MSNBC Morning Joe's Mark Halperin: Grading the Michigan Mash-Up,

[HOLLYWOOD]

Halperin Just released his debate scorecard on MSNBC's Morning Joe

h xxp://thepage.time.com/2011/11/09/grading-the-michigan-mash-up/

Candidate grades are based on both performance and success in using the debate to improve their standing in the nomination contest.

Romney
Style: Crisp and confident. Showed the proper balance of calm and intensity. Poorly lit, but still darn handsome.
Substance: Fielded more questions than his rivals, but never seemed out of his depth.
His worst moment: Not at his sharpest on health care.
His best moment: Turned a question about his biggest vulnerability — character and consistency — into an attack on Obama that drew a strong crowd reaction, delivering a well-rehearsed line in a natural way.
The main thing: Maybe it was his Michigan roots, but the crowd was with him all night. He focused on Obama whenever he could, and faced almost no attacks from his rivals — the two-track dynamic that got him where he is in the race so far. If no one else surges in the next six weeks, the long-held conventional wisdom of a Romney alternative might go out the window.
Grade: A
_____________________________________
Gingrich
Style: Has his hot-button sound bites down pat. And, oh, the man has Georgia chutzpah.
Substance: Bragged about how much he knows more than explained what it is he knows.
His worst moment: None stood out.
His best moment: Faced off with Maria Bartiromo on the media’s coverage of the economy and drew one of the biggest cheers of the evening.
The main thing: His near-constant display of irritability with the moderators risks puncturing his "I'm-the-seasoned-statesman/adult-in-this-thing" comeback effort. But if Perry is too weak to get more votes, Gingrich could pull himself into a one-on-one contest with Romney based on this debate performance.
Grade: B-
_____________________________________
Huntsman
Style: A little too excitable at the start, but righted himself and was polished and cool the rest of the night. Largely refrained from the kind of jokes that fell flat in previous debates.
Substance: Showed full fluency on most economic issues.
His worst moment: Was tentative and unclear on the auto industry bailouts.
His best moment: Spoke maturely about Occupy Wall Street and the need to unify the country.
The main thing: Still hasn’t learned to use his limited time to say two smart things cleanly instead of four smart things sloppily. Didn’t follow Romney’s example of auditioning to be the strongest general election candidate, using the strongest anti-Obama rhetoric — the main route to winning conservative votes. Failed to challenge Romney and grab the spotlight. Still, he leaves this debate, along with Gingrich, as a potential threat to the frontrunner.
Grade: B-
_____________________________________
Cain
Style: Presented his tax plan with his greatest-hits brio and wowed the crowd with his best anti-Democratic lines, referring to Congresswoman Pelosi as “Princess Nancy.” Initially a little less boisterous than usual after his rough week, though he picked up steam as the debate progressed.
Substance: Showed more command of economic issues than he has in previous debates, but that isn’t saying much.
His worst moment: Unprepared to discuss Italy’s financial problems, forcing him to dodge two questions about one of the most pressing issues of the day.
His best moment: Twenty minutes in, handled a question about the sexual harassment charges with composure and poise (and with the audience squarely behind him).
The main thing: Despite the legions of fans in the audience and a feisty, charismatic performance, the debate was a misleading oasis for Cain’s campaign. He has many tough days ahead and a gender gap that is likely to grow into a chasm. He needed to show substance and endurance but what served as support-generating lines in the past were nutrition-less red meat.
Grade: C+
_____________________________________
Bachmann
Style: Strong projection and focus.
Substance: Showed a good grasp of the problems in the housing market.
Her worst moment: Initially had a bead on her crony capitalism point but she failed to drive it home.
Her best moment: Explained her health care plan in a concrete fashion.
The main thing: As has been her trend of late, she did not break through, did not deliver any memorable lines and did not enunciate specific policies. A June debate launched her into contender status, but she just can’t find the formula this fall to make magic.
Grade: C-
_____________________________________
Paul
Style: Effectively intense when discussing the dangers of debt.
Substance: Talked wisely about the big macroeconomic dynamics causing the current troubles.
His worst moment: Spoke inadequately about protecting health care programs for the elderly in the event of radical changes.
His best moment: Several of his early answers were exceptionally lucid.
The main thing: Given the volatility surrounding Perry and Cain, and the relative strength of his performance, Paul might see his ceiling of support rise a bit after this. But a higher ceiling is still a ceiling.
Grade: C-
_____________________________________
Santorum
Style: Once again showed explicit frustration at his frequent exclusion from the questioning.
Substance: Knows his stuff, but didn’t break through with a signature idea or program.
His worst moment: Sounded more braggart than expert when describing his Senate work on health care and housing.
His best moment: None stood out.
The main thing: He missed a real opportunity to compete with Gingrich for the conservative support currently parked with Cain.
Grade: D
_____________________________________
Perry
Style: At times, populist and dignified. Refrained from attacking Romney, as in the Las Vegas debate, and thus was invisible for long stretches. His campaign put out anti-Romney press releases during the evening but that’s not the same thing.
Substance: Too vague and passive about his own energy and tax plans.
His worst moment: An epic disaster. Couldn’t remember the third part of government he wants to eliminate, despite being given an eternity to produce his response – about as awkward an exchange as any candidate has had in any presidential debate, ever.
His best moment: Tough disquisition on how regulation is “killing” America.
The main thing: The media (and many voters and donors) were ready to write Perry off before this debate; those numbers will grow exponentially, thanks to the brain freeze that will be replayed in the coming news cycles and beyond. He can put his head down and try to get past the error, but it is going to be very tough.
Grade: D-


