wants the United States to create as much stability as possible in the Middle East. Gilmore believes there is a giant danger that Middle East will become unstable. [Do some reading, Jim. Remember 1948 to present? We are going on 60 years of INSTABILITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST. And truth be told, the present instability and culture of Western and Islamic cultures started after WWI in earnest.]

McCain: If troop buildup doesn't work, what then? Give the SURGE a chance. If we fail and withdraw they will follow us home and it will become a base for Al Queda. [become?] Senator Clinton says that this is "Bush's War" but when President Clinton was in power, McCain didn't say that Bosnia or Kosovo was "Clinton's War"... [why not?] McCain says that this is the nation's war. [Ok. Well we are still losing.] McCain, forced back to the question by Wolf Blitzer, doesn't have an answer. Rather than telling us what we suspect is true [that there is no Plan B] McCain can only list the horribles of what will result if the United States does not succeed in Iraq [what is meant by "succeed"?]. And they are: instability in the region, threat to Israel by an emboldened Hezbollah, withdrawal to borders and resulting genocide, destabilization of Jordan. McCain scoffs at Brownback's simplistic partition plan as unworkable because "we'd have to divide bedrooms" because Sunni and Shiite are married to each other. [Brownback has not read the history books.... imperial powers cannot foist partitions on the parties.]

Former Health Secrtary Tommy Thompson: If the SURGE fails by September to turn this around then.... MAKE THE AL-MALIKI GOVERNMENT VOTE AS TO WHETHER THEY WANT U.S. TO STAY IN IRAQ. If they vote "yes" then how will they help us win? If they vote "no" then we should re-deploy outside Iraq. He has a super solution as to how to end the civil war. Divide Iraq into its 18 regions and hold local elections where Sunnis will elect Sunnis, Shiites will elect Shiites, Kurds will elect Kurds, and "you know something? people will go to those particular territories" and "you get rid of this civil war." [Wow, that was easy!] Oil revenues should be split in thirds between the federal government, state governement and Iraqi citizenry to give everyone a stake in the future.

How much longer should we stay? Congressman Duncan Hunter, who actually read the NIE report, says we need RELIABLE IRAQI FORCES. Somehow in the next few months he imagines that Iraqi army will magically increase their skill level, and beef up to the point where they can run the show. Hunter's solution then is to rotate Iraqi troops in place of U.S. armed forces. He was Chairman of Armed Services Committee, he can get us out of there. [God help us.]

Ron Paul (R-TX): says this was a mistake and we should withdraw.

Huckabee: Today is the birthday of Ronald Reagan [which is of no apparent relevance]. "It is not the size of the dog in the fight, it is the size of the fight in the dog."

Tancredo: He wants the Iraqis to patrol their cities, putting their lives at risk so we can get out.

Brownback asked whether it was a mistake to talk to terrorist states like Iran. Yes, it's important to talk to them. Bush made the right call, we need to talk to them. We have to confront them aggressively for what they are, the leading sponsor of terrorism in the world. Cites a bus driver strike as a good sign. [Not sure about that. Have you ever tried to catch a bus in Tehran?]

Duncan Hunter is not concerned about Bush's decision to engage Iran in bilateral talks, but he has conditions for dialogue with Iran. On is that the U.S. must reserve the right to pre-emptive strike against Iran if necesary. Duncan Hunter would authorize a pre-emptive U.S. strike against an Iranian nuclear facility using nuclear weapons if necessary.

Giuliani: Part of the premise of talking to them is that they have to know that it is unacceptable to the United States that they have nuclear weapons. Will not take anything off the table, even nuclear strike against Iran, though he thinks an attack could be done with conventional weapons. [These guys are scary!] Giuliani thinks Democrats are stuck back in the 1990s... they don't seem to have gone beyond the Cold War [isn't Giuliani stuck on 9-11-01?] because they don't realize that Iran is a threat because they can "hand nuclear materials to terrorists. We saw just last week in New York, an attempt by Islamic terrorists to attack JFK airport." [Oh, right. Like there's a connection between Iranian nuclear weapons and the JFK gang.]

Gilmore: Dual policy. Work with European allies on sanctions and directly with Iran letting them know they can work with us. Gilmore wants Iran to know that their possession of nuclear weapons

Romney: Nuclear weapons against Iran? Don't take options off the table. [Copycat.] Stand back and see what's going on. People are testing us and we have to let them know that we are not arrogant, we have resolve, we have the strength to protect our interests and to protect people who love liberty. Move the world of Islam [ok, this is the funny part] toward modernity, so that moderate Muslims reject extremes. [Nation building? Romney is lecturing the Islamic world? He is a religious fundamentalist, himself. Let's move Romney toward modernity!]

