Republicans vs. YouTube: The Debate (Pt. II)

Watching the CNN/YouTube debate was disturbing in some ways, but mostly solidified to me the crucial difference we have in our parties now. On the one hand we have an imperfect, but rational party who actually sound like adults. On the hand, we have another party of pandering authoritarians desperately trying to out-crazy each other to appeal to an ever-shrinking base.

The issues discussed were illuminating... although that was CNN's fault (they selected which videos/questions to present). Illegal immigration, abortion, guns, tax cuts, and the usual go-tos. Nothing on the following: an exit strategy for Iraq, health care reform, climate change, congressional corruption, wiretapping, Pakistan, Iran, globalization, etc. Now again, CNN made that call, but I don't recall any of the candidates interjecting these issues into the Q&As where they might've been relevant.

I live-blogged (well, chatted) this debate, and that can be read... here.

[PS- It's telling that this is what all the conservative sites are focusing on. Better that than the actual substance of the debate (or just the gay question), which'd be too depressing.

UPDATE: What Andrew Sullivan said here and here. Video highlights- on TPM's YouTube.]