E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The audience at a presidential forum here Saturday booed Newt Gingrich for criticizing Mitt Romney’s record at Bain Capital after Mike Huckabee, the host, told the crowd that candidates would not be allowed to attack each other.
Before the five candidates (Ron Paul was not there) came out one by one for approximately 12 minutes of audience questions, Huckabee explained that they were “not to mention, and not to attack the other candidates.” (The audience, prompted at first by the Huckabee show’s executive producer, clapped and cheered at the directive.)
Gingrich, the third candidate to speak, responded to question about how he could “defend the vilification of companies that are willing to put capital at risk in order to save failing companies” -- a reference to attacks by Gingrich and his super PAC over Romney’s tenure at Bain Capital.
Pushing back on the claim of “vilification,” Gingrich said, “I haven’t done that.”
He began to say he would be visiting the city of Georgetown, which used to be home to a steel mill whose parent company was bought out by Bain in 1993 and went bankrupt in 2001 with more than $500 million in debt according to a Myrtle Beach Sun News account.
“Georgetown has a steel mill. Which was closed. Capital wasn’t put at risk; capital was drained out of that company,” Gingrich said. “Governor Romney ran saying he created 100 thousand jobs in the private sector…”
The audience started booing Gingrich after he said, “Governor Romney.”
Huckabee interrupted Gingrich, saying, “Mr. Speaker, we said we will not allow negative…”
Then Gingrich, retooling, continued, “I’m just trying to answer his question. So let me say it differently.”
“OK,” Huckabee replied.
“I believe that it’s fair to ask the records be clear and that people reveal what happened,” Gingrich said. “But I think to ask questions about a particular company is not the same as attacking capitalism and I don’t see how you can expect us to have a presidential campaign in which an entire sector is avoided."
Several audience members at the forum told NBC News they were displeased at Gingrich’s singling Romney out.
“I think Gingrich lost my respect,” said Janice Shumpert, 57, of West Ashley, who said she was leaning towards Rick Santorum. “It was a bad moment for him. I’m not saying he can’t recover but at this point, I wouldn’t vote for him”
Randy Hinson, 56, of Charleston, said the booing was “appropriate” because “that wasn’t the format.”
“Gingrich actually ruled himself out today for me,” Hinson said. “I guess Romney was at the top for me; I wanted Gingrich, and Gingrich kind of talked himself out of it today.”
Pat Neumann, 58, of Edisto Island, who said she favored Perry, noted the enthusiastic response Huckabee received when he said the forum was to be devoid of negativity.
“We weren’t going to put up with that,” she said of candidate-on-candidate aggression. “It’s going to happen because unfortunately negative campaigning works, and they know it. But people just weren’t going to put up with it today.”
Leave a Comment:
After these past three years, wasn't it wonderful how the Republicans worked with President Obama to help him clean up their Mess?
Let's Vote them back in so they can finally do in Social Security and Medicare Insurance and make their dream of a return to the ownership of other Human beings a reality again!
LOL! Ted--for the first 2 years, Obama could have passed ANY THING he wanted. Instead of tackling the debt, or getting us out of two wars, he chose to waste that power on a dinosaur of a 'health care' bill. (which has NOTHING to do with health care!)
I voted for him first time around, because I assumed from his promises that he would protect the rights of women, gays, and other minorities. Well he not only hasn't done that, he has spent WAY more time trying to give rights to illegals. Which means he ALSO signed away rights to Blacks in the US, who are the largest group of unemployed.
I don't like it when one party has control of both houses of congress--they tend to ram thru BAD things (6 years of Bush and the pubs, two of Obama and the Dems, so IF the pubs take the white house, I hope the Dems maintain a bare majority of the Senate. But THE most important issue facing our country is out of control spending, and Obama has proved he cannot control HIMSELF, so it is time to try someone else. And someone else in 2016, if necessary.
