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AP Interview: Romney says no to Gingrich debate
Associated Press ^ | 12/22/2011 | KASIE HUNT and STEVE PEOPLES

Posted on 12/22/2011 7:58:04 AM PST by TBBT

BETHLEHEM, N.H. (AP) - Mitt Romney is telling The Associated Press that he won't agree to debate Newt Gingrich one on one.

The former Massachusetts governor says in an AP interview that he's not declining his rival's debate challenge because he's afraid to square off against Gingrich, as the former House speaker has implied. Rather, Romney says he doesn't want to define the contest as a "two-man race." And he says that debating Gingrich alone would be disrespectful to other candidates.

Romney also is continuing to distance himself from the Washington standoff over the payroll tax-cut extension. He suggests it's not the place of presidential candidates to weigh in. And he says that doing so would simply complicate the situation - not help it, making an implied reference to John McCain shutting down his campaign in fall 2008 during the Wall Street bailout crisis.

(Excerpt) Read more at cbsatlanta.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: cowardromney; debate; milt; moot; newt; poorlittlemitt; pussyromney; romney; romneybehindskirts; romneyinhiding; yellowromney
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The former Massachusetts governor says in an AP interview that he's not declining his rival's debate challenge because he's afraid to square off against Gingrich, as the former House speaker has implied.

Sure...

Rather, Romney says he doesn't want to define the contest as a "two-man race." And he says that debating Gingrich alone would be disrespectful to other candidates.

Really? Does that mean that Cain, Huntsman, and Santorum were being disrespectful?

Romney also is continuing to distance himself from the Washington standoff over the payroll tax-cut extension. He suggests it's not the place of presidential candidates to weigh in. And he says that doing so would simply complicate the situation - not help it, making an implied reference to John McCain shutting down his campaign in fall 2008 during the Wall Street bailout crisis.

In other words he doesn't know yet which way the wind is blowing.

Milquetoast. One of the reasons that I can't stand Romney. Does anybody seriously believe that Romney will take a stand and defend anything conservative once in office? Conservatism doesn't play well in the media/establishment and Mitt won't want to buck them.

1 posted on 12/22/2011 7:58:14 AM PST by TBBT
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To: TBBT

Translation the more the better to muddy up the waters and beat each other up so Mitt gets the nomination as last man standing.


2 posted on 12/22/2011 7:59:58 AM PST by mk2000
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To: TBBT
One word.

CHICKEN!!

3 posted on 12/22/2011 8:01:44 AM PST by painter (No wonder democrats don't mind taxes.THEY DON'T PAY THEM !)
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To: TBBT

He’s a sleazeball snake. He’s the enemy within. Count on it.


4 posted on 12/22/2011 8:02:02 AM PST by onyx (PLEASE SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC:DONATE MONTHLY! Sarah's New Ping List - tell me if you want on it.)
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To: TBBT

Wish someone would don a chicken suit and follow him around until he agrees to debate.


5 posted on 12/22/2011 8:02:12 AM PST by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: TBBT

Why not offer to debate each candidate one-on-one? A series of one-on-ones would probably result in real learning happening, rather than the circus debates we’ve been blessed with.


6 posted on 12/22/2011 8:03:30 AM PST by DBrow
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To: TBBT

Chicken $#%# in any langauge is still Chicken $#%#, no matter how you parce it. Obama would similarly fear meeting Gingrich one on one unless the debate was moderated by Chris Matthews, Kraphammer and similar leftists and their useless tools.


7 posted on 12/22/2011 8:03:55 AM PST by ZULU (Anybody but Romney, Ron Paul or Huntsman)
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To: TBBT

Romney is a liar!


8 posted on 12/22/2011 8:04:02 AM PST by RoosterRedux (Attack, Newt...attack!)
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To: TBBT

It’s all about Romney, not about who has the best ideas for America.


9 posted on 12/22/2011 8:04:11 AM PST by Vision ("Did I not say to you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?" John 11:40)
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To: TBBT

Of course he won’t. And it’s not about being chicken (though that may indeed be true), but it would violate his whole campaign strategy of keeping as low of a profile as possible while having his surrogates destroy any possible challenger.

