Republican Debate

Mitt clearly packed the hall tonight.  He had a strong performance, as did Newt, but it doesn’t really matter so much for Newt.  It was a missed opportunity — maybe his last — for Santorum.  Santorum had some strong moments, but overall he was defensive and often meandering.  If I’m Mitt, I’m breathing a big sigh of relief tonight.  He looked and sounded presidential.

I was troubled by Mitt’s answer on Syria when he said that we should reach out to the Alawites and tell them that if they dump Assad, we will help them.  Realistically, how much could we do for them?  They are a hated, Shia-related minority that’s been running the country for decades and taking the best jobs and most of the wealth, and there is huge pent-up resentment against them.  Even if we tried, could we stop them from being massacred or at least stripped of much of their wealth and power and influence in a new Syria, not ruled by a member of the Assad family?  I don’t think so.  So his answer seemed incredibly naive to me.

Mitt then went on to say that if we could pull Syria and Lebanon away from Iran, there would be more of a chance for sanctions to work.  I think Iran would be more determined than ever to get nuclear weapons.  I don’t see a solution to Iran going nuclear other than a military one, unfortunately.   There is no reasoning or negotiating with this Iranian regime.  President Obama has given them every chance.

So tonight’s debate didn’t give me any comfort that Mitt has a realistic grasp of how to deal with Iran.

Also, I can’t stand it when Mitt takes credit for Massachusetts’ top-rated schools.  Massachusetts has had outstanding public schools since the mid-seventeenth century.  His single term as governor had nothing to  do with it.  He’s the rooster taking credit for the sun rise.