GOP Debate Forecasts Stormy Days Ahead

Vaughn Ververs: Divisions Were On Clear Display At Third Republican Presidential Debate

(CBS)  This analysis was written by Vaughn Ververs, senior political editor for CBSNews.com.

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Lightening outside of the New Hampshire hall where ten Republican presidential candidates gathered to debate last night wrought havoc on the audio system inside, but the summer squall was less severe than the potential storm clouds gathering within the party itself.

Divisions on issues ranging from immigration to abortion were on clear display. And after months of treading softly around an unpopular administration and many of its policies, wide cracks emerged between President Bush and the candidates in his own party who are seeking to replace him.

Almost to a man, the Republican field continued to stick with the president when it came to the issue of terrorism and sounded every bit as strong and determined as their party leader in pledging to fight it. But for the first time on a national stage, the candidates began to truly distance themselves from President Bush, sometimes in jarring language.

Two nights ago, the Democratic candidates were asked how they would utilize former president Bill Clinton should they win the 2008 election and they had no qualms about using him as an international ambassador or mid-east peace envoy. Last night, even Bush-appointed HHS secretary Tommy Thompson seemed to have little good to say about the current Oval Office occupant.

“I would certainly not send him to the United Nations,” said Thompson, acknowledging the president’s international unpopularity. Thompson then allowed that the president would be effective speaking to young people on “a lecture series.” Kansas Senator Sam Brownback offered that the president would likely want to stay out of the public spotlight and Representative Tom Tancredo recalled his turbulent relationship with the White House, saying he would tell Mr. Bush to “never darken the door of the White House” again.

Those were some of the more personal comments made. Just as sharp were the policy differences, both with the administration and among the candidates on stage.

As expected, immigration proved to be the biggest flashpoint, with John McCain under attack for his co-sponsorship of the administration-backed bill currently up in the U.S. Senate. The Arizona Senator was well-prepared in his defense of an approach many equate with amnesty, arguing that it represents a national security concern as well as a moral and practical issue. Here again, though, the president was under fire as well. At one point, Congressman Duncan Hunter referred to the legislation as the “Kennedy-McCain-Bush” bill, lumping his fellow Republicans in with the party’s traditional bogeyman, Ted Kennedy.

Even on the issue of Iraq, the candidates were quick to criticize the administration even as they continued standing behind it. McCain, who remains one of the war’s strongest supporters, said more sacrifices have been made than necessary due to mismanagement in Iraq. “This war was very badly mismanaged for a long time,” he said. And former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney said, “we were under prepared and under planned for what came after we knocked down Saddam Hussein.”

When asked later to name the biggest mistake President Bush has made, the candidates shied away from direct criticism but had plenty to say about where their party as a whole has gone wrong – overspending, failure to carry through on promises made and drifting away from conservative principles. But those general complaints were also aimed at the White House, which has held an iron-fisted grip on the party and the federal government for the past six years.

Among the candidates themselves, McCain gave one of his steadiest performances to date. Expecting to be on defensive on immigration, the senator stuck mostly to his talking points. But in the second half of the debate, when audience members were allowed to ask questions, McCain rose above the policy and catchphrases to put the issue in human terms. Recalling the contributions made by Hispanic immigrants and others before, he said, “let's, from time to time, remember that these are God's children. They must come into our country legally. But they have enriched our culture and our nation, as every generation of immigrants before them.”

[liberalvet]

Twist it however you want, just like a lefty. If the Democrats had supported it in the vote it would have passed. One or two who help write it will not mean the party supports it. Do not accuse us of not getting the facts when you just want to twist them to make it seem like you are right. Tell it like it is or go back to your girlie chat forums.
Posted by guysdigdirt at 01:20 PM : Jun 07, 2007


Hey moron...read the post your fellow right wingnut posted. He indicates that it is the Dems that are selling America out for voting for the bill. Then you, in all your wisdom, starts ranting about the Dems not supporting it.

