This, from last night's Michigan debate, is so bad it might actually make you feel sorry for Rick Perry...
It's been called "the most devastating moment of any modern primary debate". Perry was already struggling, but it's hard to see how, even with his substantial piggy bank, anyone can take him seriously again.
But then, he shouldn't have been taken seriously in the first place, because he didn't take his candidacy seriously. By that, I don't mean he wasn't in it to win it - he was - but he never gave much evidence of having any interest in understanding the actual choices that an actual president - rather than a bad-Harrison-Ford-movie version of a president - would have to make.
He didn't care about policy, because he thought he could get by on posturing, and it's embarrassing for the modern Republican Party that, for a short while, it looked like he might be able to get away with it. It's even more embarrassing that the man sitting atop the polls, allegations of sexual harassment notwithstanding, makes Perry look like a man of substance. Herman Cain knows - and cares - even less. But he has his soundbites and his killer lines and his grin, and hey, apparently anyone can be president.
Romney does know stuff, and could clearly do the job. But nobody likes or trusts him. Huntsman is the only other serious candidate - serious in that he's got a substantial resume of governing, and knows his policy (especially foreign policy). But he worked for Obama (and hasn't set the debates alight).
The 2012 election is very winnable for the Republicans. But they have degraded themselves so much in recent years that they're now presented with a terrible choice of candidates, one of whom they will have to present to the electorate next year, probably with little enthusiasm. Lucky Obama.
I watched it live and that moment was so bad (live it was worse because you didn't know if anyone was going to help him) I wanted to take my headphones off. General reaction on twitter and blogs was "oh my god....".
Huntsman had some good moments but again, reinforced why he's not going to get anywhere. He'd make a good point (like "talking about trade barriers is pandering") and then refuse to actually follow the attack up.
CNBC moderators were very good, much harder hitting than previous ones.
Posted by: ejoch | November 10, 2011 at 09:50 AM
Sarah Palin looks more electable than most of these loons....
Posted by: elemjay | November 11, 2011 at 06:58 AM