Huntsman asked about his stimulus support. Admits it failed. Claims it needed tax cuts.
Wallace beating a dead horse with Cain over Muslims in Cabinet, Right of Return, lack of Afghanistan plan.
Says you need to stand on core principles (uses welfare reform example) and leadership not showmanship (dig at Bachmann).
Now they’re all being asked about a “10 to 1” cuts to taxes. They’d all walk away from it. Newt says the “super committee” is as dumb any idea that has ever come out of congress. Says they should scrap the committee and do it through regular legislative order out in the open.
Romney pushes 10th amendment defence of RomneyCare vs ObamaCare.
Wallace asking how he finds the mandate authority in the constitution, Romney says it doesn't exist for ObamaCare but says the MA constitution gives that authority.
Ron Paul says the feds can't prevent a state from doing bad things. Attacking "corporatism" doing well under both Obama & Republicans and says doctors and patients suffer and pushing market-based health savings accounts.
Santorum attacks both Bachmann and Ron Paul as "10th amendment run amuck." He says Ron Paul would support bigamy laws, Bachmann won't defend marriage.
Bachmann asked about civil rights and miranda rights for terrorists. Defends Gitmo. Mentions sitting on select committee for intelligence says she will do everything possible to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapon.
Ron Paul defends applying our rule of law to terrorists. Paul hammering hard on anti-war issue.
Santorum says Iran is greatest supporter of terrorism around the world, must be confronted. Supports "freedom" for Iranians where they now oppress women and gays.
During ad break.
Fox's panel… Andrea Tantaros says Newt is "too angry" but had best answers. Romney most presidential but dodged. Doug Schoen says Obama's come of the most presidential tonight (yes! Obama!!). Pat Caddell thinks Ron Paul is juvenile for not understanding Iran. Wants to know what Huntsman is about on China which is engaged in cyber warfare against the US daily even while he was ambassador. Talking about Bachmann not smiling.
Newt asked about loyalty testing and security provisions against infiltrators such as the communists who were in the government. Mentions historical cases.
Bachmann asked about being submissive to her husband as president. Bachmann is grinning during boos. Says submission means respect, mentions children, foster children, etc.
Huntsman keeps saying "record, record, record." Says "civil unions" about equality and beneficiary rights. Says the states should be making the decisions. Supports traditional marriage but wants subordinate civil union rights.
Santorum claims polygamy is next marriage battle, talks about strategy used to force redefining things through activist courts by cherry-picking states. Says he helped defeat 3 judges who imposed gay marriage on Iowa in 2010. Claims Bachmann, Perry, Paul are wrong on the marriage issue.
Bachmann for marriage amendment.
Romney asked about unemployment benefits. Seems to be suggesting 99 weeks more plenty. Needs to get economy going. Wants personal accounts instead of endless gov't benefits.
Bachmann asked for voting against "Cut, Cap & Balance" and the debt ceiling debate. Defends not raising the debt ceiling. Avoids hard question of what would've happened.
Cain said raising the debt ceiling was the easy way out and S&P sent that message. Explained .
Newt said Bernanke and the Fed should be audited. Everything from 07-09 so we know who was bailed out, how much, how high, and who was not. Says Fed is "primary villain" in not having sound monetary policy.
Ron Paul says you can phase out the Fed, needs to be audited, says the Fed causes the business cycle problems.
Santorum opposes gold standard. Said Fed needs auditing. Dings Paul & Bachmann for lack of leadership on the debt ceiling debate and lack of balanced budget. Says debt ceiling had to be raised to say otherwise is “showmanship not leadership.”
Fox ad-break panel says Newt good but flawed messenger. Says Santorum is right on debt ceiling but was bad answer to give in debate. Andrea didn’t think there was any real discussion about cuts and the committee, Huntsman called “gusty” on civil unions if politically suicidal (see as “disaster” overall), says Romney didn’t jeopardize his front-runner status by not making mistakes and hiding out.
(Lost the feed when Cain was asked the same question.)
Huntsman supported the Boehner deal against default.
Candidates wrapping up.
Andrea Tantaros: "Tim Pawlenty is toast". Huntsman looked unprepared, having no plan whining he's only been in 6 weeks. Joke excuse from ex-governor. Was Pawlenty vs. Bachmann, Santorum vs Paul, and Romney vs Romney.
Doug Schoen… Newt best but flawed candidate, Bachmann hurt herself.
Pat Caddell… GOP was the loser tonight, no candidate seized the moment. Washington structured debate, not where country is. Says the ongoing political vacuum from Obama and these candidates could lead to a 3rd party.
John LeBoutillier… hated the debate, "jobs" was the 9th of 9 topics given by Fox on the candidates. Pawlenty will bomb out. Lack of passion for the stage.
83 negative Pawlenty, 66 positive Newt, 43 postitive Romney. They didn't have the others.