Republican Debate Sponsored by The Western Republican Leadership Conference

Notably Huntsman boycotted debate. I think he is out.

They started with the argument between the Income Taxes versus and Sales Tax. I have personally watched Herman Cain flip flop on whether he believes this tax will raise taxes on the middle class and the poor. And since Cain seems to flip back and forth whether he is raising taxes on the middle class and the poor I would submit that perhaps Herman Cain doesn't understand his own tax plans.

Michelle Bachmann is for increasing taxes. A flat tax is a regressive tax on the poor and the middle class. Why would Michelle Bachmann be punting for trickle down economic theory? It is a theory that has never ever been proven.

Ron Paul admitted it was a regressive tax. And while I don't find Paul to be a viable candidate he sometimes has a lot of common sense.

Romney and Perry agree that the USA should be energy independent.

Rick Santorum kept interrupting Romney when he was speaking and broke the debate forum. It was unprofessional and spoke to Santorum's desperation. I think his campaign is over as well.

Michelle Bachmann invoke Obama's name about 8 times which meant she had more blame for the current president then actually ideas how to govern the country if elected.

The Republican nominees kept tearing into each other and interrupting each other. Rick Perry accused Mitt Romney of hiring an illegal alien. And then Perry refused to allow Mitt Romney defend himself. There were moments of mean spiritness which was rather unbecoming of the Republican Nominees. In the end Romney hired a lawn service and they had hired an illegal which upon discovering Romney let them go.

Thank God there was a National Security Question. Republicans are historically the party of National Security not Free Trade too bad everyone in the GOP doesn't remember.

I watched this during many tornado watches so I kept getting emergency warnings so I am reporting on what I saw. I think the debates have reached a point of being counter productive to the Republican Party. The candidates are losing their cool and acting uncivilized to each other.

Michelle Bachmann, Newt Gringrich, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman will not receive the nomination. They are establishment candidates and this is an anti-establishment year. Herman Cain is also out of the race because he is suggesting higher flat regressive taxes on the middle class and the poor and he seems unclear as to whether he actually understands his tax plan will harm the middle class and the poor.

Perry is also slipping when he is losing his temper. No one wants a president who can't keep his cool.

Romney is the clear winner of the debates and it looks like he will get the GOP nomination. I would prefer he address issues which I think are relevant but the debates only provide for limited questions.