Wolf Blitzer inserts weather report, informing the audience that there is lightening outside.

Tancredo gets his immigration moment. What are the consequences if this bill becomes law. "Disastrous." Not just about jobs, educational system, welfare and hospitals, "but whether we will actually survive as a nation." Tancredo's scary future? Balkanization and loss of the English language. Tancredo admits he has said dramatic things... but that's just because he knows that Republicans can stop this.

Giuliani: This immigration plan has no unifying purpose, because everyone compromises. Because of these compromises things should be improved. Giuliani wants a tamper proof ID card for everyone that comes to this country.

Romney: What about McCain's amazing soundbite that "do nothing" is tantamount to "silent amnesty"? Romney hates the Z visas. Every illegal alien gets to stay here and that's just not fair to put them ahead in line of all those people who have been waiting to immigrate legally.

McCain: Immigration is a national security issue. Doing nothing is de facto silent amnesty. We have come together to find a compromise solution. It addresses Giuliani's concerns. McCain says "we need to act my friends" and if someone else has better ideas about legislation that can get sufficient support to pass, please step up to the plate. McCain "we cannot allow 12 million people to be washing around America."

Giuliani: Not enough information about who has exited the United States, 4 or 5 forms of ID, but no single uniform database. Giuliani calls that a fatal flaw in this legislation.

Romney: What would you do? Enforce the law as it exists. 1986 law required employment verification and border enforcement. Romney wants Z visa to be temporary [why would illegals come forward for a temporary visa and subject themselves to future deportation?] but has no real answer as to how to solve the problem of the undocumented immigrants.

Hunter: This administration has a case of the slows. Hunter promises that his border fence would be a real fence!

Brownback: [This guy has NO IDEA what he is talking about.] He does not want the creating of "new paths to citizenship" but rather wants the undocumented to use the paths that already exist and to "get to the back of the line." [They are undocumented, Senator Moron, because there are NO paths by which they can currently immigrate, 245(i) having expired in April 2001. Furthermore, they will be at the back of the line whether they can "adjust" status under current laws at some point in the future or under this new provision. Why does he think they won't be?] He has been around a long time and claims to have learned from his legislative experiences in 1994 and 1996 when Congress passed enforcement laws. He wants some aggressive "interior" and border enforcement. [Police state!] Weirdly, he supports the compromise by the end of his answer, if it includes "those things" in it. Whatever.

Thompson: Secure the borders. It is not right to grant legal status until the border is secure. It is not right to have an amnesty. [So for Thompson, it's just a matter of the order of the events.]

Ron Paul: Positively opposed to amnesty. Wants a border wall. Believes we have subsidized immigraiton and forced states to provide free education and health care. In a free market economy we would need these immigrants, but instead they have become a scape goat. [he's the first to stand up for immigrants]

Wolf Blitzer: SHOULD ENGLISH BE THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE UNITED STATES?

McCain: We allow native Americans to use their own language in treaties they sign with the federal government. McCain then wanders back to the immigration issues and reminds "my friends" that a third of the undocumented immigrants are "overstays" who entered legally.

Wolf Blitzer: BACK TO WHETHER ENGLISH SHOULD BE THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE. No more takers.

Gilmore's "Rudy McRomney" would make a good ticket, but not a conservative ticket. Gilmore doesn't know yet if Fred Thompson is a credible conservative.

Thompson: Is there a need for another Thompson in this race? I am the reliable conservative in this race.

Giuliani: Rhode Island Catholic Bishop came out strongly against Rudy Giuliani on abortion. At that moment lightening strikes, and the audience laughs. "For someone who went to parochial schools all his life, this is very frightening." Rudy respects the opinion of religious leaders, but Rudy feels he has to make decisions that are right for the country. His view is that abortion is wrong but that government shouldn't enforce that view on women. [Hmmmm. What, then, about Roe v Wade, does he not like? Why is he ok with it being reversed?]

Romney: I became pro-life when he was talking about cloning and figured out that Roe v Wade went to far [huh?]. Romney reminds the audience that he is against gay marriage, etc., and that he has conservative credentials.

Huckabee: Evolution? He doesn't want to write the curriculum for an 8th Grade science book. "In the beginning God created the earth." Huckabee believe there is a God who was active in the creation process. If they want a President who does not believe in God, vote for someone else. Quoting Martin Luther, Huckabee says: "As here I stand, I could do no other." Wolf Blitzer: Do you believe literally that it happened in 6 days, 6,000 years ago? Huckabee doesn't know. Huckabee says that if anyone wants to believe that hey are descendants of a primate, they are welcome to do so. Huck believes in a God that knows us and loves us and created us for a specific purpose. [Which is what? Are these people running for Priest of the United States?]

