Romney Takes It To Gingrich At Outset of Florida Debate ["Red-Hot Fight"]

NBC ^ | January 23, 2012

[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.

[Psalm 144]

Good! I am glad to hear that. You know, this may be the first good thing that Romney has ever done in his public life. If he submits to continuing as a live fire practice dummy, Newt will be very well trained for taking on the primary narcissistic empty suit: Barack Hussein Obama.

[faucetman]

At first, I thought Mitt looked foolish and Newt fought back well. Then, Mitt kept pounding away and Newt got a bloody nose. They then kissed and made up for the rest of the debate.

I think that part of the debate was scripted on both sides. Newt was prepared for plan A, but not for plan B. I think Newt was coached to let it go because it would be a lose, lose for him to go after Romney, tit for tat.

I think it was a calculation on Romney's handlers to get Newt angry. To try & goad Newt into a mistake, a gaff, to use against him later. In that effort they failed.

Like I said Newt got a bloody nose, no knock out for Romney, and Romney came off looking like a bully.

I call it a draw, but Romney needed a win and he didn't get it.

Santorum & Paul ..... why were they there?

Actually Paul is far more entertaining. He is a man of his convictions (many wrong headed), while Santorum keeps telling us he is, but his actions have always been political expedient.

[bksanders]

Billys Kid - You can overlook the the troll

[Orange1998]

Newt promising the world? On What?

Easy to make a point. Take a look at his campaign 4 years ago.

Newt Gingrich support the idea of healthcare mandate back in 2008. Take a look for yourself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9VWSGQmVh6A

And if you can stomach this video from Feb 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJaImGbEclI&feature=related

[hinckley buzzard]

Even Brian Williams commented on the negativity toward Newt from Romney, citing that very circumstance.

[hinckley buzzard]

Newt has all the facts. He just doesn't want to get into a pattern of trading barbs like schoolyard rivals. He will use them when he thinks they will work.

[hinckley buzzard]

Romney gets into demogoguery. Newt called him on it, and I doubt the Romney attacks will stick. Romney just falls into name calling, which doesn't fly too far for most people.

[hinckley buzzard]

You claim to be "a Newt watcher" but you don't know very much about what he did. I think you need some glasses if you're going to be serious about "watching" people.

[fabian]

Because he is part liberal/ part conservative. He is too emotional and doesn’t have a strong attitude and he defends wrong/ ie, romneycare to the death.

[hinckley buzzard]

I thought Mitt and Newt were about even tonight. Mitt landed some blows, but he also looked petty and mean. Newt was more laid back tonight, and seemed to be trying to be less angry. Both of them could have done a lot more by focussing on the devastation wrought by obama. Paul was Paul, Little Rickie was OK. Still ain't going anywhere though, and ought to quit.

[CT]

I keep asking for proof Romney is even a republican!

[annieokie]

2008? That was then, this is now.

[moehoward]

" I don’t think Mitt was able to draw any blood."

I'm not sure he did either. IMHO he went on far too long, and appeared far too disorganized and desperate.

[CT]

Here's one for my fellow Freeper Strategists:

Newt has demonstrated that, so far, cash isn't as big a factor as well-executed strategies.

Obama sees his strength in part from a billion dollar war chest.

Read Sun Tzu.

[Orange1998]

If that is the case then you could really love Romney. Does your beliefs from 4 years ago change today. I didn’t think so.

[moehoward]

"I was pretty much blown away by the lack of Newt’s response.'

It was a hit, but it came at the end of such a nonsensical onslaught, I'm not sure who was still listening.

[annieokie]

Well my opinion of Newt Gingrich has never waned, I liked him then and I like him now. Hope that satisfies your inquiring mind.

[GregoryFul]

I understand that Mitt has been taking Ex-Tenz for some time now. He is still hopeful.

[GregoryFul]

The 15% any investor pays is on top of the 25-35% already collected on his part interest in the property (retained earnings), the corporation. Just like dividends paid from the corporation, it is nearly double taxation on investment.

[Orange1998]

I have personally met Newt. I really like his current thoughts so I can see your interest. The problem arises when you look at his past as recently as 2009. It makes Kerry look like Honest Abe.