No Winners in Florida GOP Debate?
Written on January 24, 2012 by Ann-Marie Murrell
After months of complaining about having to write my debate articles (especially when they air on liberal TV channels with liberal commentators) I have to say I was just starting to look forward to them again. The South Carolina debate was charged up and had lots of great sound bites and was just all-around fun to write about.
And like it or not, these things are pretty powerful in major make-it-or-break-it ways. These debates have elevated some of the candidates—such as Herman Cain after announcing his ‘9-9-9 Plan’– and they’ve leveled some of the other candidate’s presidential chances—such as Governor Perry’s “oops” moment.
So would tonight be a game-changer? Would Rick Santorum or Ron Paul say something amazing that would cause voters to rush out and choose one of them? Would someone finally find a ‘gotcha question’ that will stump former Speaker Gingrich and cause him to falter in the polls? Would Mitt Romney win this one, as most of the news people (on the left and right) seem to hope?
The best way I can describe tonight’s debate is zzzzzzzzzzzzzz…….
Yep, it was that bad and then some.
First of all, the audience reminded me of all those quiet, polite people who stand around watching golf tournaments. I was thinking maybe they bussed them all in from nursing homes or something—but it was the most subdued crowd of all the debates.
NBC’s Brian Williams was the commentator and it seems Romney followed his advisor’s suggestions that he start going after the other candidates—or rather Gingrich– a lot harder.
Right off the bat, Romney called Gingrich’s speakership a “disgrace”.
“I think it’s about leadership, and the speaker was given an opportunity to be the leader of our party in 1994. And at the end of four years, he had to resign in disgrace,” Romney said.
Gingrich’s response was that he left the speakership after the1998 election “because I took responsibility for the fact that our results weren’t as good as they should be. I think that’s what a leader should do.”
“The fact is,” Gingrich continued, “on every single ethics charge of substance that was dismissed in the end, the only thing we did wrong is we had one lawyer [write a letter] and the one letter was in error. I didn’t pay a fine. I paid the cost of going through the process of determining it was wrong.”
Romney also went after Gingrich’s Freddie Mac dealings.
“His contract with Freddie Mac was provided by the lobbyists at Freddie Mac. I don’t think we can possibly retake the White House if the person who’s leading our party is the person who was working for the chief lobbyist of Freddie Mac. Freddie Mac was paying Speaker Gingrich $1,600,000 at the same time Freddie Mac was costing the people of Florida millions upon millions of dollars,” Romney said.
Gingrich told Romney that as a businessman he “surely knows the difference between his company earning money and him personally collecting on the contract.” He also defended the work as being consulting, not lobbying.
Gingrich’s response to pretty much all of Romney’s accusations was that he would post all his answers on his website (Newt.org) and that they should use the debate to “focus on the task of beating Barack Obama.”
Romney did admit that he was definitely fighting harder in this debate.
“I learned something from that last contest in South Carolina, and that was I had incoming from all directions, was overwhelmed with a lot of attacks. And I’m not going to sit back and get attacked day in and day out without returning fire,” he said.
Despite the fact that this was basically the “Newt and Mitt Show”, Rick Santorum tried to get into the act delivering some pretty hard punches of his own.
“There is no difference between President Obama and these two gentlemen,” Santorum said. “And that’s why this election in Florida is so critical, that we have someone that actually can create a contrast between the president and the conservative point of view.”
I completely disagree with Santorum. NO ONE is worse than Barack Obama and ALL the candidates resorting to tactics like this will only hurt our side.
I think I speak for lots of regular folks out there when I say the last thing any of us wants or needs to hear is denigrating within our own party; they do that to us enough on the other side of the fence. What we really want to know is: Can you beat Barack Obama? And if so, how are you going to do it?
As always, Ron Paul does great when talking about ending the fed and the gazillion regulations in our country. He doesn’t do so great when he defends murdering dictators like Fidel Castro and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
“The act of war has already been committed with the economic blockade that the U.S. and its allies have imposed on Iran,” says Paul, adding that Iran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz “is a retaliation.”
Sigh.
