Dear Brian,

I value your show however I feel that you and your guests produced a significantly underwhelming show in terms of offering critical analysis and depth which actually reflected the current state of the Republican Caucus.

You and your panel were all of the opinion that Ron Paul was the biggest loser last night however as even more mainstream media has acknowledged, the Republican party has moved TOWARDS Ron Paul while over the last 20 years Ron Paul's message has remained consistent.

This shift is most basically illustrated by the founding of the Tea Party, which coincidentally the Ron Paul Campaign is commemorating the 4th anniversary of the party today with the Tea Party Money Bomb. The Tea Party's biggest objective is trimming down the Federal Government's deficit subsequently I think Ron Paul pointing out that you can't build an army without money not only resonated well with Tea Party activists, but also caused a significant number of war hawks to consider how they could effectively establish and maintain a military presence with 15 T worth of debt hindering us from getting more credit. Even as I type this, there are significant movements and petitions across the Southern United States that are asking for the Iraqi people to "reimburse" the United States for its assistance in liberating them which indicates that over the past ten years Republicans have learned that being Hawkish costs money and as the country's financial house is not in order, its a stretch to assume that Ron Paul's message did not resonate well with Republican voters.

With respect to Bachmann dealing the most effective blows on Ron Paul, I think your campaign underestimates how many Republicans shirk away form being Hawkish following the ordeal George W. Bush put us through. I watched the entire debate and I can honestly say that Santorum and Bachmann were not only hawkish, but to the moderate Republican voter, they reinforced the need for a command in chief who wasn't looking to pull the trigger and embroil us into another long war. Further, their poll numbers don't lie about their true nature; they are so hell bent on proving they are conservative they forget to be human and in the face of making good decisions they would opt to be radically conservative. If anything, these two candidates allowed Ron Paul to showcase a passionate anti-war stance.

You and your commentators did little to integrate current events into your analyzes. First, Newt is starting to fizzle in the polls, and in addition to this, the passage of NDAA brings up questions about civil liberties.

It was really disappointing and within the next week or so, I definitely invite ya'll to see how wrong y'all were

What is going on with WNYC? Are you so afraid of being called "unfair" that you have to join the mainstream media circus that gives undue legitimacy to these candidates - most of whom, if not all, who spout fictitious "facts." I couldn't believe that Brian described Michelle Bachman as "well informed." If public radio doesn't educate us about the "news", who or what will? It's not about taking sides. There are smart, well intentioned, well informed people with differing points of view - but these cadidates are not among them.

... thank you, Joan from Brooklyn.

These so called debates, and the presidential election, don't warrant the amount of attention they are being given. Suffice it to say they happened, these are the salient remarks and move on. But, lengthy analyses by "experts" on show after show all day long? Lord save us. The next year is going to be unbearable.

The only wars the US has fought in the Middle East, were (a) against Muslim pirates in 1801, and (b) to save the oil fields of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq from being taken over by Iran. The US has NEVER fought ANY wars "for Israel" and never will.

to dboy

I'll take your comment seriously when the first church or synagogue gets built in Mecca or Medina.

to dboy

jgarbuz from Queens = odious racist

Last evening's debate showed once again why Ron Paul is the only Republican candidate not beholden to Israeli interests. He recognizes that we are preparing to fight yet another war for Israel. Jewish talk-show hosts and commentators don't like this.

America should stop fighting Israel's battles for it. This is crucial for America and Ron Paul is the only candidate talking about it.

The only one that can make me vote for Obama again is Ron Paul. If Paul gets the nomination, I hold my nose and vote for the "secret Muslim" again.

bernie is on to something!

... brings to mind the little car with all the clowns...

terrible show

sorry but anna sale and people like her are the problem....michelle bachmann is a credible/informed/well-spoken candidate? are you kidding me? this woman is a complete idiot who lies and makes up facts to fit into her demented fantasy world. as a society we need to instantly reject these people and not give them the opportunity to sprout their lies. this is a joke and some who claim to be journalists will give legitimacy to any idiot that comes along. can we raise the standards a little bit please?

Ron Paul is probably still angry that the Department of the Navy was formed around 1800 in response to American ships being taken hostage by the Muslim Barbary pirates. He's probably say, what are our ships doing in the Mediterranean? We are alienating the Muslims by sailing ships in the Mediterranean. And we should not create a department of the Navy, because after the Revolutionary War, we're too broke to fund a navy to defend our ships and their crews.

Martin... isn't like the pot calling the kettle black??

@Amy
Go to his site and read his positions...
here is a good long Q and A
http://www.youtube.com/user/RonPaul2008dotcom?feature=g-u#p/u/15/KgXtvvp7L4k

... don'tcha just love the political beauty pageant coverage???

zzz!

Ron Paul has stated those views throughout his career - not a surprise.

Martin, you're right - Ron Paul is a "nut job" because he doesn't pander to the Pro-Israel Lobby and puts AMERICA'S interest first.

Every R. candidate is against abortion even when a women has been raped. I haven't heard or read a single word about this. Why?

"How are we going to take care of people?" I thought Ron Paul didn't think it was government's job to take care of people.

He was RIGHT about the Iraq war, we don't need war mongering. He has been consistent the whole way thru...you are salivating to think that he can win. Unorthodox? You are crazy...It isn't isolationism.

C'mon Brian. Ron Paul exposed the truly dangerous and wacky war views coming from Bachmann, Santorum, et al.

Watch, his poll numbers will rise.

Ron Paul is a nut job.

Brian, you are the problem, you have never mentioned Ron Paul's name and then to only say he is the biggest loser in the debate...terrible journalism

I watched brief bits of this "debate"--more was too much to stomach. It was a perfect fit for Fox, the GOP Propaganda Ministry, and the questioning was according to the new GOP lockstep orthodoxy. I felt I was watching an alternative universe, where thought was replaced with buzzwords.

It was almost a mirror image of the Comintern Internationals.

Ron Paul has the same principaled postions he'salways had...end the wars, end the bailouts, audt the fed, end crony capitalism....get on board now Brian