GOP Candidates Push Persistence In Iraq

Debate Offers Criticism Of War's Management, No Calls For Withdrawal

(CBS/AP)  Republican presidential contenders called for persistence in the face of adversity in Iraq in the first debate of their campaign, warning that a quick exit could work against U.S. interests.

"We should never retreat in the face of terrorism," said former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani during the debate Thursday night. "Terrible mistake."

Sen. John McCain said the war effort was now on the right track, although he said that until recently, the war had been "terribly mismanaged" by the Bush administration. "Terribly mismanaged," he repeated for emphasis.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney also said the United States must support the government of Nouri al-Maliki to combat terrorists.

"I want to get our troops home as soon as we possibly can, but at the same time we don't want to get them out in such a precipitous way that we have to go back," he said, warning that too hasty a departure could lead to chaos in the region.

"They have to dance this very, very careful dance between not pushing themselves too far away from the president, because his supporters are those that they need to bring along into their camp," says CBS News political analyst Nicole Wallace.

Giuliani, McCain and Romney were the first among 10 equals on the debate stage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library — the men with the most money and the best approval ratings in the polls more than eight months before the first delegates for the party's 2008 national convention are picked. The presidential election is in November 2008.

Also on stage were Sen. Sam Brownback; former Govs. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin, Jim Gilmore of Virginia; and Reps. Tom Tancredo, Duncan Hunter and Ron Paul.

The opening moments of the debate dealt with Iraq, and the calls for continuing the U.S. military operation contrasted sharply with last week's debate among Democratic presidential hopefuls.

Then, eight presidential hopefuls called for an end to the military involvement that so far has claimed the lives of more than 3,300 U.S. troops.

Romney and McCain squared off over terrorist leader Osama bin Laden without directly addressing each other. Last week, the ex-governor said, "it's not worth moving heaven and earth spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person" and advocated a broader strategy to defeat Islamic jihadists. McCain had called the comment "naive."

Under questioning, Romney defended his comment, saying: "It's more than Osama bin Laden. But he is going to pay and he will die."

McCain shot back, saying bin Laden's responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent Americans. "We will do whatever is necessary. We will track him down. We will catch him. We will bring him to justice and I'll follow him to the gates of hell," he said.

On the sensitive topic of abortion, Giuliani said during the debate that "it would be OK" if the Supreme Court upholds a 1973 abortion rights ruling.

"It would be OK to repeal it. It would be OK also if a strict constructionist viewed it as precedent," said Giuliani, who has a record of supporting abortion rights.

His nine rivals agreed that it would be a great day if the court overturns the landmark ruling.

The issue of abortion looms large in the 2008 Republican presidential campaign as a wide swath of the party's activists support the overturning of the top U.S. court's 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion in the country.

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Read: Giuliani Splits With Pack On Abortion

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In a debate that ranged broadly, most of the contenders said they opposed legislation making federal funds available for a wider range of embryonic stem cell research.

The technique necessarily involves the destruction of a human embryo, and is opposed by many anti-abortion conservatives as a result.

There are exceptions, though, including Reagan's widow, Nancy, who was in the debate audience. Also, public opinion polls show overwhelming support for the research, which doctors say holds promise for treatment or even cures of numerous diseases.

Most of the contenders said they opposed expanded federal research.

McCain was the exception, saying unambiguously he supports expanded federal research into embryonic stem cells.

Thompson said he could not provide a yes or no answer, and Giuliani's response was open to interpretation.

He said he supports it "as long as we're not creating life in order to destroy it," then added he would back funding for research along the lines of legislation pending in Congress.

The bill he cited does not expand research on embryonic stem cells, however, but deals with adult stem cells.

The men vying to become the country's 44th president said they were the rightful successors to Reagan, the popular Republican president who died in 2004.

"John McCain has alienated social conservatives in the past. Giuliani has a very colorful personal life. Mitt Romney has flip-flopped on some issues. Accordingly, the Reagan conservatives don't feel they have a dog in the fight," Jack Pitney, professor of government at Claremont McKenna College, told CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes.

"His philosophy was a philosophy of strength," Romney said.

Speaking of Iran, Giuliani said "they looked in Ronald Reagan's eyes and in two minutes they released the hostages." That was a reference to the U.S. hostages released from captivity on the day of Reagan's inauguration in 1981.

