Lol I was totally expecting you to defend Buckethead James! Lol. But I guess even a huge fan has his limits... It's weird to me that someone who could write such beautiful music (colma, octaves of the holy innocents, population override, electric tears, etc.) could be so weird. That article just seems insane to me. Really I was hoping there would be more song description, but I guess this was all we really needed to hear.

Looking forward to reading this.

Ron Paul Debate Performance May Have Hurt John McCain
By Tim Morgan
Jan 25, 2008     

The Florida debate that was hosted by MSNBC for the Republican Party was important for the voters of Florida.  It was the polar opposite of the Democratic debates of late and showcased some civility and it seems clear that most observers believed that Mitt Romney won the debate.  Certainly he was better than his main competition, John McCain, and from my observations I think McCain was hurt a bit by Ron Paul.

Wait - what?  Hear me out.  Paul is a ten-term US Congressman from Texas and he will finish in dead last in Florida.  Most of the party shudders when he speaks but on Thursday night his performance was spot on as most of the debate was on the economy and that is his specialty.

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Romney looked good, sounded presidential and mixed in some pretty good humor.  Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani weren't very good in the debate, but neither did anything to hurt their campaigns.  But both needed serious efforts or they are going to fade away very quickly after Tuesday's vote.  Then there was Ron Paul.  Many have dubbed him a kook and while I'm not sure that is fair, but he has taken on some heavy fire in the earlier debates.

This one was different, civility ruled and Paul was able to speak clearly and stayed on message and highlighted his strength which is the understanding of economic policy.  There was a special section of the debate where candidates were allowed to quiz other candidates with specific questions.  Paul aimed his at McCain and his answer was confusing at best.  It was a question about the transparency of government and McCain just rattled off a bunch of insiders names and seemed very confused.  See the video here.

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The debate showed again that McCain's biggest weakness will be economic policy and as the campaign has shifted away from the war in Iraq this may be an ongoing problem for McCain.  If this thing turns into "It's the economy stupid" as I believe it will, McCain is in trouble.

Who knew that Mitt Romney's best ally in the state of Florida would wind up as being Ron Paul.  If Romney rallies for a win in the Sunshine State he may have to send Paul a thank you note. 

http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/pu … 8489.shtml
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REP. PAUL: My'”my question is for Senator McCain.

This is an economic question that I wanted to ask. It has to do with the President's Working Group on Financial Markets.

I'd like to know what your opinion is of this and whether you would keep it in place, what their role would be, or you would get rid of this group. And if you kept the group, would you make sure we would see some sunlight and know what they're doing and how they're being involved in our markets?

SEN. MCCAIN: Well, obviously we'd like to see more sunshine.

But I as president, as every other president, rely primarily on my secretary of the Treasury, on my Council of Economic Advisers, on the head of that. I would rely on the circle that I have developed over many years of people like Jack Kemp, Phil Gramm, Warren Rudman, Pete Peterson and the Concord group. I have a process of leadership, Ron, that is sort of an inclusive one that I have developed, a circle of acquaintances and people that are supporters and friends of mine who I have worked with for many, many years.

REP. PAUL: So you'd get rid of the group?

SEN. MCCAIN: You remember back in 1982 when Phil Gramm'”Phil Gramm and Warren Rudman and Gramm-Latta and all of those people got the first real tax cuts done, the real'”first real restraints in taxes. I was there. You were there. And I rely on those people to a much larger degree than any, quote, 'formal' organization, although the secretary of Treasury is obviously one of the key and important posts that I would have.

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Personally I thought Ron Paul did bad at this debate, but since this thread talks about McCain and economics I thought I could rep Paul a little more than I already do

Thanks P&G!!