The not-so-Lincoln-Douglas debate

Posted by AzBlueMeaie:

Former Utah Governor Jon Hunstsman is frequently described as a rational responsible Republican, a "moderate" for the GOP establishment, as opposed to the extremists of the Tea-Publican radical right. It turns out these differences are minute, at best. "Moderate" Republicans are a myth.

Did you hear about what was laughingly billed as the "Lincoln-Douglas Debate" last night? You're not alone. Most of the corporate media did not cover it. Jon Huntsman, who polls in single digits in the GOP presidential primary, could have used this one-on-one debate with the GOP flavor of the month Newt Gingrich to light him up and get some badly needed media coverage for his campaign.

Instead, he put the audience including his own family to sleep. And he was sucking up for the VP slot. How sad. Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman agree on seriousness at debate in New Hampshire – POLITICO.com:

The 90-minute talk at St. Anselm College, moderated by local Republican operative Patrick Griffin, centered on national security and foreign policy, and the two men ranged widely across Asia and the Middle East. The debate showed a few of their differences – Huntsman, notably, favors a rapid withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan – but it lacked the animating point of the 1858 debates on which it was modeled: a core disagreement.

Indeed, Gingrich and Huntsman agreed so often that two members of the press, and Huntsman’s young daughters, dozed at points during the 90-minute debate. Most disagreements were hard to detect, and quickly papered over. After the debate, Huntsman was pressed repeatedly on whether he agrees with one of Gingrich’s most dramatic claims: That the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran would use “nuclear weapons in a heartbeat” and could not, for reasons of religious fanaticism, be deterred by the threat of massive retaliation.

Huntsman, pressed repeatedly by reporters after the debate on whether he agreed with that view, which is shared by former Sen. Rick Santorum, did not answer directly.

“Their language is provocative enough to give us serious concern about what their intentions are longer term,” he said.

Indeed, Huntsman went out of his way to align himself with the new frontrunner, and against Mitt Romney, who’s shut him out of the relatively moderate, Northeastern space he’d sought to occupy. On Sunday, Huntsman contrasted himself – “a practitioner” – with Gingrich – a “professor.” Monday he was blowing kisses. “Based on Speaker Gingrich’s excellent performance, he is definitely, definitely at the top of my shortlist of people to consider for the vice presidency of the United States,” Huntsman said.

That is some serious ass-kissing, Jon. Just another unprincipled politician. No wonder he is in single digits.

A recorded version of this not-so-Lincoln-Douglas debate was to air on C-SPAN beginning Monday. Don't waste your time.

"Survivor – GOP Presidential Primary" returns to FAUX News Fraudcasting, co-hosted by the Republican Party of Iowa this Thursday, December 15 at 9:00 p.m. ET, from the Sioux City Convention Center in Sioux City, Iowa. FAUX News special report anchor Bret Baier will moderate the debate.