Live Thread (CNN Presidential Debate from Mesa, AZ, Feb 22, 8 PM EST)

CNN.com ^ | 02-22-2012 | parksstp

[parksstp]

LIVE DEBATE THREAD (Is it too early to start?)

[RitaOK]

“Moderator needs to get control.”

This is the plan. CNN and opponents of Newt want Newt silent. If the opponents never mention his name, Newt is stopped cold, but for questions from John King.

[CedarDave]

"I would love to have a look at the buses in the parking lot there. How many with Utah plates? Team Mittens pffffffft!"
Will not have too. Mesa Arizona is Mormon territory. Mitt is playing in his own backyard.

The Mormon population in the Phoenix metro area must be huge as two more temples are under construction, one in northwest Phoenix and one in Gilbert (south of Mesa).(A LDS press release says the Mesa temple is attended by more Mormons than any temple outside of Utah). The NW PHX temple has been subject to numerous challenges by local Deer Valley homeowners groups as it is being built in a residential area. LDS has had to change plans several times to receive city of PHX approval and it is now under construction with a much scaled back structure. The Gilbert temple is nearing completion and has a structure similar to the Mesa temple but with a 195 feet spire "capped with a golden angel Moroni." (http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/mesa/region/)

[sheikdetailfeather]

Santorum is getting ticked. Romney has begun to go after him now since Santorum has gained and Ron Paul is backing him. Santorum does his best when he goes after him on Romneycare.

[rodguy911]

Yeah Santorum is bumbling and stumbling over the head of the audience as is mitt,Rick really does not look presidential.

[Bronzy]

Yes, where is Newt? I am watching this to hear what Newt has to say.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Yep, he really took it to Mitt, and humiliated him. RS got his dander up, which was good—his true self, with a tinge of anger, needed to emerge. Don’t cross this guy. He is rising to the occasion. Just the stacked crowd is not in the tank for him.

[Kenny]

Simply saying many are cheering every misstep by Rick. To stop Romney, Santorum needs to take Michigan and AZ.

And many are estatic when Newt hits it out of the park, understandable but where does that leave us?

[Tennessee Nana]

Newt

Duncan Hunter mention on his fence

:)

[kjam22]

I know if Romney is the nominee.... I’m staying home. I will never vote for that slimey liar.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Romney scored with the Arlen Specter jab - Santorum’s excuses sounded ridiculous.

[matginzac]

Disagree...total BS

[matginzac]

Disagree...total BS

[show]

Newt is the king of nano-second sound bytes that destroy liberals, media and Romney in less than 20 seconds.

Nano-Newt is on FIRE !

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Newt is staying out of the little boy fight between Romney and Santorum. (Smart Newt) And I love how he is keying off so effectively with any time he gets. Newt is leading this debate brilliantly!

[Jane Long]

Can anyone here imagine Santorum debating Obama?

That is what it's ALL about. The ONLY one up there who can smack BamBam outta here, is Newt! It's obvious...he's the only one with clear plans, who doesn't lie about his record and who will take it to Bammer!

[Shortstop7]

whew....after Rick and Mitt’s ‘he said she said’ bickering... Newt definitely sounds like the adult in the room.

[Red Steel]

King tries to drive a wedge between Newt and Perry on the border fence. It fails badly. Now Newt going after King citing a BS study.

Applauses for Newt.

[Fawn]

Newt is the best candidate.....still.

[C. Edmund Wright]

That’s what grates on me about Santuckabee - he always has an excuse for what he does but then snarks for the same thing. He is NOT pristine. Repeat, he is NOT pristine. He is NOT pristine.

It’s becoming clear.

[isthisnickcool]

Gingrich is way smart. He’d destroy Obama.