Here’s the full video of the New Hampshire GOP Candidate Forum.  The event was held at St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH.  The candidates appeared one at a time, answering questions determined by the editors of the Union Leader based on the topics suggested by the public:

Notes and Shortcuts – Yes, I watched all 2+ hours.

In essence the format was a little odd with candidates coming up to the stage for prepared questions. However, beyond the format, a basic flaw were the questions themselves.

The questions were specifically targeted soft ball pitches for each of the candidates strengths. Every question asked was a question you have formerly heard them answer. I am left with the impression this was not accidental.

RICK PERRY:
@09:50 Immigration and border issues.
@13:30 Economy, and expansion of economy question and answer.

RICK SANTORUM
@14.40 Government economic subsidies, who should get them? Mfr Jobs and flat tax race of 20% proposed.
@16:30 Welfare Reform and jobs as a priority.
@17:35 Border security, wages, 25% reduction in number of non-skilled immigrant visa’s. E-Verify.

JOHN KASICH
@18:58 Immigration, need hearts and minds approach. Sanctuary city reform.
@20:00 NAFTA – Expedited appeal process for mfrs. Economy and Budget committee bona fides.
@21:15 Balanced Budget and Balanced Budget Amendment proposal.

LINDSEY GRAHAM
@23:00 Trace issues. Russia and China threats. Economic foreign policy proposals.
@26:00 ISIS. Terror threats a real concern. Hillary unprepared to address.

CHRIS CHRISTIE
@27:40 Question about payments for terror hostages. I wouldn’t do it, we can’t negotiate with terrorists.
@28:25 Entitlement Reform needed. Must save entitlements through reform. Honest discussion needed.
@29:45 Veteran’s benefits. Should be allowed to use VA benefits in any hospital.
@30:35 Heroine crisis. Rehab, prisons etc. War on Drugs a failure. Drug rehab for first time offenders.

DR. BEN CARSON
@32:05 ObamaCare reform. Replace with Health Savings Accts. Catastrophic care coverage. Medicaid to indigent along with HSA accounts.
@35:30 Planned Parenthood – should defund.
@35:50 Tax reform with flat tax between 10 to 15%

Jeb Bush
@36:35 Terror Threat more serious than civil liberties issues. Civil liberties handcuff national security. Protect homeland.
@37:45 ISIS – Ground troops for Syria? No, Obama failed Syria and has no strategy. Need arab allies to take fight to ISIS.
@39:18 Why Running? I can grow economy at 4%
@40:45 Immigration reform needs to be comprehensive.

CARLY FIORINA
@41:05 Least popular decision? challenging status quo always the most difficult challenge. Professional Political class is the problem. Government needs to reduce in both size and scope.
@43:45 Hillary Opinion? Emails etc. “Hillary Clinton is a liar”. Lied about Benghazi, lied about server. We need a candidate not afraid to throw punches at Hillary.
@45:10 Planned Parenthood – defund yes, absolutely. Moral issue.

BOBBY JINDAL
@45:30 Divided America worse now, why? Race-baiting, hyphenated Americans. Will unify America.
@46:45 Balanced Budget, Deficit? Shrink the size of government, remove professional political class, believe in term limits.
@48:45 Arm Recruiting Centers? Yes, arm the military and national guard. All military should be armed.
@49:00 Iran – issues, and would not support proposals inside the deal. Bad deal.

SCOTT WALKER
@50:00 Climate change human created? Environmental improvements need balance with economic impacts. Don’t harm manufacturing base with unneeded climate regulations that burden U.S.
@51:00 Balanced budget, need both economic growth and reform of current liabilities along with reducing size of government.
@52:35 Anti Union? No, pro taxpayer. Right to work state. Workers get to choose not the union bosses.
@53:55 Biggest challenge faced? The recall effort. Electorate knew I was doing smart reform that benefited taxpayers.

