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Subscribe to RSSOur initial takeaway from NBC/Facebook debate: GOP rivals pile on Romney… But then they later back off… Huntsman’s strong performance… Santorum starts strong then fades… And breaking down Gingrich, Paul, and Perry.
CONCORD, NH -- Talk about night and day -- or, more accurately, night and morning. At last night’s GOP presidential debate, Mitt Romney’s rivals largely took a pass at hitting the front-runner for the Republican nomination. But at this morning’s NBC/Facebook debate here, they piled on Romney in the first 30 minutes; the arrows were out from the start. As he has on the campaign trail, Newt Gingrich called Romney a “timid Massachusetts moderate.” Rick Santorum added, “If his record was so great as governor of Massachusetts why didn't he run for reelection?... We want someone who's gonna stand up and fight for the conservative principles, not bail out and not run and not run to the left of Ted Kennedy.” And Jon Huntsman took issue with Romney’s criticism of Huntsman serving as President Obama’s ambassador to China: “This nation is divided … because of attitudes like that.”
*** But the pile-on lost steam: But after those first 30 minutes, Romney’s rivals mostly stopped their criticism. In fact, the entire debate was a metaphor for the entire GOP campaign -- piling on Romney lost its steam. Collectively, the group just doesn't seem to know how to sustain the attack, and that explains why Romney is ahead now and why he is getting closer and closer to becoming a "de facto" nominee. (Romney also did a pretty good job of parrying the attacks that came his way.) The big exception to the polite second half came at the end, however, when Gingrich and Romney sparred over the Super PAC TV ads that attacked Gingrich in Iowa. Also, it was striking to us that Romney admitted that he never thought he’d be able to beat Ted Kennedy in 1994. And Romney struggled a tad in his exchange with Gingrich over his work at Bain Capital, revealing that this remains a real vulnerability for him in a general election.
*** Huntsman’s strong performance: It came during the 15th debate of the GOP campaign, but Huntsman delivered perhaps his strongest debate performance of the cycle. He summed up the rationale for his candidacy when he said he wanted to unify the country and restore trust. We have two questions, though. One, is that message of unity and trust what Republican voters want to hear? And two, did Huntsman’s strong performance come too late?
*** Santorum starts strong then fades: Santorum also did well, too. That said, he was forced to admit that he voted for the 2003 Medicare prescription-drug law without paying for it. And he also seemed to fade a bit down the stretch. It’s not that he did anything wrong, but he seemed an afterthought, especially after his first volleys at Romney. His answer that he would love his son if he were gay could be a moment that gets played on TV in the next 24 hours, and it was a strong moment for him.
*** Breaking down the others: Gingrich was calm in the attack and seemed happy to have the fight… Paul was mostly an afterthought and didn’t get the applause lines he normally does from his supporters in the crowd... And while Perry poked fun at himself for his past “oops” moment -- he was able to name all three cabinet agencies he’d cut -- he was a bystander for much of the debate. After his disappointing fifth-place finish in Iowa, did he give a rationale why he should stay in the race? It didn’t seem that way to these pairs of eyes.
*** On the trail: After the debate, Romney (along with Tim Pawlenty) holds a rally in Rochester and then holds another rally (with Chris Christie) in Exeter… Gingrich attends town halls in Manchester and Derry… Ron Paul (with son Rand) campaigns in Meredith… And Huntsman stumps in Bedford and Keene… Meanwhile, Santorum heads to South Carolina, campaigning in Greenville… And Perry also travels to the Palmetto State, hitting Spartanburg.
Countdown to New Hampshire primary: 2 days
Countdown to South Carolina primary: 13 days
Countdown to Florida primary: 23 days
Countdown to Nevada caucuses: 27 days
Countdown to Super Tuesday: 58 days
Countdown to Election Day: 303 days
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when will DT join the race; I really like to read about him. .. Dont ask me who's that; think fast. Donald Truph
Truph? WTH is Truph? You must mean Trump. Neither political party has a candidate worth voting for let alone that windbag Donald Trump.
