Live Blogging from Sunday's Republican Debate

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Live Blogging from Sunday's Republican Debate

August 05, 2007 9:22 AM

9:22 am: Have to duck out a minute or two early to get to the "spin room." Check out tomorrow's Note for a more full analysis of the debate.

9:18 am: Now THAT is Brownback speaking to his strength -- big applause by saying he'd go out and find the fifth vote to overturn Roe. Good luck getting that nominee through the Senate -- want to bet that, if Brownback is elected president, that quote would find its way back into circulation at confirmation hearings?

9:17 am: ABC's Tahman Bradley is up with a fact-check on Giuliani's record of reducing abortions in New York.

9:15 am: You could hear the groans here when Brownback said his biggest mistake isn't telling his family he loves them enough.

9:13 am: Ahh, the "mistake" question. Hunter plays it as well as you can imagine with a joke. Paul does job interview thing of making your weakness a strength. But wait... what is Romney saying about his position on abortion in 1994 -- "That was just wrong." So are we to believe it wasn't a heartfelt conversion after all?

9:08 am: Not a great Romney soundbite: "The truth is we're going to have to have taxes." Giuliani says it would be "too complex" to get there. Advantage: Huckabee.

9:07 am: This FairTax stuff may seem obscure, but there's a devoted group out there that is loving every word of what Mike Huckabee is saying. "Complete overhaul" of the tax system? Sounds good to a lot of folks.

9:03 am: And Giuliani wants to go to the Reagan-Bush model with the vice presidency. Just a bit different than Bush-Cheney, no? And Romney punted -- "depends on the person." He gets to choose that person, remember. And Romney defends Bush-Cheney: "They have kept us safe these last six years, let's not forget about that."

9:01 am: That Cheney question is a tricky one for the candidates. McCain wants to give his veep "telecommunications." "I would be very careful that everybody understood that there's one president," McCain said. Dripping with meaning, don't you think?

8:56 am: Thoughts at the commercial break: In the second tier, it's Tancredo who's done the most today so far to craft a unique image for himself. Nothing real special from McCain or that sleepy Giuliani guy. So far, got to give it to Romney -- he parried on abortion early, but since then has deflected any serious barbs.

8:52 am: I didn't hear this line, in truth, over the applause, but the Romney camp is eagerly distributing this clip where Romney says Obama went "from Jane Fonda to Dr. Strangelove."

8:50 am: ABC's Tahman Bradley is up with a fact check on Romney and abortion.

8:48 am: Leave it to Tancredo to mix things up -- standing by his threats to bomb Mecca and Medina.

8:47 am: That Romney is smooth, smooth, smooth on the stage -- a really nice disource on foreign policy -- not all that informative, in truth, but it sounds good coming out of his mouth.

8:40 am: Good catch Jason, and maybe I'm the one not getting enough sleep - fixed the title - these are of course REPUBLICANS who are debating.

8:38 am: So Romney warns against putting too much information out there about US strategies and tactic, but then declares that we have to "win the war on jihad"? Sort of an odd formulation.

8:35 am: Tommy Thompson is looking frustrated. He slammed his hands down to his sides when he wasn't able to get the last word in on healthcare -- though, in fairness, he already got a crack at the question.

8:31 am: Romney has a pretty effective -- if not down-the-line conservative -- answer on healthcare: "We have to have our citizens insured." And he took a subtle jab at Giuliani's new health care plan, which relies on tax breaks to encourage individuals to obtain health coverage.

8:30 am: Anyone surprised that it was Tancredo who first raised immigration?

8:26 am: Grassley or Bush? That should be an easy question to answer in Iowa. But Huckabee and Tommy Thompson both ducked it, because they -- like most of the others on the stage -- don't want to be either for higher taxes, or against children's health care.

8:25 am: That's a tough exchange over the war to sort out, but we are seeing some interesting (if subtle) distinctions emerging at least in the second tier.

8:20 am: Rep. Tom Tancredo lets his frustration boil over -- but would he rather of stayed in Washington for overnight votes?

8:19 am: Romney doesn't bite on the first chance to draw him out on what he's thinking on Iraq: "I think we're pretty much in the same place." And he scored the first (and it won't be the last) hit on Sen. Barack Obama: "He's going to sit down for tea with our enemies, and then he's going to bomb our allies." Nice line.

8:16 am: Sen. McCain looks strong on the war again: "We are winning. We must win," he said twice. But this is him getting boxed in even more -- emblematic of his problems in this campaign.

