Republican Audience Applauds Waterboarding

Even though, as Tommy Christopher points out, some in the debate audience applauded the saner views of Ron Paul (and Jon Huntsman), the fact that torture got as big a response as it did, speaks volumes about the Republican base.

Rep. Michele Baschmann…weighed in, saying that as president, she would be willing to use waterboarding, to rousing applause, but also the odd jeer. She went on to claim that President Obama is “losing the War On Terror,” despite the President’s soaring terrorist body count.

Major Garrett, citing his “Spidey sense,” then tossed the question to Rep. Ron Paul, who received loud applause for saying that “waterboarding is torture,” and noting that “it’s illegal under international law, and our law. It’s also immoral.”

Even former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman got a loud cheer for saying that he opposes torture.

The explanation for this seeming schism in audience reaction to torture is likely contained in the debate intro. Congressman Paul is known for having an extremely loyal, intense following, and they were vocal during his introduction tonight. The applause for opposition to torture was loud, but localized, as an audience reaction shot shows.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.