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Subscribe to RSSThe New York Post’s lead: “Five Republicans slammed President Obama -- but went easy on one another -- in South Carolina last night for the first presidential debate of the 2012 elections, while many big-name potential candidates stayed on the sidelines.”
“Republican presidential hopefuls on Thursday night didn't allow President Obama's widely-praised operation that killed Usama bin Laden this week to deter them from attacking his foreign policy or blaming his domestic policies for high gas prices and the fragile economy recovery,” Fox News writes of its South Carolina debate last night. “Pawlenty and Santorum were among the five participants seeking to prove themselves to be more than the party's B-team as they try to catapult their White House bids into the national spotlight.”
This may be the most important point of the night: “The candidates offered few specific solutions for adding jobs and improving the economy, a key voter issue according to an April poll by Winthrop University,” The (South Carolina) State newspaper’s O’Connor writes. (There was only about six minutes out of 90 devoted to the economy, by our rough count last night.)
The New York Times’ take: “While candidates in presidential debates often need no introduction, the participants who filed onto the stage at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts offered an exception to that rule. There were two former governors, a member of Congress, a former senator and the former chief executive of a chain of pizza restaurants — all of whom round out the lower rung of an unsettled Republican field.”
More: “The chairman of the Republican National Committee, Reince Priebus, sought to allay the worries of party activists who believe Republicans are missing an opportunity to start defining Mr. Obama in their quest to win back the White House. ‘As we all know, there are numerous other candidates that are looking at it — and thank God,’ Mr. Priebus said before the proceedings began. “Quite frankly, I think Americans are sick and tired of two-year, knock-out drag-out contests with a zillion debates and forums.”
The Washington Post calls the debate an “awkward moment” for the GOP. “With many of the party’s potentially strongest candidates either choosing not to participate — or still making up their minds about whether to run — the 90-minute debate offered a platform for second-tier candidates to make their case. They took full advantage of the spotlight, but in the process they offered dissonance in the GOP message along with moments of comedic relief to the audience. That made for a sometimes-entertaining evening for the audience in the hall and those watching on television. But it probably did little to help Republican voters figure out who has the stature and the strength to take on the president in 2012.”
The Wall Street Journal: “Just days after Mr. Obama scored one of the biggest triumphs of his presidency with the killing of Osama bin Laden, several of the candidates laid into Mr. Obama for actions taken elsewhere in the world. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty congratulated Mr. Obama on the bin Laden killing but complained that the president had deferred to allies in the intervention in Libya. ‘If he said [Libyan leader] Moammar Gadhafi must go, he needs to maintain the options to make Gadhafi go. And he didn't do that,’ Mr. Pawlenty said.”
Ouch. Pawlenty’s comments on climate change are dubbed, “The ‘I’m sorry’ moment” by The State. It did note, however, that it thought Pawlenty (and Paul) got the “loudest support.” It also labels Santorum as “dodging the question,” for his answer on Pakistan and what he’d do about it.
HUNTSMAN: Some members of Congress – including some in key primary state South Carolina – reject the notion that Jon Huntsman’s campaign is a nonstarter because of his work as an ambassador in the Obama administration, The Hill writes. “I think that enhances his credentials — he was sent to represent the people of the United States,” said Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.).
Jon Huntsman is scheduled to meet with Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina today, the Salt Lake Tribune writes.
PAUL: An online money bomb for Rep. Ron Paul raised nearly $590,000 in advance of Paul’s appearance in the Fox News debate last night, The Hill reports.
Paul has opened a campaign office in Ankeny, IA, the Des Moines Register writes.
PAWLENTY: Tim Pawlenty “found himself on the defense several times during the debate,” Minnesota Public Radio recounts. “He defended his fiscal record as Minnesota governor, claiming he did not leave Minnesota's finances in poor shape. And he, once again, apologized for his early interest in cap and trade, a market-based system designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Erick Erickson says Pawlenty and Cain won the debate. “Tonight, he proved he is Presidential material. Maybe it was because of the people surrounding him — the one eyed man is king among the blind. But I think it was more than that. He came across polished in his own right and not just in comparison to the others. His answers were solid. His admission of error on cap and trade was solid. His jobs answer was golden. His attacks on the President were spot on.”
Roll Call’s Bellantoni: “Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty used the first Republican presidential debate — and the absence of major contenders — to showcase his credentials, deflect criticism of unpopular positions and introduce himself to voters.” But: “The most newsworthy element of the Fox News-hosted forum held Thursday night in Greenville, S.C., might have been the number of likely candidates missing from the stage.”
