Posted on 03/15/2012 11:57:24 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
PORTLAND, Ore. After months of planning, the Oregon Republican Party had to cancel their presidential debate just days before it was scheduled to happen.
The two leading candidates, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, both declined invitations, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting, which was hosting the debate.
Without the front-runners, organizers decided it wasnt worth holding the debate.
A party spokesman said the campaigns have changed strategies and dont see the advantage of national debates. He said organizers did their best to make the debate happen, but in the end it wasnt in the cards.
"It is disappointing," said Oregon Republican Party Chairman Allen Alley. "It's just the campaigns have moved to a different mode where they're going state by state, very tactical about delegates in each of those states."
Only Newt Gingrich had formally accepted the debate invitation, according to OPB.
Debate organizers offered to change the date or move the venue to Chicago ahead of next weeks Illinois primary, but the campaigns didnt buy it.
Alley said they knew scheduling a debate after Super Tuesday would be "high risk, high reward."
The Republican Party, OPB and co-sponsor the Washington Times have invested large amounts of time organizing the debate, but the Oregon GOP spokesman said the cancellation wont be a huge financial burden. They had not yet spent money on many of the large costs, such as venues and security.
Alley said the campaigns told him they would make visits to Oregon in May, before our primary.
The debate was set to be broadcast from OPBs studio on Monday night. It would have been broadcast on public radio and TV stations across the country.
I’m beginning to think Gingrich is more interested in positioning himself for 2016.
Newt got as far as he did because he is a superb debater. He got no further because he is not likable.
It would be nice if all voters based their decisions on issues and logic. But in the real world, a good share of them base their decisions on feelings. Even in the GOP.
I said in the beginning, even before a single Iowan caucused, that Newt could best serve the cause cranking out great ideas and writing great speeches for others to use, not by insisting on being the standard bearer himself. It is too bad that everybody can see that except him and the hardcore Newtbots now.
And its really too bad. The man has a great mind and great ideas. I'd hate to see them die with his campaign.
Reasons number 8 and 9:
8. He’ll use current anti-drug task forces to kick down the doors of houses where a Playboy mag is suspected. Dogs will be shot on sight.
9. He’ll make surfing the net even safer than it is in China.
SANTORUM for ummmmmmmm. Hang on.
GO NEWT!
Read through the thread though. It`s hilarious.
Yeah. Press on, Rick! Because internet censorship isn’t just for China anymore!
If the 3rd state he gets is Texas . . .
Yes, we’re bigger, better and more important.
Just read it. You’re right, it’s hilarious.
Well, since you dragged it over here, are you a porn enthusiast? I don’t remember you saying you were in the thread or anything.
I found the thread hilarious, because it went for 200+ comments, and Santorum’s statement never changed in the entire thread, while two groups argued back and forth over more wild accusations as if it was actually morphing into something.
As one or two sane people said in that thread — if there is a law on the books, I expect the President to enforce it. That is what Santorum has promised to do.
If the law is stupid, and leads to censorship, Newt Gingrich should pledge to repeal the law. I expect to see a press release posted in the next day from the pro-Newt folks with that message, otherwise I’ll assume that Newt Gingrich is NOT going to change the law.
And since I doubt the Newt folks are arguing that Newt will ignore enforcing duly passed laws that he disagrees with, they’ll have to realize that Newt will enforce the law as well.
Meanwhile, I expect the Gingrich folks here to start a petition drive tomorrow to lobby the republicans in congress to repeal this law they don’t want enforced.
I am curious though — Would the owner of this site allow it to be used to lobby congress to repeal the pornography laws?
I will agree that thread was hilarious, but not for the reasons the pro-Newt folks here claim.
I look forward to hearing your cries on the day that your boy finally realizes its over.
Oh please. No crying at all. As long as Romney does not get the nomination, I don’t care. You guys are the ones that are devoted to a guy who will not become President either. I watched Palin decide not to run, Bachmann drop out and Cain drop out. All of which I thought were incredible candidates. I don’t cry if a candidate drops out. That is sick. You guys are the ones upset over your candidate and even bashing a perfectly fine candidate.
I`m not a porn enthusiast, but that is between me and God.
My comment was meant to illustrate the absurdity of some of the posters on that thread. It is the same tactic the left has been using for decades. If you oppose government intervention x you are for or against y. In this case if you oppose censoring the internet you are for porn. As ridiculous as the left`s if you are against affirmative action you are against blacks.
Guenevere, you, I and most freepers have heard every issue debated. The general public has not really payed attention, they simply don't until, right before they vote.
If everyone had heard it all and made their decision, no one would spend millions on t.v. blitzes and eating grits at every country diner they can find.
A debate in Oregon, would help those who haven't payed attention yet make a informed decision, not one based soley on sound bites.
Well, this could be a good thing. RINO-Rom has sharpened his Debate skills and he won the last two Debates. Rick lost the last one badly and Newt was o.k. but he delivered no “knock-out” punch. So, let’s let it play out in townhalls and one-on-one pressing the flesh and looking voters in the eye.
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich in a face-to-face meeting: When MIMs Executive Director Dawn Hawkins asked former Speaker Gingrich if he will enforce existing laws that make distribution of hard-core adult pornography illegal, he responded: Yes, I will appoint an Attorney General who will enforce these laws.Funny that so many Gingrich supporters had no clue what Newt Gingrich's stated position was on an issue they felt so adamant about. Funnier that he has the position that many of them said would disqualify a candidate.
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