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New York Post Columnist Kirsten Powers on why the GOP 2012 frontrunners keep getting overshadowed by a boisterous lower tier in the republican field.
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Laws governors Perrier or I'm here it's supposed to pay.
Are supposed to be the front runners but they keep getting overshadowed by a boisterous lower tier in the Republican field.
For example Tea Party businessman Herman Cain and libertarian Gary Johnson the Foreman of Mexico governor -- -- shall last night at the debate.
It's important to remember that at this point in the 2008.
Republican primaries the candidates in the lead where.
Rudy Giuliani.
And Fred Thompson and of course the eventual nominee John McCain was in third place and Ron Paul is today.
Here to tell us -- that means that a libertarian like Ron Paul.
And Gary Johnson and have a chance to take that cake.
Is my colleague truly one of my favorite Democrats on the planet and my good friend -- and -- -- that it's a pleasure.
Your thoughts on last night.
Well I think that Romney did it -- -- and get another good performance he's really shown himself to be great debater Rick Perry.
Not as much -- -- continues to stumble a bit I don't think He has really good comebacks for a lot of things -- people come after him on.
His position on immigration while one I embrace it is not a good -- position for him with the base so they'll be and -- to see you know his saying basically if you don't support me providing tuition to illegal children of illegal immigrants and you don't have a heart.
I don't know I think that's the same position that his predecessor yes we're stubborn about is what that was the -- -- Texas effect at the same position that.
What what you think about Gary Johnson.
Enron poll are they taken more seriously are libertarian hot button issues like.
The influence of the Federal Reserve the problems with -- -- and spending which didn't get in trouble George W.
Bush are they now in the mainstream of conversation.
In this a presidential primary.
What what I think and I against to know what you think about this is I think the ideas are treated as being mainstream but that they aren't treated as being mainstream so I think what you still see is Ron Paul being treated as a little bit of an oddity.
But right its interest even say that physicians actually have been appropriate.
Because last night.
Correct me if I'm wrong was the first debate -- first debate -- -- while the Kerry Johnson was even there when you put in not only a commendable performance He may have on the line of the night -- -- shovel ready.
Projects to his next our neighbor's dogs and whether or not you need a shovel after they do ask you.
I mean that was hilarious and did and made the point and He He was -- and right after the debate Ron Paul was on with.
Sean Hannity who -- had a lot of animosity towards Ron Paul.
He treated -- with a great deal of respect and the congressman got his views out there and that -- Conservative Republican -- It embraced congressman Paul not physically -- -- that in an intellectual way is anything happening with these view is on the becoming more mainstream.
Well I think that those views on the economic view to becoming more mainstream that you have to remember that Ron Paul still holds positions that are greatly at odds with your basic.
-- certainly not our policy exactly and actually in in in and I think it kind of enrages them frankly when He goes off on honest -- about the wars which I completely agree with them live right but don't call over agree with them.
It is interest that you Democrat that you are kept going out of your way to remind you remind me and everybody watching -- where you agree with Ron Paul puzzled as delightful.
To hear that is it too late in your opinion for someone else to jump in and whether it's.
Governor Christie governor -- governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana and -- in terms of money and organization the first primary elections about five months.
If you want the danger obviously getting in late we're seeing with Rick -- He just is not ready and -- you remember.
Now Barack Obama didn't get in late but He didn't have a lot of experience with the debating and -- was a horrible debater I don't know although.
Palin and now that's a that's a very good point that Hillary Clinton was the better debate -- and around whatever you yeah.
The idea how the background of the individuals have been so does it matter that Rick Perry's not a good debate -- stated differently do these debates affect the outcome of primaries.
At this point no because at this point Barack Obama with a truly terrible debater I don't mean He was just that Hillary was good and she was beating him is that Hillary was good and He was back and He still an -- and even right and He even recognize that.
That He was bad and He He I think He was very -- -- -- He got on kind of the man might come in Harriman do my thing and it's just that's not the way this you gotta prepare.
And and and -- -- is very much -- Hillary Clinton can't.
So if -- Romney gets in funny you're one liners or appears to be a little sharper does that translate into votes for him or does Rick Perry still enjoy the lead this today.
That He had -- for Mitt Romney to win this primary.
Rick Perry happened to stumble a iffy because not just rent just to poorly that -- -- -- -- half He has to be wallet.
In Romney.
And He needs Perry to really stumble and really alienating himself -- make people feel like he's just not ready for prime time we don't want are in our would you would you do me favor would you come back again right at r.s debate.
Patient care -- that thanks for joining us as a government shut.
