Free Republic

Don’t let the media do your thinking for you, that’s what the government has done for the past eight years. While the juvenile FoxNews/Google debate was underway last night, this is what was going down in the enemy camp, where President Barack Obama made his final address to the House Democratic Caucus retreat as president. “Democrats will win in November and we will have a Democratic president succeed me,” he said. “On a night where much of the media’s attention is focused on Donald Trump’s refusal to participate in the GOP debate in Iowa, Obama referenced the Republican front-runner when...

Click on the YouTube link to watch tonight's Debate between Ernst and Braley.

Mitt Romney on Monday dismissed his offer to make a $10,000 bet with Rick Perry as merely "an outrageous number to answer an outrageous charge" _ namely, Perry's claim that Romney made changes to parts of his book. Romney told Fox News he made the bet offer in the weekend GOP presidential debate because of Perry's erroneous claim that he deleted parts of his book, "No Apology," that referred to Romney's support for a health care mandate. Romney said his bet offer was simply meaningless hyperbole.

Gov. Rick Perry's entire statement about the "loss" of our drone [1:20] Bonus: Perry: Washington DC is the problem [1:16]

Link to GOP Iowa Debate

Newt Gingrich has had just about enough of these process questions. Asked to address concerns that his campaign has been "a mess" that reflects badly on his leadership abilities, the former House speaker hurled the question back at moderator Chris Wallace. Continue Reading "I took seriously Bret’s injunction to put aside the talking points. And I wish you would put aside the gotcha questions," Gingrich said, vowing again that he'd forge ahead with his campaign: "Like Ronald Reagan, who had 13 senior staff resign … and his new campaign manager laid off 100 people … I intend to run on...

During the Fox News / Washington Examiner debate, Examiner political correspondent Byron York tested Michele Bachmann with an edgy question: As president, would she be submissive to her husband? The crowd didn't react well, but Bachmann handled it well. York was asked about his question on Fox News this morning. Watch the question, and his response in the video below: (video at link) Byron also responded on Twitter earlier this morning: Thanks to all for comments on 'submissive' question. It's kind of question a candidate will have to face, if they go far enough in race…haven't talked to Bachmann campaign,...

On last night’s Republican presidential candidates debate in Iowa, as William Buckley used to say, a few observations. Mitt Romney: He has the frontrunner role nailed, and his canned responses on Romneycare and Bain were enough to deflect attention last night. He escapes relatively unscathed for the moment. But his defense of Romneycare is a defense in substance of Obamacare. And his comments on his work at Bain haven’t improved much since his debate with Teddy Kennedy in 1994. He is one cold fish. Rick Santorum: I admired him greatly as a United States Senator, but his wipeout by Bob...

Bachmann: The Fly in Pawlenty’s Ointment August 12, 2011 9:37 A.M. By Scott W. Johnson Michele Bachmann was a backbencher advocating conservative causes in the Minnesota senate, where Republicans were a decided minority during her years in office. She continued the role in Congress, where she has yet to achieve a position of political responsibility even though Republicans have gained the House majority. To the extent that she has become a lightning rod as a national figure, she has drawn on her native gifts to turn herself into a fundraising machine. With her Iowa roots and appeal to a conservative...

Last night, eight Republican Presidential candidates debated the issues right before the Ames Straw Poll. They were, alphabetically, Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney, and Rick Santorum. Ms. Bachmann and Mr. Pawlenty got into a debate of their own, while Mr. Paul blamed the United States for Iran being our enemy. Mr. Gingrich complained of "Mickey Mouse" questions, while Mr. Romney said he would not eat Barack Obama's "dog food." But the question is, to you, who won the debate last night? Was it the supposed front-runner Mitt Romney or the compelling...

1) Newt: Winner. As usual, smartest guy in the room. Smackdown of Chrissy was a homerun. Seemed like the only adult on the stage. “Remember, the election is 15 months away. We need leadership now!” If he’s the nominee, he will kick Obummer’s tail. Unfortunately his baggage dooms his chances. 2) Mitt: As usual, came across as phony, opportunistic, and just way too slick. Might be the only one on stage that would actually Lose to Obummer. 3) Bachmann: Letting herself get bogged down into the muck with Timmy was unbecoming. Should have smacked down that weasel who asked her...

He deserves it! Newt was right to attack him and his line of questions. The audience agreed. This wasn't his tv show. People wanted to hear the candidates discuss important issues. You embarrassed yourself, Chris. (Though Newt did a good job of making you look like a jerk) Susan Ferrechio did the best job of any of them.

Santorum: Bright, upbeat, yet strong. I think he commanded attention, once he was allowed to talk. His one flaw was he drew attention to the fact that he had to fight for the attention. I can't see him moving into the upper tier, but I actually could see him on a ticket. Romney: Having seen him campaign and then govern as a liberal in Massachusetts, I don't trust him on the issues. But then, I also don't see him crusading for lefty domestic issues the way Bush did. What impressed me in 2008 was how sharp he seemed, and an...

Every debate is the same – not one question about the gangs, drugs and crime in our own country. The streets are unsafe to walk at night Pawlenty the cigarette tax man. He is no different than Obama who promised nobody making under $250,000 would be taxed yet the day Obama took office I started paying $10 more per carton. Also a huge government car registration tax since Obama took office. No social security adjustment in three years.

So much for "Minnesota Nice".

"The third primary debate was held tonight. Which candidates helped themselves, and who ended the night in a worse position? Tonight was Jon Huntsman's first appearance at a primary debate. Unlike Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain, who offered "red meat to the base" during their first appearances, Huntsman just fit in. Being a firebrand is simply not in Huntsman's personality, and he never attacked Mitt Romney, the man standing in his way in New Hampshire. Huntsman also suffered from receiving few questions. It's still unclear whether Huntsman is willing to do what's necessary to make a genuine run for the...

AMES, Iowa (AP) -- The Bible tells wives to be submissive to their husbands. If she were president, would that apply to Michele Bachmann? In Thursday's Republican debate in Iowa, the Minnesota congresswoman was asked if she would be submissive to her husband.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Things look different in the Midwest. Back in Washington, people are talking about President Barack Obama's poor showing this past week. (Did you see that Maureen Dowd has turned against him?) In Iowa, they're focused on the state Republicans' presidential straw poll in Ames next Saturday. And in Wisconsin, they just got through counting the votes in a recall election that has great national significance. In Iowa, most of the focus has been on Rep. Michele Bachmann. She's only in her third term in the House, and she hasn't sponsored any major legislation; she has no...

Neither SIRIUS XM, nor any of my few TV channels have no debate.Is it aired at all?

Fox News was the first to report on a Democratic National Committee memo weighing in on tonight's GOP debate co-hosted by Fox News in Ames, Iowa. Now, the GOP has shot back. RNC Spokesperson Kirsten Kukowski tells Fox, "While the headlines scream about Obama's failed economy, it's no wonder Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the Democrats are desperately trying to change the conversation. The same president and party that prided themselves on changing the tone in politics are now resorting to negative attacks against Republicans because they don't have any accomplishments of their own to tout. Just ask Team Obama -...