ROMNEY: In two recent New Hampshire polls from Suffolk University and the University of New Hampshire, Mitt Romney has a “commanding” lead, taking 35 percent of the vote in the Suffolk poll and 36 percent in UNH’s, U.S. News reports. The only other candidate to clock in with double digits is Donald Trump who had 11 percent in the UNH survey.
Romney told Politico that he agrees with President Obama’s decision not to show photos of Osama bin Laden, writing in a statement, “"It's best not to release the photo because it has the potential to incite retaliatory violence against Americans.”
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Why doesn't Reince Priebus face facts the GOTP has no one crediable who wants to waste their time and political capital on a failed Presidental bid in 2012 and destroy any chance at the Presidency in the future?
The candidates offered few solutions to creating jobs and fixing the economy... that observation says it all doesn't it?
In Maine, since the Republicans took over the entire government in the last election the "ideas" they have proposed are: lowering the minimum wage for teens to $5.25 an hour for a 180 day "training" period, legalizing the sale of fireworks (opposed by the state fire marshall and groups of opthamologists and pediatricians), repealing Maine's ban on billboards along the highway (opposed by everyone except Walmart), repealing a ban on cancer causing chemicals in children's sippy cups (thankfully voted down after an outcry from the public), 31 proposals for weakening environment laws (in a state that relies on its reputation for natural beauty to draw tourists and customers for our agricultural and seafood products.) Mind you, the Republicans have a super majority in the state legislature AND the governorship, there are no Democrats who can "stand in the way," and this is what they come up with?
Oh Amy....they're going to allow billboards? THAT is criminal.
So just Alaska, Hawaii and Vermont left.
Those (R)'s up there need to be "run out on a rail" as my (Vermont) Grampa used to say. I'm in Colorado now....we have THE MOST HIDEOUS billboards...all over the place. Maybe I just need to take Governor Hickenlooper back to one of our fair states, huh?
I hope you find some (D)'s to "stand in the way" girlfriend.
For anyone who has not traveled in ME and VT....do it...now. When you cross those state lines you will ABSOLUTELY see the wonderful difference in the landscape.
No worries, Vermont Girl...turns out the more moderate Republicans thought allowing billboards was also a terrible idea. One thing I will say about the Tea Party: they have gotten the public engaged and paying attention - 'cause who knows what they will try next!
PS I forgot to mention the effort by the Tea Party to repeal our popular bottle deposit law - now, that had people up in arms!
What a huge embarrassment for the GOP !
Wow! another great circus put on by Fox News....Pitiful choice on Candidates to choose from..Pawlenty really sucked..Not any compitition in the future either...The no-shows don't look any better..
I didn't watch the debate as I swore 10 years ago that I would not watch Fox again, and I haven't. Did any of the candidates talk of solutions for our problems or did they just bash Obama? btw, has anyone seen Reince Priebus's birth certificate? He just does look like the average American and with a name such as Reince Priebus I don't think he is a real American. He looks French.
Really wasn't a debate...Candidates didn't present any issues to debate each other over. Mostly bashing present administration, and taking credit for killing Osama Bin Laden..Like I said it was pretty sad, no hopes for the future...
Sorry to say Seattle Sue, there's slim pickens in the Republican-Tea Bagger Camp.
I watched the debate if that is what they called it. The only candidate that had solutions was Ron Paul and they tried their best to minimalize him. If you look back he was the one that warned about the economic collapse and whether you like him or not he speaks the truth. Not many folks like to hear the truth. He talked about how prices are going up and how the Federal Reserve is devaluing the currency. He doesn't talk as pretty as the politicians that the GOP is putting up, but if he was elected last election we would be out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Our troops would be back home spending their wages on our economy not to mention protecting our borders. The Federal Reserve would have been outed for their treasonous currency regulations and our money would be holding its value. But who wants that. We would rather listen to someone talk in circles saying nothing as long as they sounded smart. If you really want to know why our economy is going down the drain, do a search on David Walker in Youtube and listen to what he said for the last 10 years about government spending. They wouldn't listen to him so rather than waste his time trying to get the changes done he quit. If you were a business owner and refused to listen to your accountant how long would you stay in business. Economics is a hard subject to wrap your head around sometimes but if you start doing some research like I did you can learn what they have been up to for the last 50 years or more. I think most of the GOP candidates are clueless idiots and Obama has been a big disappointment. So get educated or prepare for the worst. It's up to you!! Read "The Creature from Jeckyll Island." that will get you started on learning why we need to investigate the Federal Reserve.
