It's Debatable

I listened to the presidential debate on Monday. I’m in the process of learning all I can about the candidates. I like them ALL many times better than what we have now, and in fact, right now I could vote for almost any of them with more enthusiasm than I felt for McCain last time around. I didn’t know who Tim Pawlenty was by sight, so now I do. I heard more from Herman Cain, who is always fun. Michelle Bachmann was impressive for her first day officially on the campaign.  

I liked all of Mitt Romney’s answers—even though the PJTV guys commenting between sections weren’t that impressed (commentators afterward were more positive about him). Newt Gingrich reminded me why I like hearing him give answers; I can’t imagine him even tolerating a teleprompter, let alone needing one. (Other issues prevent me from really hoping he stays in the race, however.) 

I enjoy having Ron Paul in the debate. Yes, he’s really a Libertarian and only runs as a Republican because that’s the only way to get elected. He’s been saying the same things for many years, about adhering to the Constitution and free-market principles. On foreign policy he gets axed from the acceptable list, but having him there to school us on the Constitution is valuable, so I hope he stays around a while. 

There are a lot more debates to come. A friend posted this list on facebook last week, which I appreciated. So I’m sharing it here for your viewing enjoyment:

May 5th, 2011 Watch Entire Video – (83 minutes)
Location: Peace Center in Greenville, SC
Sponsor: Fox News and South Carolina Republican Party
Participants: Johnson, Paul, Cain, Pawlenty, Santorum

June 13th, 2011 Airing 8PM Eastern Time on CNN
Location: Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH
Sponsor: CNN, WMUR-TV and New Hampshire Union Leader
Participants: Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich, Paul, Pawlenty, Romney, Santorum

July 10th, 2011 Air time TBD
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Sponsor: The Daily Caller, Americans for Tax Reform and Citizens Outreach Foundation
Participants: TBD

August 11th, 2011 Air time TBD on Fox News
Location: Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa
Sponsor: Fox News and Republican Party of Iowa
Participants: TBD

September 12th, 2011 Air time TBD on CNN
Location: Tampa, FL
Sponsor: CNN and the Tea Party Express
Participants: TBD

September 14th, 2011 Air time TBD on MSNBC
Location: Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA
Sponsor: Reagan Library, NBC News and Politico
Participants: TBD

September 22nd, 2011 Air time TBD on Fox News
Location: Orlando, FL
Sponsor: Fox News and Florida Republican Party
Participants: TBD

October 11th, 2011 Air time TBD on Bloomberg Television
Location: Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH
Sponsor: Bloomberg, The Washington Post and WBIN-TV
Participants: TBD

October 18th, 2011 Air time TBD on CNN
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Sponsor: CNN and the Western Republican Leadership Conference
Participants: TBD

December 10th, 2011 Air time TBD on ABC
Location: Des Moines, IA
Sponsor: ABC News and Republican Party of Ioaw
Participants: TBD

January 12th, 2012 Air time TBD on PBS
Location: Iowa Public Television in Johnston, IA
Sponsor: Des Moines Register and Iowa Public Television
Participants: TBD

January 30th, 2012 Air time TBD on Fox News
Location: Des Moines, IA
Sponsor: Fox News and Republican Party of Iowa
Participants: TBD

February, 2012 Air time TBD on ABC – Likely between February 7th and 13th
Location: NH
Sponsor: ABC News and WMUR
Participants: TBD

February, 2012 Air time TBD on Fox News – Likely between the 19th and 27th
Location: SC
Sponsor: Fox News and South Carolina Republican Party
Participants: TBD

March 5th, 2012 Air time TBD on NBC
Location: Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA
Sponsor: Reagan Library, NBC News and Politico
Participants: TBD