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.
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