The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
Possibly buried in the middle of the debate was a stark difference about the role of the federal government. Tellingly, Obama answered the question without saying a single word about the Constitution -- the supreme law that creates the federal government and defines its role. Instead, he rattled off a bizarre string of metaphors -- the government provides "ladders" and "gateways" and a "framework" for personal success. A half-hearted attempt to soften the brute force of federal power.
Romney began his answer by pointing to the text of the Constitution on the backdrop of the stage. And in other answers, he pointed to the 10th amendment and pointed out that states and localities have the primary role on education.
I suspect that the PBS folks set this up as a stand-alone topic because they assumed it would play to Obama's advantage as he talks about Uncle Sam handing out free kittens to everyone while Romney Warbucks lets everyone starve. I think the answers helped Romney (well, at least in my books).
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Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
Agree. The more we talk about the Constitution and Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness the better.
Oct '11
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
I imagine Lehrer and PBS were surprised by more than that topic tonight, and it'll take them a while to find their balance again. The left lives in a fantasy world, but it has to be hard to maintain the walls after the drubbing they just took.
May '10
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
If pictures tell a 1000 words, NBC's side-by-side presentation of the two told it all: Obama looked like Eeyore: always frowning, looking dreary and downcast; Romney, particularly when Obama started talking about how the Cleveland Clinic was lowering costs, was Tigger: upbeat, smiling, confident, always ready with a concise, articulate answer.
Apr '12
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
Romney sewed up some undecided conservatives tonight, but probably not enough to move the needle. I'm hoping the independents finally saw what they were looking for.
Jul '12
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
I loved hearing Chris Matthews shouting at Rachel Madow, Sharpton et al.: "What was Romney doing out there...he was winning!"
I've got a whole new respect for teleprompters...what a job they've done for the last 4 years.
Sep '10
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
sans TOTUS, POTUS is Bupkis.
Mar '11
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
What do you expect from a "Constitutional Lawyer" from Harvaaard
Nov '10
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
And for once his smile looked genuine. It wasn't the fake "I'm so happy to be here," you'd expect from the Romney caricature, it was a genuine "I got this," smile of confidence.
This compared to the coprophagic grin Obama busted out, clearly thinking, "I need to stop pouting!"
Mar '11
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
Off his game, the moderator lost control of the debate, yada yada yada. Tonight really made the next debate can't miss TV. Let's see if Obama actually prepares for that one. Next week between Ryan and Biden? I'd pay cash money to see that.
Jan '12
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
Who's wondering if Jim Lehrer is eating Tums right now, and NOT answering his phone...
Apr '11
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
I was glad Romney mentioned the Declaration's attribution of rights to God, but he described government's role as a kind of nanny state rather than a a protector of god-given rights.
He also completely missed pointing out that it was government interference from beginning to end that caused the financial cataclysm in 2007-2008.
Apr '11
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
Uh, actually, parents have the primary role in education. The state school has been an instrument of social planners from the beginning.
Nov '10
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
Grendel: context. The question was about what role government has. Romney's point is that state government should trump federal government when it comes to having a role in education. I'm good with that.
Jan '12
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
Grendel: I was glad Romney mentioned the Declaration's attribution of rights to God, but he described government's role as a kind of nanny state rather than a a protector of god-given rights.
He also completely missed pointing out that it was government interference from beginning to end that caused the financial cataclysm in 2007-2008. · 8 minutes ago
You're absolutely right; because he's not a libertarian, and doesn't believe that,..."that government governs best, that governs least."
Jan '12
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
He also used that same point, to good effect, in explaining his state's health insurance program.
Apr '11
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
Barbara Kidder
Grendel: I was glad Romney mentioned the Declaration's attribution of rights to God, but he described government's role as a kind of nanny state rather than a a protector of god-given rights.
He also completely missed pointing out that it was government interference from beginning to end that caused the financial cataclysm in 2007-2008. · 8 minutes ago
You're absolutely right; because he's not a libertarian, and doesn't believe that,..."that government governs best, that governs least." · 3 minutes ago
I don't think that Grendel is right. He does say that Americans believe in protecting "one another", and that the right to life means that America should provide a military.
He does not say that we should have a nanny state, but rather that we ought "not to have the government substitute itself for the rights of free individuals. And what we're seeing right now is, in my view, a -- a trickle-down government approach, which has government thinking it can do a better job than free people pursuing their dreams. And it's not working. "
He attacks food stamps. He's arguing for more freedom, more charity, less government.
Apr '11
Re: The Debate - A Defining Moment on the Role of the Federal Government
Grendel
Uh, actually, parents have the primary role in education. The state school has been an instrument of social planners from the beginning.
In this debate, he hinted at the parent's role.
And
If you want a fuller explanation of Mitt's view of education, though, he gives an excellent talk on it here. I feel confident that you will find plenty of emphasis on the parental role.