Posted on 01/26/2012 8:00:38 PM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...
Another lie from Mitt: Romney's Fannie and Freddie Investments Not Blind Trusts:
I pray we somehow get this out tomorrow. I thought he looked really sneaky talking about the blind trust, didn’t know he’d out and out lied.
CNN has spent the past 50 minutes deconstructing Newt and giving the night to Mitt. A lot of old acquaintainences seem to hate Newt.
Part of it is personal animosity toward the Newtster AND they also foolishly hold that Romney is the best chance to win the Senate and keep the House, and even the POTUS. Fools!
Newt’s claim to fame is his Lazarus like ability to rise from the dead. Time for Act III, Mr. Speaker.
For a week, I have been hearing Fox News, Drudge, certain so called conservative shows blasting out one hit piece after another to bring Newt down. These people have an agenda, and I don't think it is for the good of the average person. I listen to the Don Wade and Roma show, and they have been lining up one pundit after another to bash Newt and boost Romney.
This is what we're facing. Where do you stand?
I thought Santorum and Paul looked best. I just cannot believe Romney or Newt. I know Newt’s the anointed one here at FR, but I don’t trust him. I’ll vote for him over Obama any day, but if Santorum’s still in it I’ll support him.
Santorum seemed sincere and earnest. Both Newt and Romney seemed snippy and childish. Newt’s moon idea is pure pandering and a dumb distraction. If Romney lied about the blind trust it’s just another lie to stack on the pile.
Newt has had two straight somewhat weak debates. He appears tired, low volume, out of sync. He should get a debate coach, same as romney, or is Newt’s ego above that?
Wolf Blitzer is so light in the pants he gives Geraldo the appearance of gravitas.
From looking at Intrade, Romney won, Gingrich lost. Even though I’m rooting for Santorum, he didn’t distinguish himself.
US Primaries
Contract Bid Ask Last Vol Change
Florida Primary (Republican)
FLORIDA.ROMNEY
Mitt Romney to win the 2012 Florida Primary M Trade 90.5 91.7 91.5 35155 +18.0
FLORIDA.GINGRICH
Newt Gingrich to win the 2012 Florida Primary M Trade 8.5 9.5 9.0 31321 -16.3
Nov 9, 1980, Gingrich speaks about Reagan's election saying that Reagan should make it into a bellwether of conservative change, not "nibbling" at Democratic programs, but taking out "big chunks." http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1ixVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pz0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=2353%2C1207695
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Newt reveals proposals in 1986 to reform Social Security, including transitioning to Individual Retirement Accounts. The article describes him as trying to continue the fight on conservative ideas as Reagan was nearing the end of his term. "We cannot expect President Reagan to solve all of our problems in his last two years in office." http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UNM0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=4m0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3174%2C2092123
LewistonDaily Sun
1984, Gingrich, who is called "a leading GOP conservative supporter of Reagan on defense issues", nonetheless complains about Reagan's plans to ignore budget ceilings because it threatened an orderly budgeting process where Republicans could win concessions on domestic spending cuts . http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hwQgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=amQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2605%2C515405
Anchorage Daily News
1986, Gingrich advocating contra like surrogate wars to drain the Soviet Union of resources. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Lh0fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zKYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3005%2C7642726
The Vindicator
1985, an article talking about a report commissioned calling for additional military buildup and funding for Star Wars. Gingrich, who is called "one of the most active and vocal new right conservatives in Congress" was on the committee that commissioned the report. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vLg_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=IlcMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1131%2C3202210
Rome News-Tribune
1984, Gingrich accusing Dole of "undermining and weakening Reagan" by encouraging Reagan to increase taxes and not supporting an anti-tax plank in the platform. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CBYuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5TQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2366%2C4626418
The Albany Herald
1984, Gingrich comes to the defense of Reagan against the Mondale campaign blaming him for the deficit. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TC9DAAAAIBAJ&sjid=T60MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3298%2C1419051 The Albany Herald Newt, cited as the spokesperson of the Conservative Opportunity Society, talks about his love of Reagan and criticizes pre-Reagan Republicans who he calls "bookkeepers" http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ui9DAAAAIBAJ&sjid=T60MAAAAIBAJ&pg=1204%2C2459468
The Age
In 1982, Gingrich and Kemp, labeled "party purists", take a stance against Reagan's tax increases, considering it a betrayal of his principles. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0iRVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=n5QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4026%2C667245
The Tuscaloosa News
The Conservative Opportunity Society, under Newt, starts a convention fight in 1984 to force an anti-tax stance into the Republican Party platform. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TDUdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pqUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4903%2C6227460
The Boca Raton News
Newt forms the Conservative Opportunity Society in 1983, talking about how Republicans have been taught to be "good little cogs" and how they can break free of that role and take control of the House. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PVhUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=po0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4575%2C101024
Newt is fatigued. He’s been running a grueling one man political campaign for President for a couple of months and it shows. He’s human. He needs to take a couple days off after Florida and recharge, imo. Rich Lowry says if Romney wins Florida it’s all over but I’m not so sure...Newt’s capable of rising again, I think. I hope.
Mitt revealed his vicious nature in spades tonight. I expected him to stab Newt he was so aggressive! Blitzer was responsible for perpetuating the focus on questions inappropriate for the debate! The auddience booed him several times.
Newt did seem tired, and I have no doubt he was. Santorum definitely won the night! (Though the press would never admit it!)
Just remember who was the anointed one here four years ago.....Freddie Dalton Thompson! The New World Order Wonder of Free Republic!
My favorite candidate Gingrich blew it with his man-on-the-moon outpost proposals. Although all Americans should be proud of America's space exploration, and the subsequent technology trickle down into the commercial private sector (which few understand), but Gingrich threw more controversial crap into the campaign mix.
He's moving off target which is Obama's failed policies. Gingrich needs to remain focused on his original objectives.
You’re right. Newt has let others define his debates lately and has not turned the answers toward his own strengths.
I remember watching ol’ F. Dalton Thompson campaigning from a hammock with an ice cold ginger ale and his hat pulled down over his eyes. He was truly a tireless campaigner.
Maybe they know better?
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