Ronald Reagan was strong in Myrtle Beach
By Jessica Cross crossja84@gmail

Reagan was the star of the Republican presidential debate last Thursday, as the candidates summoned his name repeatedly in the battle for the nomination.

With the Republican primary looming this Saturday, candidates took turns pointing to Reagan as they tried to distinguish themselves as more presidential, more conservative than their contenders.

Though former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani didn't shine quite like the competition and Reagan, Romney kicked off the debate by discussing America's economic slowdown and frowning on McCain's alleged pessimism that Michigan's job losses are permanent. South Carolina lost 12,000 of its own manufacturing jobs last year, according to debate moderator, Chris Wallace.

Sen. John McCain and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee were the guys to beat in the debate.

When asked to defend his conservatism, Giuliani called upon Reagan. Giuliani discussed what he thought made Reagan a winner in the 1980 election- his plan for a strong national defense, in part. And he reiterated his own experience in 9/11.

Former Sen. Fred Thompson challenged Huckabee to prove his conservatism also. He showed more spirit than usual, calling Huckabee a liberal for his alleged beliefs America has an arrogant foreign policy and illegal immigrants should be able to participate in taxpayer- funded programs.

"So much for federalism, so much for states' rights, so much for individual rights," said Thompson. "That's not the model of the Reagan coalition, that's the model of the Democratic Party."

Huckabee countered, "The Air Force has a saying 'if you're not catching flak, you're not over the target.' I'm catching the flak, I must be over the target."

Huckabee set the record straight illuminating his tax cutting record, despite the fact that he committed to raising virtually any tax the Arkansas legislature saw fit. (youtube.com/)

McCain appeared as the experienced leader he needs to be to appeal to South Carolinians and potentially gain the nomination. He played a political tennis match with Congressman Ron Paul on the issue of foreign policy, an issue that strikes close to the heart of many in the Midlands since Fort Jackson is close by.

Paul has consistently taken the position of a non- interventionist foreign policy. So when asked about his position on the U.S. trying to broker peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, he suggested we let the world solve its own problems, stop arming the enemies of Israel, and trade with the world peacefully.

McCain said, "I'm not interested in trading with Al Qaida. All they want to trade is burkas. I don't want to travel with them. They like one- way tickets."

The lines earned a laugh and applause.

Paul answered by saying we used to support Saddam Hussein and Bin Laden, both enemies of the U.S., and he wants to stop this enablement. "We finally got rid of Saddam Hussein. And what are we doing now? We're re- arming the Sunnis, the old henchmen of Saddam Hussein."

Except for Ron Paul, the candidates share two things: Ronald Reagan and they're ready for South Carolina.