Just as sure as the forecasters are predicting a blizzard here next week, it was bound to turn into frosty Winter at last night's debate.
SEASON #2: WINTER
From the snowy white head of Anderson Cooper came the first question of the dormant season: Border fencing.
Mr. Cain had made some electrifying references to the issue over the weekend and did not back away from them, but said he would have his fence, use technology, and "possibly" include boots on the ground. Wouldn't people just step over those?
Rep. Bachmann, perhaps short on tire chains, kept her focus on the low road citing President Obama's aunt and uncle who've been said to be illegals. Then, in a rare nod to being "green"--and it's not easy, ask Kermit--Bachmann committed to building a "double-walled fence along the entire southern border". That insulation should help us save some of the $113 billion per year that she says we spend on illegal immigrants (who says they don't get the good jobs?!) or $1,000 per American household per year.
Gov. Perry's response was that sure, "you can build it" but it would take 10-15 years to complete at a cost of around $30 billion. Rather than do that, he recommended creating "virtual defense zones"--which should mesh well with our "virtual Legislative Branch" and our "virtual policies on Energy, Education, and the Economy"--which would be comprised of strategic fencing (my kid took that course last year in P.E.) and boots on the ground which would use information provided by predator drones. Not the actual shoes of course, the people in the boots would...anyway, now that rift between the Govs during the Fall was about to show its staying power.
Gov. Romney howled like the cold wind at Perry's assertion that he had the most experience in dealing with border security. "You say you have experience, Governor Perry, but a college coach who's lost 40 games has the experience to go to the NFL."
A Latino man in the audience stood up to ask the candidates how they would attract voters from his community.
Rep. Bachmann decided this was the time to mention the threat of "anchor babies" and to talk 14th Amendment concerns.
Rep. Paul waxed philosophical about the individual being the building block of society.
And that's all it took to light a warming campfire under Mr. Santorum, who said that no, it was the family that was that all-important building block. He addressed the questioner, saying that the Latino community had always held strongly the tenets of "family, faith, and community". "The Latino community is big on faith and marriage," he added. What is with this dude and marriage? If he's such a fan you'd think he'd have Newt's nuptial record bested by now.
Rep. Paul fired back with one of his greatest lines of the evening:--and there were a good many by my reckoning--"Freedoms don't come in groups; they come to the individual." Then he asked again if we might please bring home the troops.
Our next topic, being that the debate was in Nevada, was about the nuclear variety of Winter always possible when you consider the half-life of plutonium or uranium. Mr. Cooper wanted our gamblers to let the Nevada crowd know what they'd do about the nuclear waste dump site at the state's Yucca Mountain.
Rep. Paul took the lead and had nearly everyone in agreement when he said that "Forty-Nine states should not punish one state." He favored letting the free market (a pretty concept like the Easter Bunny and Used Food) handle the situation and getting the government out of the subsidizing business of all forms of energy.
Gov. Romney agreed and explained a process by which states could submit bids to take on the nuclear refuse in exchange for a list of demands. I can guess right now which states will get the waste, can you?
Gov. Perry also agreed with Paul, mentioned that France operates its energy grid on 70% nuclear fuels which it then "makes safer" to dispose of by the process of glassification--just what it sounds like, high heat, new compound, hopeful burial. Then Perry hauled out his beloved 10th Amendment ("States' Rights"--though usual they're wrongs) and promised he also would disallow government subsidies of energy.
With the sun gone as low in the sky as it could and the waning days of post-Imbolc Winter upon us, our wagerers took on, ever so briefly, the topic of declining property values and foreclosures. And in the biggest city of the worst-hit state in the nation when it comes to foreclosures, they pretty much told the crowd to just let the chips fall where they may. Two rouletters hit their numbers.
Gov. Romney, who had taken some unseasonal heat over his comments on this prior to the debate, said again that we should "let the markets work" and that "getting the economy going" was the best thing we could hope to do for those underwater or already drowned. Then he chided President Obama for offering rebates to people for trading in their cars to purchase new ones. (Ask any auto worker in Michigan who creates 8 jobs in his/her community for every one job they keep how "Cash for Clunkers" worked out.) Romney also blasted the President for his first-time home buyers credit initiative. (Ask my real estate lady and everyone with whom she trades about that one.)
Rep. Bachmann then consulted her notes in order to check off one more box on her must-do list. Since Perry had mentioned New Hampshire, and Huntsman was in New Hampshire, it seemed a good idea to have a New Hampshire moment. Bachmann channelled Hillary Clinton, circa the eve of the last New Hampshire primary. She went all teary-eyed, broke down the wall between the viewer and the viewed and made a plea on behalf of the mothers. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a Frank Zappa reference. She explained that women facing foreclosure are at the end of their rope because they are faced with the reality of losing "the nest they have for their kids". Then she pointed to the spot on her forehead where the tattoo reads, "I'm a Mom" and promised to do...ya' know, something.
In our next installment we usher in the fury of the change that occurs between the lion and the lamb--the American Spring. Everything inspired or inspiring--from Occupy Wall Street, to religion, to defending our nation, to hostage negotiating and aid to foreign countries will be hiding in the grass for us to discover. All those eggs will be in the next basket of goodies, or Part 4. Spring forward!
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