GEORGE PATAKI
@54:25 Welfare reform and what federal depts. need to shrink? Obamacare repeal essential. Sit down with democrats and discuss. Must have both sides of the aisle engaged. I work with Democrats.
@56:15 Biggest group punished? Veterans under the biggest pressure from current admin policy. Overbearing cumbersome tax code. Too many regulations stifling economy. Corp tax rate should be 12%.
@58:10 Planned Parenthood.

RAND PAUL
@59:00 First foreign visit? I would go to China and Russia.
@59:55 College debt., student loan debt? Allow tax write off throughout career for college expenses.
@1:00:35 Due process for U.S. terror suspects overseas? If on battlefield no, but if other due process should be afforded.
@1:01:45 What should NSA be allowed to do? NSA must comply with individualized warrants for terror suspects or U.S. citizens. Imminent or exigent circumstances currently already a process in law, there are exceptions.

TED CRUZ
@1:04:00 Iranian Nuclear Deal? Whole deal is bad. Bad deal. Terror will use released funds provided by sanction relief.
@1:06:40 Your judgment tested in crisis? Yes, when I stand against the “Washington Cartel”. Lobbyists in bed with representatives. When you stand against the Cartel they come after you, they all come after you. I believe in the Reagan Revolution.

MARCO RUBIO
@1:08:35 Marijuana issues? Media ok if goes through FDA process for testing, regulation and control. Do not support legal Marijuana, intoxicant, without medical use.
@1:10:10 Immigration reform? Comprehensive immigration reform won’t work. U.S. electorate doesn’t trust DC. Need three steps. #1) Border control and complete border security along with e-verify and biometrics at border and ports. #2) Modernize legal immigration process for 1 million annually based on merit. #3) then address illegals for work authorization and path to “green card”.
@1:12:35 National Mood and Morale? Economic change, and terror threat has people worried. We need to modernize the economy and provide additional comfort for those who are fearful of change.

– – – – – – ROUND TWO – – – – – –

RAND PAUL
@1:15:00 What makes you different that Ron? I’m a libertarian and constitutional conservative. war is always the last resort.
@1:16:08 We need to win the independent vote.

TED CRUZ
@1:17:05 Are republicans to blame for ObamaCare because they didn’t act sooner? Perhaps. Solution 1. Allow health insurance accross state lines. 2. Allow Health Savings Accounts. 3. De-link healthcare from employment, make transport possible.
@1:19:19 Looking forward to freedom message. My vision is positive. We are Americans. I believe in the promise of America.

MARCO RUBIO
@1:20:40 NSA Data mining, can govt. be trusted? Yes. I serve on intel committee. ISIS, al-qaeda and al-Nusra threat is real. We need the NSA tools. If hit again American people will asked what did we do to prevent? If NSA data abused, then prosecute the person who abused.
@1:22:55 My journey is the American Dream. I ask for your vote.

DR BEN CARSON
@1:23:52 SCOTUS pick? Look at past judicial history. Could actually be a non-judge.
@1:25:05 Too much money in politics? 50% of Americans still don’t know who I am. We need constitutional servants not professional political class.
@1:26:30 Tax reform is much needed.
@1:26:58 U.S. problems we face are not partisan. We need to get beyond party politics.

SCOTT WALKER
@1:27:50 Entitlement reform is needed. Must have honest conversation with America.
@1:29:00 I can win on big issues. I’ve a proven track record, and I’m a proven leader will to face the tough issues.

RICK PERRY
@1:29:43 What specific agencies would you cut? I’ve heard that question before {audience laugh} We must cut spending, but more important is the other side of equation – we must grow economy. I did it in Texas and we passed tort reform to improve healthcare access.
@1:31:30 Can tax code reform happen? Yes. We must. I’ll have my plan out soon.
@1:33:00 I’m optimistic about America. ‘Merica.

BOBBY JINDAL
@1:34:04 First executive orders? First xo would be to remove all of Obama’s xo’s especially those granting unlawful work authorizations. Second thing I’d do is talk to allies (Israel) and tell military we are back to steady and predictable leadership.
1:35:20 Super-PAC’s? I don’t think money wins elections.
1:36:10 America needs a do’er not a talker. I can get the job done.

