*Interesting that in the four hours of Republican presidential debates in Tampa and Orlando only one nominal question was asked about Cuba. In Orlando, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, who was new to the debate stage and has less of a chance of becoming president than Fred Thompson, was asked about recently resumed direct flights to Cuba from Fort Lauderdale. He said he supported the initiative and added that “trade promotes friendship.”
But nobody else got this question, which could have opened embargo-related floodgates, that is of more than nominal interest to the ultimate swing state. One that any GOP presidential candidate must carry.
But then Michelle Bachmann jumped in to get on the record for something other than bashing science, the social compact and “Obamacare.” Sounding not unlike an honorary Bastistiana, she said no way should more direct flights from Florida to Cuba be allowed. Cuba, she bellowed, was “a state sponsor of terrorism.”
Technically, of course, she’s right about Cuba’s, however unconscionable, inclusion on a list that is otherwise comprised of Iran, Sudan and Syria. No one outside Little Havana thinks this is a defensible position.
Too bad none of the other candidates were able to weigh in.
*How ironic that Rick Perry, who was not at his brash best in Orlando, is vulnerable in such debates on a couple of issues that would actually play a lot better in a general election. He’s to the left of his peers, at least the most outspoken ones, on giving in-state tuition breaks to children of illegals. He couches it in humanitarian as well as pragmatic terms.
He’s also responsible for an executive order mandating that young girls be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus. He was portrayed as being too governmentally heavy handed in helping prevent cervical cancer.
For a lot of non-Tea Partiers–and that’s still most voters–it helped Perry to soften and moderate a candidacy that appears all-ideological, macho hat and no centrist cattle.
* Good news for Democrats: Gov. Rick Scott was very warmly received in Orlando. To the degree that Hillsborough County Republican chairwoman Deborah Cox-Roush gushed that “Gov. Scott is becoming the leader of our party.” Obvious caveat: Be careful what you gush for.