8:11 am: So applause for Rep. Ron Paul is not scientific -- and the boos make clear that the GOP isn't turning aginst the war -- but isn't there still an opening for an anti-war candidate in this field? But Rep. Hunter plays the hawk, to greater applause.

8:09 am: Tommy Thompson: "This party, the Republican Party, is a party of pro-life." And the candidates are turning against the format early: "This debate should be about the major issues ... instead of trying to choose one person against another in this campaign."

8:07 am: Giuliani is talking softly -- one sign of the rough night he had. But he has some serious support in the hall, at least.

8:03 am: The first exchange of the debate is over abortion -- Sen. Sam Brownback says he stands by the ad as "truthful," and Romney responds: "Virtually nothing in that ad is that true. I am pro-life. That's the truth." But it's not that simple -- and Brownback references YouTube. Romney looks frustrated when he says, "I was pro-choice. I am pro-life." But this is a good line: "I get tired of people who are holier than thou, because they've been pro-life longer than I have."

7:49 am: The debate stage has the Big Three in the middle -- Giuliani dead center, with Mitt Romney on his left and John McCain on his right. And Giuliani got a laugh during the sound check for pretending to get caught up half way throw counting down from 10. And Rep. Duncan Hunter deciding against counting -- his sound check: "Duncan Hunter, strong national defense." Wonder why he's running?

7:58 am: It's sort of interesting to see these guys wait for it to begin. Such a self-confident bunch, but they're rocking on their heels, looking around -- lots of nervous energy.

7:45 am: Here come the candidates -- and Rudy made it (and got what appeared to be the most applause upon entering the room).

7:30 am: Inside the debate hall now -- in my balcony seat. One observation: This is a cozy debate stage. The candidates could literally put their arms around each other's shoulders when they take the stage -- not that I'm expected any displays of friendship this morning.

6:36 am: So Rudy Giuliani is the big news of the pre-debate -- he was fogged in last night after a fundraiser in the Hamptons, and it took his staff most of the night to line up a plane. He is now scheduled to land in drizzly Des Moines at 7:10 am CT -- less than an hour before the debate is set to begin. So he will be one tired man when (if?) he shows up.

ABC News' Rick Klein Reports: I'll be blogging from Des Moines during Sunday's Democratic debate on ABC, live from inside the debate hall at Drake University, starting at 8 am CT (9 am ET). Check out my special Sunday edition of The Note previewing the debate and covering all of the latest political news, and stay tuned to ABCNews.com/politics for fact-checking and analysis during and after the debate.

August 5, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (95)

User Comments

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A question i would have for any republican candidate would be simply this: We prosicute and imprison four american Soldiers for Violent crimes commited against Iraqi People a terrable terrable thing. Yet the entertainment of a Nuclear strike is actually not absolutely Dismissed tho by its representation would Murder MILLIONS now and for years to come Yet four soldiers goto Jail but a Presidential Nominee who even utters those words is Appauded, Explain to me the Justice in this irrational Logic

Posted by: Robert | Aug 4, 2007 7:36:32 PM

Edit ... Democratic Candidate

Posted by: Robert | Aug 4, 2007 7:37:41 PM

Dear ABC & The Presidnetial Candidates.

Question: Since, the Democratic Party is dead set
against the War in Iraq and wants the U.S. Troops
out of that country, What will happen to the fledgling
Government without protection and would this leave
an open invitation for an al Qaeda invasion, spawning
sectarian genocides between Shiite, Sunnis, and Kurds?

No - I am Not A Repulican or Democrat, I am a Voter that could make or break your bid to the White House..

Gregg A
Retired Broadcaster
Freelance Journalist

Posted by: GreggA | Aug 4, 2007 9:40:01 PM

The Dems are debating today? Freudian slip perhaps?

If my local affiliate weren't so weak, I could watch this thing live.

Posted by: steveegg | Aug 5, 2007 8:59:57 AM

I wanted to take part early on,but I could not, any way I am still not impressed with our political hopefulls - there "simply" is a lot left to be desired.

Posted by: Williamwfh | Aug 5, 2007 9:23:19 AM

Why does the title of this blog have Democratic debate as opposed to Republican debate?

Posted by: Jason | Aug 5, 2007 9:35:37 AM

Missing planes sucks. I wonder if Rudy is just playing tired, then he will pounce and all the reporters will write: the man is awesome, even on no sleep...rudy on sleep is better than a well rested mccain...etc...yawn

Posted by: handyandy | Aug 5, 2007 9:40:11 AM

The government would soon fall and the oil market would be in the hands of the terrorist? Am I wrong?