I tried to stomach watching some of last night's Republican debate in South Carolina. Good gosh, these people are so out of touch with reality Santorum is way out there and he thinks that he is the moral police. Paul, is every further out there and his stance would kill the economy.
As far as the rest of them, they are just pandering to the far right conservatives, who are dangerous in their views on the direction they want America to go in.
I know one thing, if any of these characters would get the Republican–Tea Party nomination, then their party has really hit rock bottom.
Seeing these clowns last night just makes me more determined to work in getting President Obama re-elected, along with all and any Democrats.
I say we need more GOP/TP debates. The more they talk about thier radical agenda the more voters find out just how radical they really are. Let'em talk, they already can't stand to see a camera they're not in front of. We need more cameras out there.
I just read that Donald Trump, the Republican front runner, is disliked by 60% of Americans. Him and Sarah Palin. What does it mean that the Republican standard bearers, even if they don't actually run for the presidency, are so widely disliked by the American people as a whole?
Don't watch FOX News anything! (too Neocon controlled).....the global warmongering interventionist mindset of both Republican and Democrat (less Ron Paul in this case) candidates for 2012 is totally brainless, to include the continued Keynesian economics stupidity that saturates the entire inside belt line of Washington DC.....nothing to offer, by anyone other than Ron Paul, but "MORE OF THE SAME"!!!! God help us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
republican prostitutes out soliciting for their pimps. they are doing everything and anything to hang onto their base after OBL killing. I certainly hope americans are waking up to this deceit?
Its obvious now that the republicans will be ushered out in 2012 ..Already people are asking the GOP to have the "weeper of the house " replaced ASAP .
How embarrassing was last nights debate ...the only thing everyone could agree on ...was " it's was over at a preset time" ! The total lack of GOP leadership is astounding !
That was not a debate. Fox simply gave these pathetic creatures free air time to denigrate the President. Tim Pawlenty was like a rabid dog. Screaming about what the President has not done anything right in 2 1/2 years!
Really.
Let the clowns for the circus perform! GOP/Tea-baggers/and the 3Ks
All sound and fury signifying nothing!
The more I see that huggable Ron Paul, the more I want to vote for him. He's a Grandfather that just wants the troops to come home. I want the troops to come home... with me.
I am conservative and was not very impressed last night. At the moment I am not thrilled with any of the candidates for GOP. But time will tell and we still have time on our side. We need a strong business oriented leader that can help dig the country out of debt. Of course I am super picky when it comes to presidential candidates and frankly haven't liked anyone since Reagan. I recall the Bush v Gore election in 2000 was like trying to pick between Dumb and Dumber for president. McCain, while a nice man, was not Presidential calibre. Obviously I don't agree with the policies that Obama has put into play, but thankfully he has a long way to go still to 2012, with plenty of other tough decisions and an incompetent Congress that will make or break him. To his credit though, his military and tactical decisions as the CIC have been more in line GOP policies than Democratic. But that is the only area we have agreed on so far.
The GOP/RNC "Hoodlum's On The Hill" were not concerned about this "Circus of the Clowns" last night because, they were busy with their "Agenda Of Ignorance in the House. No! The GOP/RNC did not pass one piece of jobs legislation, and passed policies that destroy job creation. They gave their Economic Oil Allies huge tax payer subsidies, and the rich Oil CEO's just got richer. Oil speculators just got richer, and the GOP/RNC just earned more Oil Corporation contributions. Read the legislation passed by the House this week America. The GOP/RNC continued to destroy the rights of American Women in our nation. First, they knew nothing about the functions of Planned Parenthood. Second, the GOP/RNC economically, infringed on the private individual right of any independent American Women. To make their own decision to have the legal right to have an abortion. Their economic mental illness continued by halting the legislation needed to protect consumers against predatory financial institutions and Wall Street Bankers. Read and Research what the House passed in the House this week. Look it up America!
Was it on Jon Stewart or somewhere...Trump and Palin bumper sticker: "You're fired! I quit!"
I haven't seen a debate since Kennedy/Nixon. This poorly staged event was pathetic and as far as who won.... The Americans who didn't bother that's who won.