Putting feces on top of cr@p still leaves you with a lot of sh!t.
There is no failure that does not become a repeat doctrine for Republicans. Voodoo economics, social oppression, and international conflict are embedded in their belief system.
Beats the hell out of Anti-American/socialist-welfare economics this President is trying to impose on us.
I've never heard of any president, regardless of party, being anything other than pro-American. This includes President Obama.
Just because you disagree with the President's vision for America doesn't make him anti-American.
calmconservative, you'd probably kiss Hitler's ass if he was running on the Republican ticket. And don't even bother to deny it or even be offended, just go into the bathroom and wipe his crap off your lips.
can hitler come out of retirement ,,,your a train wreck gop and can't admit it...that's your problem ...you always right...
Thanks Ken, yeah I actually wanted to write "douchebag" Trump
Nothing can be further from the truth when it was stated that Iowa is made up of a lot of evangelicals, however, from what I can understand evangelical means people of different denominations and religious values. The results of the Iowa caucus says that is not the case. In fact, the truth should be Iowa is made up of a bunch of radicals who apparently are turning out to be hypocrits. A person need only to look at who walked away with the most votes, and I came to the conclusion that Iowaians were not thinking of the country as a whole but were only thinking of themselves and their pocket books. Mr. Romney nor Mr. Santorum are conservatives, and as for Mr. Paul, I just cannot bring myself to even criticize that person. While Mr. Romney and Mr. Santorum may claim to be conservatives their records and their deeds say otherwise.
Am I the only one who can see that there is a script being written by the Democrats and the Republicans in Iowa played to that script hook, line, and sinker. Neither one of the candidates who finished in the top tier would beat the current occupier of the White House. Mr. Romney who seems not to stick to any one issue without changing his mind somewhere down the line; Mr. Santorum who could only remind the average voter of a moderate Democrat.
There are certain morals and principles that should have been front and center in Iowa. Don't Iowaians realize that there is a good possibility that the next President of the United States may appoint the next two possibly three U.S. Supreme Court Justices. Could any Iowaian possibly imagine the current occupier of the White House appointing those perspective judges and the chaos to follow this country for the next decade(s): This country's gun laws being heighten, the killing of the unborn in record numbers being legal, gay marriages taking place country wide - on a univeral scale, business regulations being so strict, that the federal government would play a role in every American life on a daily basis.
I am really hoping that South Carolina does not fall into the trap. Mr. Romney had three years to manipulate his cause where the Democrats played along with him; and Mr. Santorum coming out of nowhere at the last minute to give the appearance of a legitimate caucus.
We as Republians should be smart enought to know that that one circle will do anything they feel is necessary to re-elect the current occupier of the White House. Manipulating the outcome in Iowa was step one. We should know better now based on the candidates who won. We should all know that the current occupier of the White House is responsible for the financial mess going on over in Europe. Anyone who thinks otherwise should go back to school and enroll in an economics class. A country just cannot pump extraordinary amounts of monies into an economy and expect nothing bad to happen somwhere. In this case Europe and Greece fell victim to his foreign/financial policies.
Rick Perry said it best when he summarized that this country cannot vote out one Washington insider only to vote in another. Mr. Romney and Mr. Santorum would be just that, both manipulating their credentials to the point that it would be too late come Novermber, 2012 if the Republican Party does not do an about face NOW and realize we ARE heading in the wrong direction.
At this point, South Carolina is the pivotal point.
