CNN Mesa, Arizona GOP pres. primary debate **live commentary thread**

[Vosem]

Vosem, in the 50's in order to help American and British oil companies we got rid of democracy in Iran. We are the ones supporting dictatorships out there. It is their oil and they get to sell it to us at market prices, not due to force.

I never said we supported democracy. Gaddafi supported us in Afghanistan (and stayed quiet about Iraq), I think we should've put a no-fly zone over Syria and left Gaddafi in power (where he would've stayed if not for NATO). I said we should maintain our presence in the Middle East to maintain our source of oil, and to ensure regimes hostile to us, in what unfortunately is a critical strategic area, cannot survive for very long -- and, if necessary, that means using military force, as we did in Iraq in '91 and '03.

[ChairmanSanchez]

I know Dr. Paul doesn't actually pay much attention to what happens in DC. He's too busy whoring it up around the country. But you'd think Paul would know enough to know Santorum wasn't Senate Majority Whip.

To be fair, Santorums had 6 years of doing nothing. Oh wait, he has been lobbying.

Ron Paul probably doesn't realize education for anyone besides the wealthiest Americans was practically non-existent during the foundation of the country and anyone who thinks that's okay is insane.

Do you honestly believe that if the Department of Education is abolished, the states will not have a Education system? Of course Public Education will continue, at a state level.

[King]

Some music for the finale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfUYuIVbFg0

[Senator Sbane]

Vosem, in the 50's in order to help American and British oil companies we got rid of democracy in Iran. We are the ones supporting dictatorships out there. It is their oil and they get to sell it to us at market prices, not due to force.

I never said we supported democracy. Gaddafi supported us in Afghanistan (and stayed quiet about Iraq), I think we should've put a no-fly zone over Syria and left Gaddafi in power (where he would've stayed if not for NATO). I said we should maintain our presence in the Middle East to maintain our source of oil, and to ensure regimes hostile to us, in what unfortunately is a critical strategic area, cannot survive for very long -- and, if necessary, that means using military force, as we did in Iraq in '91 and '03.

And that leads to terrorism and hate against us. Not due to our wealth or whatever crap the Republicans/neocons throw at us. If you can at least admit that, then fine we can agree to disagree.

[wormyguy]

Oil prices are set as a global commodity. It doesnt matter where it comes from.

And domestic production is gowing and imports are now below 50%, but the notion that we can drill our way to 0 imports is a fantasy. Now maybe if people want to talk about radically reducing consumption, maybe.  

If Iran did block the straight, oil would got to $500 a barrell overnight because it would be treated as a reduction in the overall supply. And the Iranian navy would cease to exist by the next day.

Yup, blocking the straits would mean war. They would be stopping oil coming from other countries from going to their destination. They would deserve to get bombed. Forcing regime change to put in our dictators so we can get Iranian oil is absolutely ridiculous. This is just frightening. The same sort of rhetoric leading to the Iraq war is being seen right now. Anybody out there who is not war hungry, I plead with you to not vote for any Republican other than Ron Paul.

It's looking like a moot point by now - appears Obama's about to start a war prior to election day, the only question being Iran or Syria or both.

[Senator Sbane]

Oil prices are set as a global commodity. It doesnt matter where it comes from.

And domestic production is gowing and imports are now below 50%, but the notion that we can drill our way to 0 imports is a fantasy. Now maybe if people want to talk about radically reducing consumption, maybe. 

If Iran did block the straight, oil would got to $500 a barrell overnight because it would be treated as a reduction in the overall supply. And the Iranian navy would cease to exist by the next day.

Yup, blocking the straits would mean war. They would be stopping oil coming from other countries from going to their destination. They would deserve to get bombed. Forcing regime change to put in our dictators so we can get Iranian oil is absolutely ridiculous. This is just frightening. The same sort of rhetoric leading to the Iraq war is being seen right now. Anybody out there who is not war hungry, I plead with you to not vote for any Republican other than Ron Paul.

It's looking like a moot point by now - appears Obama's about to start a war prior to election day, the only question being Iran or Syria or both.

Sadly, I think you may be right..... but the Republican party is even more militaristic than Obama. Imagine that!

[Vosem]

And that leads to terrorism and hate against us. Not due to our wealth or whatever crap the Republicans/neocons throw at us. If you can at least admit that, then fine we can agree to disagree.

Of course that's true, I never disputed that.

[realisticidealist]

Paul: "People thinking I can't win is a misconception."

That's because you've never won a statewide race ever!

[Keystone Phil]

Newt, what's the biggest misconception about you?

Or just list your campaign talking points. Same to Mitt.

[Likely Voter]

OMG, Romney just went big time douche with that "you get to ask the questions you want..."

[realisticidealist]

Romney epic fail by being a douche.

[ChairmanSanchez]

Answer the question, Mitt.

[Mitt Romney's Hair]

Vosem, in the 50's in order to help American and British oil companies we got rid of democracy in Iran. We are the ones supporting dictatorships out there. It is their oil and they get to sell it to us at market prices, not due to force.

