Epic Fail! All Republican Candidates FLUNK the Ronald Reagan Pop Quiz

[McCamy Taylor]

Cain won’t call the other candidates “ignorant”, but I will. When tossed a trick question about Ronald Reagan and taxes, they all failed to show the kind of “thinks on his/her feet” that is necessary in the person who will make the tough decisions on a moment’s notice. Decisions that could affect our national security.

The moderators showed a clip of Reagan asking for a tax increase. He then asked the candidates to comment. The results were hilarious as the Republicans tried to juggle their reverence for the Gipper with their fear of Grover Norquist. Predictably, Norquist won. Perry’s response was to avoid the question altogether and demand a Balanced Budget Amendment. Romney swore he would never raise taxes or cut the military. And he implied that Reagan was spineless when he declared that he, Romney would never compromise. Gingrich called Congress stupid and went on about shooting oneself in the head (the last was a particularly ironic moment since Newt lost his old job when the House shot itself in the foot back in 1998). Bachmann said she would never raise taxes. Never ever.

Now, I am no Republican presidential candidate, but I immediately figured out the answer to this sneaky little question. And I waited for someone to get it right. But no one, not even the self proclaimed “genius” Newt did. Reagan’s federal budget was huge and bloated, because he was engaged in a massive arms race with the U.S.S.R. designed to bankrupt that nation and end the cold war that threatened to destroy the earth in one huge nuclear holocaust. Since there is currently no U.S.S.R and no cold war and no arms race, the moderator’s question was a trick one. You can not create analogies between the present and the mid 1980s.

What does it say about the candidates that none of them could figure this out? It means they are all as dumb as a bag of rocks, and the Republicans need to find themselves some fresh meat.

The one thing they are all good at is repeating the sound bites which their handlers have fed them. Here are the substantive issues from tonight.

Cain: “Bold” (his favorite word of the night)
Perry: Drill, Baby Drill
Romney: “Leader”
Gingrich: I love you all and I would be delighted to be your VP
Paul: “Liberty”
Bachmann: “Home”, “Heart” and “Love” (I think she is running for the Blessed Virgin)
Santorum: Wants to go to war with China
Huntsman: The Manchurian Candidate

Oh, and I think we saw Romney propose to Bachmann with his softball question during the circular firing squad. If the base thinks you are a member of a non Christian cult, Our Lady of Bachmann might be the solution.

[Demeter]

1. The Gods Must Be Crazy

because their worshipers certainly are.

[ellisonz]

2. Too busy doing this:

[BlueMTexpat]

4. Wonderful! nt

[ThoughtCriminal]

3. But i you were a republican candidate with that reply

You might have to explain why this means we can't cut defense spending now.

But on the other hand, I'm not sure a GOP candidate ever really worries about follow up questions.

[badgerpup]

5. K & R n/t

:applause:


:kick:

[McCamy Taylor]

6. PS Cheers to "Bold" Cain for being number 1, today. I'll bet HE could have answered the question.