This is better for the Democrats than Walker cutting benefits and pay for 10's of thousand of registered Republican union members, Mitt might as well get used to the heat, He built the fire and Democrats will keep looking for more fuel,
Let's see,
100's of thousands of Republican union members alienated by their own party
10's of thousands of Republican workers put out of work then boo'd by their own party
Hispanics totally alienated by the Republican party
Blacks totally alienated by the Republican party
Asians totally alienated by the Republican party
The workingclass watching Republicans threaten to end their payroll taxcuts while protecting the rich
The unemployed watching Republicans try to end their only source of income time after time
Democratic campaign organizers can take a vacation in the next elections, Republicans have done a GREAT job for them already and basically gave up the majority in the House, half their seats in the Senate, and any chance at the Presidency
Very good and truthful points. But what amazes me is that there are still people out there supporting the GOP/T-Pers eventual destruction of the middle class and thus sending this great country into a tailspin of financial and economic turmoil. Unless of course your a member of the 1%ers, then you have nothing to worry about. Just as long as you keep your bought and paid for lackey politician hapily paid and short leashed preaching lies and deciet to the public. In the name of course of capitalistic ventures while continuing with lies and trickery at the fore-front...
I don't see how any Republican can beat President Obama ? People don't talk about how the Republicans are taking down jobs and had our debt rating lowered over all. Worry about President Obama looking good in November election? Just look what President Obama has done. He has stopped job loss of 75,0000 at the beginning of the election in 3 months, started to gain jobs and in the last 22 months has positioned job growth, without republican help. He has made our country stronger against terrorists and ended 2 wars. He is the only president in 30 years to try to stop wealth separation, fighting for middle class and poor, and saved the auto industry, saved the 401k and more. Republicans have filibuster more ideas in 3 years than all the President put together.
Just imagine what could have been done if Republican politicians actually helped to fix the mess they created under Bush, Sure it might of made their economic and social policies look like the BS they are, But it would of at least kept the Republican party alive long enough to develope new policies that work, As it is they will be lucky to survive the next election and remain relevant in Federal politics.
I'm an Inde myself, I WANT more than one party and want to pick between 2 or more decent choices, The Republican paty has removed that aspect of politics completely by running the WORST they can find.
I don't see how any Republican can beat President Obama ? People don't talk about how the Republicans are taking down jobs and had our debt rating lowered over all. Worry about President Obama looking good in November election? Just look what President Obama has done. He has stopped job loss of 75,0000 at the beginning of the election in 3 months, started to gain jobs and in the last 22 months has positioned job growth, without republican help. He has made our country stronger against terrorists and ended 2 wars. He is the only president in 30 years to try to stop wealth separation, fighting for middle class and poor, and saved the auto industry, saved the 401k and more. Republicans have filibuster more ideas in 3 years than all the President put together.
Sorry Newt...time to crawl back under that rock....You've really lost credibility this time. The "entertainment" you provide to some is even getting stale....
Yes, it does sound like Newton was bullied as a kid. That's too bad.....sad.........
Some spending are completely inevitable. Who wouldn't spend on prescribed medication to get well. Such spending are mandatory ,wise and could be costly.If you want to avoid some legal and medical cost, then act and live wisely
US economy was about to die, heavily infected and diseased with GOP policies that resulted in the worst recession; The economic prescription required spending and thanks to Obama for spending to get us back on our feet.
Why should America go back to GOP policies? What would that be? Amnesia , mental porosity, folly or what?
If we want to avoid such economic failure and and such bailout and costly spending in future, please don't go GOP again until their policies change....
How can anyone seriously expect a Nasty Hateful Mean-spirited little person to respond in any other manner is beyond me??? For him it is inbred ingrained as in the old days we used to say "STONE TO THE BONE"
Oh you mean the serial adultery, taking Fannie money, lying about balancing the budgert as speaker and insulting every single minority on the entire planet wasn't enough for you??
“I think Gingrich lost my respect,” said Janice Shumpert"
LOL. How can you have respect for any of these Republican presidential candidates? Their desire is nothing less than a combined theocracy/oligarchy to rule over the American citizens. These far-right candidates are wolves in sheep's clothing, members of an American form of Talibanism. Their secondary agenda is to turn the U.S. into a giant serfdom, with those bidding the lowest wages getting the jobs.
Why does everyone still call Gingrich, "Mr. Speaker?"
He's not.
Mackie--surely you know that in this country, traditionally, a person is addressed by the highest rank he or she achieved in their career, even if they no longer hold that position? Hence,for instance, it is traditional to refer to Clinton, both Bushes, and Carter as Mr. President. Former military officers are addressed by their rank they held, et cetera.
