I Love the Brits Reporting Style

Last night the GOP held its first debate between the various candidates and pseudo-candidates. I didn't watch it. I don't give a diddly about it whatsoever. This early out it means nothing of any import anyway.

I simply decided to share a portion of the following article from the Guardian-- written before and during the debate -- because I love its tone.

Republican Presidential Debate in New Hampshire - as it happened
by Richard Adams

What are the three most exciting words in the American lexicon? "National donut day" of course. But surely a close runner-up is: "Republican presidential debate".

National donut day was last week, and tonight it's the Republican party candidates debate, as six men and one woman (not Sarah Palin, sorry) fight for the right to take on Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential elections.

We'll be live-blogging the event right here from the halls of St Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. Here's a quick run-down of the cast of characters we'll be meeting tonight:

• Mitt Romney: the former governor of neighbouring Massachusetts is currently leading the polls, having been running for president since 2007 (seriously). With a campaigning style so wooden you could make furniture from it, Romney's hard work and much-touted business background have helped him in the opinion polls. Many Republicans think he's too liberal on matters such as healthcare, and don't trust him.

• Tim Pawlenty: a former governor of Minnesota, he appears to be running for the role of "earnest older brother" in a Disney movie. Despite being moderate and sensible, his name recognition is submarine-like, while his campaigning style makes Romney's seem like a Las Vegas casino in comparison. Probably needs to attack Romney with a broken bottle to make an impact tonight.

• Michele Bachmann: also from Minnesota, Bachmann is a member of the House of Representatives and a fully paid up member of the Tea Party. She is currently being touted as "Sarah Palin with brains," which is setting the bar pretty low. Very conservative.

• Newt Gingrich: this may be Newt's first and last debate since last week his entire campaign quit. The former Speaker of the House is a divisive figure, with some thinking he's full of hot air, while others think he's full of something else. He'll have to explain why even people he paid to support him won't do so any more.

• Ron Paul: the stalwart of the Libertarian wing of the Republican party is running for the third time, and while he has a small and dedicated of followers his dovish policies on national security won't find favour with the Republican voters.

• Herman Cain: the chief executive of Godfathers Pizza has never run for or held elected office in any capacity. Naturally he's doing very well, given the rest of the field. Thinks running a pizza chain is excellent preparation for being president of the United States.

• Rick Santorum: Google his name [NSFW!] and you'll see what he's all about. To the right of Attila the Bachmann. Running to get a talkshow or something.
  

Right, shall we begin?...

It gets even more irreverent as he goes along!