How do you shut down a 1000 years of terrorism that has been built into a society, and into its vast organized leadership? It has been with the kingdom, warlords, tribes, etc. in the Middle East since before Columbus set sail for North America. I support president Bush and our allies. I am having a difficult time with our structured political platform which holds the fabric of our society Bill of Rights together. There has been zero forward momentum for the United States for decades in science and technology, or in new low tech industrial growth. We are obsolete and our population is dramatically falling behind. The war in the Middle East is primary, a solution must be found Terrorism cannot dictate to the global market, and the United States cannot become a 13th century mind set, which I think we have already become.

Posted by: Williamwfh | Aug 5, 2007 9:45:19 AM

When will we, as a country, begin to help the African nations develop infrastructure for water and food to those millions of people?

Posted by: JohnCS | Aug 5, 2007 9:59:29 AM

Wouldn't it be nice if ANY politician would answer a question directly ?

Posted by: Ed Piette | Aug 5, 2007 9:59:44 AM

I don't know how many people have read the Boston Globe article on Romney quoted in the Fact Check:

We are very concerned about the direction that he's heading in, the change in style and rhetoric around a whole host of issues -- abortion is one of those, of course," said Erin Rowland, a spokeswoman for the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. ''He described himself as being in favor of the status quo when he ran for governor. A number of people used the term 'prochoice' to describe him."

Brownback is right to call him on his previous statements and support for abortion. This is not something that a presidential candidate can reverse direction on and have any credibility.

Posted by: Jason | Aug 5, 2007 10:00:20 AM

Is this just blogging bias, or debate moderator bias: did Ron Paul only get what looks like a couple minutes to answer questions?

Posted by: Rudy4Prez | Aug 5, 2007 10:39:48 AM

The Republican debate results --

My Scorecard:
(using the standard +/- point system)

Tancredo....8
Huckabee....7
Giuliani....6
Brownback...6
McCain......5
Hunter......4
Romney......1
Paul........1
Thompson....1

Posted by: Jo Cline | Aug 5, 2007 10:41:54 AM

Who wasn't given the chance to speak on the tax question? Who made a firm stand on the elimination of the IRS? Who is the fundamental leader on taxs vs spending? The individual not asked about his position has voted consistantly for the past decade to balance the budget and has voted against any spending not supported by the Constitution. If you wanted to hear the voice of America on this issue, the only individual with a track record to stand on, was not asked. Ron Paul 2008

Posted by: Jay | Aug 5, 2007 10:43:45 AM

"The government would soon fall and the oil market would be in the hands of the terrorist? Am I wrong?"

The Saudis are responsible for 9-11. The oil market is, and has been in the hands of the terrorists for some time.

You are wrong.

Posted by: Marcus Aurelius | Aug 5, 2007 10:45:18 AM

Duncan Hunter was the surprise up and coming in this debate. He's very likable, and very clear and consistent on his positions. He did very well.

This is how I think it went down (who did best at the debate, i.e., who will gain the most support. This is not an estimate of who I think has the best policies)

1. Mitt Romney
2. Duncan Hunter
3. Mike Huckabee
4. Tom Tancredo
5. Rudy Giuliani
6. John McCain
7. Ron Paul
8. Brownback.
9. Tommy Thompson

Posted by: Spencer | Aug 5, 2007 10:50:09 AM

What is McCain talking about? Morale is so down right now. I pity our American soldiers fighting Bush's war. They wanna come home. Nobody has questioned the ability of our soldiers to succeed. I question Bush and his Congress for pursuing this was wrongly.

Posted by: Bernie Granado | Aug 5, 2007 10:59:29 AM

Ron Paul is the only candidate that would actually restore CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT. What a radical concept! How can we even consider voting for candidates who will not address the real issues? Ron Paul will end un-declared, no-win wars, return to stable money, get government off our backs and out of our pockets. Ron is my man.

Posted by: Greg Butko | Aug 5, 2007 10:59:54 AM

Ron Paul is the only one who makes sense to me right now. Thank you for your comment Greg.

Posted by: Bernie Granado | Aug 5, 2007 11:01:08 AM

Gee Mr Rick Klein, maybe you can ask Romney out on a date when you see him in the spin room.

Posted by: Jay | Aug 5, 2007 11:04:55 AM

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