I-Reporters weigh in on last debates before Super Tuesday

(CNN) -- Many readers tuned into the Republican and Democratic debates held Wednesday and Thursday in California to get a last look at the presidential candidates before more than 20 states hold primaries and caucuses next week.

With Super Tuesday right around the corner, readers looked at the ways four Republican candidates traded jabs with one another, and analyzed a one-on-one discussion between two Democratic senators.

Following is a selection of the responses received, some of which have been edited for length and clarity.

Richard Emery of Ocala, Florida
I have just watched the Democratic debate and am very impressed by the candidates and the way they treated each other. It was great to see them point out where they agree and then where the differences lie and stick to the issues.

Having also watched the Republican debate, if [Sen. John] McCain were the nominee he wouldn't stand a chance against either of them. It would be a landslide victory for the Dems. I think [Mitt] Romney could stand his own against either of them which would present us with a close contest in the fall. I'm a registered Republican and if it's McCain vs. [Sen. Barack] Obama I would vote for Obama.

Kathy Herbert of Escondido, California
I am still undecided. McCain came across as smug and arrogant. He focused too much on Romney and too much on his military career. [Mike] Huckabee is an amazingly straight talking guy who really knows how to talk to America, but he is not for me. I don't trust McCain but think he might have the only chance against the Dems. What's a gal to do?

Mike Gallagher of Toronto, Ontario
This is a question for the next debates both Republican or Democratic. Who is the prime minister of Canada? If you know who he is, what would you do to get along with him to accomplish something positive in Afghanistan? Or what is the one thing you would like to see the prime minister of Canada do to create more cooperation between Canadians and Americans?

Sheryl Rogel of Steilacoom, Washington
[Sen. Hillary] Clinton forgets that the good times we lived with during the Clinton years will not be the same just because she is in the White House. Our housing cost, our food cost, our gas cost, our medical and dental costs, and our taxes have increased substantially, plus our wages have not increased since the first Clinton White House.

Judy Veeneman of Elizabethton, Tennessee
John McCain's appeal is simple, he is real. What you see is what you get. Absolutely refreshing in this day and age of hypocrisy & pandering. He got my vote.

Martha Owens of Prescott Valley, Arizona
I respect both of our Democratic candidates. I truly believe that Sen. Clinton is the candidate for presidency. Her experience really shows up in her answers on all the issues. She is a strong person. She knows what needs to be done to help our country get back on track. She is a very wise person. Sen. Obama needs more experience. I can see him running for office in 4-8 years from now.

Mark Eby of Westland, Michigan
I feel that John McCain comes across as completely out of touch with what is going on in this country right now. He still seems to think that it is 1982.

Joe Thronson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota
As a lifelong Democrat, I have never considered, much less voted for, a Republican candidate for president. But there is something appealing about McCain. I can see why so many independents and moderates like him, even if evangelicals and Reagan-era tax slashers vilify him. Maybe there is also a practical aspect to McCain's candidacy. I'm sure Republicans in many states realize that they need a candidate with a broader appeal than just the traditional conservative Republican base if they have any hope of defeating a juggernaut like Clinton, or the Kennedy-like Obama. Democrats are going to pull together like never before to support whomever their candidate is just to prevent another uncompromising conservative from winning the White House. Even if McCain isn't the pick for most rank and file Republicans, nearly all would rather McCain get elected president than either of the Democratic front-runners.

From a Democrat's standpoint, having McCain as president may not actually be that bad either. He doesn't support any of the big Democratic issues, universal health care, ending Iraq, but he would be the most likely of all Republican candidates to compromise with a Democratic Congress. He seems to have a rational, pragmatic stance on issues like immigration and tax cuts. After eight years of obstinacy and deceit, even McCain would be a welcome change in the Oval Office.

James Boruszewski of Buffalo, New York
I only watched the last 30 minutes or so. I thought that McCain looked small in the force of his ideas. I liked Romney more then I ever thought I would, and Huckabee also did well. I would have to say Huckabee is the most natural. McCain's slaps at Romney were uncalled for and the kind of partisan politics that have brought this country to near ruin. If you want to win my vote win me on ideas, not with your ability to slap the other guy around. I was for McCain, and I'll have to re-think that.

Matt Covington of Atlanta, Georgia
Everyone loves Huckabee, but no one thinks he can win, so they don't vote for him. Hopefully the ridiculousness of that logic is shining through. Vote for who you want to win!

Bill Dickey of Alden, New York
I found it interesting that Senator Clinton for the last several years has berated the Bush administration for invading Iraq, but when questioned about her vote in favor of the war, she explained what big a threat Saddam Hussein was as far back as 1998 -- she basically justified Bush's invasion. She seems to say whatever is convenient at the moment. She lacks solid beliefs in many important issues. A strong leader will state his/her course and follow through to succession. Hillary's a flounder who is asking to swim with the worlds sharks. They'll eat us alive.