All in all, it was a pretty horrible debate—maybe my least favorite. I’m not declaring any winners because I thought all of them were nothing short of bleak tonight. Tonight reminded me of my least-favorite part of the TV show “Survivor” when, at the end, everyone tries to justify why they cheated and lied and connived in order to win.
In the end, I just want Barack Obama OUT and I hope and pray one of those guys is able to do that.
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daves you are part ot the problem that needs to be fixed!!!!!!!!!!!
Obama-bot alert.
ann marie- so you think that what we need is a flip floper or mr. backbone of obamba care.then your thoughts don’t count in this contest. a conserative is a must. but you like your media friends think a conseative can not win. your wrong.
I don’t particularly care for Romney, Indeed he is like milk toast, but he goes by the law when he pays his taxes, this is the law, so he doesn’t and shouldn’t have to explain to you why or how, actually he has been taxed at least twice before, so he really pays taxes three times on this money, and there again most people will not understand this and the pos tonight will waltz that buffett’s(who is acting like that simple sorass more and more every time he opens his pie hole)secretary out who will be sitting next to the fat @$$ mistress dumess.
Be careful what you vote for and bring down upon yourself and family!
Best News Article to Search this morning:
How To Avoid Voting For A Globalist Puppet
by Brandon Smith Alt- Market.com
@Terry Black: Great Article! Thank you!
Ron Paul is exactly correct when he says that we do talk and trade with Russia. We do talk and trade with Communist China. We do talk and trade with Vietnam.
The Soviet Union, under Khrushchev, threatened to “bury us” under an all out nuclear war. Thankfully, Kennedy picked up the phone and talked to them instead.
Communist China continues to arrest and execute millions of its own people who dare to try to speak out against the government.
Thousands of our best and bravest fought and died in a bloody war that lasted well over a decade … the Vietnam War.
And, Ron Paul is also correct that establishing economic sanctions against another country is an act of war.
Sanctions were the first step we took against Iraq, just as they are the first step in our soon to be waged war against Iran … the beginning of another undeclared and unconstitutional war, in total defiance of the Constitution, waged by executive decision.
The Founders wrote that we should have no entangling alliances with other countries and that we should foster free trade with all nations instead.
I think if they were around today and said these same things, people would call them “dangerous” and “nuts.”
Ron Paul also said something very important last night. He asked what our definition of being a Conservative really is.
Are we really strong supporters of the Constitution as written by our Founders? Or, are we part-time supporters of the Constitution … choosing to support it some of the time but not always?
The Grand Old Party, with leaders like Taft and Goldwater, used to mean small/limited government and fighting against control over the individual. It used to mean being conservative with spending on all things government and adherence to the Constitution … including going to war.
Sadly, this is not the Grand Old Party we have today.
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Please do your research! Jim DeMint on Ron Paul’s foreign policy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSFwDLPCfh0 The Israeli Mossad says Iran does not pose a threat to Israel.http://in.news.yahoo.com/iran-no-threat-israel-mossad-chief-205136026.html
A former head of the Mossad warned that Iran should not be attacked because it will set off a regional religious war.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/former-mossad-chief-israeli-strike-on-iran-will-lead-to-regional-war-1.398537
@Shane: Please do your research! Jim DeMint on Ron Paul’s foreign policy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSFwDLPCfh0 The Israeli Mossad says Iran does not pose a threat to Israel.http://in.news.yahoo.com/iran-no-threat-israel-mossad-chief-205136026.html
Please do your research! Jim DeMint on Ron Paul’s foreign policy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSFwDLPCfh0
Sorry ,Hit Wrong Thumb,You Should Have TWO LESS !!!
Where is the Birth Certificate?
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which one of the canidates cares about our freedom and our rights? name one and that should be our choice
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He believes in open borders, legalized drugs, abortion on demand, USA provoked 9/11, and Iran should be allowed to have nuclear weapons.
I name you one, John Albert Dummett Jr. http://www.johndummett.us/ He care so much for the Constitution and the people, that he’s doing what no one else is doing. suing the DNC to proof with documentation that Obama is legit to be in the ballot on 2012, law suits are raising because him all over the country to stop Obama, tomorrow the first one in Georgia. Check on him, he don’t look for power, but to restore the Constitution and this Republic. Check on him.
