Posted: 09/17/07

The GOP Values Voter Debate was WON soundly by one man...

After watching the Values Voter Debate on SkyAngel Satellite TV this evening I was soundly impressed by the demeanor, clarity and answers of one of the seven candidates in particular.

Several of the candidates for President gave solid Christ-centered replies; while some waffled around in their answers so much it was hard to understand what they were getting at. One of the candidates seemed to be attempting to impress himself with the eloquence and volume of his every reply while another answered questions so oddly both my wife and I thought he had to be showing signs of real senility. Legalize marijuana? Surely you must be joking Ron, making such a silly comment in a values debate. Is there a doctor for the doctor in the house?

Mr. Cox was an interesting candidate but I have serious issues with letting a corporate type run anything so important as the country. I mean, just look at Wall Street some time... can anyone say "spiritually dead?"

The questions asked were interesting while some were downright volatile. I thought asking the very absent candidates questions was a very good example to the American public of what we can expect from those candidates.... zip. But, and I say this carefully realizing the logistics behind this event must have been... formidable..., I would have appreciated less grand-standing with the questions, less of the hand holding of the candidates for the obvious answer expected that went on and more clear requests for honest viewpoints. I don't appreciate leading questions when they are asked for the deceptive nature of the question and I doubt most of the candidates did either. A bit more honesty in the questions next time, if there is a next time. I submitted some very clear questions that were particularly worded so as to not lead one the answer but these did not get asked. I'm not upset... I'll be ok...

Seriously though, direct answers require direct questions.

I was disappointed by the problems with the audio. Several times the candidates, and we, were distracted from their answers by the muttering we could hear going on over the live microphones. One got the impression, not that it would be accurate mind you, but it sure did seem that those staging this event didn't get such opportunities to be heard very often and were operating from a seemingly panicked need to get every question asked while they still had the floor. I would have rather seen the desire I know was behind this debate, in wanting to get at the truth in the positions of the candidates, be more exemplified. The candidates were all being so amicable, standing for the 3 hours as questions were being fired at them, they would have waited for the technical difficulties to get sorted out. I would have liked to see politicians wait for a change, y'know?

(On another note: "Some tall chairs could have been possible." was one thought I had several times while watching. After all, Dr. Paul is what, 105?)

And yet, for all my criticisms which are intended to be good-natured, btw, I was very pleased with the showing.

I find sometimes I have to make the point of what the intended tone is in my article as some tend to take the low road in interpreting my tone, so know I was very pleased with this whole event and the candidates responses, even if some of them were show boating. I have to pause here because the candidate I went in with (yes Senator it was you) turned out to be one of those "performers" in this debate, sadly. All the candidates did do well. But, as I said earlier, one in particular surprised me.

One candidate in particular stood out. Well, the truth is that two did, but one dominated: Mike Huckabee. Tom Tancredo was remarkable in his stammering way in showing he cared about what he was saying demonstrating he considered the truth more important than appearance. For that Tom I give you a resounding, "Huzzah!" But Mike did very well I have to tell you. "I LIKE MIKE!" - It's going on my window tommorow. Mr. Huckabee answered with such clarity, such forethought and with such panache that I was taken with his genuine nature and his apparent faith in Christ. (Well done Mike, where do I get my placard?)

For this reporter, just based upon this debate, I have to advocate Mike Huckabee for President and Tom Tancredo for Vice President.

And while I am it, let's make sure Dr. Paul sees a counselor, soon...

Just for the "BOO" record, every single Democrat declined participation in any debate on "values". And yet they sure did go for the deviant values debate.

Need I say more, fellow Christians? Now get out the VOTE.

Patrick J Burwell
President/Founder, OnlyJesusSaves.com
Evangelist and Author
Click here for bio and archived articles
Evangelist@OnlyJesusSaves.com
Biblically Evangelizing Street Preacher
Founder/President of OnlyJesusSaves.com

By Patrick Burwell Click here for bio and archived articles