Wanda Stephen of Xenai, Ohio
Would [Wednesday night's] debate have included a discussion about Ronald Reagan's presidency if it were not held at his library? Why would McCain and Romney focus their "future" as president of the U.S. on a former president, such as Reagan? Are they going forward or backward?

Any American voter, that is poor, or middle class and votes for a candidate that says they are following in the footsteps of Ronald Reagan must have forgotten his history. Is Ronald Reagan not the president that declared, "Americans will no longer have the middle class, only the rich and the poor." That being the case, what do middle class Americans expect from candidates such as a Romney or McCain?

Why was Huckabee not allowed (seemingly) as much discussion time as McCain and Romney? Has the media already picked the former two people for the runoffs, the same as it appears with Clinton and Obama from the Democratic Party?

Shawn Driggers of Grand Rapids, Michigan
First off, I am a huge John Edwards supporter. I feel that the loss of him from this race is sad. I have often felt weary of Sen. Barack Obama, but this debate helped me realize his potential. He was fantastic at keeping his cool and answering questions directly. I thought his thought on health insurance was fantastic. He is making me believe that a mandate of health care is somewhat wrong. It is true, if someone wants health care it needs to be AFFORDABLE, not mandated. That was the highlight that hit me and makes me a possible supporter of him in the future.

The only thing I didn't like is the thought of a Obama/Clinton or Clinton/Obama ticket. I will always feel that a Obama/Edwards would be the best ticket out there. Though Clinton and Edwards have more similarities, I feel Clinton is not ready.

Justina Betro of Staten Island, New York
As a young Republican (what most would call a moderate Republican) I cannot understand why the media and the politicians insist upon asserting that Republicans = Conservatives. All Republicans are NOT conservative!

And more importantly, as a young woman I would like all of the Rep. candidates to think of this: Imagine your daughter or your wife or your sister, etc. is pregnant but if she continues the pregnancy will be putting her life in grave danger as well as the fetus -- imagine she is brutally raped and conceives a child

Now, you look her in the face and tell her no, that is wrong and now it's illegal! Yes, abortion is wrong and I'm sure that most Americans agree on this issue, however, it is not the place of the government to make this choice for a woman! Instead, let's make it easier for loving people, straight, gay, married or single people to adopt children.

Oh and by the way, maybe we should wait until we take care of our citizens and get our education system on track before we worry about trying to police the rest of the world.

Joan Halgren of Apex, North Carolina
Hillary consistently outranked Obama throughout the debate. No candidate can compete with her brilliance as well as experience -- having a great public policy record as well as the ability to survive often unbearable public scorn. She's a tough, adroit lady. We need her to lead our nation.

Dorothy Fairview of Spring Hill, Florida
Ronald Reagan's opinion of the gold standard was very important. [Rep. Ron] Paul is ahead of the others on fiscal policy. He is right about our currency losing its value.

Penny Whitlock of Glen Rock, New Jersey
Watching McCain and Romney with their condescending smirks on their faces as the others were talking was rude and arrogant. At least Huckabee and Paul were polite. However, Obama can beat anyone of them. He is a mensch, has the best judgment of any of the candidates and is a strong leader. None of these could stand up to him.

Mary Larson of Lynnwood, Washington
After [Wednesday night's] Republican debate, I feel more inclined to vote Democrat. I found it disturbing that candidates would stay in the war till the win. No one ever wins in war. Diplomacy is the only way to peace. I thought Ron Paul was the best speaker in tonight's debate.

Jane Eason of Nesbit, Mississippi
Anderson Cooper did a good job. Romney and Huckabee won the debate. Ron Paul was third. McCain's pettiness showed. He failed to answer questions, instead, veering off on a boring course of poorly memorized answers.

Steph Woods of Beaumont, Texas
I am hopeful and enthusiastic about the Democratic party nominees. I believe that Sen. Hillary Clinton was not given the opportunities to improve our nation during her husband's time in office. She was seen as too outspoken and too strong willed. Well that's what we as a nation needed. But I guess it didn't look too good coming from the first lady.

Sen. Barack Obama is also a reputable choice because he too has strong views and offers a change for this country. Although he lacks experience, I believe that he too can be trained as Bill was, under Mrs. Hillary's talent. I say GOD BLESS AMERICA.......with the a good leader.

Laura Vandivort of Sikeston, Missouri
I thought that Mitt Romney was very strong in [Wednesday night's] debate. He gave direct answers rather than evade and put up smoke screens. I was a little disappointed in McCain's "talking around" the issues and continually mentioning who his friends and supporters are. Romney definitely came across as the most "Reaganesque." Huckabee also made a strong conservative case, but unfortunately I don't think he's mainstream enough to get the nomination. Romney seemed very calm, composed and more humble than McCain -- but showed a lot of strength at the same time. I would have to say he was the clear "winner" of tonight's debate. How about a Romney/Huckabee ticket?! E-mail to a friend