CNN/YouTube Republican Debate Analysis

The first ever CNN hosted debate where the candidates were given question via video on YouTube. It was a very interesting format and did even have a few spontaneous comedic moments. The debate was hosted by CNN's Anderson Cooper and he performed his duties as host exceptionally, and even held a couple of the candidate's feet to the fire on important issues.

It was a widely held belief that the campaigning would soon have to start going negative, but it was a bit surprising that it happened so soon into the debate. Mitt Romney was the first to attack Rudy Giuliani and accused the ex-mayor of New York of running a sanctuary city for illegal aliens. The accusation is true and Giuliani even filed a lawsuit against the Federal government when they tried to enforce immigration laws in the city.

Rudy Giuliani fired back at Romney with his own accusation that Romney hires illegal aliens to work in his mansion. It is an accusation which is blown a little out of proportion. Romney hired a contractor to do work at his mansion and allegedly the contractor hired illegal aliens to do the work.

The only other true attack took place between John McCain and Texas Congressman Ron Paul. McCain decided that he would mislabel Paul as an isolationist, which is a clear representation of the congressman's beliefs. McCain even went so far as to state that he was speaking for all of the military members. Not so fast John, I am one of those military guys and I am with Ron Paul all the way. Besides that Ron Paul receives the most donations of any candidate running. The attack was actually quite offensive and included the resurrection of Hitler for added affect.

Romney really found himself overwhelmed when the issues of gays in the military came up. Apparently at some point in the past Mitt was contemplating that gays and lesbians should be able to serve openly in the military, but he backed down and said that the time is not now.