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Related Topics: cnbc, Grades, Herman Cain, Jon Huntsman, Mark Halperin, Michele Bachmann, Michigan, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Oakland University, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Rochester, Ron Paul, 2012 Elections, Analysis, News, Republican Party, The Page

 

[mczerone]

Why do these personalities get to frame what we're supposed to think about the performances? I thought a reporter's job was to report what happened.

Here's what happened: love showered on a lackluster Romney. Cain got a bunch of time to say "999 bold" and gloss over the ugly details that he likely doesn't understand. Bachman, santorum, and Huntsmann showed up and didn't do anything stupid. Perry did. Everyone on stage agrees with Ron Paul, even though thier plans don't reflect that they understand what he's saying. And Ron said the same thing he's said for 40 years, has a detailed plan that stands up to fearful attack.

My grade for political coverage: D. Not completely failing because they've shown that they can follow nefarious directions.

 

[centure7]

So Romney gets an A for avoiding the issues like a snake-oil salesman. Meanwhile, Ron Paul gets a D for attacking them head on and doing an exceptional job doing so. The MSM needs to die immediately. The sooner, the better. I stopped watching that bullshit years ago and others should do so as well.

 

[Travlyr]

So Romney gets an A for avoiding the issues like a snake-oil salesman. Meanwhile, Ron Paul gets a D for attacking them head on and doing an exceptional job doing so. The MSM needs to die immediately. The sooner, the better. I stopped watching that bullshit years ago and others should do so as well.

Same here. Turn MSM off for one month and then turn it back on and the bullshit lies stand out like a sore thumb. Where is the talk about auditing the fed? It is the central bank after all. Shouldn't the bank that creates money be audited regularly? If the media was free to tell the truth, then auditing the fed would be on the nightly news every night and talk radio all day until it is done. Instead it is never mentioned. They rarely mention how many innocent people get killed by our drones, or the suicide rate of our soldiers. And MSM thinks they are going to pick our president again? Not this time.

Ron Paul gets an A+.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

I still can't get over CNBC's Larry Kudlow's hour long, POST debate, love affair of pumping Herman Cain.

Part of Halperin's scoring is this:

and success in using the debate to improve their standing in the nomination contest.

Well it's hard to do with the Main Stream Media manipulating the scoring, but most 49 to 90 year olds are glued to their TV sets and this directly reflects upon those age groups which Ron Paul does poorest in votes/support.

Halperin makes one very good point in the past, that Ron's philosophical statements are one thing... but he never personally links how they effect the person. ie.. The FEDERAL RESERVE creates Inflation... but never says to the people, do you feel poorer? Are you worse off now, because your dollars are worth less and buys less at the grocery stores, gas stations, or getting thngs repaired, etc?

This, then strikes the tone with the viewers/people... which then can reciprocate in new support/votes and increases the standing of the reality TV show Americans love so much. Americans want more than plain old oatmeal from their candidate, they want sugar and spice, butter, steamy heat they can taste and feel. It's just the nature of this dumbed-down public, audiences wanting that show, and TV audiences.

I mean, right out of a movie script.

 

[sailingaway]

Why are we giving this bandwidth here? Obviously the man has no brain. Further, he says Ron is exceptionally lucid and might see his ceiling rise after this debate which sounds like he should get a GOOD grade, doesn't it? The guy just from his back pocket pulls the notion that nonetheless there will just be a 'higher ceiling' on Ron's support, having nothing at all to do with debate performance and gives him a C-. That is sheer bias.

 

[FreeTraveler]

Agreed with sailingaway. Based on the analysis as written, Ron should have been graded B; "he's unelectable" was basically the guy's reason for dropping him a grade and a half. What a joke.

 

[280Z28]

I thought Paul hit it out of the park on health care by hitting both of his critical points:

1. Federal intervention has caused massive price hikes without improving care. Followed by a bunch of examples of this that everyone understands.
2. People depend on Medicare, so he's gone out of his way to ensure that those people from children to the elderly continue to get coverage as people are shifted away from it over time.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

Why are we giving this bandwidth here?

Well take him on... ask him why he posts such conflict scoring and statements. leaving them to go unabated just continues the falsehoods. 90 seconds tweet or email having him explain his scoring of ron paul, may bring light upon him.

Then again he still may be sucking up to his overlords for the "DICK" remark and will be scoring the best progressive republican to the top of the heap. You never know until you challenge them.

Mark Halperin
@Markhalperin view full profile →
Earth

CONTACT: http://thepage.time.com

 

[Athan]

He's a biased idiot who does a shitty job at what he does. Paul and Gingrich did better than Romney. How the hell is Huntsman doing better than Paul?

