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Romney Declines Lincoln-Douglas Debate Against Gingrich
Real Clear Policitcs ^ | 12/2/2011 | Erin McPike

Posted on 12/02/2011 11:36:29 AM PST by Notwithstanding

With the Republican presidential primary appearing to have narrowed into a two-man contest, Human Events and Red State moved quickly to lock down a date for a Lincoln-Douglas-style debate between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich.

The two organizations went so far this past Monday as to firm up the Annenberg Theater at the Newseum in Washington as the venue on Dec. 19 after another debate originally scheduled that day was canceled. For its part, the Newseum was excited to host the pre-primary forum.

There was just one problem. While Gingrich was ready to take his place on the stage, the Romney campaign politely declined in a series of mostly e-mail exchanges.

As Joe Guerriero, a Human Events editor, put it to RCP: “Newt was all over it, and the Romney camp basically said no. It wasn’t a harsh no, but it was a no.”

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


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To: Notwithstanding

Romney helpfully supplies Obama with a precedent to follow.


21 posted on 12/02/2011 12:01:04 PM PST by Lady Lucky
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To: katiedidit1

Yes - Santorum is my ideological choice, but he is also flawed. And he has not been able to get any traction - and that is a fatal flaw for any candidate.

We can’t vote just for ideology - we have to vote for a package of all that is necessary as BOTH a candidate and a President.


22 posted on 12/02/2011 12:01:26 PM PST by Notwithstanding
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To: katiedidit1

I have said the same thing about Mitt’s refusal to debate or appear on the Sunday talking head political shows. He hasn’t been there for over 2 years. He complained about ‘aggressive questions’ when he appeared on Fox this week.

I don’t think Mitt has a pair of “big girl panties’ to put on when he has to.


23 posted on 12/02/2011 12:02:05 PM PST by ridesthemiles
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To: katiedidit1
Newt should follow him around the country like Seabiscuit did to War Admiral ...
24 posted on 12/02/2011 12:02:36 PM PST by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: katiedidit1
A great debater is not high on my list of qualifications to be POTUS.

That's why I still prefer Perry to Romney or Newt!

And yes, all three have their problems w/ Conservatives.

25 posted on 12/02/2011 12:02:39 PM PST by TexasCajun (Fast & Furious , Solyndra & Light Squared would be enough to impeach any White President !!)
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To: Notwithstanding

Truman: The buck stops here.
Romney: The buck-buck-buck stops here.


26 posted on 12/02/2011 12:03:25 PM PST by Lady Lucky
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To: katiedidit1

LOL, Well, it’s true. He has already sent Christi to make some negative comments about Newt.


27 posted on 12/02/2011 12:03:29 PM PST by annieokie
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To: Hugin


Sorry, I could not resist the opportunity...
28 posted on 12/02/2011 12:04:01 PM PST by BigEdLB (Now there ARE 1,000,000 regrets - but it may be too late.)
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To: apillar

Baggage? Wild oats sown by a war-horse.


29 posted on 12/02/2011 12:04:18 PM PST by b9 (NEWTer the Whitehouse in 2012 *you betcha*)
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To: Notwithstanding

And so would Obama. Neither of the two are that stupid. Gingrich will never get the chance, in ANY debate with Romney or Obama.


30 posted on 12/02/2011 12:04:44 PM PST by Gaffer
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To: ridesthemiles

Romney is used to being “the media darling” and even if he received more simplistic questions..Newt would rip him to shreds. I would love to see them debate in NH...Lincoln Douglas style


31 posted on 12/02/2011 12:05:00 PM PST by katiedidit1 ("This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever." the Irish)
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To: Notwithstanding

Of course he would! No way he can match Newt’s knowledge!


32 posted on 12/02/2011 12:05:57 PM PST by tutstar (Want pings to Aaron Klein articles and OWS nonsense?)
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To: Notwithstanding
Yes - Santorum is my ideological choice, but he is also flawed.

Agreed. Here is Victor Davis Hanson who I think nails Santorum's fatal flaw ....

Rick Santorum does great when he answers directly the question asked. The more he avoids attacking others, or curbs his exasperation that his often superior answers don’t lead to political traction, the better he does. But somehow such an experienced and knowledgeable candidate always seems frustrated to the point of vexation.

33 posted on 12/02/2011 12:07:29 PM PST by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: Notwithstanding

Do not fight any opponent on their terms.

- Some smart guy


34 posted on 12/02/2011 12:08:18 PM PST by Grunthor (Pro-illegal alien "conservatives" piss me off.)
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To: Grunthor

OK. Then how about a Mr. Haney-Mr. Douglas debate?


35 posted on 12/02/2011 12:09:30 PM PST by Mustang Driver
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To: apillar

“I’m guess the Romney camp plans to use the tactic that worked so well for them on other candidates. That is to ignore them in public, and turn the smear machine into high gear behind the scenes”

That’s my opinion too. Romney trashed Sarah behind the scenes and may be behind the Cain smears. Guessing his back ops will go after Newt big time now and try to label newt as unstable, mean-spirited, philanderer, etc. etc. Or, they may think Newt is so strong and well-known that they’ll need something real big to knock him out. They could be concocting some sort of major dirt to release around the holidays.


36 posted on 12/02/2011 12:09:36 PM PST by vekzen
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To: katiedidit1
Newt would not attack Romney

Newt's already tried that once regarding Romneycare. Romney shut him down completely when he (Romney) stated that he got the idea of a government mandate to purchase healthcare insurance from Newt's support of the federal government forcing me to buy something. Newt had absolutely no response to it.

Don't get me wrong. I have no use for either Romney or Newt. Neither will be able to go after Obama regarding Obamacare, as Obama will just say he was doing what Romney and Newt supported, and followed their lead on the subject.

37 posted on 12/02/2011 12:10:42 PM PST by GOPyouth ("We're buying shrimp, guys. Come on." - Dear Leader)
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To: vekzen

You may have a point about that - Don’t forget the Rick Perry stuff - Perry was suspicious of Romney too.


38 posted on 12/02/2011 12:12:53 PM PST by BigEdLB (Now there ARE 1,000,000 regrets - but it may be too late.)
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To: TexasCajun

I don’t think two easy-to-mock stereotypical Texans lacking statesmanlike stage presence in a row would be good for the USA.

Image is important, and on the world stage, Perry would be even more of a joke than W ended up being.

I don’t think that caricature of W was fair, but it existed and it was widespread.

Perry’s “oops” moment was so damaging NOT because it was a big mistake, bur because it symbolized the utter lack of gravitas he had exhibited in all the debates prior to that “oops”. The “oops” confirmed our fears (based on our observations of him in debates) that Perry might consistently embarrass the USA on the world stage.

Gravitas is necessary in a president. Perry has none.


39 posted on 12/02/2011 12:13:38 PM PST by Notwithstanding
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To: ridesthemiles

“I don’t think Mitt has a pair of “big girl panties’ to put on when he has to.”

I don’t know if he has a pair of “big girl panties” or not, but if he does would he wear them under or over his mormon underwear...just curious don’t know much about these things.

anyone, anyone, bhuller...


40 posted on 12/02/2011 12:14:07 PM PST by PoloSec ( Believe the Gospel: how that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again)
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