June 5, 2007
Posted: 09:10 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Analyst and Democratic strategist Paul Begala has planted the victory flag in former New York city Mayor Rudy Giuliani's camp.

While conceding that Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, knew the most about the issues, he also felt former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's performance was the most surprising of the night.

Most disappointing? Begala thought former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson's debate performance left something to be desired.

Begala's favorite line? That came from Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colorado, who said, "I'd tell George W. Bush never to darken the door of the White House."

–CNN Contributor Cody Combs

Filed under: John McCain • Rudy Giuliani • Tom Tancredo • Tommy Thompson


Mike, San Antonio, TX   June 6th, 2007 12:40 pm ET

Giuliani's platform: 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, BOO!

Scott, Alpharetta, GA   June 6th, 2007 10:20 am ET

Begala thinks the american public has the brain the size of a Gnat. Ruddy McRommney did not win anything. They have been appointed by their masters as a "choice" for the people when they all are exactly the same. It will make no difference if any of the so called favorites from either party become president. America's Imperial foreign policy will continue, the rest of the world will still hate America, and Paul Begala will still spout his verbal diarehha.

Phil, Alpharetta GA   June 6th, 2007 12:24 am ET

Begala??? hahahaha. Yeah, let us get a clintonite to tell us who we should vote for. Give me a break. How about the bald guy, James Carville too huh?
Sheesh.

Jane Gross, San Marcos, Ca.   June 5th, 2007 11:38 pm ET

The liberal Paul Begala is pushing the liberal Rudy as the winner. I love the way CNN put Mitt, Rudy and John in the middle of the line so it makes for a great photo. It made it easier to ask questions of just the anointed ones. It was so amazing how many questions the 3 amegos got compared to just about anyone else on the stage. The only true canditate for the people is Ron Paul.

Maria D. New York, NY   June 5th, 2007 11:27 pm ET

If you think our politicians are out of step with the american people the talking bobble heads are way out of tune with the out of step politicians. They need to stop and listen to what we the voters are saying. First, as voters, Americans and Republicans give us some credit, we are not buying into Giuliani's shucking and war mongering jive, Romey with that "FUTURE" nonesense, and McCain clowned himself with IMMIGRATION. You so called reporters take a note from your collegue Lou Dobbs and represent a true objective point of view and not Moe, Larry and Curley better named Giuliani, Romney and McCain. Again, Ron Paul is where I'm leaning.

Josh N, Blissfield, Michigan   June 5th, 2007 11:08 pm ET

Giuliani…??? I won't be voting for him, he reminds me of a more liberal bush. Somehow I think hes all talk and no walk. I dont think he has what it takes to lead this country out of its current slump.

Andrew, New York, NY   June 5th, 2007 10:51 pm ET

Giuliani? Giuliani! Time to spend some quality time here in NYC with the people who know Rudy. PLEASE listen to us New Yorkers: NO RUDY. And no Hillary either. NO NEOCONs. Fugheddaboudit! ALL of my family, friends, neighbors and business associates, whether Democrat or Republican, are solidly behind Ron Paul.

Ron Parker, Chelsea, AL   June 5th, 2007 10:51 pm ET

Of course Democrat Paul Begala likes Giuliani best. But when it comes to someone who's downright serious and knows the facts and who you must trust with your life, I think many of us felt it was really Duncan Hunter. I think after his first two really great unhesitating answers, this was plain for all to see. Wolf Blitzer picked up on this and proceeded to practically shut Hunter out of the rest of the first hour.

William, Lowell, Ar.   June 5th, 2007 10:36 pm ET

Giuliani Wins! Mr. Begala, I have some beautiful Mountain I would like to sell you real cheap. It's just a short plane ride away in Key West, Florida. What debate were you watching? The only person that made ant sense what so ever was Ron Paul. Nice try though!!!

Jeff Workman from Welch, West virginia   June 5th, 2007 10:15 pm ET

Guiliani wins?

What a joke!

All this man has done is live off the tragedy of 9/11.

Anyone could've been mayor that day and most would've done a better job than him.

