Schiff Can Hang With Frontrunners

By in Opinions,

[caption id="attachment_1147" align="alignnone" width="480" caption="John Woike/Hartford Courant"][/caption] I am not a Republican. Watching the Republican U.S. Senate Debate was kind of like nails on a chalkboard for me. But, in the end, there had to be a winner. After listening to 60 minutes of debate, I’ll award that honor tonight to Peter Schiff. Three candidates kind of shook up the atmosphere after last night’s straight tet-a-tet. Linda McMahon has a southern lilt to her voice that made me want to listen to her more. She’s from North Carolina, and was named president of the World Wrestling Federation in 1993 and then CEO of the renamed World Wrestling Entertainment in 1997. She stepped down from that position in September 2009 when she announced her run for Senate. Schiff is another newcomer to Connecticut politics. He is president of Euro Pacific Capital, a brokerage firm, which he acquired in 1996. He also wrote a book called “Crash Proof: How to Profit from the Coming Economic Collapse.” He knows financial matters so well that he often speaks about it on business television programs. And then there’s Rob Simmons. He served as a member to the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007. In February 2007, Gov. Jodi Rell named him Connecticut's first Business Advocate. He announced that he was running for U.S. Senate in March 2009, and polls showed him leading former Sen. Chris Dodd by 6 points. McMahon told the audience that they would be hearing a lot of agreement, and it was true. The three focused on small businesses in the first questions about the job market. But Schiff also noted that government spending needed to be controlled because it was getting too big. McMahon and Schiff agreed that pulling some troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq would be a good idea. They both felt that having some troops there to continue stabilizing the countries would be beneficial, but that there are too many troops over there now. Simmons, on the other hand, felt that troops should be removed when “we win.” Then they began talking about health care. I’m pretty passionate about health care options, especially since I am going to graduate soon and need to think about getting my own health care. Simmons opposes the single-payer health care reform. There are a lot of things that I don’t agree with that were brought up in this debate. But there was something about Schiff that tilted this debate to him. He has a lot of knowledge about the economy, and he expressed that during his closing remarks. I believe there is something in him that could provide change for Connecticut, though not necessarily a change that I support. Schiff is a fresh face, and no matter the party I think that is something that Connecticut could use. Simmons has been in politics for years, and he served in the armed forces. That’s all fine and good, but I want to see something new. And while McMahon is another fresh face, I’m just not sure if she’s someone who could make decisions for the state. Yes, she dug a company out of bankruptcy and turned it back into a profit and yes, she created over 500 jobs in Connecticut. But what can she do to help me? Tonight, I’ll give it to another underdog, though he didn’t make a splash the way Merrick Alpert did last night. It certainly will be an interesting race in Connecticut
  • http://NewStreamMedia.ORG Brian

    Here I am commenting again. Again, I agree with your choice. This time, however, I had some prior exposure to one of the candidates, Schiff. He’s been a steady voice for change, using YouTube over the past year. I tend to like him for his more libertarian views.

    Like Blumenthal, the career politician comes out in Simmons. While he seemed to be more likable than Blumenthal, I still wouldn’t vote for the guy. I can’t see him producing one iota of change, instead furthering the status quo. Also, considering the war is unwinnable in any conventional sense, I see him as a perveyor of perpetual war.

    Linda McMahon seemed to be more honest and open than Simmons, but didn’t really click for me. She doesn’t seem to have the same confidence in her convictions as Schiff, although she does present herself as a strong and willful political outsider. Her comment about laying the smackdown on Congress over disagreement was hilarious, but not in a good way.

    I encourage you to check out more about Peter Schiff at his website and at http://www.youtube.com/user/SchiffReport he’s got a ton of content. It’s almost exclusively economic in subject, but its a much needed relief from the constant whitewashing of our economic status.

  • Myer Rickless

    Peter is the clear choice for the Republican Nominee. McMahon and Simmons stand no chance whatsoever against Blumenthal. Peter has a track record for being right for over a decade. Go watch his 2006 speech to the western regional mortgage bankers association in Las Vegas, telling them EXACTLY what would happen. The more you look into the Peter the more you will see that he is the only man who can get the job done for Connecticut. Simmons is just another politician who will tell you whatever he thinks you want to hear. Peter wont tell you what you want to hear he’ll tell you what you must hear- the truth. McMahon is trying to buy an election and if you watch some of Peter’s speeches on Youtube (there are thousands- I’ve watched almost every single one of them) you will see that she stole a number of Peter’s positions verbatim. McMahon’s line about how she’s not going to run for re-election is Peter’s line exactly, then she even butchered the position by saying 5 mins later that she wouldn’t serve more than 2 terms. Which is it Linda? Peter has said consistently that he would only serve one term. Research Peter and you will see that he is the clear choice for Connecticut.

  • Dave R.

    I came into the debate really liking McMahon, but I think you are right. Peter really seems to have clear insights into what our country needs to rebound economically. I just searched his name and came across this youtube video called Peter Schiff Was Right. I am amazed that I have not heard of this guy. He predicted over and over again on tv what was going to happen to our economy and nobody listened. He should be famous by now. I’m glad I got a chance to hear from him tonight.

  • nonyabidness

    Peter was great.

    Simmons and McMahon should bow out and offer their donations to him because they’re quite clearly unable to stand in election with Blumenthal who is vastly popular in CT.

    Only Schiff is viable candidate to run against Blumenthal who lost all credibility when he praised Dodd on his retirement from the race.

