Debate Wrapup

The American Spectator ^ | 1-26-2012 | W. James Antelle III

[Dysart]

This was by far the best debate for Rick Santorum and Ron Paul. They both made effective use of the squabbling between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. Gingrich seemed tired, unprepared, and off his game tonight -- bad timing for the former House speaker. Romney had some clunkers -- he got caught redhanded on the anti-Newt attack ad, the line about not making his own investments could come back to haunt him, and he denied being politically involved during a time period that included a Senate campaign -- but he had the better showing overall. I'm seeing many people argue that Gingrich has sharpened Romney as a candidate.

[1010RD]

Who then went on to share a couch with Nancy Pelosi and drink the Global Warming Koolaid. If there’s one thing likeable about Santorum it’s his consistency with that issue. Not falling for or falling for GW is a big deal. Newt so desperately wants to be relevant that he grabs whatever the moment offers. It’s how he treats his marriages, his ideas and the best indicator of how he’ll run the country.

[1010RD]

subsequent technology trickle down into the commercial private sector (which few understand)

Other than Tang is there a list of all that great trickle down tech that came out of philandering Democrat (but, I repeat myself) JFK's space program?

[MissMagnolia]

It is my understanding he has a debate coach. I also suspect that after a full day of high-energy, enthusiastic events with supporters (yesterday or the day before he drew 6K to just one event) that by the time he gets to the debates, he is tired and the debates are so awful, they’re positively deflating.

[tsowellfan]

Hopefully this will get tweeted out

[re_nortex]

Newt Gingrich was poised and 100% on target. He expresses himself clearly and fearlessly. Ron Paul and Mitt Romney are both equally evil in their own ways.

FUMR! FURP! Go Newt GO! Rebellion is at hand!

[luvbach1]

I thought most of what Paul said was disjointed and scatterbrained. What did I miss?

[wardaddy]

I stand for something I never thought I would.

A strong third party challenge to the GOP.

The GOP is not conservative. They are merely less liberal than the Dems.

We have to start over if Mitt wins. We will not change them from within.

[wardaddy]

Rich Lowry is another Mittbot...just saying.

[true believer forever]

I don't believe it is a big deal. He has said the science is not settled on global warming. He supports certain private sector ways to limit carbon. And this bit about his past marriages, his sinful past - that comes down to whether you believe he has found his faith and asked God for forgiveness and changed - or you don't. Santorum is a sanctimonious judgmental prig... whose selfrighteous selfpurity is ony exceeded by his ambition, and he very well may be the cause of obama's reelection because he couldn't get out of the way of an accomplished conservative. And for the record, I don't think there's anything likable about Sanctimonium... unless you are partial to holier-than-thou christians, who think they have cornered the market on morality because they haven't sinned as much as Newt.

During a recent debate, an ABC News commentator passed a bag of stones to Republicans on stage. Every candidate, except for one,  grabbed a handful of rocks, to throw at the man they considered the sinner amongst them.  In a scene right out of, well, the Bible, Republican candidates - again and again - pelted the sinner, a great sinner, to be sure, with stones; all the while, reassuring the audience: they, the upstanding candidates, were nothing like the sinner.  Each of them, they made it clear, were more fit to the hold the office. Their sins were small, not the large sort the sinner was guilty of;  humans of quality, they.

In another scene, right out of, well, the Bible, Jesus once spoke to those with great confidence in their own goodness: "Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a dishonest tax collector. The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: `I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don't sin, I don't commit adultery, I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.'

But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, `O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God."

This sinner.  Old as the Message is, it is so new and wonderful, if rightly presented, as to awaken astonishment in the weary, imperfect hearts who hear.  When babes in Christ give themselves to the Lord - justified through the Redeemer's sacrifice, brought into the family of God, begotten of the Holy Spirit - it means a great change for these. It means a Miracle.  Old things pass away; all things become new.

Only Now, just like Then – whited walls, the outside-of-the-cup crowd,  invested in the appearance of good conduct and their "core" principles,  make the Precious Savior, Bringer of Peace,  Lifter of Burdens, unapproachable, uninviting, intimidating, to sinners seeking forgiveness, desperate for a second chance.  The Rick Perrys, the Michelle Bachmanns, the Ron Pauls, the Rick Santorums and Mitt Romneys of today's world, their banners of spiritual pride waving high, keep multitudes of  sinners standing afar off, sure they are unworthy to approach the only One who can make them new.

