Too Progressive

Mitt Romney, who is too popular to participate in the debates, is the only hold out at this point. From the Washington Post:

This just in: The Republican CNN/YouTube debate, in limbo for the past few weeks, is on again.

But Mitt Romney, who won Saturday’s Iowa straw poll and has criticized the debate format, has yet to commit to the Nov. 28 event.

Romney, the lone GOP holdout, has posted more videos on his YouTube channel (283 as of Sunday afternoon) than any other presidential candidate, Republican or Democrat. But he has resisted the debate, in which videotaped questions are submitted through YouTube. In an interview with Manchester Union Leader, Romney said, “I think the presidency ought to be held at a higher level than having to answer questions from a snowman.”

Bill Richardson looked like a deer caught in headlights during the HRC/LOGO debates last night that focused on issues important to gay Americans, saying that he believed homosexuality was a choice, not something you are born with. Both Lowell and Vivian have detailed write-ups on the debate. The fact that Bill Richardson thinks homosexuality is a choice is one issue (although I would challenge “straight” Americans to ask themselves whether they could just become “gay” whenever they wanted), the fact that he LIES to try and cover up his mistake is another.

Via AmericaBlog:

UPDATE: Governor Richardson called me to discuss his comments that homosexuality is a choice. I was writing as fast as I could to get quotes close to verbatim. You can draw your own conclusions about them.

He says that was confused by the question, saying that it was tricky and it threw him off that it was asked in the context of biology and science. He said “I knew when I was walking out of the parking lot that I had said something in error. My staff alerted me that I needed to set the record straight.”

Oh hey there Bill, you’re a liar, so please stfu. Let’s leave the “oh I misunderstood the question” bullshit to the Republicans, or more specifically, Tommy Thompson, shall we?

Rich man and dog hater Mitt Romney is far too popular and busy to participate in the Republican YouTube debates scheduled for September.

Rudolph Giuliani and Mitt Romney, both with dozens of videos on their YouTube channels, have not signed up. Neither have the rest of the Republican candidates, including Rep. Tom Tancredo (Colo.), whose “Tancredo Takes” on his YouTube channel draw hundreds of views. Sources familiar with the Guiliani campaign said he’s unlikely to participate. Kevin Madden, Romney’s spokesman, said the former Massachusetts governor has seven debate invitations covering a span of 11 days in September.

What the fuck? Is Mitt Romney just getting random invitations from random people to come to their house and debate them? Or their kids? Or their kitchen table? Or maybe even their dog? Otherwise, why the hell would he have seven pretend debate invitations. I call bullshit.

Oh noes! We don’t want to face questions from cancer patients removing wigs, homos, and anyone else who isn’t Fox News! Via Ana Marie Cox at Swampland:

I talked to people from a few of the campaigns today and they say that the movement to abandon the format is real. Romney’s mocked the event outright, Giuliani’s people told Ambinder that “scheduling” was an issue (insert Iraq Study Group joke here) but I’ve heard from others that many in the GOP feel that the deck in a YouTube debate would be somehow stacked against the candidates. Are they dodging “real” Americans in favor for a more tightly scripted event? Payback for the Dems skipping Fox in some weird televisual karmic sense? (OR is Fox pressuring them to do so? Hmmm.) I’d be wary about the event if I were a candidate myself, but if they do manage to kill the thing, I’ll be disappointed.

Best question:

Best impersonation (I think) of Fox News viewers:

Most ignorant question (and Edwards gave an AWESOME response):

Oh hey there, we want some of whatever your bff on the right is on (cocaine? meth?):

By the way, didn’t Obama already agree to give up the entirety of his salary were he to become President? I’m not sure why he didn’t bring that up…

Biggest victim of the Republican spin machine (and also in desperate need of speech therapy):

Biggest thorn in the side of pro-gun advocates (loved Biden’s response!):

I’m still haven’t decided who I’m going to support in the primaries, but I will say that Hillary really impressed me last night, and completely blew the rest of the field right out of the water. I will say that it will probably come down to Obama, Hillary, or Kucinich for me.

CNN hates Mike Gravel, Mike Gravel hates Barack Obama, Hillary hates Liberals, and Joe Biden is bff with Chuck Hagel. Chris Dodd and John Edwards hate gays.