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Live from New Hampshire: GOP Debate
Townhall.com ^ | October 11, 2011 | Guy Benson

Posted on 10/11/2011 3:18:34 PM PDT by Kaslin

Greetings from the picturesque campus of the Ivy League's Dartmouth College, the site of tonight's Republican presidential tilt.  The Tipsheet will have live coverage of the event, which kicks off at 8:00 pm ET and airs on Bloomberg television (time to break out the TV guide, I suspect).  Before you read my take on what to watch for tonight, check out the latest poll from Gallup, which puts the three top-tier candidates within five points of eachother.


Storylines


(1) Iran: Although the debate is supposed to focus almost exclusively on economic issues, today's breaking news bombshell that the Iranian government has been caught financing and coordinating terrorist attacks against targets inside the United States should absolutely be addressed.  The candidate with the most granular understanding of the issues at play on this subject is Rick Santorum. I'm eager to hear what he, and all of his rivals, have to say.  (Except for Ron Paul, who doesn't think Iranian nuclear aggression is a biggie, and who will find some way to blame us for Iran's poisonous treachery).  Another wrinkle: Could Eric Holder's involvement in this story provide an opening for someone to finally raise Solyndra and/or Fast & Furious in one of these debates? 

(2) Chris Christie's endorsement of Mitt Romney will likely get some play.  Will Rick Perry -- or someone else -- pull the Northeastern RINO card?  A Perry spokesman has already come pretty close

(3) Mormonism: Rick Perry was recently introduced at an event by a pastor who has called Mormonism a "cult."  Today, Mitt Romney demanded that Perry repudiate this view, arguing that the Consitution forbids a religious test for the presidency, and that anti-Mormon bigotry is ugly and has no place in American politics.  A Perry spokesman has already declined to acede Romney's request, calling the issue a "distraction."  I'll be stunned if this kerfuffle doesn't spill over into the debate, and Rick Perry had better be prepared with a damn good answer.

(4) Occupy Wall Street questions are almost inevitable.  The base cannot stand the mob of hippies, communists, anti-capitalists, and sundry lefty hangers-on who comprise the bulk of the "movement."  Organized labor and the Democrat Party establishment are getting on board, too.  He (or she) with the best Occupy Wall Street-related zinger might win one of the biggest headlines tomorrow.


Candidates


Mitt Romney - The former Massachusetts Governor is in his own backyard, leading in the polls, and feeiling buoyed by the Christie "get."  Deep down, he knows that Rush is right:  Absent a tactonic shift in the race, Mitt will be the Republican nominee.  His goal is to keep things moving on the current trajectory.  It will be interesting to see if anyone besides Rick Perry will try to jolt Romney out of cruise control.

Herman Cain - With first-tier status comes first-tier scrutiny (and first-tier stage positioning).  Expect more exploration of Cain's 9-9-9 tax plan, which I called for in an earlier post.  It's been fascinating to watch the Romney-Cain partnership develop over the last few debates.  Neither one has anything bad to say about the other, with Rick Perry hardest hit.  At some point, if Cain is going to win this thing, he's going to have to attack his ally.  Will that first salvo come tonight?

Rick Perry - The guy is still raking in major bucks and has never lost a campaign in his life.  Reports of Perry's demise are -- for now -- premature, but the comeback train has to leave the station soon.  Perry's campaign unleashed a brutal attack ad against Romneycare this week.  Almost on cue (arguably, directly on cue), the White House has leaked the story that several top Romney healthcare advisors were actively involved in crafting Obamacare.  If ever there were a time to really tee off on the frontrunner, tonight would be the night.  Perry's probably got the most to gain, and he seems to enjoy mixing it up, so he'll likely lead the charge.  But will be be able to pull it off succinctly and convincingly, unlike his slow-motion trainwreck in Orlando?  The good news: Perry's son says his dad will be "well-rested" this time.

Newt Gingrich - I briefly heard Newt compare Occupy Wall Street to the Tea Party movement on a local radio show this morning.  I wonder what he means by that, and whether he's read Ann Coulter's column on the subject.

Rick Santorum - The former Senator's expertise and greatest appeal to primary voters lie in the realms of foreign affairs and social issues.  Does this mean he'll he flounder in an economic debate?  Not at all, but he may feel less relevant.

Jon Huntsman - He needs a strong showing in New Hampshire to justify the continuation of his campaign, so Romney's the guy to beat.  But some anti-Mormon rhetoric has seeped into this race over the last few days, and Huntsman might join forces with Romney to beat it back.

Michele Bachmann - One of her previous high water marks came here in the Granite State, when she made a stellar debate debut in June.  She'll try to recapture the magic tonight.

Ron Paul - The retiring Texas Representative says many of his "extreme" views of three years ago have been vindicated by intervening events, and have now gained broader credibility and acceptance.  He'll have another chance to explain why tonight.


Tonight's debate is being co-sponsored by Bloomberg, the Washington Post, and a local television station.  Between Romneycare, Mormonism, and the "Occupy" mob, there could be major fireworks on tap.  Tune in, and follow our live chat here at Townhall.


TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: gopdebate; wapogopdebate
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To: Pravious

Are you kidding? Romeny was set up to be the centerpiece this evening but Cain absolutely stole his thunder.


