They brought out the chilling scenario, then all the candidates had to say what they would do. Perhaps the scenario itself used in a debate tells us more about Republicans than anything here. They were presented with scenario that included three terrorist bombings of shopping malls, with the sure prospect of a larger event. So what do they do? or, as the NYTimes states: “The question: How far can the authorities go in interrogating the terrorists to get information to avert a fourth attack?” First, John McCain:

Senator John McCain of Arizona, a prisoner of war in Vietnam, said he would not resort to torture because the United States would lose more in world opinion than it would gain in information.

“When I was in Vietnam, one of the things that sustained us, as we went — underwent torture ourselves — is the knowledge that if we had our positions reversed and we were the captors, we would not impose that kind of treatment on them,” Mr. McCain said. “It’s not about the terrorists, it’s about us. It’s about what kind of country we are.”

McCain is principled here, and he draws from the story of his life, familiar to many Americans. Of course, that story is going to be swiftboated as we go along in these primaries, so he should use it while he can. But McCain did not score points by showing these are good Christian values that keep him from torturing. Then again, the Christians in the Republican base may not see torture as a violation of Christian tenets. After all, they’ve been listening to Jerry Falwell and the like on the tube for years. . . maybe there’s a case for some sort of American Radical Christian self-flaggellation via TV Evangelist. But I’m getting away from the main point. McCain made the right answer, but he didn’t sell it well, and it probably wasn’t what his base wanted to hear.

Giuliani’s response? 9/11, 9/11!

Former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani of New York said he would back “every method” short of torture that interrogators could think of because “I don’t want to see another 3,000 people dead in New York or any place else.”

Rudy doesn’t seem to be getting it. This debate is being held in South Carolina and carried on FauxNews. “Every method short of torture” isn’t what your people want to hear. They want to hear that you will stop the attack. In fact, unless you say that these folks in the Republican base are going to find you’re a heckuva guy at cleaning up after an attack, but not so great at preventing them. Strategically, Rudy, you need to attack questions like this with a bit more strength. And maybe stop slumping at the lectern, stick a chaw of Red Man between your cheek and gum, and wear a gimme hat. That’s the only way you’re winning down south, Rudy. Heaven help you if you get caught cross-dressing. Again.

Romney stole the show.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts said he would support “not torture but enhanced interrogation techniques. And taking a tougher line than President Bush and Mr. McCain, who have said they would like to shut down the detention center at Guantánamo Bay, Mr. Romney said he wanted the facility doubled in size.

I want to know. Is “enhanced interrogation techniques” part of a role-playing game that involves “natural male enhancement” and leads to a “fuller intimate life?” There’s a radio commercial for Bon Vivant video I hear once in a while, and I think they’re selling that stuff. Do you think Mitt Romney is connected to them? They seem to have some good marketing going on, but Romney’s idea of doubling the size of Gitmo is completely whacked. Let’s see, that doubles the numbers of innocent people we keep in cages indefinitely, doubles our poor repuation around the world, doubles the problems we have getting these people home when we find they are innocent. No, even the great marketers at Bon Vivant video would not associate themselves with an idea like Mitt’s to double the size of Gitmo. It simply won’t sell.

What does it say about the Republican psyche that a scenario from the episodes fof 24 can be taken seriously in a debate? The real truth here is that the people in the blue states, if they heard these guys earnestly answering these questions, would not be swayed one bit. And the way this country stacks up now, playing to the Republican base is not going to help these guys in the long run.