Random thoughts on last night's GOP Debate

Just a few random thoughts about last night's NBC/Politico Republican debate...

1. Mitt Romney said that Mr. Obama had halted offshore drilling, blocked construction of new coal plants, slowed development of nuclear plants and failed to develop natural gas trapped in shale formations.

Not quite true. While President Obama declared a moratorium on deep-water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico after the BP spill in 2010, the government began granting permits again earlier this year and activity is approaching pre-spill levels. Also, the administration recently announced a major lease sale in the western Gulf of Mexico and gave provisional approval to a Shell project in the Arctic off the coast of Alaska.

2. Gov. Rick Perry repeated his claim that “the science is not settled” on the topic of global warming and whether humanity plays a part.

The scientific consensus on climate change is about as settled as any major scientific issue can be. The National Academy of Sciences, in an investigation requested by Congress, concluded last year: "Climate change is occurring, is very likely caused primarily by human activities, and poses significant risks to humans and the environment."

3. Michele Bachmann said "Obamacare is killing jobs. We know that from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, but I know it firsthand from speaking to people. We see it this summer. There are 47 percent of African-American youth that are currently without jobs, 36 percent of Hispanic youth."

The health care law passed last year has long been labeled a job killer by Republicans, who often cite a Congressional Budget Office analysis to buttress their claims. But the CBO never said the law would result in job losses. Instead it made the lesser assertion that fewer people may choose to work. "The legislation, on net, will reduce the amount of labor used in the economy by a small amount — roughly half a percent — primarily by reducing the amount of labor that workers choose to supply," the CBO said in an analysis. That's not job-killing, that's workers choosing not to work because of easier access to health care.

Also, regarding Bachmann's unemployment "statistics," there is no evidence that the health care law is responsible. The health care law is largely unimplemented, with some of its key provisions not taking effect until 2014.

4. It is cynical to say out loud, but I believe that while the Republicans complain about the state of the economy they are actually making choices that keep the economy from improving - because to do so would help President Obama get re-elected.

I believe that when Sen. Mitch McConnell said “the single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term President,” he was speaking for the entire GOP in Washington, DC. He didn't say "the single most important thing we want to achieve is reducing unemployment." He didn't say "the single most important thing we want to achieve is ending the wars abroad." He didn't say "the single most important thing we want to achieve is ending childhood hunger."

I personally believe that the GOP is fine with a double dip recession if it gets them back in the White House.

If and when that happens, WATCH how fast the word "compromise" comes back into Republican fashion.

(fact sources - AP news; NYTimes.com)