As the 2012 Republican Primary heats up, the candidates are vying for each and every vote. Currently Romney is holding onto his regular 20 some percent as always. The interesting moves are what is happening behind him. Ron Paul is making his move and so is Huntsman as gingrich fades into the night. Bachman finally gave up and quit and Santorum is actually a non event. South Carolina is the next primary and it is the backyard for Gingrich. It will be interesting to see how much Newt loses voter base in S.C as a new breed of voters emerge within the state.

Saturday Night Fights 01/07/12

Author: Brian

The Republican debate on Saturday night January 7th, 2012 provided lots of insight into the candidates' positions and their ability to talk coherently (or not). For example, Romney made it pretty clear that 'contraception works'. The debate moderators asked several hard questions designed to help the voters choose and to make the candidates think. One of the most interesting questions for me, however, actually came at the end of the debate. It was the 'throw-away' freebie question, "If you weren't here at the debate, what would you be doing on Saturday night?".

The candidates' responses to this question actually provides a lot of insight into their values and character.

Perry answered first and was immediate and sure about his answer. He would be "at the shooting range". Perry obviously favors gun rights and enjoys his freedom to go shoot. Whether or not Perry would be taking out his frustration with the other candidates at the range is another question. His answer though seemed sincere and struck me as what he would prefer to be doing on a Saturday night. This provides a view of the man behind the carefully polished political candidate.

Gringrich responded next by saying that the would be "watching the college championship basketball game". He was corrected by the moderator -- football championships are currently underway. This statement tells us several important things about Gringrich. Most importantly, that he is out of touch with what middle-class Americans are doing. We know that its football championship season -- basketball is just getting underway. We also know that the college football championship is Monday, January 9th. The football games on Saturday were pro football games (although they were playoff games). I feel that Gringrich was trying to be 'real' but fell flat. He wouldn't be watching football -- unless one of his aides told him he needed to have a photo op while watching football.

Romney said, "..afraid it's football. I love it". He was saying it like it was a dirty little secret to love football. Millions of Americans love football, why should he be 'afraid it's football". What Romney's statement said to me was that he liked some middle-class American things (like football), but it was 'improper' to actually like them. I think he's ashamed of liking football.

Santorum followed with "be with my family huddled around watching the championship game". It was hard to tell if Santorum meant this or was he just trying to be 'one of the guys'. He did have to throw int he part about his family though. He wants us to see that he loves being with his family and that they do lots of things together.

Paul's response was revealing. He said, "I would be with my family, but if they all went to bed, I probably would be reading an economic text book". Paul, like Perry, gave an honest answer. He does seem like the type of guy would stay up after his family goes to bed and read an economic textbook. He didn't apologize it for it or try to sugar-coat it (no pretending to be reading novels for Paul). He told us the truth about himself -- he likes to be with his family, but when they are asleep what he likes to do is read intelligent though-provoking things. He's not ashamed of his intelligence and his efforts -- you have to admire that in a politician. (Most politicians work very hard to appear 'average').

Finally there is Huntsman. He claims, "I'd be on the phone with my two boys in the United States Navy.....". Huntsman was the most canned response for me. He wanted to show that he has 'real sons' doing 'real things' in the military. He was looking for votes. I think his response does shows that he is catering and that he doesn't really have a clue. Ask any family member of a navy man and they will tell you that they can't count on talking to their family member on a Saturday night. They are lucky to get to talk to them at odd hours of the day. Perhaps Huntsman can pull strings and get to talk to his sons whenever he wants, but the rest of us don't have that ability.

Overall, I think the responses to the 'silly' question helped me understand the candidates the most as people. Perry and Paul aren't ashamed of who they are; Huntsman just wants votes; Gringrich hasn't a clue; and Romney and Santorum are just trying to be liked and fit in.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/saturday-night-fights-010712-5556391.html

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