Here is live blogging of tonight’s mega-high-stakes CNN Southern Republican Leadership Conference Presidential Debate from South Carolina. All attention tonight will be on the presumptive front runner former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who has gotten bogged down in questions about his taxes, investments and uneven off-the-cuff comments that get him into hot water — and on former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who is reportedly zooming in the polls but was hit by an ABC interview with his ex-wife that could create severe problems for him just when he seems to be surging. Meanwhile, former Sen. Rick Santorum will be in the spotlight given news that he won the Iowa caucus vote — not Romney. The day’s big news: Texas Gov. Rick Perry put his campaign on hold and endorsed Gingrich, something top conservatives had urged him to do in a stop-Romney move. And then there’s Rep. Ron Paul, who most analysts don’t expect to be a major factor in the election here but who has surprised many analysts in votes so far.
It is super high stakes: Romney will try to definitely defuse Gingrich or not lose ground; Gingrich will seek to knock Romney down and convince evangelicals and conservatives that they should back him and not Santorum as the “anti-Romney.”
My focus is on how the participants come across in the race and the possible impact on independent voters — who are not a monolithic group — rather than who I agree with or not. These are the reactions of an independent voter who has belonged to both parties. The most recent entry will be on top. There will NOT be entries on each question and comment. Only if it’s worth commenting on. Also: my actual conclusions are often NOT the same as my initial conclusions after a debate. The more I “digest” what I saw and heard, the more definitive my conclusions are. Here’s my initial reaction to the debate going on right now. You’ll also see some excerpts from live blogging from other sites. ALL TIMES ARE PST.
MY QUICK INITIAL REACTION: This could change as I digest what I’ve seen. There were some sharp exchanges, angry moments. But in general? I did NOT see a knockout. If someone wants red meat they will vote for Newt Gingrich who threw the most of it to GOPers. Most of them seemed at the top of their debating game. Grades are not based on my own beliefs on issues but how I think they did in appealing to their target audience.
ROMNEY: B (still not dealing with tax return issue properly: insisting will release things “if I’m the nominee”)
GINGRICH: A
SANTORUM: B+
PAUL: B-
I can’t see Romney staving off votes for Gingrich with this. If Gingrich is surging and not hurt by his ex-wife’s interview the debate will allow surge to continue. Santorum: a good Gingrich alternative but Gingrich is better at hurling the red meat (such as his predictable debate attack on the media). Paul: you get the sense he is squandering the chance in front of him to expand his constituency.
MOST TIRESOME LINES: (1) Gingrich mentioning Obama and a teleprompter. (2) Romney sticking Reagan’s “shining city on a hill.”
Here’s Andrew Sullivan’s conclusion:
10.01 pm. A Gingrich triumph. His only concern must be how well Santorum did tonight. Paul performed well, but remains peripheral to the struggle for the orthodox “conservative” candidate. I think Romney is in serious trouble now, and the bottom fell out tonight. He died with that glib response – “maybe” – to the question of whether he’d follow his father’s example. It could well be that this could come down to Romney-Gingrich-Paul. That trio is the end of Republican fusionism.
See the bottom of this post for some Tweets that were done by some analysts on the debate.
6:51: CLOSING STATEMENTS. King notes that the winner of South Carolina usually goes on to be the nominee. King asks them to make their case.
–Paul: South Carolina is known for respect for liberty. Convince people that can bring people together over what makes America great — which is freedom. Sort of a convoluted answer. Is talking about cutting the debt. Not focused at all. A missed opportunity.
–Gingrich: Real challenge is “It is imperative that we defeat Barack Obama.” Calls him “the most dangerous President of our lifetime” and if Obama is elected his radicalism of his second term “will be truly frightening.” Seems “dramatic deep change” calls Obama a “Saul Alinsky radical.” Gingrich cannot win many centrists who aren’t happy with Obama. His polemics are too demonizing and extreme.
–Romney: Boilerplate plattitudes. Zzzzzzzzzzzz. If they want red meat they will go for Gingrich. Now he says Obama is turning us into an “entitlement society.” Says Obama is wrong to seek to transform America; we need to “restore” America. OH NO. Uses Reagan’s “shining city on the hill.” Truly trite.
–Santorum: Santorum seems to be the one talking from the heart and not from the memorized index cards or from political calculus. Now he slips into canned material. But he points out the need to get Reagan Democrats. Says South Carolina does not have to settle for a moderate and notes how South Carolina voted for Reagan.
6:50: They’re going to do their closing statements. In other words: Their scripted final pitches. Canned material.
Let’s face it: The real winner of this debate is Mitt Romney for saying he’s lived in “the real streets of America.” Wait, what?
6:43: Paul almost left out. Points out he is a medical doctor. Paul seems to be getting a bit better with any debate. Santorum says Paul’s rating almost the same as Harry Reid’s. Paul calls Santorum “Overly sensitive.” Sees abortion “as a violent act” and it needs to be handled by the states, let the states write their laws — and Roe Versus Wade could be repealed overnight.
6:41: Romney gives details of his vetoes on abortion related issues as Governor. Insists he was a pro life governor with a “solid” record. Gingrich: Also points to his own votes and a 96 percent pro life voting record.
6:35: On abortion. Gingrich uses his answer to blast King again. I know GOpers love it but I find Gingrich’s constant attacks on the press almost evasive and obnoxious. Gingrich on Romney’s consistency on pro-life. Romney says he’s not questioned on “character and integrity very often.” Says in Romneycare no mention of abortion. Courts inserted link. Says Gingrich wrong on Planned Parenthood’s supposed requirement. Insists he is pro-life and that it has been confirmed recently by Massachusett’s groups. “I have to be honest here…This is not the time to be questioning integrity.” If President he will protect the lives of the unborn here and overseas. Santorum: says every legislator knows you need to specify no abortion and Romney knew it full well. Suggests Romney does lip service to pro-life but he has fought the battles. And Gingrich? On social issues, he says, Gingrich put social issues on the back bench. Gingrich wanted social issues out of it. Says don’t need someone who puts social issues in the back of the bus.