 

[V3n]

I thought this was Gingrich's worst debate. All he did was complain over his time limit about his time limit and never tried to answer any questions.
He looked arrogant and like he was too good to talk to the media - it's the same crap people complain about Obama about.

 

[Endthefednow]

Sorry, but In my opinion I would Say Ron Paul should have received an A++

 

[Travlyr]

Sorry, but In my opinion I would Say Ron Paul should have received an A++

Yeah. No doubt. He has all the right answers. I don't need a "Ken Doll", a Global Leader, or an Entertainer for president. An American Statesman is what is needed now.

Ron Paul 2012!

 

[donnay]

Yeah. No doubt. He has all the right answers. I don't need a "Ken Doll", a Global Leader, or an Entertainer for president. An American Statesman is what is needed now.

Ron Paul 2012!

All of this is Monday morning quartebacking--by design. MSNBC/GE associates get their money from the war!

 

[Brian4Liberty]

I still can't get over CNBC's Larry Kudlow's hour long, POST debate, love affair of pumping Herman Cain.

Yeah, that was biased, but who knows that Kudlow was involved in Cain's 9-9-9 plan?

It is a joke how people who essentially work for one campaign or another are given face time and portrayed as unbiased analysts.

 

[Travlyr]

Yeah, that was biased, but who knows that Kudlow was involved in Cain's 9-9-9 plan?

It is a joke how people who essentially work for one campaign or another are given face time and portrayed as unbiased analysts.

Are you serious? Larry Kudlow was involved in designing Cain's 9-9-9 plan?
Wow.

 

[Eric21ND]

It was hilarious when Morning Joe said Huntsman has a shot to win. Ok Joe lol.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

Yeah, that was biased, but who knows that Kudlow was involved in Cain's 9-9-9 plan?

It is a joke how people who essentially work for one campaign or another are given face time and portrayed as unbiased analysts.

Brian have you GOOGLED Kudlow with Cain or Kudlow with 9-9-9? A million hits, but whats more revealing, are for weeks and weeks of Larry Kudlow who's been pumping up Herman Cain articles. Search hits on 9-9-9 acccolades, Kudlow's radio show pumping Herman Vain(queue Carly Simon)... on & on. I still remember someone here on RPF posting a thread how Larry Kudlow's radio show call-ins, once it was made apparent that you are a Ron Paul supporter, Larry Kudlow cut them off, discredits, blow offs.

Are you serious? Larry Kudlow was involved in designing Cain's 9-9-9 plan?
Wow.

I knew something was up, with the constant Stamp of Approval by Kudlow... now I'm going to have to reveiw every second of Kudlow involvement, to see what else we can catch.

It was hilarious when Morning Joe said Huntsman has a shot to win. Ok Joe lol.

Yeah, I watched that, what a joke the NBC Paid Progressive Pundits on the Morning Joe, now the comedic show. Reminds me of Brett Bair and his Highchair statement on Huntsman, with FOX's morning after IOWA STRAW POLL show and that Jon Stewart exposed and made fun of...

Kudlow is another propagandist insider in corporate media to watch closely and call out when he pulls his stunts.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Are you serious? Larry Kudlow was involved in designing Cain's 9-9-9 plan?
Wow.

Two of the people (Art Laffer, Stephen Moore) who took some credit for it are very close to Kudlow, and are regulars on his show. There's no way that Kudlow was not involved at some level, if nothing more than informal discussions of the subject.

It looks like they are trying to "memory hole" those connections. Very hard to find any references. Here's the best I could find in a quick search:

One of the key economists who helped presidential candidate Herman Cain draft his 9-9-9 tax plan is backing away from the most controversial component of it, warning that the criticism Cain endured at Tuesday night's Republican presidential debate shows his proposed 9 percent national sales tax might have to go.

"It was such a dart board," economist Stephen Moore said Wednesday of the proposal.
...
Moore said he just wrote a "note" to fellow economist Art Laffer, who helped design the plan and continues to defend it, explaining his position. Moore is also an editorial writer for The Wall Street Journal and clarified that he is not actively advising the Cain campaign.
...
Moore first raised the idea of changing the Cain plan during an interview over the weekend on economist Larry Kudlow's radio show. He said he was "surprised" at how "hostile" people were to the sales tax component.
...
Currently, employees pay a combined 7.65 percent payroll tax to cover Medicare and Social Security while the employer matches it with another 7.65 percent. Moore said his proposed 9 percent payroll tax would be split evenly between employers and employees.
...
As Moore says he's going to urge Cain to reconsider the sales tax component, at last look, Laffer was sticking by it, sales tax and all.

Read more:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...-sales-tax-plan-as-candidate-endures-barrage/

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Brian have you GOOGLED Kudlow with Cain or Kudlow with 9-9-9?
...
I knew something was up, with the constant Stamp of Approval by Kudlow... now I'm going to have to review every second of Kudlow involvement, to see what else we can catch.

All that Cain pimping does make a good case...

The Kudlow connection is pretty much guilt by association with the two acknowledged architects of the plan. Common sense dictates that Curly and Moe also consulted with Larry...