Personally, I would not trust Mr. Romney to protect the Defense of Marriage Act, and I would not trust him to do his best to lead the cause of changing the abortion laws in this country. His health care stance puts him on the same footing as the current occupier of the White House. While he says he would undo Obamacare, one can only expect him to either change his mind on the subject or finish what he started in Massauchettes on a national level. Either way, Obamacare would stand. His religious preference cannot be found anywhere in the Holy Bible. Mr. Romney’s personal views are pretty much tied to the Book of Mormons, but yet, the founder is not mentioned anywhere where he would have had any contact with any of Jesus’s disciples. There is one aspect Mr. Romney should be aware of: In the Holy Bible, there are 10 Commandments which have been verified as being the words of God. One of the 10 Commandments – “Thou shall not put any other God before me." (meaning him)
South Carolina is the Republican Party’s last hope and I am praying they see the act that is being played out and being perpetrated by the opposing side. It does not matter who comes out and supports Mr. Romney or Mr. Santorum. Their nomination would not just put the moral values on this country in worse jeopardy, but on a second level, change the Republican Party for years if not decades to come.
Didn’t Iowa see that Mr. Santorum’s message could not have possibly dealt with conservatism while he was a senator in Pennsylvania where he earmarked so many projects, most if not all of which turned out to be a waste of tax payers money, that he could not have been a conservative? I would periodically read about him before he had risen atop in the polls and no sooner when I look around, there he is ahead of Mr. Perry in which something should have told the Iowaians who voted for him something is very wrong when a person of the religious right was replaced by a candidate who for so long had been running at the bottom of the pack. Something was wrong. The opposing side played their ace in the whole in order to distract the country from the real causes of this country's unbalanced economic outlook.
I could go on and on about the two and even Mr. Paul, whom I just do not want to talk about. But the facts are the facts. South Carolina, do not be fooled, the same script that was being written in Iowa is also meant for you. Look at Mr. Romney and Mr. Santorum’s records. We do not need more of the same should the country as whole decide the current occupier of the White House has run his course. But from what should be obvious, we just do not have that much time remaining before the roof falls on us then regrets will be the only thing the Party will have to fall back on.
Let’s rally around Mr. Perry. His message is just what the Party should be hearing. The loss of the White House will certainly mean the Democrats remain in control of the Senate.
Mr. Perry has made mistakes in some of his speeches but when I look at a circumstance when the mispronunciation of Kim Jun il to Kim Jun ll by Mr. Perry and the ensuing aftermath of the mistake, that told me there were other forces at hand manipulating the outcome. North Korea is one country who would not mind seeing the United States burning in its own ashes.
Iowa isn't made up of a bunch of evangelicals. It's nearly as diverse as the rest of America. Remember, it's the state from which Sen. Tom Harkin comes.
But the Iowa Republican caucuses are a different matter. Evangelicals seem to be well-organized and overrepresented in them.
I like Perry's idea of the left attacking the religious principles of the right. We were founded on religious freedom. I do not want to see the current administration waging war on any one religious faction. It is not in the countries best interest IMO. I do doubt that Perry will make it much further even tho he probably can get the funds needed to stay. I am afraid it is politics as usual...same ole bs told over and over, promises broken, more lies, more deceit. Politicians are the 1% and most likely will always be. It takes millions to get there then gotta repay all the handouts with earmarks and pork. Both sides are guilty as sin. As far as our current leader being pro American, I think he sees a different vision....as seen thru the eyes of an African American...opressed that is.
Bashing gays, removing rights from women and thumping your bible all day will not fix the economic problems that lay before us. Perry, Paul, Santorum and Bachman all put their own agendas above the welfare of the nation.
I have my doubts on the abilities of Romney, Gingrich has way too much baggage for me to be comfortable with, and that leaves Huntsman as the only viable option. Leave your social issues at the door, no one cares what you believe and its not going to change the constitution and its not going to change states rights. Its not within a presidents power to overturn any of that and as many republicans that run on social issues, none of them make a difference. Now why not vote on something that a president can make a difference in? The economy and foreign affairs.
Well, after all that lengthy plea to your fellow Republicans why didn't you just cut to the quick and say you're an idiot? Perry??!!!! I'm still laughing at that ewmpty suit getting upon the stage last night.