LINDSEY GRAHAM
@1:37:00 John McCain says your foreign policy experience leads field? He’s right. Obama has ignored the best advice from military leaders. We need 10,000 troops in Iraq. Syria was botched, waited too long, did too little. Spent $500 million to train 60 fighters… c’mon man.
@1:40:17 DC doesn’t need to set minimum wage.
@1:41:15 Need president needs to be competent. I’m competent.

CARLY FIORINA
@1:42:00 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must be reformed. Dodd Frank repealed. Went from 10 big banks to 5 even bigger banks. Wall Street reform is needed within U.S. financial policy and financial system starting with Freddie and Fannie.
@1:43:35 Do we have stomach for war? False choice, not an either/or proposition. Tell Israel we have their back, tell Iran to de-nuke or we will de-nuke you. Arm kurds, support Egypt and Jordan and Arab allies. Call for a Camp David Summit of Arab leaders to fight ISIS.
@1:45:40 My story is a simple one. The DC professional political class is the problem. Remove that and you can have a resurgence of a great nation.

RICK SANTORUM
@1:45:40 Abortion is not a SCOTUS issue. They should be irrelevant.
@1:48:00 Internet tax? No, period. We need simplified tax rate, flat tax.
@1:48:50 Anti-business agenda from Obama’s XO’s need to be removed ASAP.
@1:49:50 I’m an effective reformer.

JOHN KASICH
@1:50:50 Economic growth requires compassion. All boats must rise. We need a moral balance in the economy. I believe in the hearts of people and the heart message within compassion. Compassionate Conservative.
@1:53:00 Why running? I’m blessed. Looking to increase influence and deliver servant-minded approach to DC issues.
@1:54:10 I’ve done all of these things already in Ohio.

CHRIS CHRISTIE
@1:55:10 ISIS a JV Team? No, we are in for a long battle against radical Islam. Our Arab allies need to be tip of the spear. Their fight.
@1:56:30 Why are you running? I wasn’t ready in 2012, I’m ready now.
@1:57:00 I’m a proven leader and reformer. I keep my word and I bring clarity to the office.

GEORGE PATAKI
@1:58:40 Terrorism? I was NY governor during 9/11/01. ISIS and radical Islam are a threat we should stand up to, not down from. We need to engage aid in Iraq, arm the kurds and help Egypt and Jordan.
@2:01:05 Second Amendment? We need mental health reform as it relates to gun ownership.
@2:01:15 We must unite the country and bring everyone together.

JEB BUSH
@2:02:05 Common Core? State government should control all standards. Federal government should have no say in education standards.
@2:03:15 How are you different that Dubya? We have different outlooks and opinions. Dad is great.
@2:03:55 I believe everyone in the GOP primary race is great. Appreciate being in the field.

– – END – –

Summary: George Pataki did the worst presentation; gave no real reason to understand why he’s in the race.

Rubio and Fiorina did the best, and if a winner had to be picked it was probably Fiorina for sharp, on-point, presentation.

♦ Rand Paul seemed weary and unenthused – needs a mountain dew and cheeto convention. ♦ Rick Perry didn’t seem too Presidential but he was sporting those x-ray specs which make him all smart n stuff. ♦ Jeb was the consummate smarmy entitled politico – he should have done it in spanish. ♦ Carson did ok, but seemed a little flat – then again, it’s his first rodeo. ♦ Kasich is all touchy feely with the hearts and minds stuff too thick – looking for the special needs angle to everything. ♦ Christie, Walker, Santorum and Jindal were good but, well, meh – cucumber and mayo on wonder bread. ♦ Lindsey Graham was all Lindsey Grahamy, reaching-over-the-aisle mode while simultaneously playing buffy the bad ass drone war warrior.

Oh yeah, and what happened to Jim Gilmore?  No mention of him.

As I said, the questions were real soft-balls, almost as if the CoC helped write them; and it’s annoying to see them asked the questions they are the most skilled at answering to begin with.   There’s really not a lot of meat on the bone, but you can use the shortcuts to find your favorite.