Romney, Santorum to Skip March 1 Debate

National Journal ^ | 2/16/12 | Sarah B. Boxer

[KansasGirl]

The front of the GOP pack will be absent at the March 1 debate in Atlanta sponsored by CNN and the Georgia Republican Party, CBS News/National Journal has learned. The Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum campaigns said they have decided to skip the debate, throwing into question whether it will happen as planned. "With eight other states voting on March 6, we will be campaigning in other parts of the country and unable to schedule the CNN Georgia debate," Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said. "We have participated in 20 debates, including eight from CNN." The 20 debates include one scheduled for Feb. 22 in Mesa, Ariz.

[VanDeKoik]

Yes, something reeks about this.

This does not happen by chance.

[gov_bean_ counter]

The one changing dynamic from debate to debate is who are the top two. Those two get the most questions and are pitted against each other. My guess is that while neither wants to continue to run the risk of Newt having a big night they are equally afraid of what may happen if they are forced to challenge the others position on the issues.

[sand88]

Or if Newt can hang in there and create a Brokered Convention, we can put a stop to this insanity.

I think that would be a disaster for Newt. Rick would just throw is support to Mitt and take the VP slot.

And for once, I am all for a third party. What else would we have to lose if it comes down to that?

I am leaning towards a third party push at this point.

It is looking more and more that the GOP-e is succeeding in taking down Newt. I have no faith in the Republican electorate becoming well informed enough to see what is happening. Freepers are highly tuned to the shenanigans but most other people see to make uninformed decisions. It is frustrating.

[onyx]

^5

[Marguerite]

How much cake can a MittSnake make

NEWT-ON: "Now, now, Mitt, be a good boy, don't you know I am inoculated against your poison?"

[onyx]

ROTFL.

[onyx]

Of course! This primary is all about SHUTTING NEWT GINGRICH OUT!

[The Cajun]

Prediction:

Faux will be unwatchable tonight for anybody with a brain.

[onyx]

PREFECT! ©

PREFECT! ©

[Lazlo in PA]

Why is it that the only thing Newt has in his strategy to win is to debate everyone to death? People are tired of them and they are accomplishing nothing but soundbites for the Regime now. They are also not a winner for Newt. Maybe you missed the one prior to FL where he bombed out without audience participation. How many debates do you think there will be with Obummer? 2 at most.

BTW, what zoo did Newt appear at today?

[Gator113]

If I can’t vote for Newt, I will not vote for anyone.

I refuse to vote for ‘Romney the Slime’ from planet Kolob.

I refuse to vote for ‘St. Sissy Santorum’.

I refuse to vote for Paul-nut.... wait, if my doc says it’s okay for me to get drunk for a day, I might vote for Paul just to have something to laugh about.

‘Saint Sissy Santorum’ and ‘Romney the Slime’, both GOP-e COWARDS, will not win against Obama..... heck, they are already running from a fight.

Obama and his tribe must be laughing their butts off. Obama is already winning and he hasn’t even broken a sweat.

[Marguerite]

Newt got Rick the Rooster! LOL

[Lazlo in PA]

I have lost all respect for Santorum. He is now on the same level as Romney and I will not vote for him.

LOL. You weren't going to anyway.

You are aware that people can look at your past posts here? Yours is just one slam on Santorum right after the other. Save us your feigned indignation.

[b9]

HA!
Newt’s little piggy went to battle
Mitt’s little piggy had none
Ron’s little piggy ran screaming
while Rick’s little piggy had fun
crying ME, ME, ME all the way home

[manc]

I couldn’t understand why Rick stayed in , then we saw in my state FL .
OK I thought i was strange why Rick ran AD’s against Newt when Romney was in first place.
Then we saw how the establishment packed the debate in FL and I know as I tried to get tickets as others did from my state .

Then it seemed a little cozy between Romney and Rick but now TX is pulled back , Newt should have got delegates from FL, Rick attacks Newt thought Newt was in 3rd place and now Rick and Romney pull out of debate in Newts state.

All of this stinks rotten and THIS IS ABOUT KEEPING NEWT DOWN so they get the the nomination between them

I HATE THE ESTABLISHMENT TRICKS TO HELL WITH THE GOP, RNC

Sarah, Col Allen West, NM Gov, etc please form a third party as the north east elitist establishment seem to like to piss on us down here

[JediJones]

So once again the vast majority of states in the primary don’t matter. Only the first 10 or so actually get to see the candidates debate. Nice.

This is a win for big money. Don’t we all wish all the candidates could get a fair shake on an even playing field through free media? That’s what the debates are all about. But some candidates would rather use one-sided big money advertisements to pummel the other candidates in a forum where they have no opportunity to respond.

This act of cowardice and this insult to the voters is all I needed to hear. Santorum has no chance of swaying my vote away from Newt now.

Now why doesn’t CNN reschedule the debate a few days earlier if the timing is such a problem?

[Marguerite]

Mitt the snake and Rick the Rooster were not “available”. They are busy, running in circles.

It was Mitt shooting at Rick .... or vice-versa? The loser governor versus the loser senator. ROFLMAO.

[madmaximus]

Just more proof that Santorum(sanitarium leave me be!!) and Romney are in bed together.

Go Gingrich!!!

[RasterMaster]

Newt can always debate himself...he’s taken more than one position on many issues (only later to reverse course calling his previous position a “mistake”).

[Red Steel]

A picture is being painted that 3 out 4 candidates on the stage are in cahoots with the Republican Establishment and are joining forces with the Dems and their mouthpiece at NBC News and Politico.

See the other canceled debate that was scheduled on the 5th of March:

Upcoming Debates: (scroll down for past debates)

February 22, 2012	8pm ET on CNN (Originally Dec 1, then Nov 30) Location: Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona Sponsor: CNN and the Republican Party of Arizona Participants: Romney, Santorum, Paul, Gingrich
March 1, 2012	Cancelled – March 1st debate has been cancelled – Santorum, Romney and Paul all pulled out, see this report. Location: Georgia Sponsor: CNN and the Georgia Republican Party Participants: TBD
March 5, 2012 And the March 5th Debate is canceled. A picture is being painted that forces of the Republican Establishment include 3 out of the 4 candidates on the stage have joined forces with .	Cancelled – The March 5th debate has been canceled and will not take place according to MSNBC Location: Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA Sponsor: Reagan Library, NBC News and Politico Participants: TBD
March 19, 2012	9pm ET on PBS Location: Portland, OR Sponsor: Oregon Public Broadcasting, NPR, PBS, The Washington Times and the Oregon Republican Party Participants: TBD