You have just proved all our points that you right wingers have no glue what direction to lead this country. I find it very amuzing to watch you little zealots dying on the vine. As each day goes by I rest in the fact that it is one less that this great nation has to be taint by the stench and corruption of your kind; for 08 is looming and it is clear to everyone, except you blind neocons, taht your days of control is ending....

[guysdigdirt]

You NEOCONS crack me up, do any of you read the facts before you blow off your mouths? The bill being proposed is Bipartisan, meaning both Republicans and Democrates are supporting it. One of the major supporters is Sen John McCain. Lets see last time I checked he was a Republican?

Posted by LiberalVet
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Twist it however you want, just like a lefty. If the Democrats had supported it in the vote it would have passed. One or two who help write it will not mean the party supports it. Do not accuse us of not getting the facts when you just want to twist them to make it seem like you are right. Tell it like it is or go back to your girlie chat forums.

[guysdigdirt]

Nobody could sell out the country worse than the spineless gutless Democrats who voted for the immigration bill today. They need to be recalled/impeached. Democrats voting AGAINST the American worker, now I've seen it all.
Posted by standlee5
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So true, it is is the Democrats who are killing America and all of the American people. They say they are so good but they will stick you in the back first time you turn your back on them. They will only stand up for what is right if it is the popular thing to do at the moment. Spineless ****** for a vote. But I will admit there are those in the Republican party that are the same, just a lot fewer than the Democrat party.

I know a lot of you mealy mouthed leftys hate Bush, but the fact is your blue lady hillary voted to send us into war, then she backed out and took her support of the troops she sent there. Bush did not, you hate him for that. He knew if he had, we would see the war brought here, do you want it in your back yard?

[guysdigdirt]

One of the major supporters is Sen John McCain. Lets see last time I checked he was a Republican?

Posted by LiberalVet
----------------------

He is Republican in name only, he knows being lumped with the Democrat name is a fate worse than being hung by his feet and fed ex-lax. Democrats are such hypocrites and so full of $hit even he does want to be associated with the grime.

[guysdigdirt]

Posted by guysdigdirt, a guy who couldn't pay a tavern wench to give him a foot massage.
Posted by Iceman_1960
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Just like on the playground, you know you are wrong and overmatched so you resort to calling names.

I will not resort to your tricks, even though your tavern wench gave me more than a foot rub!!

[liberalvet]

Nobody could sell out the country worse than the spineless gutless Democrats who voted for the immigration bill today. They need to be recalled/impeached. Democrats voting AGAINST the American worker, now I've seen it all.

Posted by standlee5 at 12:43 AM : Jun 07, 2007

You NEOCONS crack me up, do any of you read the facts before you blow off your mouths? The bill being proposed is Bipartisan, meaning both Republicans and Democrates are supporting it. One of the major supporters is Sen John McCain. Lets see last time I checked he was a Republican?

guysdigdirt wrote:

"Clinton was not only the worst President but his power-hungry tavern wench is no better. Neither of them have, or had, any more respect for the American public than Bush, less in fact. Billy inherited a great econonmy and only had to keep his tallywhacker in his pants to be successful and that got blown too. (pun intended)"

While Clinton was not a great President, he's still much better then the current moron in the Whitehouse, GW Bush.

Bush is killing America - and his supporters are helping.

[iceman_1960]

"Clinton was not only the worst President but his power-hungry tavern wench is no better."

Posted by guysdigdirt, a guy who couldn't pay a tavern wench to give him a foot massage.

[iceman_1960]

"Clinton was not only the worst President but his power-hungry tavern wench is no better. Neither of them have, or had, any more respect for the American public than Bush, less in fact."
- Posted by guysdigdirt at 07:06 PM : Jun 06, 2007

You're really digging in the dirt now.

And dirt is all you've got.

Go play some Russian Roulette. Your days of vulgar abuse as the ruling principle of American politics are just about over.

[standlee5]

Nobody could sell out the country worse than the spineless gutless Democrats who voted for the immigration bill today. They need to be recalled/impeached. Democrats voting AGAINST the American worker, now I've seen it all.