As we all know the Republicans are lining up in front of the YouTube firing squad tonight and to be completely honest I have been waiting for this debate since the Democrats took their turn. As an American History major I've studied the evolution of politics and it is great to see a new era in campaign politics that directly connects everyday Americans with the men and women who want to lead America. I hope this is a new age of connection between the candidates and the people. The next step is taking CNN out as the middle man and have internet voting to determine which questions are asked.
There are some real opportunities for some of these guys to get their balls nailed to the wall, but I am sure they will continue the great Republican tradition of skirting questions and giving answers that aren't relevant to the questions.
In the great college tradition I purpose a drinking game to go along with this debate. These are some guidelines for what we expect to hear from these guys who have as much direction as a chicken with its head cut off. Please feel free to add any rules that you feel should be added to the list.
The Individual Candidates
Anytime Rudy Giuliani says a noun and verb and 9/11, terror, homeland, security, or McLovin DRINK!
Extra Points: Everyone chug a bottle of Jaeger if Rudy takes responsibility for Mafia Don Bernard Kerik
Anytime John McCain mentions his military service, his conservative record, or how many ladies he can fit on the Straight Talk Express DRINK!
Anytime Mitt Romney makes a statement that could possibly mean "Yea I was a relatively liberal Republican governor of a New England State, but I HATED it" DRINK!
Extra Points: If he finishes a sentence with "and don't you love my Man Tan!" Take a shot
Anytime Fred Thompson talks about his conservative and pro life record DRINK!
Extra Points: If Fred says "I must announce to the American people that I really am Frankenberry" 3 Can Beer Bong!
Anytime Mike Huckabee is on and you think "Hey, this guy seems too nice to be a Republican" DRINK!
Anytime Duncan Hunter is up and you think or someone says "Wait who the hell is this guy?"
DRINK!
Anytime Tom Tancredo says something that could be remotely bigoted DRINK!
Anytime Ron Paul says he's a true conservative or talks in that high, slightly whiny, ranting sort of voice DRINK!
All Candidates
Everyone playing chooses a "buzzword" and every time that word is said everyone except the one who chose the word drinks
Anyone takes a shot at Hillary or says they are the only one who can beat Hillary DRINK! (I'm an Obama man but we all know they are gonna talk some smack)
Anyone mentions they are the reincarnation of Ronald Reagan DRINK!
Anytime you don't feel the candidate fully addresses the question DRINK!
(Ok don't want you to get too hammered just do it every other time)
Anytime someone tries to promote more military spending over the underfunded domestic programs DRINK!
Anytime you yell at the TV DRINK!
Anytime a candidate makes it clear that America will be attacked if they are not elected DRINK!
If anyone says "America has made some some mistakes in the past" Hell has clearly frozen over proceed to finish every ounce of liquor in your house
Commercials
Any epic commercial DRINK! These being the huge international insurance commercials, energy commercials, financial service commercials that make it seem like they make the world go round
Any pharmaceutical commercial DRINK!
Extra points if you are a stud: Constantly chug as the commercial actors say the side effects of the drug with a completely straight face
Any commercial where you think "Bullshit" such as Chevron saying they are the leading innovators for solving global warming or Walmart touting it's savings
Any commercial targeted for Baby Boomers DRINK!
Here are a couple guidelines as I said earlier feel free to add your own rules just be creative
Cheers from Santa Cruz
SA17