I Use My Tongue Prettier Than a HUNNERT-Dollar Whore!

No major serious posts from me tonight. I'm a little drained because of the debate. Just a few short items of interest:

(1) As far as post-debate discussion goes, I disagree with those that are complaining about CNN's choice of questions. With the exception of the space-program question, which was a complete waste of time, the video-questions did a good job showing how these candidates differ from the Democrats and each other. They hit every single issue of contention right now and also managed to cover an impressive number of smaller issues that will only matter to select groups.

I think the folks crying foul over the Stars and Bars questions are putting their disappointment and anger at how the candidates responded onto CNN for daring to intimate that Republicans and especially Southerners feel differently about the flag than do most Democrats. How oversensitive are the folks over at the Corner that they don't even want CNN to mention it, as if the differences don't exist or that this is not an important issue for a great many people.

The same goes for the gun questions. We've been talking about how important the Second Amendment issue is for months, especially with regard to Giuliani. But now the Corner is complaining that CNN actually asked the candidates about it? This is standard, plain-vanilla griping about the "MSM." That's getting old.

It's tired, it's unimpressive, and it is unhelpful because it completely obscures the real story: our candidates did great tonight. I found myself very impressed, even with several candidates I have strongly disliked for years. I even found myself nodding along with John McCain a few times, and actually clapped for Mitt Romney once.

As far as the creepy-guy Bible question, it wasn't a substantively important question for me, and I suspect it wasn't for too many others. On the other hand, it would be completely unreasonable to outlaw questions about the literalness of the Bible, especially given the national discussion of creationism in schools.

Finally, the complaint at the Corner that there were not enough substantive questions about national security seems to me to be begging for exactly the kind of canned answers everyone hates. We already know what they're going to say about national security. Giuliani is going to talk about NYC. McCain is going to talk about his time as a senator, if he doesn't manage to work in a mention of Vietnam. Romney is going to make powerful and sweeping statements about engagement and democracy. And Paul is going to talk about running home and cowering behind the walls of Fortress America. If you want that stuff, go watch a campaign ad or two.

Wow, that got longer than I thought.

(2) There is an amusing contest going on over at Worth1000.com in which folks are photoshopping celebrities into Star Wars roles. Some of them are very good (although there are few of the done-to-death Pope Benedict as Emperor). I like this one (from a previous contest):

(3) Average Gay Joe notes that the Virginia GOP has instituted what he's calling "loyalty oaths." Go over to his place for a roundup on the issue.

(4) Eddiebear sent me this story earlier today, about how Tennessee is seeking to get more jurors:

A provision allowing an exemption for alcoholics or anyone who “is drunk, or has been drunk during the term of the court then sitting” also is up for elimination.

(5) Finally and on a more personal note, I thought I'd mention to the morons that I got an offer this afternoon for the job I interviewed for back in October. Your advice about getting around Falls Church was excellent. They want me for the offices in L.A., so I'll be staying right here when I graduate in May. Thanks again.

posted by Gabriel Malor at 04:17 AM

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