He literally intends to win by default.


10 posted on 12/22/2011 8:04:29 AM PST by kevkrom (Note to self: proofread, then post. It's better that way.)
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To: TBBT
"The former Massachusetts governor says in an AP interview that he's not declining his rival's debate challenge because he's afraid to square off against Gingrich..."



11 posted on 12/22/2011 8:04:45 AM PST by Windflier (To anger a conservative, tell him a lie. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
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To: painter

yep, Romney is scared to death to debate Gingrich.

Romney has coasted this entire election so far. I remember one of the few times he got attacked for a few minutes during one of the later debates... I could literally see the tears welling up in his eyes.

Romney also came out in support for gays in the military today, that should help things !


12 posted on 12/22/2011 8:05:12 AM PST by TexasFreeper2009 (Newt Gingrich 2012!)
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To: painter

Coward....fits him nicely too.


13 posted on 12/22/2011 8:05:14 AM PST by swampfox101
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To: TBBT

Romney is afraid of Newt.


14 posted on 12/22/2011 8:06:26 AM PST by Clara Lou (nObama, noRomney, noPaul, noBachmann . . .)
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To: TBBT

Anybody surprised??

Come on now-—no one?

Romney is nothing. The RINO’s want him because they can run him, and with RINO’s running him we basically have a white Obama in the White House.


15 posted on 12/22/2011 8:06:49 AM PST by Venturer
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To: TBBT

Newt otta challenge him to a debate at Mountain Meadows, Utah! Am I vicious or what?!


16 posted on 12/22/2011 8:07:27 AM PST by US Navy Vet (Go Packers! Go Rockies! Go Boston Bruins! See, I'm "Diverse"!)
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To: US Navy Vet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Meadows_massacre


17 posted on 12/22/2011 8:08:21 AM PST by US Navy Vet (Go Packers! Go Rockies! Go Boston Bruins! See, I'm "Diverse"!)
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To: greeneyes
That's a good idea. It really is.

If I lived in Iowa I would do it. I'm 6ft2 280lbs.

Put a chicken suit on me and I would be the biggest thing in the room.

18 posted on 12/22/2011 8:09:10 AM PST by painter (No wonder democrats don't mind taxes.THEY DON'T PAY THEM !)
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To: TBBT

Wanna spot romney in a crowd? Look for the used car salesman, wearing flip-flops, and selling bad smelling snake oil. Oh, and he will have his hand out asking for your money.


19 posted on 12/22/2011 8:09:52 AM PST by factoryrat (We are the producers, the creators. Grow it, mine it, build it.)
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To: Windflier

Time for someone to don a chicken suit and follow the Mittster around.


20 posted on 12/22/2011 8:10:04 AM PST by gov_bean_ counter
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To: TBBT

Spongebob RINOmney would be pulverized by the Newster. (And no, I’m not a Newt fan....)

I cannot think of a more worthless blog of protoplasm than RINOmney.

Oops, belay that.

I forgot about our Cretin-in-Chief.


21 posted on 12/22/2011 8:10:20 AM PST by Da Coyote
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To: TBBT

The discussions between Newt & Cain and Newt & Huntsman were a comprehensive display of ideas, common sense and philosophy; without ‘gotcha’ and sound bytes.

Cain and Huntsman both gained from those debates . Newt’s reputation for being ‘zany’, undisciplined and spiteful were laid to rest. He showed all the skills & knowledge of wide ranging issues, required of a POTUS.

Romney has no grace under pressure.


22 posted on 12/22/2011 8:10:33 AM PST by sodpoodle ( Newt - God has tested him for a reason..)
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To: TBBT

Wow! No cojones. Very weak excuse!


23 posted on 12/22/2011 8:11:02 AM PST by Youaskedforit
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To: TBBT
Newt, launch the "Seabiscuit" strategy against Mitty. Follow him around and respond immediately to whatever he says. Contrast his statements with yours. Stage 'mock' debates using video of him and debate his own words. Mock him as being afraid to debate mano a mano.