I have never liked Newt Gingrich, but he WAS elected to that position.
Why is it news that Gingrich is booed by a hand picked crowd at a faux news event? Faux News is the Republican establishment!
The Republicans are terrified because it just occurred to them that all their candidates are weak and unelectable, and because their leaders have already chosen Romney, they just can't bear to see him destroyed before he even gets out of the gate.
But he'll be destroyed by Obama, because his past is reprehensible, he has no character whatsoever and he is a serial liar (just like Gingrich).
I think some big scary person should consume fig newton..
It is really a shame that we don't insist the candidates stop attacking each other with negative ads and start advertising what they personally have done to earn the votes of the people? Rather than listening to opinions of other people, we are intelligent enough to research the candidates qualification and past positions to make our own decision who we want.
Faux, MSNBC, all the news organizations have thrown aside non-biased journalism. There would be no need to have campaigns drag on and on, costing millions of dollars to keep the dog and pony show on the road for a year. Candidate positions don't change weekly, if they do, then there should be serious reservations as to the overall effect a non-committed candidate will have on the office they seek to lead.
There should be a stronger division between religion and politics. To initiate policies that take away a person's rights as an individual, is way off base and wrong. No one should be the moral compass of another. Our personal rights and our right to privacy has been annihilated to appease the members of the Evangelical right. A candidates religion should never come into question in any election. A perfect example of separation of church and state. The Catholic church has absolutely no right to question my beliefs and dictate how I live my life. Any Catholic who wants to follow the strict doctrine of their faith, that is their right. I don't appreciate being forced to do the same. What I do in my personal life is absolutely no one elses business, not a particular religious group and, most definitely, not the US Government.
My parents were the group who determined my moral conscience, taught me right from wrong, live within the expectations of my family unit. There is no place for the Government in this family dynamic.
Candidates who have the audacity to get involved with a persons reproductive beliefs or personal decisions is way, way, way out of line. Throwing a fit regarding birth control for women. What is the punishment for men who decide to get a vasectomy? Castration? I doubt it.
To all the candidates running for election and to all the members in Congress who think they are the moral voice for America, BACK OFF. Take care of your own damn lives and stop screwing up everyone elses.
JBURNS- Great post- As Roman Catholics sit in their pews, and the Priest says, you can only vote for a pro-life candidate. Like years ago saying it was a sin to use any kind of contraception, thank-fully most now believe,separation of church and state, and voting on one issue, doesn't make since, and that what being pro-choice, really means!
Jburns, & hummbird--Amen!
Santorum was 'explaining' why he didn't even allow an exception for abortions in the case of rape, incest, or the life/health of the mother because it was killing a "child"--and that is where I fall apart with anti-abortionists!
MY Bible, a family one printed in the 1870's, says that God created man from dust and BLEW life into him--which tells me he was NOT a life until he BREATHED on his own.
Therefor--a FETUS is not a life, in my belief. And just as Santorum cannot tell me how I have to worship, he cannot tell me what I have to BELIEVE. And that is where I come acrop with anti-abortionists.
But PLEASE don't attribute that just to the pubs--the dems are ALSO full of religious nuts!
The person asking Newt the question was either a Romney supporter or a Obama supporter...it was a got ya question.....and you liberals call the republicans liars...we have the biggest liar of all times in the WH...his name is Barrack Hussein Obama....mmm..mmm...mmm...the food stamp president.....the debt man...the wantabe dictator...any one of these candidates will beat him.....I just hope this time around....his character is brought into the picture....he has none....maybe he can run on his record...lol....
It was not a obama supporter, but the republican leadership who values money guys like romney!
Understand the moderate and money repubs are against anybody but romney!
Romney will be the next president due to hussein not being able to get repubs to help him!
That why Hussein is a poor leader!
Obama had complete control of both houses in his first two years....his concern is-not about creating jobs...it's about class warfare...and if you think there is muddslinging now...just wait until Obama gets into the race.....it's going to be one nasty election....
I'm glad you realize that hussein is no "messiah" he is just another dem policitian!
Bush had total control too!
So I guess what you are saying is both parties suck and only care for the ultra-rich or ultra-poor and we know who they are due to only 2 viable parties!
