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Power, pop, and probings from ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper
Jake Tapper is ABC News' Senior White House Correspondent based in the network's Washington bureau. He writes about politics and popular culture and covers a range of national stories.
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"If they f--- with me or Shaha…"
May 16, 2007 9:12 AM
Greetings from Columbia, SC, where we covered the GOP debate for abcnews.com (CLICK HERE) and Good Morning America.
But in addition to your thoughts on winners and losers from last night (For debate's sake, let's say -- Winners: Giuliani for being the star, McCain for being the most presidential, Huckabee for drawing the most laughs; Losers: Romney for flailing a tad, Ron Paul for being called out by Giuliani for his views on the causes of 9/11), I'm wondering what you think of the death of the Rev. Jerry Falwell yesterday.
Plaudits came…..from interesting places...
From John McCain -- who IN A STATEMENT called Falwell "man of distinguished accomplishment" yesterday after calling him "an agent of intolerance" seven years ago -- one year ago, YOU MAY RECALL, McCain paid homage and buried the hatchet with a trip to Liberty University last year…
From Al Sharpton, who said Falwell, "personally was genuinely a nice guy, and I would find him to be one of the few people in the public light who was genuine. He believed what he said. I used to tell him, 'What you're saying is crazy,' but he really believes it"…
From Larry Flynt, who said IN A STATEMENT "My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face to face you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, years after the trial, Jerry Falwell and I became good friends. He would visit me in California and we would debate together on college campuses. I always appreciated his sincerity even though I knew what he was selling and he knew what I was selling."
What say you, vox populi?
-- jpt
May 16, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (3)
As concerns Falwell, I agree with the straight talking McCain (and Chuck, incidentally), not the new, unprincipled, opportunistic McCain.
Posted by: DKNY | May 16, 2007 1:33:55 PM
I thought McCain seemed old and tired, like that stupid drunken sailor joke he's told so many times.
Guiliani did well, all things considered. I was encouraged by one of the second tier guys saying that he respected Guiliani's honesty on the issues. Guiliani's stance on social issues may alienate some voters, but in the long term, his honesty may foster trust and respect. At least, that's what I was starting to sense last night. People aren't as dumb as Romney thinks they are. (Although who can blame Romney for thinking the electorate is dim.)
Tancredo had the best joke of the night, with his line about Edwards' in a beauty shop. Liked when Rudy complimented the ordering of "Rudy McRomney."
Posted by: cordelia525 | May 16, 2007 10:30:36 AM
Your assessment of the Repub debate yesterday evening is the same as mine--Giuliani and McCain looked the strongest in their performances. And as for the litany of kind words for Jerry Falwell, I hope that he finally gets to meet his Creator--Allah, Vishnu, Buddah, or any other non-Christian deity. It would serve him right after all the hatred and intolerance he's preached in the name of Christianity!
Posted by: chuck | May 16, 2007 10:22:54 AM
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