Posted on 01/23/2012 6:54:27 PM PST by Steelfish
Romney Takes It To Gingrich At Outset of Florida Debate
Mitt Romney dropped the gloves within minutes of the outset of tonight's Republican presidential debate, assailing main rival Newt Gingrich as an unreliable conservative who could embarrass the GOP.
The former Massachusetts governor, who suffered a 12-point loss just last Saturday to Gingrich in the South Carolina primary, went aggressively after Gingrich at the very top of tonight's NBC News/National Journal/Tampa Bay Times debate — reflecting his effort to halt any momentum Gingrich carries into Florida's Jan. 31 primary.
"The speaker was given the opportunity to be the leader of our party in 1994. And at the end of four years, he had to resign in disgrace," Romney said.
Romney hammered Gingrich on his work for mortgage giant Freddie Mac and the ethics troubles Gingrich encountered as speaker, reminding primary voters of the headaches Gingrich had caused for the party during his time in office.
"Don't forget at the end of the speaker's term as speaker, his approval rating was down to 18 percent. We suffered historic losses," Romney said.
It was the kind of red-hot fight most political observers had expected tonight after the GOP presidential primary was thrown into upheaval by the former House speaker's victory in this past weekend's in South Carolina.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcpolitics.msnbc.msn.com ...
Romney comes across as really trying really really hard to connect.
Awful IMO.
Winner: Obama.
Loser: Mitt and Newt.
Small win: Rick.
Tie: Paul.
Big winner: whoever watched something else.
Here’s my take.
Newt didn’t necessarily gain much ground, but I don’t think he lost any either.
Romney looked desperate. He actually flip flopped on the Dream Act during the debate. He also couldn’t articulate any of his contributions to conservatism.
I’m biased, but I think Newt won. It wasn’t very exciting, but Newt may have gained a little by taking more of the high road. It really accentuated Romney’s negativity and whining.
As a side note, Romney’s makeup was horrible. He looks really wiped out.
For what it’s worth, even the talking head idiots on NBC thought Romney didn’t do himself any favors tonight.
Thoughts? I’m curious to see if others saw it the same as me, or if I just saw what I wanted to see.
I was a 5 minute beat down on Newt...Looked bad.
Pretty amazing...
.
Brian Williams: Governor Romney what have you ever done for the Conservative movement in this country?
Romney: um I raised a family
LMAO.. bye bye Mitt
Just heard Andrea Mitchell on NBC say that Romney’s tax filings will show that he has investments of over $500,000 in both and Fanny and Freddie Mac...and he has the audacity to attack Gingrich.
HYPOCRITE...
I think Newt made a mistake in not responding to the “influence-peddling” “K” Street health legislation charge
You are right - there was only one charge that Pelosi got to stick on Newt and the GOP forced him to leave over it. The interesting thing is a lot of people in Congress could be accused of the same thing.
It was nothing short of calling Newt a liar and fraud.
I was waiting for a good response, but it never came.
I think Rick hit it out of the park.
You are correct. This went direct to personal character akin to bribery and Newt allowed it to slid. This may cause some of his supporters to wonder. We’ll see how the polls turn out tomorrow.
CNN panel with Erin Burnett says Romney won debate.
The wife and I found this debate, thanks to the non-moderators, to be so BOOOOOOOOORING.
Peepers Williams and his crew better not give up their day jobs for a career as politcal debate moderators.
Well before the debate occurred, we all knew the media had already written their “Romney wins FL debate” articles.
Fear Factor...it will be on. :)
Eh, I think most people will realize those attacks for what they are — sensationalism and over the top, fake BS.
Newt just released those records today. Let THAT story play out a bit ... the story can be clarified over a few days and we can see.
Lets be honest here, Investing in Fannie and Freddie Stock Market had nothing to do with the fraud. Chances are you had a pension, 401K with some interest at one time in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. It was considered a safe and sound investment by many Financial Advisors back in the day. And please.... quoting Andrea Mitchell as if she has anything relevant to say.
Romney just doesn’t get it.
Newt gained by attacking the media/establishment. When Romney attacks Newt - he still looks like the establishment.
Romney could have scored better - by bringing up Newt’s issues - BUT - comparing how minor they were back then to the grand larceny of every day Obama.
He could have led - instead of looking like a rabbit puncher. Because - it is stupid to go after Newt on his “ethics violations” - once that becomes the story - and anyone looks into it = Newt is AGAIN the victim of DC political games.
Romney's 15% taxes on the amount of money he earned is still a lot of money, and so far no one has said anything was done illegally, but he won't pay $1 more, ok fine.
But how does this 15% square with his wanting everyone else to pay 25% or more. Not a good sell, not everyone has the advantages he has by living solely on their capital gains, that is if anyone has some.
I’d be surprised if the average Floridian made it more than 30 minutes. Only political junkies like the folks posting here tonight could have made it all the way through that one.
Like I said before, Romney needed a win tonight in the debate. Regardless of what happened, the media will spin this as a stunning Romney victory. The truth is really irrelevant. The truth only holds up when there are lots of viewers. Only the spin matters when no one watches.
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