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 ...
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.
Translation the more the better to muddy up the waters and beat each other up so Mitt gets the nomination as last man standing.
CHICKEN!!
He’s a sleazeball snake. He’s the enemy within. Count on it.
Wish someone would don a chicken suit and follow him around until he agrees to debate.
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.
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.
Romney is a liar!
It’s all about Romney, not about who has the best ideas for America.
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.

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 !
Coward....fits him nicely too.
Romney is afraid of Newt.
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.
Newt otta challenge him to a debate at Mountain Meadows, Utah! Am I vicious or what?!
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.
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.
Time for someone to don a chicken suit and follow the Mittster around.
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.
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.
Wow! No cojones. Very weak excuse!
He will have to come out of his foxhole or you will have defeated him.
Oops, should have read the thread more closely. Great minds anyhow...



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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
bump!
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.
And for the same reason I wouldn’t debate Stephen Hawking on quantum mechanics.
You read my mind.
Translation: He's declining Gingrich's debate challenge because he IS AFRAID to square off against Gingrich.
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.
I’ll donate. lol!
His opportunistic lackies (Bachmann and Paul) wont be there to protect him.
Michele Bachmann quickly gaining last minute steam in Iowaand...
Rick Santorum, Iowa's Dark Horse candidate, gaining groundThese 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.
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.
Yeah Mittens, that's the ticket.............The noble coward defense, LOL.
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.
...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?
LOL. Me too, seriously!!
ROTFL.
"Yoo-hoo, Mitt..? Are you looking for THESE?"
This would make for ROTFLMAO-level video...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.