After deriding Iowans for voting their own personal interest, you went on to pander to your own narrow-minded interests excluding all who do not have your rigid beliefs.
it's iowa it's irrelevant a big dog and pony show that does nothing to further either party desire to be president....in the republicans case i believe it hurts them by moving so far right....that the first taste for moderates and indep is the hyped up bull@!$%# about not believeing in evolution,,,the world being flat ,,,,and other bull...that makes me wonder if they'll say anything to get elected...religion has no place in politics not to the extend that iowa makes it...
It looked to me that Gingrich and Santorum are teaming up to attack Romney. It's too little, too late, and looks a lot like sour grapes.
I don't know that I would buy a used car from any of them.
Huntsman would be my favorite Republican candidate for president, if I had a favorite Republican candidate for president. Unfortunately, he's burdened by his having served as U.S. Ambassador to China during the first two years of the Obama administration, a fact none of the other Republican candidates will let us forget.
Unfortunately, Huntsman made a serious error in quitting his job as Ambassador—he probably would have made Obama's short list for Secretary of State should Hillary Clinton decide not to serve beyond the end of Obama's first term.
Yes, there will be a second Obama term. Unfortunately for the people of America, Huntsman probably won't be appointed as Secretary of State unless Obama is feeling particularly magnanimous.
Or if Huntsman will accept it.
I doubt he would, I think he is looking at 2016.
If he runs on the Dem ticket, I'll vote for him.
Having Mitt as president scares the ---- out of me!!!! He "DIDN'T save the olympics", he just stepped in. You can tell when he's lying because his mouth is moving! Jon Huntsman on the other hand was the best thing that ever happened to this state. We haven't had anyone before or since with his honesty and leadership! Go Jon!
Too bad he consistently sounds like a wuss.
Republican candidates and Bernie Madoff want deregulation. They should all live together at Bernie's place.
Feel we should send all of our politicians on a trip towards Germany. Finding out the secret of keeping our companies in America. It's strange they have universal healthcare, unemployment wages and all. Keeping the companies on their soil and ranking second on exporting profits. Are we too arrogant, on finding the secret out on keeping our companies in the US. Their middle class is strong, while we're destroying our middle class American people.
Affinity 1-
'Republicans campaigned on jobs, jobs, jobs the(y??) delivered nothing, nothing, nothing' more liberal complaining without actually being cognizant of what is actually happening. Since the Republicans took the House, the unemployment rate has dropped a to 8.5%. When the Democrats held the House, the rate was up to 10.5% and that was with a Democrat majority in the Senate and Democratic Executive branch. Also, the recent 2 month Tax extension that the Dems are claiming 'victory over the bad republicans' on is a colossal joke. The Republicans wanted a full one year extension, it was the Democrats that said 'No' to that. Where do you you liberals get your information?? Why in the world would anyone think that a 2month extension on this issue was anywhere near a victory and the right thing?? It is a joke. We are going to be right in the exact same place we were before Christmas in a few weeks thanks to the party of 'No' the Democrats. This was nothing more than political posturing by the Democrats at the expense of the American tax payer which is you and me.
But then again, under the Dems the unemployment dropped from 10% to roughly 9.1%. That is a lot larger than 9.1% to 8.5%.
yes oh the 40 bill passed by boehner house this year in the rrepublican controlled house oppossed to 900 in pelosi's 40% approval of pelosi's 9% boehner....but it's the dems that are screwing it up....okay.... do you really believe you're owe bull....because it looks like 91 % of people don't agree with the gop lead house or speaker...sorry facts hurt your case
Romney is a crook and a liar. It scares me to let him in office! He takes credit for things he didn't do "I saved the olympics". He just stepped in when his crooked friends asked him. What's the truth about your home in Deer Valley, Mitt. Your $12 million beach house, what you really did while at Bain! Huntsman is the only honest candidate that is honest. He was the best governor Utah has had-before and since!
The party of Reagan, Ike, TR and Lincoln has evolved into a collection of morons, clowns, con-men and crazies. How sad.