John, Port St Lucie Florida   June 5th, 2007 10:04 pm ET

Giuliani won? Giuliani was again a bumbling idiot. He spoke for probably 20 minutes, while guys like Tancredo, Paul, and Hunter got five minutes each. Giuliani kept going off topic, too much time, and showed that he dosn't know history, again. If Giuliani won, George W. Bush is the best president of all time.

Ron Paul obviously won, as he was the only Republican who stood out.

Lee, San Diego, CA   June 5th, 2007 10:01 pm ET

Why have the comments to the "Who Won?" entry disappeared?

I found it interesting that most of the comments praised Dr. RON PAUL, who I agree won the debates.

Charles Pete, Las Vegas, Nevada   June 5th, 2007 9:52 pm ET

Sorry Begala - Giuliani DID NOT WIN the debate. Ron Paul spoke more truths in less time than all the other candidates put together.

Rudy Giuliani promotes "Pre-emptive war". Think about that. Pre-emptive war?! Rudy Giuliani promotes more hatred, more bloodshed, more spending, more big government, (see 'immigration cards statement')more Power for "nation-building".

I can't stand it. We are talking about HUMAN LIVES here. Our soldiers do NOT need to be there. Let Iraq work out their own problems. Control our borders. Secure OUR freedoms. We can't even do that in our own backyard, how can we do that in Iraq?

Rudy Giuliani is deceitful, dishonest and a warmonger. There is only one truly honest candidate in the whole Republican field - Ron Paul.

Jae, Oceanside, Ca   June 5th, 2007 9:46 pm ET

Ron Paul only got called on to make 1 comment in the entire "audience portion" while others (like Giuliani) got to comment a lot (was it like 8-10 comments?)why is that?
but Ron Paul's single comment was better than anything I heard from Giuliani…give Ron Paul the mic. already!
the polls I've seen show more people voting for Ron Paul than him!

Allen Sircy, Nashville, TN   June 5th, 2007 9:44 pm ET

All Guiliani has is fear, fear, fear. Remeber 9-11. That's all he's got.

Theo Roth, Birmingham AL   June 5th, 2007 9:37 pm ET

Personally, I thought Ron Paul did much better in his five minutes than Giuliani did in his fifteen. Ohh, and don't censor this CNN, I had some respect for you guys, but it is rapidly waining.

Joe Bob, Lake, PA   June 5th, 2007 9:32 pm ET

Rudy did not win… McCain won, and Huckabee did well for the second tier. Rudy was blowing a lot of hot air, doing his bug eye thing. The people are getting over him.

Rudy is a nutjob, that will turn America into a police state that is built on fear.

Ben Cooper, San Diego, California   June 5th, 2007 9:31 pm ET

Don't let the Neanderthals get you down, Paul.

For favorite lines, how about Duncan Hunter? When asked if he would bomb Iran’s nuclear program, he not only said “yes,“ he volunteered that his first choice would be to use nuclear weapons for that bombing!!! Duncan, why not start a global nuclear holocaust in order to swat a fly? Somebody should have asked him whether, if his border fence doesn’t do the job, he would favor nuking Mexico City!!! I am embarrassed to be from the same county in which his congressional district is primarily located.

Hunter epitomizes the Republican Party as it has currently “evolved” – if I am permitted to use the “E Word” – and he deserves the nomination as the true heir to the current abomination in the White House.

Allen Sircy, Nashville, TN   June 5th, 2007 9:26 pm ET

That's BS. Rudy, Mitt, and McCain are appointed as front runners by the media. It's a shame we don't get to hear much from Ron Paul. He's the only one that makes sense.

Jason, snellville, GA   June 5th, 2007 9:25 pm ET

Well CNN let him answer almost every question, they let him take more time, they let him "respond"…gee…

and then Rudy won?

Jason - Austin,TX   June 5th, 2007 9:25 pm ET

Guliani? You've got to be kidding me! Guliani came off to me like the same pompous grandstanding creep he's always been. If you want more foreign enemies, an emboldened police state, rampant corruption, and more Bushian "Mission Accomplished" stunts, he's your man. Good luck with that.

Karen Vallejo, CA   June 5th, 2007 9:21 pm ET

Begala is a fool and a tool.

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

Follow us on Twitter

CNN on TwitterGet Ticker updates the moment they appear online via the Web, SMS, or instant messages.
Follow politicalticker

Categories
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNN makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and CNN may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com