On that stage, that night, there was not one word - not one word - from the political Christians about the miraculous saving work of Christ Jesus, sufficient to change, to make all things new, to transform the worst sinner, even Newt, into a new creature. 

America is full of sinners, who love their country, many of whom would die for it, and according to the purity test of  the republicans on stage that night, they probably couldn’t run for dog catcher.  Steve Deace sees things a little differently: sometimes the greatest sinners, "the most broken people are the ones God does the most tremendous work through." 

No one has walked a mile in Newt's shoes, except for Newt.  No one on that stage knows the crowded corners of Newt's heart.  There is only one thing every believer truly knows about Newt... he is forgiven. 

forgiven

[1010RD]

What about his lying to score a zinger during the SC debate? At what point do you stop taking Newt’s word for it and just observe his behavior?

Thinking isn’t casting stones, it’s, well, thinking.

[true believer forever]

How about Santorum - having supported an individual mandate in 1994 - always accusing Willard and Newt of doing the same.. I could give you many links verifying Santorum’s lies and misrepresentations, but I don’t think you would follow them and learn something new because, well, that would take thinking...

[Yaelle]

Just finished watching. Had to wait til everyone got home.

My guy did wonderfully! Santorum was strong and had a lot of sharp moments. He was at his best when talking about foreign policy, but even when he distanced himself from the two front runners he was still classy and not whiny.

Newt seemed more petty and bitchy than I’ve seen him, and was one time at least back on the ropes. First time I’ve seen that in this whole election season, and I’ve seen every one of the 352 debates so far. The mud fights between him and Romney were won by Romney.

Ron Paul was Ron Paul. He had some good moments but I am not sure there would even be an Israel after his first term as president.

I think if I had to pick a winner for tonight, it would be Santorum. I’m biased, but he came out with a strong, principled fight for the party’s nomination.

I saw tonight as a character-revealing debate. Romney revealed that he really hates to lose. He had more to give after Tuesday, and he scratched his way back to the lead over Newt.

Ron Paul showed that he is a decent person, nothing phony about him. What you see is what you get with Paul.

Santorum showed that while this is new to him, he is fully capable of demonstrating the kind of leadership and moral vision we need in our top leader. He knew he had to really bring it, and he did. He is earnest and showed new strength.

Newt demonstrated arrogance and somewhat of a mean streak when he felt put upon. It wasn’t flattering to him. I wonder if it will hurt his lead. I feel vindicated that I just can’t bring myself to like him. I think he is who I fear he is.

[faucetman]

“This was by far the best debate for Rick Santorum and Ron Paul”

I agree.
1. Santorum
2. Paul
3. Newt
4. Romney

[true believer forever]

You’ve always been anti-Gingrich, and have now taken to camouflaging that in a “balanced” debate analysis. Nice try.

[Gene Eric]

>> Newt seemed more petty and bitchy than I’ve seen him

Don’t hold back. Tell us how you really feel.

The fact the audience caught Romney lying about his knowledge of the controversial campaign ads doesn’t mean anything?

[Yaelle]

Santorum definitely won the night! (Though the press would never admit it!)

---

Actually, some of the panel on CNN actually did admit that they saw Santy as the winner tonight! I was surprised too.

[Yaelle]

You’ve always been anti-Gingrich, and have now taken to camouflaging that in a “balanced” debate analysis. Nice try.

---

I have always loved Gingrich in the debates. Seriously. I always have. I fear him as President but I have cheered him during the debates often!

My only camouflage is that I am trying not to get thrown off FR - trying not to criticize Newt too much. Straight up, I haven’t been able to like him for President yet. And I do like Santorum. Sorry that you thought I was being sneaky. I’m just trying to obey the rules while still sharing with you all.. I love to read everyone’s post debate opinions.

[Yaelle]

It sounded like Romney didn’t listen to his own ads. Probably they stuck his disclaimer at the end saying he approved. I don’t trust mitt or newt much though.

[Fledermaus]

“Look for those bare necessities, simple bare necessities, forget about your worries and your life...”

[Fledermaus]

It’s starting to look that way. Reagan’s effort was amazing but it seems the tides just won’t receed.