Remember how I said I wasn’t going to transcribe this? So much for that…
Tancredo is asked about increasing organ donation supply. Says it isn’t responsibility of president. Then says he opposes cloning people for their organs.
Duncan Hunter: Are you a compassionate conservative? Yes, he says, and talks about Iran crossing the line by shipping weapons into Iraq.
Ron Paul: Would you phase out IRS? “Immediately.”
Chris Matthews asks: Will repeal of Roe v. Wade be a good day. Lots of yeses, until Giuliani says, “it’ll be okay… I think court has to make that decision, and country has to deal with it.”
Matthews asks about exact timing to Gilmore, who confirms he would permit abortion in first eight to twelve weeks.
Matthews says he’s looking for “nuance” on this issue.
Romney hit flip-flopping on abortion by questioner. Says that while studying cloning “we’ve gone too far. Took same course as Ronald Reagan, George Herbert Walker Bush, and Henry Hyde.” Questioner says politically convenient. Romney emphasizes long study.
Brownback notes that somebody who’s with you 80 percent is not your enemy, he’s your ally. Every child is
Matthews asks about Brooklyn museum, but asking for funding for abortion. Says leave it up to states. That’s a decision they’ll have to make… I supported it in New York, but people in other places can come to a different conclusion.
McCain: I want to be president to defeat our allies, and work with our allies… I may not be the youngest candidate, but I’m the most prepared. I know what the military should do, and what it shouldn’t do…
Thought from Jim: Love him or hate him, McCain sure looks at home up there.
Hunter emphasizes experience as Armed Services committe chairman. (Not sure how much ordinary folks care about committee chairmanships.)
Huckabee: Reagan gave us a vision. We are a great nation not because government is great, but because its people are great. When hikers on Fort Hood get lost, we move heaven and earth to find them. When miners are stuck in a mine, we do everything to get them, because of our culture of life.
Ron Paul: Overdoing our military aggressiveness weakens our national defense.
Tommy Thompson is asked if can fire gays. “Up to the individual business.”
“So the answer is yes.” “Yes.”
Matthews asks Romney about bishops denying pro-choice politicans communion, Romney exact has right answer: “I don’t say anything to Roman Catholic bishops – they can do whatever they want.”
Matthews goes after Huckabee, claiming that he’s changing an answer on the role of faith in decision-making. Matthews almost loses his cool, it’s a way too combative moment for a moderator.
Brownback says they’ve been running faith out of the public square.