Brownback: I have had cancer in the past, and I have had a chance to think about the end of life. and I very much believe that there is a God of the Universe that loves us and that was involved in the process. How he did it, I don't know. Faith and reason should be engaged and not at odds with each other. [Still he cannot reconcile them.]

McCain: Evolution? Up to school districts. Admires "Pastor" Huckabee's words. Believes we are unique, believes God loves us, believes God had a hand in creation, believes curriculum should be up to the school boards.

Romney: 10% won't vote for you because you are a Mormon. He goes for JFK who said, "I am not a Catholic running for President, I am an American running for President." Romney is a proud member of his faith. He wants you to know that he shares your values! [He doesn't care that he is running as an American, he wants you to know he is just like every other Christian controlling this country.] But contradicting JFK, he does believe in pandering to those who "want to know what [he] believes" and he'll tell you exactly that that is, just so there is no doubt. Romney believes:

1. in God
2. in the Bible
3. Jesus Christ is my savior
4. God created man in his image
5. freedoms of man derived from inalienable rights given to us by God; and also,
6. won't distance himself from his faith for political opportunism, despite the fact that some pundits seem to want him to do so [which ones?].

Ron Paul: Wants Congress to follow the Constitution, to write fewer laws, and religion should not be in the province of the federal government. The local governments can figure it out.

Giuliani: Climate change is very likely man made? Are scientists wrong? Giuliani agrees there is Global Warming and human contribution to that. We need energy independence, supporting all alternatives.

Romney: Question, are Republicans too close to big oil? Romney wants an Apollo project and agrees with Giuliani. Romney wants BIG OIL to invest their profits in refineries. Here's a soundbite, "When companies earn profit that is supposed to be re-invested in growth." [REALLY? This is a Republican? He has a rule for what companies must do with their profits?] Changes focus to Iran, Venezuela and Russia who are making the fuel and the profits.

McCain: Also wants oil companies to re-invest profits, particularly in nuclear power. ["ought to be" hopefully doesn't mean that we should pass laws telling oil companies what they should be doing. Provide incentives? Ok. But why is McCain complaining that oil companies aren't investing their profits in nuclear companies.]

Paul: Profits are not the issue; as long as they are legitimately earned in the free market. Opposes subsidies of companies. Foreign policy is linked to protection of our oil interests. We have succumbed to the temptation to protect oil interests by going to war.

Gilmore: Profit is ok, re-investment is good too.

Should "don't ask don't tell" be repealed?

Paul: First we need to start looking at people as "groups". The issue is not homosexuality it's the concept and understanding of individual rights.

Huckabee: It's about conduct, not about attitude. Huckabee says you shouldn't punish people for their "attitude" and the Uniform Code of Military Justice covers that. [Would keep DADT even though he sounds like he's against it.]

Giuliani: Asked about the dismissal of Arabic linguists who are gay or lesbian during a time of war. Giuliani says Colin Powell thought DADT was good. Giuliani says that we should not be making fundamental changes during a time of war.

Romney: In 1994 he advocated gays being able to serve openly and honestly in the military. Romney says that at first he thought DADT was silly. He now has changed his mind. He agrees with Giuliani's deflection position.

McCain: He is proud of the military. He relies on the military leadership. "The policy is working." Let's not tamper with it.

Is there anyone here that believes that gays and lesbians should be able to serve openly? NO ONE RAISED THEIR HAND.


Thompson: Would send George W. Bush out on the lecture circuit to inspire people to dedicate themselves to public life.

Brownback: Would first talk to Bush. He guesses Bush would want him to have his time in the limelight. Right role for an ex-President is not to inject himself in policy issues, but should be dispatched overseas when there are disasters.

Tancredo: Rove told him not to bother "darken the door of the White House." Tancredo would tell George W. Bush that he was not wanted. [Fantasy President Tancredo has no role for GWB.]

Huckabee: What happened to the GOP? Huckabee answers: We lost credibility. We deserved to be beat. We didn't deal with corruption in Washington. We bungled Katrina. We didn't properly handle Iraq. We showed indifference to the fact that people are coming over the border.


Duncan Hunter: Should Bush pardon Scooter Libby? He wants to pardon some law enforcement officers who were convicted after interdicting drug smugglers. He completely avoided the question.

YES OR NO WOULD YOU PARDON SCOOTER LIBBY? Only Giuliani takes the bait.

Giuliani thinks the sentence was GROSSLY EXCESSIVE. I would consider whether it fit the criteria for a pardon.
Romney jumps in now. He thinks the prosecutor did the wrong thing, and would look closely at this.
[Thompson and Huckabee jump in, everyone now thinks it's unfair. They are cowards. They remained silent until Giuliani came out against the conviction.]