He didn't mention other hostages taken on Reagan's watch — those seized in Lebanon and kept for years.

MSNBC and The Politico co-sponsored the debate, moderated by MSNBC's Chris Matthews.

Missing were three Republicans still weighing whether to run — Fred Thompson, the actor and former senator; Newt Gingrich, the ex-House speaker; and Sen. Chuck Hagel. They also were not slated to participate in two more debates — in South Carolina and New Hampshire — in the next month.

[randalds]

Every once in awhile one them connects the dots.
Posted by rsoxfan1123 at 03:20 PM : May 04, 2007

Sure would save a lot of time, money and even lives if they'd just listen to the left in the first place. LOL!

[rsoxfan1123]

Still it's nice to see you come over to our side.
Posted by RandalDS at 02:57 PM : May 04, 2007

Every once in awhile one them connects the dots.

[randalds]

I have a new Iraqi strategery: Withdraw to the borders of the country....keep out the influences of other countries.....let them annialate each other.....come back in a clean up.
Posted by Infidel_US at 02:01 PM : May 04, 2007

That's not a "new" strategy, it's the exact same one that democrats, most notably Jack Murtha, have been proposing for years now. Withdraw to the borders (or just beyond), be ready with anti-terrorist quick reaction forces, keep other nations out and let the Iraqi's sort out there own civil war without anymore American soldiers being killed in the middle of it. Still it's nice to see you come over to our side.

[infidel_us]

I just got finished reading an article where Iraqis "stoned" a Kurdish woman TO DEATH for dating a boy of another religion......while the Iraqi security force stood and watched. You hearing this....they threw rocks at her while she writhed on the ground in agony.

These people are SAVAGES. They have no place in the modern world let alone a "democracy" in which to live in freedom. They don't deserve the gift of freedom or one more American life to try and achieve it.

I have a new Iraqi strategery: Withdraw to the borders of the country....keep out the influences of other countries.....let them annialate each other.....come back in a clean up.

[mudrose-2009]

You answered your own question about the minimum wage. It was passed along with the appropriation for our troops. Bush screwed the working man when he vetoed it.
Posted by realpatriot1

As usual you missed the point. Who put the mini-wage in the supplemental?

[realpatriot1]

mudrose,

You answered your own question about the minimum wage. It was passed along with the appropriation for our troops. Bush screwed the working man when he vetoed it.

[mudrose-2009]

Pelosi,

In your quest for a private plane, your "sessions" with your boyfriend Assad, killer of Americans, your hiring of ILLEGALS,and your outright betrayal of our soldiers in Iraq...One question needs to be asked:

Where is the minimum wage for all Americans you promised to enact IMMEDIATELY!

Seems betraying the troops, "servicing" Assad, and getting a private plane is more important than the average American worker. But that's the Pelosi-Reid-MoveOn.Org Hitlerian Dems for ya!
Posted by Superpat1898

Didn't you hear they tucked the mini-wage which will force a small businessperson to fire an employee to make up for the increase - in the supplemental for the troops as one of their pork pieces. They don't give a rats azz about anyone. They can't legislate so they investigate.

[jerr11]

"GOP Candidates Push Persistence In Iraq"


These GOP's sure know how to be persistent:

Persistence = More dead young Americans in the coming months.

Persistence = Spending 2.5 billion a week to prop up a corrupt Iraq government that's killing our young men and women.

Persistence = More windfall profits for Halliburton.


All in all a brilliant strategy to continue the biggest con on the American people!

Heckuva job guys!

[Joelran]

Wrtie this down.................. Mit Romney will win all 50 states in 2008 to become our 42nd President.


Posted by perception5 at 11:38 AM : May 04, 2007

Dear Lord...
perp, your ignorance is showing. Unless you mean romney will morph himself into Bill Clinton (the 42nd President of these United States), it's time for a 5 grade refresher course on Civics and the U.S. presidents.
Actually, if he does become Bill Clinton, that would be a great thing. Maybe restore some honor and dignity back to this country.

[huskerarmy]

Bush II or Herbie Hoovier? ...Would be a tight contest.

[randalds]

If Americans liked Ronald Reagan they are going to LOVE Mit Romney

Posted by perception5 at 11:38 AM : May 04, 2007

More and more Americans are finally coming to the realization of what a cra*ppy president Reagan really was. He was a LOUSY president! One of the worst! Not as bad as either of the Bushes (with Bush two sucking the most of any in history), but he was right down there in the filth with them.