Class warfare is waged by both sides! I thought you knew that?
2BadpPole.....it's you liberal's that think Barrack Hussein Obama is the messiah...the king....the dictator....too bad he won't be around come January 2013....
It's you repubs who thinks he's HITLER! Too bad he will get a 2nd term!
nice one dixie!
Romney is what is needed for the republican party! To finally put balance in the force, to put the tea party and christian right in there place.
He is his own man and once in power will put the repubs in check.
I might vote for him due to his higher than thou to anybody who is not romney!
I've got news for all you liberals....this election will-not be about religion....abortion....birth control....this election will be about the encomony.....it's the encomony stupid....
WinnDixie,
Yes the Economy!
One guy who said he could fix it but failed and Romney who way of running our govt failed under Bush!
To try to make either party not responsible?
I will send you a million dollars!
It doesn't make any difference if Newt is booed for speaking one grain of truth about Romney from the many lies he utters....
Bain will make Romney unelectable while Gingrich has been and remians to be unelectabale since the 90's.....
Obama's the only one with a plan that will pay down our debt......
Coporate tax cuts Republicans propose continuing will only deepen the deficit further as proven from the difference between 2000 and 2009 deficit levels........
dixie girl,
Exactly....which is why Republicans will lose. They are responsible for our debt, as reflected by the ZERO National debt in 2000 after Clinton (Democrat) vetoed provisions 15-34 of Coporate tax cuts in the Balance Budget Act by Newt (Republican Speaker of the House), and the $6 trillion National debt Obama encountered upon entering the White House, as Bush (Republican) left........
It's the economy stupid....and high national deficit adversely effects the economy Dummy.....
That's why they don't want Hussein talking about Bush! That's why they want Perry and Newt to stop talking about Bain! Forget about repubs bad stuff!
They sure have no problem talking about the past under Reagan!
I guess they know mentioning Bush will lose them the house too!
Hey Tony.....this is Obama's debt & encomony....let him run on it.....he will-not be re-elected....worst president in history....I hope Newt gets the nomination...he will wipe the floor with Obama....
Dixie,
Romney will wipe the floor with Hussein!
Newt is done and so is the tea party and christian right!
The money and moderate repubs are in-control, I heard on fox news that the rich tea party members of the house are with Romney!
Tonytellsthetruth....really...Tony....Obama has a plan to pay down the 15 trillion debt.....the president that has pissed away more money than any other president in history....Obama is in way over his head....that's what you get when you elect a community organizer.....he's gone in January 2013....
That's good!
Repubs, 8 years in the white house, mess it up then before he even gets started, start to make him a 1 term president!
With that logic, you are right dixie girl! leadership is to get the other side to work with you the same way Reagan and the Great Bill Clinton did!
And to the people on this blog....if you want to comment on anything I have to say....do it on the blog....don't send me a damn e-mail....
dixie- girl- You just love sounding racist, and trying to get people to respond to your hyperbolic tripe, girl stay in your trailer with the faux news blaring, and your small uneducated little mind. LMAO at your post's!
Accept it or not, this country isn't all about the 15 trillion debt. Until we get people working again, cut spending and start collecting revenue, absolutely nothing is going to change.
Dixie honey, the president hasn't earned the distinction of being the only president to piss away money. You people continue to forget that Baby Bush, got this country into 2 wars with absolutely no thought of paying for them. Just because you don't put the cost on the books doesn't make the facts go away. Gangsters use creative accounting as well.
I am confused why Reagan has become the anointed one. Didn't he raise taxes? Daddy Bush raised taxes, (even after his "Read my lips, no new taxes"")
http://www.infoplease.com/cig/economics/deficits-debt.html
Before commenting on facts based on tunnel vision, learn all the true facts first. Regardless of the outcome, the truth is always easier to defend.
that is the only way the repub win the white house, forget about why Hussein won and the help he did not get from the opposite party!
“I think Gingrich lost my respect,” said Janice Shumpert, 57, of West Ashley, who said she was leaning towards Rick Santorum. “It was a bad moment for him. I’m not saying he can’t recover but at this point, I wouldn’t vote for him”
THESE PEOPLE SCARE ME!
If I wanted an Ayatollah (Santorum) for President I'd move to Iran!