Thanks. God bless.
OH… the media not happy with ther’s a upset… and having only rude comments afterwards. Then when there’s none.. then it was a dud… There is No making them happy.
Ron Paul is the only one wake up
THEY NEED TO STOP BICKERING WITH EACH OTHER AND GET DOWN TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR COUNTRY AND HOW THEY WILL GO ABOUT SAVING IT…….BICKERING TURNS PEOPLE OFF REAL QUICKLY YOU KNOW…………………..
Ron Paul like all people is not perfect, however if it’s the Constitution that needs protecting in this time of our country’s growth, and I strongly feel it is. Then Ron Paul is the person to set a new defined marker into the ground that will represent ‘We the People’ and our desire to return this nation back to the best reference of individual freedom and liberties this world once revered.
So be it. If the Republicans want to continue on their path of ‘righteous ignorance’ in deference to the conservative people they once represented, I will be with the new party, be it Tea Party or ‘Other’ and I will fight them by the Constitutional Oath I gave when I served my country.
All the candidates EXCEPT Ron Paul = Status Quo.
Well said; the other candidates are of the status quo variety and we will have just have more of the same. RON PAUL 2012
Paul is not electable.
Mitt boy romney sure wasn’t even close to being the winner!!! He acted like a Mad Dog,even the moderator tole him that Mitt Boy had said that this kind of thing wasn’t going to happen, but here we are!!!If he was to have been talking to obama ,obama would have chewed him up & spit him out!!!Newt didn’t want to get into another on stage fight with and idiot!!!
If Mitt and Newt are conservatives you people can have them I’m a constitutionalist and will stick by a man that is for the constitution. Mitt and Newt are not for it and by george if you think Mitt and Newt are the best thing going vote for them. When you do I sure don’t want to hear your bellyacking about the constitution being deatroyed because in your fear and stupidity you did it.
I didn’t get to see the debate,the nbc affilate in my area didn’t carry it,but the out takes I seen,Mitt look all over the place with his comments,he looked scared.
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nvrpc; I doubt you would know what a battlefield looks like. You like most did not have the guts to join the military. You would probly wet your pants and run.
Now, shot, I hear some of the video games have accurate depictions of battlefields.
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Besides if you will notice they have dug up all kinds of dirt on Newt and Mitt, but non on Paul. They say he is nut because he follows the constitution. Mitt said less than 2 months ago he would repeal bummercare and NDAA, and now he won’t. How is that for flip flopping? You jokes want him go ahead. You deserve what you get.
Dr.Ron Paul 2012 for the ONLY PROVEN HONEST (for Well Over 30 Years)God Fearing Patriot running for President,PERIOD !!!
He is not a conservative. He belives in a small military, little goverment, we provoked 9-11, and should let Iran have nuclear weapons.
Mitt Romney Keeps Defending the Individual Mandate:
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/12/28/mitt-romney-...
The Romney Con Exposed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4vS9SF3vc-A
http://inflation.us/videos.html
Rush Limbaugh: Romney Is Not Mr. Conservative!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bqNvB9p9cdc
Why Did A Former Romney Campaigner Defect to Another Candidate?
http://www.revolutionpac.com/2012/01/former-romney-campaigner-defects-to-ron-paul/
Study: On Spending Cuts, Most GOP Candidates Light On Details; Who Isn’t?: http://dailycaller.com/2011/12/30/study-on-spendi...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSVi45vfA6o
Another great place for information on the candidates is The Conservative Scorecard, which is an easy-to-read description on the strength of the candidates on key conservative positions. The ratings are based on their prior statements and positions over their political careers. It can be found here:
http://www.conservativescorecard.com/
Newt Gingrich: Serial Hypocrisy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CWKTOCP45zY
Gingrich would be worse than Obama on Foreign Policy: http://dailycaller.com/2011/12/28/gingrich-would-...
Gingrich Supported Goldwater? Newt Helped Reagan End the Cold War?