[huskerarmy]

Wrtie this down.................. Mit Romney will win all 50 states in 2008 to become our 42nd President. Posted by preception5

LOL! Right! Romney is the political equivalent to a used car salesman, complete with the plastic hair. Whatever you believe... that's what I belive... Did I say that... what I meant was...

[perception5]

Wrtie this down.................. Mit Romney will win all 50 states in 2008 to become our 42nd President.

He will be great and someone that all Independents and a lot of the Dems could vote for.

The only ones who won't be happy are the far left-wingers controlling the Dems party today, MoveOn., Mob-run unions, and trial lawyers like $400 hair cuts John, the divider, Edwards.

If Americans liked Ronald Reagan they are going to LOVE Mit Romney

[huskerarmy]

"Where would the socialist Democrats be without their beloved income tax?" Posted by emj1962

Socialist Democrats? This is the GOP term for any level of social responsibility. Unfortunately for them, their commie scare program is obsolete. But just the same, I wonder how many western countries you can name with lower taxes? That's what I thought... If you want to be free of the kind of infrastructure and safety net that our taxes provide, you can always move to the third world with your sellout corporate friends. I hear it's nice in Dubai this time of year. The real question should be "Where would the GOPers be without the fear-and-smear, no new taxes scams?"

[tuckerndfw]

Reagan sold weapons to our enemy! That's the truth!

Posted by neoconRcrazy at 10:05 AM : May 04, 2007

Raygun also actively supported Saddam Hussein.

Raygun also supported terrorists. He supported Osama Bin Laden and was primarily responsible for inventing al qaida.

Odd how Raygun supporters seem to overlook the fact he "cut & ran" from Lebanon in 1983. And, that is an example of "American cowardice" often cited by "terrorist organizations" today.

Raygun was almost as corrupt and incompetent as George Bush.

I wouldn't vote for any candidate who claimed he was equivalent to Raygun. That is similar to claiming equivalence to George Bush.

[tuckerndfw]

the Republican Party is so lacking in principles they don't have Ron Paul as their candidate.

Posted by emj1962 at 09:30 AM : May 04, 2007

The primary reason Ron Paul gets no support from the GOP and so little media attention is his opposition to supporting Israel.

The GOP relies primarily on Zionists, most of whom are American right wing Christian zealots, for their support.

But, you are correct the GOP lacks principles, irrespective of anything else, including Ron's candidacy.

[KYJurisDoctor]

Did Mitt Romney REALLY win? Does it REALLY matter, with Fred Thompson "knocking on the political door"?

Join the chat:

http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/2007/05/gop-presidential-candidates-debate.html#links

[realpatriot1]

emj1962,

I'd like to see you all "support the troops" without an income tax. That would be extremely entertaining to watch. You don't like property taxes either. Or gas taxes. Where do you propose getting the money from, t-bonds sold to The People's Republic of China?

I forgot,you're already doing that. Sort of ironic that The Socialist Chinese Army is paying for our Iraqi adventure- they must think it's good for them.

[neoconrcrazy]

Speaking of Iran, Giuliani said "they looked in Ronald Reagan's eyes and in two minutes they released the hostages."


Wow - impressive but Rudy don't you remember the facts ??? ;

"The Iran-Contra Affair was a political scandal in the United States during the 1980s.[1] Large volumes of documents relating to the scandal were destroyed or withheld from investigators by Reagan Administration officials.[2] The affair is still shrouded with secrecy and it is very hard to discover the facts. It involved several members of the Reagan Administration who in 1986 helped to illegally sell arms to Iran, an avowed enemy, and used the proceeds to fund, also illegally, the Contras, a right-wing guerrilla organization in Nicaragua. [3]

After the arms sales were revealed in November 1986, President Ronald Reagan appeared on national television and denied that they had occurred.[4] However, a week later, on November 13, he returned to the airwaves to affirm that weapons were indeed transferred to Iran. He denied that they were part of an exchange for hostages."

Reagan sold weapons to our enemy! That's the truth!

[neoconrcrazy]

But don't forget to blame dem Jooz - and maybe America too, bozo.
Posted by Superpat1898


superpatrioteer lieberman offers us relentlessly the dribbling dregs of his degenerate mind -

isn't time you moved on - or are you paid to nauseate us ?