He will have to come out of his foxhole or you will have defeated him.

24 posted on 12/22/2011 8:11:02 AM PST by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: greeneyes

Oops, should have read the thread more closely. Great minds anyhow...


25 posted on 12/22/2011 8:11:09 AM PST by gov_bean_ counter
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To: TBBT

Romney says no to Gingrich debate


26 posted on 12/22/2011 8:12:33 AM PST by COBOL2Java (Obama is the least qualified guy in whatever room he walks into.)
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To: TBBT

Is Romney afraid? No matter how he attempts to use the “unfair” excuse, that question will remain in the minds of MANY.

On another note, a UCLA Political Scientist says Newt Gingrich is Biggest Threat to Obama.

http://www.professorbainbridge.com/professorbainbridgecom/2011/12/ucla-political-scientist-says-newt-gingrich-is-biggest-threat-to-obama.html


27 posted on 12/22/2011 8:12:33 AM PST by SumProVita (Cogito, ergo...Sum Pro Vita. (Modified Decartes))
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To: TBBT

I’m not sure there is any difference between Romney and Obama at all.

Except Romney is more strongly in favor of gay marriage than Obama.


28 posted on 12/22/2011 8:12:59 AM PST by kidd
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To: painter; greeneyes

You’re not all that far from Iowa.

We could take up a collection for your travels and hotel.

The bail money is another matter...........LOL.


29 posted on 12/22/2011 8:13:04 AM PST by onyx (PLEASE SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC:DONATE MONTHLY! Sarah's New Ping List - tell me if you want on it.)
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To: TBBT

I’m not sure there is any difference between Romney and Obama at all.

Except Romney is more strongly in favor of gay marriage than Obama.


30 posted on 12/22/2011 8:13:15 AM PST by kidd
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To: TBBT

Newt should be sure to make it well-known that Romney has no cojones and drive home the question in people’s minds about whether someone like that can really be trusted to stand up to Obama.


31 posted on 12/22/2011 8:14:08 AM PST by Utmost Certainty (Our Enemy, the State | Gingrich 2012)
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bump!


32 posted on 12/22/2011 8:15:14 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: TBBT

This turd is afraid to debate Newt. How do you think he will do with Obama....wait is it even possible to have a “debate” with Obama since he has basically all the same positions?

Maybe they debate the fact that Obama defines the rich at $250k, while Mittens defines them at $200k.

I can’t vote for this guy....no matter what. I’ll vote for the congressional candidates, and hunker down for four more years of Zero.


33 posted on 12/22/2011 8:16:27 AM PST by vmivol00
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To: onyx
I firmly believe that Romney is orchestrating the super pac attacks against Gingrich. I'm hoping that Newt has enough resources on hand to make the connection and get the illegal activity shut down.
34 posted on 12/22/2011 8:16:52 AM PST by gov_bean_ counter
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To: TBBT

And for the same reason I wouldn’t debate Stephen Hawking on quantum mechanics.


35 posted on 12/22/2011 8:17:49 AM PST by Mr Ramsbotham (Laws against sodomy are honored in the breech.)
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To: vmivol00

You read my mind.


36 posted on 12/22/2011 8:18:17 AM PST by MachIV
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To: TBBT
The former Massachusetts governor says in an AP interview that he's not declining his rival's debate challenge because he's afraid to square off against Gingrich, as the former House speaker has implied.

Translation: He's declining Gingrich's debate challenge because he IS AFRAID to square off against Gingrich.

37 posted on 12/22/2011 8:18:39 AM PST by Proudcongal
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To: kevkrom

Agree completely. Haven’t heard this snake oil salesman say one thing - NOT ONE THING - that I agree with, nor find inspriring, uplifting, or in-line with my core conservative values and convictions. Nothing! Nada! Makes me sick to think this puke of a punk (with disgustingly greasy hair), could become the nominee. Ultimately, a sure win for BHO if Romney manages to fool enough people to become the repugnican’s nominee.


38 posted on 12/22/2011 8:19:06 AM PST by Mean Maryjean
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To: onyx

I’ll donate. lol!


