Rudy starts it off with a tabloid-tastic ad that feels like something the Monster Raving Loony Party would endorse. He took on King Kong and made it snow less. How can anyone object to that?

Rudy gives a great answer, seriously, about repairing America's image abroad and in the Muslim world, most specifically-- and underlines very well that we are not at war with Islam, and Muslims like the questioner. Count me impressed.

McCain gets onto winning in Iraq, and the heat he took over his criticism of the manner in which the war was being fought under Rumsfeld's tenure.

Hunter wants to fix America's reputation by reminding everyone about all the good stuff America has done.

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Romney takes a tough question on torture and interrogation techniques. He seems to me to bunt by saying that it's not wise for presidential candidates to discuss what methods they would and would not use to combat terrorism. And he brings up Guantanamo and wanting to keep it open. I think McCain's going to go ballistic about this.

McCain is "astonished" that Romney doesn't know what waterboarding is. Romney says he does. But he refused to discuss it. I'm on McCain's side here-- Romney's answer was crap. He brings in references to Pol Pot. Smart move. And he also alludes to th fact that the military doesn't believe that techniques like waterboarding work-- a point on which he's correct, of course.

Romney appreciates McCain's strong response. I doubt it, however. Romney's on about keeping techniques secret again. He's just said he's gotten advice on this from generals. I can't imagine McCain will let that pass.

McCain says in that case, Romney had better withdraw us from the Geneva Convention. He says waterboarding is clearly torture. And life is not 24. McCain underlines that a key general in Iraq doesn't think we need to use techniques like waterboar...

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Duncan Hunter has some concerns about the questioner's handling of his gun.

Rudy's going to get hit on guns now. This is actually a pretty tough question. Rudy thinks we need to be aggressive about enforcing gun laws that exist. And all laws, actually. He's pointing to his crime record. He did just say that he thinks that the 2nd amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms. He's pointing to the views of a judge. This may work well for lawyers and those who follow court items closely, but I think it's going to be lost on most people. Now, he's saying SCOTUS is going to make a decision-- and that he doesn't think that the right relates to militias. Quite right.

Thompson's whacking Rudy on gun laws now. He's whacking him HARD. This is the risk with Rudy citing a court case-- he didn't get specific about clarifying what legal exceptions there might be where the exercise of 2nd amendment rights is concerned.

Now a guy from Arizona is asking a question about favorite guns. This should weed out the men from the boys. Thompson says he owns some, but he won't say which or where they're kept. McCain says he used plenty of guns when he was in the service. He doesn't own one now. Hunter gives an extended answer. Romney just conceded that the two guns in his house that he's previously tried to imply are his are actually his son's. All I can say is varmints.

Romney is somehow tying a question about black-on-black crime to family values. Missing the point, I fear. Anderson calls him on it. Romney continues with the family stuff, and then steals Rudy's line about education being the civil rights issue of our time. He's walked right into the violent crime trap, too. Not smart.

Rudy's going to whack him now on the increase in murders and burglary during his tenure in Massachusetts. Romney should NOT have opened the door here. It's an open invitation to Rudy to tout his record, and on an issue that is fri...

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I rarely like to ask readers to do things like sign petitions or donate money, but today, I'm going to do it.

It appears that MSNBC may cancel Tucker Carlson's show. This is a personal disaster for me. Tucker is one of my favorite people in the whole world. His show is the highlight of my day. Yes, I am a much sadder person than you ever imagined. But, there you have it.

So, if you like me, and you want a happy Liz writing and blogging, please consider visiting Save Tucker Carlson, and signing the petition. I will personally be extremely grateful if you do.

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