  • Mike

    I’m a college student (though not from Hartford) and I support Peter as well. What he has to say about economics really is enlightening and has completely shifted the paradigm of my thought. Here is Peter at Harvard talking to students about college tuition, something that interests me and probably would interest the author too:

  • Matthew

    PETER SCHIFF 2010!

    Good debate, I’m looking forward to seeing more debate about the monetary policy and the economy considering in my opinion is the most important issue

    Here is a video to prove Peter Schiff’s claims about accurately predicting the housing crash, banking crash and stock market crash… And not just predicting the crashes but he laid out exactly what the government response would be and why that wouldn’t work.

    Peter Shiff was right

  • Jesse

    Thanks to Dave R. who posted up above. I just checked the “Peter Schiff was Right!” video and…really quite shocking. I can’t believe how rude those knuckleheads on tv were to him. Anyways, after this debate I think its clear that he is the most capable of the candidates…far and away.

  • Rob

    The bottom line is this, Peter Schiff is one of only a handful of people that has been warning about the economic collapse years before it happened. People made of him while the DOW was cruising above 14000 and he stuck to his message. You can see all of it on youtube.

    Now we actually have a chance to put a person who called this crisis into office, I hope for all our sake its Schiff, although hes a huge underdog. In the current economic mess, I don’t even understand how its even a choice, very rairly do we get an opportunity to vote for the right candidate at the right time in history.

  • CHris

    Hi. i saw the debate tonight, and I am really excited for Peter Schiff. He sounds like hes going to shake up Washington real good, I hope he gets in!

  • IndyRick

    I would love to have a canidate like Schiff to vote for in Indiana. Were stuck with 1 thats been in for ovr 30years (Lugar) and hopefully with Byah dropping out thanks to his wifes scandel we might have a real voice in there.

  • Steve

    I’m a college student who lives in CT and I think Peter is easily the best candidate. Just watch the “Peter Schiff was Right” video on youtube.

  • Ben

    Linda should back Schiff and back him financially. The country really needs Schiff right now in DC. I amout in NM, and this is what I truly believe.

  • zack

    I’ll add my voice to the chorus in support of Schiff. How anyone can watch that debate and not become a Schiff fan is beyond me. The other two candidates are just typical politicians, coached into their fake responses.

  • http://marc.cuevas@me.com Marc

    Schiff is really the new voice we need in Washington. I really like the way he’s running a truly grass-roots campaign too. Check out his campaign site, http://www.schiffforsenate.com

  • Dan

    As for who is best for senator of CT, I think it is close between Mr. Simmons and Mr. Schiff. I think I slightly prefer Mr. Simmons because he is more conservative and more experienced on a number of issues. I think it is correct to say that Mr. Schiff is more libertarian and is associated with Ron Paul (as economic advisor) who ran for the Republican nomination for president. I do admire Mr. Schiff’s bravery and self-assuredness in forecasting the economic collapse in the US and have been aware of his position for over a year (unfortunately not prior to the collapse of the stock market). Our problems in the US go a lot deeper than just economic, but I am intrigued that college students, at this site at least, find Mr. Schiff a compelling figure. I find him compelling too, but I don’t think I award as many points on the basis of style as younger voters do. Still I do want someone who can win in CT and it may be that Mr. Schiff is more attractive to the average voter who has a someone superficial way of assessing a candidate. Would it be a turn off for you if you knew that Peter’s father is in jail for nonpayment of income taxes? Apparently he believes that the income tax is unconstitutional or at least illegal, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwin_Schiff (It doesn’t turn me off of Peter.)

  • Luke

    Peter Schiff Was Right. For everyone out there under 30, this is our future.

  • Sev

    Peter is the clear winner here. I wouldn’t be surprised if the latest Rasmussen Reports polling numbers were completely fabricated. Just like the new poll that was taken down after Peter had the lead.

    I am not a college student, but I do believe in liberty. If Peter wins, who knows, maybe I’ll move to CT.

  • Jeffrey Petersen

    If Peter does win i’ll think about moving to CT as well.

  • Will Hobson

    Well, I don’t think the sins of the father are passed down to his son, as far as Schiff’s dad goes. I’d love to take down the income tax if I had the power, alas I do not.

    I think politics have become so polarizing a lot of people (not everyone) don’t take the time to glance across the fence and see what the other side is doing. I watched the democratic debate, I liked Alpert’s stance on Cuba, but I cringed in horror at his suggestion of a trillion dollar spending bill.

    I like Peter because everything he says jives with my common sense. An example: I used to question my teachers in high school when they told me 2/3 of our economy is consumer spending. I would ask how we can continue to have a trade deficit without losing all of our money. My teachers would just say, “Don’t worry, it just works that way.” Peter definitely vindicates a lot of suspicions I’ve had about our country’s economy.

    By the way, I started out 2009 as a Democrat that voted for Barack Obama. I would very much agree that listening to Peter Schiff might just change the way you think about government.

  • Stephen

    Voting for someone because of “what they can do for you” is pretty disgusting. Although typical, I suppose. Big money buys politicians in return for special favors. So I guess you feel justified voting for your own best interests too.

    I disagree strongly, as what you may get is typically at the expense of other Americans. That’s selfish and wrong. Boo.

  • http://www.inflation-nation.net TheInflationNation

    I hope you guys get this guy in the senate. He was so right it’s painful to know that someone out there was warning us the whole time and no one would listen to him!

    Here’s another good video on Peter:

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