Freshiee-
I strongly suggest that check your facts about the Unemployment numbers.
Also, 'Obama's balanced budget plan'?? He never had one...the Democrats never produced a budget plan the last year that they held the House and Obama's budget plan never received ONE vote. Not even one Democrat voted for that. What budget plan of Obama's are you talking about?? The GOP was waiting for one for a year.
rob, come on now, anyone who knows anything about that budget plan of Ryans that it was set up to fail by privatising medicare. There was no way with the numbers listed by Ryan that the elderly could afford to keep healthcare and the entire healthcare system would have crumbled down around them. All it takes is one extremist idea to ruin the entire bill and honestly shame on Boehner for allowing them to go with it. Not even senate republicans would hav passed the bill as it stood.
yes beware of paul ryan and the anti goverment forces when they say they want to fix goverment....right check in the mail huh paul baby..
doesn't do budgets that a legislative function.....do you even know how this works or are you just looking to blame obama for things that aren't his responsiblity...?
What about Obama's summer debt deal plan? It would cut $4 trillion over 12 years, including entitlement reform, tax increases, and spending cuts??
All in all-----It's President Obama (2012)
Jan- Thanks...however, the issue was not Ryan's budget plan, it was 'Obama's
budget plan' that never existed. Where did Ryan's budget plan come into this??
Liberals want to bashing the GOP for not supporting 'Obama's budget plan' yet the democrats did not vote for it either.
Just curious as to how 'Ryan's budget plan' came into this??
the budget doesn't originate from the president ...that's the house ....it's not obama branch of goverment that is mr. boehner job....his main job..no the presidents duh....duh if you have problems with legi blame the 9% john boehner teaparty controlled house .....
i belive reid harry had the senate vote on the ryan budgent to get them on the record.....
Obama's summer deficit reduction plan. Look it up.
The plain truth is that the GOP does not have a strong candidate in the race. Romney is leading simply because he's considered the "safe" bet by the money folks (big business and the wealthy). Most everybody else in the race is a loose cannon, but Romney is a sure thing to keep the wealthy and big business at the top and average working Americans at the bottom. He made millions destroying some American jobs and shipping others out of the country. He's earned his bona fides with big business and the wealthy.
calmconservative, guess you didn't like what chuck-2111043 said (which was right-on)! Not nice to be critical of someone's spelling - you definately got his message! Congrats to "Open Range", 3togetReady" and "Freshieee" for your POV.
Romney is no prize . the first thing he will do if elected is outsource most of government employees especially the post-office. he is no better than anyone of the GOP candidates. they are only interested in what lobbyist want, but there is nothing to worry about because without a doubt Obama will be reelected in 2012 because this will be the most racist election in our nations history. the black coccus will use race on every issue for the opportunity to have Obama reelected.
First of all what is a coccus? Did you mean caucus? The black caucus has always used race as issues in the past and it has always had little to no impact. Well anyway, I think there is plenty of blame to go around in the Obama administration when it comes to race. Remember the beer summit?? Obama is the biggest divider and will not hesitate to use race for his class warfare argument. Didn't any African American feel offended when Obama told them to get off the couch and stop complaining or something like that? I am not African American and that offends me.
dee if the black caucus represents blacks isn't that okay since you have fox counter balancing to protect the whites....would you rather have a caucus or a news HA I SAID NEWS....network to represent your side...things seem to be working alot better for us white folks....