I never said we supported democracy. Gaddafi supported us in Afghanistan (and stayed quiet about Iraq), I think we should've put a no-fly zone over Syria and left Gaddafi in power (where he would've stayed if not for NATO). I said we should maintain our presence in the Middle East to maintain our source of oil, and to ensure regimes hostile to us, in what unfortunately is a critical strategic area, cannot survive for very long -- and, if necessary, that means using military force, as we did in Iraq in '91 and '03.

And that leads to terrorism and hate against us. Not due to our wealth or whatever crap the Republicans/neocons throw at us. If you can at least admit that, then fine we can agree to disagree.

You do know that the majority of terrorists come from the middle class, right? Just saying.....

[Thomas D]

Romney gets booed. Yay.

[King]

QUESTION FORMAT INVALID. MITTBOT DOES NOT COMPUTE.  PROCEED WITH BIO PLATITUDES.

[Keystone Phil]

Wow. Mitt Romney is the most spoiled brat ever. Ever. Disgusting.

[ChairmanSanchez]

Paul: "People thinking I can't win is a misconception."

That's because you've never won a statewide race ever!

Once again. Check the ACTUAL results, and how Paul won most of Minnesota, and Colorados delegates.

[Mitt Romney's Hair]

Romney epic fail by being a douche.

They're closing remarks. If the moderator can't see that then he has failed with a very stupid last question. Look how most of the candidates did it for closing remarks and didn't answer the question. Why? Because it made sense to do so in concluding the last GOP debate.

[realisticidealist]

Paul: "People thinking I can't win is a misconception."

That's because you've never won a statewide race ever!

Once again. Check the ACTUAL results, and how Paul won most of Minnesota, and Colorados delegates.

Citation please.

[Vosem]

Vosem, in the 50's in order to help American and British oil companies we got rid of democracy in Iran. We are the ones supporting dictatorships out there. It is their oil and they get to sell it to us at market prices, not due to force.

I never said we supported democracy. Gaddafi supported us in Afghanistan (and stayed quiet about Iraq), I think we should've put a no-fly zone over Syria and left Gaddafi in power (where he would've stayed if not for NATO). I said we should maintain our presence in the Middle East to maintain our source of oil, and to ensure regimes hostile to us, in what unfortunately is a critical strategic area, cannot survive for very long -- and, if necessary, that means using military force, as we did in Iraq in '91 and '03.

And that leads to terrorism and hate against us. Not due to our wealth or whatever crap the Republicans/neocons throw at us. If you can at least admit that, then fine we can agree to disagree.

You do know that the majority of terrorists come from the middle class, right? Just saying.....

Economic class has little to nothing to do with the reasons terrorists attack the United States.

[Likely Voter]

Grading the debate


everyone gets a B-

everyone plays to their supporters but probably gained no one.

a big nothingburger

[Senator Sbane]

Vosem, in the 50's in order to help American and British oil companies we got rid of democracy in Iran. We are the ones supporting dictatorships out there. It is their oil and they get to sell it to us at market prices, not due to force.

I never said we supported democracy. Gaddafi supported us in Afghanistan (and stayed quiet about Iraq), I think we should've put a no-fly zone over Syria and left Gaddafi in power (where he would've stayed if not for NATO). I said we should maintain our presence in the Middle East to maintain our source of oil, and to ensure regimes hostile to us, in what unfortunately is a critical strategic area, cannot survive for very long -- and, if necessary, that means using military force, as we did in Iraq in '91 and '03.

And that leads to terrorism and hate against us. Not due to our wealth or whatever crap the Republicans/neocons throw at us. If you can at least admit that, then fine we can agree to disagree.

You do know that the majority of terrorists come from the middle class, right? Just saying.....

Yes, because they are pissed off that we think we get to control them....I never said people become terrorists because they are poor.

[realisticidealist]

Romney epic fail by being a douche.

They're closing remarks. If the moderator can't see that then he has failed with a very stupid last question. Look how most of the candidates did it for closing remarks and didn't answer the question. Why? Because it made sense to do so in concluding the last GOP debate.

You can do it much, much more tactfully than Romney did.

[Mitt Romney's Hair]

Very first couple off CNN analysts calls it a win for both Mitt and Newt, and a strikeout for Rick.

A strikeout for Rick is good news for Mitt.

[Mitt Romney's Hair]

Vosem, in the 50's in order to help American and British oil companies we got rid of democracy in Iran. We are the ones supporting dictatorships out there. It is their oil and they get to sell it to us at market prices, not due to force.

I never said we supported democracy. Gaddafi supported us in Afghanistan (and stayed quiet about Iraq), I think we should've put a no-fly zone over Syria and left Gaddafi in power (where he would've stayed if not for NATO). I said we should maintain our presence in the Middle East to maintain our source of oil, and to ensure regimes hostile to us, in what unfortunately is a critical strategic area, cannot survive for very long -- and, if necessary, that means using military force, as we did in Iraq in '91 and '03.

And that leads to terrorism and hate against us. Not due to our wealth or whatever crap the Republicans/neocons throw at us. If you can at least admit that, then fine we can agree to disagree.

You do know that the majority of terrorists come from the middle class, right? Just saying.....

Yes, because they are pissed off that we think we get to control them....I never said people become terrorists because they are poor.

I can think of hundreds of things that I don't like about society. Should I kill those people and expect them to change their ways? Please.