39 posted on 12/22/2011 8:21:42 AM PST by sheikdetailfeather ("Kick The Communists Out Of Your Govt. And Don't Accept Their Goodies"-Yuri Bezmenov-KGB Defector)
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To: TBBT

His opportunistic lackies (Bachmann and Paul) wont be there to protect him.


40 posted on 12/22/2011 8:21:59 AM PST by VanDeKoik (1 million in stimulus dollars paid for this tagline!)
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To: TBBT
The down side... Romney's strategy of keeping the conservative base fractured is working... Note the following headlines:
Michele Bachmann quickly gaining last minute steam in Iowa
and...
Rick Santorum, Iowa's Dark Horse candidate, gaining ground
These stories will serve as a glimmer of hope to second tier candidate fans. They will see it as evidence that their guy/gal will be the next candidate to take the mantel of the Not Romney standard barer.

Even if these second tier candidates do well in Iowa, the probability of any of them giving Romney are real run for the money - beyond Iowa - is next to zero.
41 posted on 12/22/2011 8:24:18 AM PST by TBBT
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To: TBBT

Gingrich should turn it around and do a Romney: “if he’s afraid to debate me, how is he going to stand up to the Obama billion dollar machine. If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.


42 posted on 12/22/2011 8:24:46 AM PST by Proudcongal
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To: TBBT
because he's afraid to square off against Gingrich, as the former House speaker has implied. Rather, Romney says he doesn't want to define the contest as a "two-man race."

Yeah Mittens, that's the ticket.............The noble coward defense, LOL.

43 posted on 12/22/2011 8:25:57 AM PST by The Cajun (Palin, Free Republic, Mark Levin, Rush, Hannity......Nuff said.)
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To: TBBT

Cue the BS meter graphic.

Gingrich debated Cain one-on-one; he debated Huntsman one-on-one; Paul supporters are pushing Paul to accept a similar debate. Those hardly “defined the contest as a ‘two-man race’”.

Romney is scared to do an actual debate in which he’s forced to go beyond focus-group-tested talking points and actually think on his feet.


44 posted on 12/22/2011 8:26:05 AM PST by The_Reader_David (And when they behead your own people in the wars which are to come, then you will know. . .)
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To: mk2000

...so Cain had more b*lls than Romney? Santorum had more b*lls than Romney? Both debated Newt one on one...where’s Mitt’s b*lls..? Hillary’s lock box?


45 posted on 12/22/2011 8:26:19 AM PST by who knows what evil? (G-d saved more animals than people on the ark...www.siameserescue.org.)
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To: TBBT
Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Jerry refused to race Duncan Meyers because he knew he would lose and then his image of being a fast runner would be destroyed.

His respond to a plea to race again:
I choose not to!
46 posted on 12/22/2011 8:27:06 AM PST by crosshairs (Liberalism is to truth, what east is to west.)
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To: onyx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N7XLA5iN8Y&feature=related


47 posted on 12/22/2011 8:28:01 AM PST by sheikdetailfeather ("Kick The Communists Out Of Your Govt. And Don't Accept Their Goodies"-Yuri Bezmenov-KGB Defector)
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To: sheikdetailfeather; painter

LOL. Me too, seriously!!


48 posted on 12/22/2011 8:28:51 AM PST by onyx (PLEASE SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC:DONATE MONTHLY! Sarah's New Ping List - tell me if you want on it.)
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To: sheikdetailfeather

ROTFL.


49 posted on 12/22/2011 8:29:47 AM PST by onyx (PLEASE SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC:DONATE MONTHLY! Sarah's New Ping List - tell me if you want on it.)
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To: greeneyes
What a great idea! Can you imagine somebody in a six-foot tall chicken outfit following Mitt around? You could even have the chicken swinging a pair of those 'tailgate testicles' around in the air while Mitt is speaking...

"Yoo-hoo, Mitt..? Are you looking for THESE?"

This would make for ROTFLMAO-level video...

50 posted on 12/22/2011 8:31:48 AM PST by who knows what evil? (G-d saved more animals than people on the ark...www.siameserescue.org.)
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