1,521 posted on 10/11/2011 7:35:21 PM PDT by Blue Highway
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To: PAConservative1

HILARIOUS!


1,522 posted on 10/11/2011 7:35:21 PM PDT by Arcy
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To: Reily

I have no respect for Hammity


1,523 posted on 10/11/2011 7:35:44 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: Blue Highway

I don’t think I said never, except to say that I won’t vote for Romney!

I wasn’t shocked by Governor Christie’s endorsement of Romney, but his endorsement did come a bit early!

Northeast RINOS stick together, although Romney is worse than a RINO..


1,524 posted on 10/11/2011 7:35:48 PM PDT by onyx (You're here on FR so, support it! Compiling New Sarah Palin Ping List! Tell me if you want on it!)
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To: DRey
You’d support Perry if he rode into the debate on a cow, while swinging a dead chicken over his head.

maybe!

See!

1,525 posted on 10/11/2011 7:36:16 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: Shqipo

I’d like to see Newt moderate a GOP debate - he would ask incisive questions of them all that would cut to the chase.

What I hope is that some of the other candidates aren’t sucking up to Romney in hopes he’ll put them in his cabinet.


1,526 posted on 10/11/2011 7:36:16 PM PDT by Baladas ((ABBHO))
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To: bvw
I like this one.


1,527 posted on 10/11/2011 7:36:24 PM PDT by South40 (Reject the pro-ILLEGAL candidate. Vote conservative -- vote for Herman Cain!)
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To: samtheman
...Perry would make the best President. The problem is that though he’s not the worst candidate, he’s down there near the bottom.

Hang in there. He did well at the debate. He's never going to be the "wow factor" at a debate, but he has the resume and he looks like a guy who means what he says.

1,528 posted on 10/11/2011 7:36:28 PM PDT by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
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To: Irish Eyes

There was no mistaking that she said that she had been told to address the question to Romney.


1,529 posted on 10/11/2011 7:36:37 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma
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To: Cato in PA

I think Newt G. is the winner. Honorable mention to Cain.

Everyone else can eat lunch at Mickey D’s tomorrow, their performances merited the free toy boxes.


1,530 posted on 10/11/2011 7:37:07 PM PDT by bvw
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To: parksstp

He is wearing thin with me .
Him and the folks that give him a pass on his plans.

He got some heat tonight and I don’t thing he handled it all that well.


1,531 posted on 10/11/2011 7:38:36 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: dragnet2

Depends on the cow, I suppose.


1,532 posted on 10/11/2011 7:38:36 PM PDT by DRey (Perry/Rubio 2012)
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To: Conservativegreatgrandma

GreatGrandma,

Do not fret.... I think we’ll see a very strong rebuttal on the Obamacare - Romneycare question, and it will be in the likes of a very effective ad.

After all, why do you think Perry asked that question? :-)


1,533 posted on 10/11/2011 7:38:44 PM PDT by casinva (The stock in McDonalds has just gone down because Obama has been serving so many whoppers.)
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To: Leep

Newt is incredible, but remember how quickly the Clintons took him out. No matter how quick he is, he can be demonized faster then anyone out there. It’s a real shame though because he is really fun to listen to.


1,534 posted on 10/11/2011 7:39:03 PM PDT by McGavin999 (Please don't be a Freeploader, help to keep the lights on.)
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To: dragnet2

And if the chicken is fried.


1,535 posted on 10/11/2011 7:39:03 PM PDT by DRey (Perry/Rubio 2012)
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To: South40

That’s a keeper!


1,536 posted on 10/11/2011 7:39:16 PM PDT by Netizen (Path to citizenship = Scamnesty. If you give it away, more will come. Who's pilfering your wallet?)
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To: wmfights
He was under the spotlight. Also, Santorum absolutely destroyed Cain when he asked the audience if they thought the 999 plan would stay 999 and Cain could only respond it would as long as he was POTUS. We all know that won't be forever.

You are exactly right. Santorum was great tonight. I don't think he can win, but he needs to be in some role - I really liked his answers tonight and he did some damage to Cain.

1,537 posted on 10/11/2011 7:39:21 PM PDT by alicewonders
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To: RitaOK
Don’t much like the Romney-Cain mutual admiration society.

How about that? What's up with that?

I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw that.

1,538 posted on 10/11/2011 7:40:20 PM PDT by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
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To: mylife; GOPsterinMA

I’m Stickin’.
Rick said his economic plan is in the works and will be released within 3 days. “ <<<

My head just barely wants to wait three days on Rick’s plan, but I will watch him through out October. If he doesn’t get well with his back and and break out, this thing is going to turn quickly to Romney. Newt would need a cash injection soon. The powers don’t want this thing to drag out and are ready to cut it off before Romney begins to lose ground to any ascending candidate over the next several months.


1,539 posted on 10/11/2011 7:40:25 PM PDT by RitaOK (TEXAS. It's EXHIBIT A for Rick, who needs to pound the fiction flackers back into the Stone Age.)
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To: jpsb
No kidding. I don't know know that much about Volcker's stint with the Fed other than he was a Carter Admin Dem who was eventually fired by Reagan and more recently served as chairman of President Obama’s Economic Advisory Board. My point is;(and I think even Ron Paul would agree) I don't think there was a real good choice for that question as it was posed.
1,540 posted on 10/11/2011 7:40:43 PM PDT by 07Jack
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