Said Newt Gingrich in Tampa: “I went to a Goldwater organizing session in 1964. I met with Ronald Reagan for the first time in 1974. I worked with Jack Kemp, and Art Laffer and others to develop supply side economics in the late ’70s. I helped Governor Reagan become President Reagan. I helped pass the Reagan economic program and worked with the National Security Council on issues including the collapse of the Soviet Empire…”
Said Gingrich before: On Reagan’s decision to meet with Mikhail Gorbachev, Salon’s Glenn Greenwald notes: “Newt Gingrich… denounced President Reagan’s rapprochement with Gorbachev in 1985 as potentially “the most dangerous summit for the West since Adolf Hitler met with Chamberlain in 1938 at Munich.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hJQsLFhuyOY
http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/01/22/newt-gingrich-is-not-a-conservative-recap-parts-1-14/
http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/01/22/newt-gingrich-is-not-a-conservative-pt-15/
http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/01/24/newt-gingrich-is-not-a-conservative-pt-16/
Gingrich Condemned How Reagan Ended the Cold War: Newt says he helped Reagan defeat the Soviet Union. Was that before or after he said this? Reports BBC: In 1985… Mr Gingrich referred to a meeting between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev as “the most dangerous summit for the West since Adolf Hitler met with Chamberlain in 1938 at Munich”.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13366727
WHAT???? Bizarre!!!! Why Did The Nephew of Rick Santorum Endorse Another GOP Candidate & Call Santorum His “Big Government Uncle Rick”? http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/03/the-trouble-wit...
Who Is Rick Santorum?
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=48620
National Right To Work Asks: Is Rick Santorum Really A Union Stooge?
http://www.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeedpolitics/is-rick-santorum-really-a-union-stooge
Club For Growth FACT CHECK Confirms Santorum A “Big-Government Conservative”!
http://www.clubforgrowth.org/news/?subsec=7&id=1007&v=pr&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ClubForGrowthPressReleases+%28Club+for+Growth+||+Press+Releases%29
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VrAn90brop4
Fraud & Betrayal From Another Shocking Big Government Pretend Conservative Hypocrite Exposed: http://www.redstate.com/erick/2012/01/06/what-a-b... http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed...
http://www.redstate.com/erick/2012/01/04/this-wont-play-well-in-south-carolina/
Liberal Rick Santorum & How He Supported Controversial, Big Government, Anti-Gun, Pro-Abortion Candidates & Helped Pass ObamaCare: http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/Santorum-Haunt... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/06/rick-san... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/05/santorum... http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/01/rand-pa... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gwwmm-cQxU&fe... http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/02/r... http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/01/02/santorums-l... http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-oreilly-grills-ri...
http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/07/santorum-isnt-a-reagan-conservative/
Santorum Supported Individual Healthcare Mandate (From Pennsylvania’s The Morning Callnewspaper, May 2, 1994): “Santorum and Watkins would require individuals to buy health insurance rather than forcing employers to pay for employee benefits.”
Now Santorum Even Flip-Flops On “Audit The Fed”!
http://www.revolutionpac.com/2012/01/santorum-flip-flops-on-audit-the-fed/
I think Rick Santorum is a decent conservative candidate.Ron Paul is nothing but a person who will be very danger to America.His view about Cuba is the same like Obama.I will never vote for Ron Paul.Cuba is a dictator regime for 53 years.And if anybody think there is “embargo” dont know the reality.Castro regime can buy anything anywere included the United States.the only embargo in cuba is “embargo of freedom”impose by the Castro Regime,Mr Paul is nothing but ignorant on foreign policy
I am sick and tired of you drips who continue to harp on Romney and the healthcare in Massachusetts. It covered only 9% of people who could afford to pay but went to emergency rooms for freebie health care. Everybody else continued with what they had. The Heritage Foundation and Newt Gingrich cheered Romney on when the plan was unveiled. It was because the conservative Heritage Foundation supported the concept that Romney went ahead with a plan to make those who could pay;pay. So grow up, get your facts straisght, or shut up.