I think you missed the whole point of my post. I don't understand your post. I never said the black caucus representing blacks is not okay. Where did you read that I had a problem with this? The point I was making is that there is little impact when race is used as issues and that there is blame to go around on both sides of the isles when it comes to race. Now Fox is protecting whites? I thought I have heard it all from you liberals but this is just ridiculous!! i will not even comment on this.
my point is listening to anyone decry any organization that represents any minority i.e. the cookie cutters book club or whatever.....when it is obvious that everyone has it's own caucas be it lobbyist for the rich or fox news for the gop...for white or better anti black and immigrint anti everything....my point isn't it class warfare if the rich want 15% on investment while taking 35% on working income...mine it's all ..p.o.v.,,,,,fox doesn't use blacks as their wipping boy to stir up the white vote have you heard of the southern strategy...even reagan the welfare queen....she was black willie horton oh black....quite pretending to be so naive.....fox uses race as a major selling point obama hates white glen beck's famous utterants....please you are and embrassment to human intelligent to sit here and pretend race isn't a major weapon of the right....pleasssssssseeeee.....
marc, there are some on the right that use race to stir up bigoted a-holes. same as they do with homophobia. but its not all and to be fair race is used a great deal by the democratic party. Just as republicans are accused of using "fear tactics" within the healthcare debates, democrats use fear tactics to turn out the black vote. You need to look no further than South Carolina and the voting id law that eric holder is now challanging. Its a total states' rights issue to require that all voters bring id with them to vote. I'm from New York, hardly a conservative state, and I must bring an id with me. My fiance is from Maryland, where whites make up less than half the population, and she too, must bring id with her. Holder argues that 20% of black people dont have id. utter nonsense. Even if this is true im sure you can than argue that X% doesn't have a car so voting is more difficult, or X% can't easily vote on tuesdays. While Obama has no chance at winning South Carolina, democrats do have many opportunities in the congressional races there so they are looking to galvanize the black vote. Plain and simple, race shows its ugly face in the political games of both sides.
yeh conservatives the reason obama is in the white house is your fault...you voted for w. and this is what you get....maybe you'll think ahead before voting in another country bumpkin. obama ran against w. not mccain...
750,000 jobs lost january 2009 bushes last month created 200,000 december 2011 all while having to carry the whining gop the whole way...imagine if they the conservatives truely subscribed to the america first that is what they preach....they have shown in a million ways that that a ruse...as rush mccconnel demitt o'reilly hannity have when on the record an said they want obama to fail....that means we all lose... and there is no way around that........party first gop...you aint waving the american flag because american real american's don't act like that...republicans do....
I got ticked off during the first debate when the candidates were asked which one was the true conservative. Who cares. Its for the nomination of the Republican party, not the Conservative Party. Does anyone recall the Democratic nominees being asked who is the best liberal during their debates? Its as if the moderators and media goat them on to establish credentials that are the farthest to the right so they can complain about how polarized the political process is.
How do you fell about Jeffrey Immelt - On Obama's job council- Head of GE.
^ I think it's smart of Obama to put big business leaders on the job council because they in fact have record profits.
They have the money to hire and invest and Obama needs to get them to spend it in the US.
And, no.... I don't see how this helps explain Romney's venal behavior at all.
GE paid NO taxes and GE sent jobs to China.
Some "jobs czar" Immelt is !!!!!!!!!!!!!
ABO
Some of the worse debates I've seen. Nothing but a bunch of political hacks promoting their bias ideology. Oh, I'm sorry I thought everyone was talking about the moderators Saturday night and Sunday morning. They were only eclipsed by the horrendous performance by the hack Chris Matthews commentary which was on show once again this morning on Morning Joe. It's really sad to see how Chris Matthews has fallen apart over the past six years.
Best and most accurate statement of the debate.
If I voted for a Rep, it could only be Huntsman.
I can see why since he consistently sounds like a Liberal.
Serving his country is a patriotic good.
Other couples won't affect his family.
If that's Liberal, I stand by Liberals.
First Read - nothing like a place where all the Lefties can go to pat each other on the back. Too bad they are limited to the DNC network and HP.
We post everywhere and more important trust sources other than those that share our ideology.
That's why Liberals/Progressives are closer to the mainstream of America than the far right wack jobs.
oh that was funny, thanks beardown, i needed a good laugh this morning.
ultra-liberal progressives are a joke to americans.
good stuff.
Glad you could get a laugh buy adding "ultra".