6:33: My quick take: unless it changes I see all of these four doing well. I don’t see a knockout or a super stellar performance. I doubt if this debate will be a game changer (but it isn’t over yet)
6:29: Santorum on illegal immigration. All for immigration but coming here illegally means you break the law. Says Romney’s OLD position was a pathway to citizenship…that Romney has changed position. Says Gingrich’s position like Obama’s. Argues he could provide a contrast with Obama. Says if you want to be an American first thing you need to do is respect and obey the laws. Says being here for 25 years illegally means they broke the law for 25 years. Can’t treat people like that differently than a mother who shoplifts and gets thrown in jail. Romney: says his position same as he had four years ago and that he agrees with Santorum. Say GOP must underscore “we want legal immigration” and don’t want to suggest anything that encourages people to stay here illegally.
6:24: Audience question on “amnesty” for illegal aliens. Gingrich: gives usual answer, first control the border (he’ll control it by Jan 1, 2014 and his bill would mobilize resources etc)..English as official language of the government…modernize visa legal system since difficult to come here legally and easy to come illegally…Wants guest worker program run by American Express or Visa since government “is hopeless.” Agree with him or not, Gingrich is offering specificity and content. Gingrich says the people here 25 years with kids, children grandchildren. Don’t want to deport them but have a World War II style draft board where citizens would look at applications, etc for a “residency permit” and have to go back to your country and get back in line and apply. “I think trying to deport grandmothers and grandfathers would never pass the Congress and never be accepted by the American people.” Romney says this problem is not tough. Check the card and if not approved, employer sanctions. Will not deport those here a long time but will not get preferential treatment.
6:21: King asks them if there is one thing they could do over what would it be? Gingrich: skip the first three months where he had consultants. Romney: says he’d work harder to get 25 more votes in Iowa (big laugh). Says he would rather have spoken about Obama than the people on the stage. Rattles off talking points (Europe….etc). Santorum: “I wouldn’t change a thing” – since he’s amazed he’s in the final four when he had no money and lost his last race and had been ignored. “It proves that good ideas and hard work still pay off in America…” Ron Paul: Can’t think of any one thing. Says he can learn how to be a better deliverer. Could slow down and deliver better his message “which I think is a great message.”
[A chunk of Stephen Green aka Vodka Pundit’s legendary live blogging. I’ve edited some of it down to include a cross section of lines:
5:50PM Rick: “Grandiosity has never been a problem for Newt Gingrich.”
That is the first and maybe last Santorum line that I will remember the next day.
5:51PM Pro Tip: Rick, you’d have spent more money if you had had more money, so stop making it a point to tell people you have no money.
5:52PM Newt: I worked with Ronald Reagan.
5:52PM Newt: “I think grandiose thoughts; this is a grandiose country.”
What a line!
5:53PM Rick: “I will not give [Newt] his due on execution” of his ideas.
5:54PM Rick is just nailing Newt on House ethics and the 94 win.
5:55PM And now Newt is defending his record of taking on business-as-usual in Congress, and “busy being a rebel.”
This is good stuff, and largely forgotten.
5:55PM So far, this is the Newt & Rick Show. And it’s not a bad show.
5:56PM Mitt has “lived in the real streets of America.”
He said that. Really.
5:57PM Nice moment where Mitt couldn’t remember the original question and neither could Newt.
5:58PM Newt: “When I was speaker, we went back to the Ronald Reagan playbook.”
5:58PM Newt just took credit for setting the stage for Mitt’s financial success.
5:59PM Mitt: I never said, “Thank heavens for Washington, DC.”
Well done. Well done.
5:59PM Q: When will you release your tax returns?
6:00PM RON PAUL: “I’d be embarrassed.”
No need for jokes. No need to see a candidate’s tax returns.
6:01PM MItt just kicked his toe in the dirt and said, “if I have to.”
6:01PM Mitt is going after Obama again. It’s tagline stuff, but delivered pretty well.
6:02PM Newt: “If there’s anything in [Mitt’s taxes] that will lose the election… ”
6:03PM Rick: “I do my own taxes, and they’re on my computer.” And, “When I get home, you’ll get my taxes.”
6:04PM I’m so tired of this tax return BS.
[On SOPA]
6:12PM Newt: “You’re asking a conservative about the economic interests of Hollywood.”
I think Newt has been reading Instapundit.]
6:13: Gingrich and Romney: against the SOPA law. Paul against the law. Paul says in general “Republicans have beeen on the wrong side of this issue.” Santorum also doesn’t support the SOPA law. But Santorum says something should be done to protect the intellectual property rights of people. Something should be done. “The idea that anything goes on the Internet. Where did that come from?”
6:11: It’s worth noting that a PPP poll today had Gingrich ahead of Romney. That’s part of the context for tonight.
[A chunk of Daily Kos live blogging:
6:01 PM PT: Mitt Romney says he’ll release his returns for 2011 when they are complete, in April. He then says “probably other years as well.” Well, why wait?
6:02 PM PT: Romney says he’s not releasing the returns now because he wants to protect Republicans from Democratic attacks.
6:04 PM PT: Newt says Republicans have a right to know if there is anything in Mitt’s tax returns, and that he’s got nothing to hide, why not release them now.
6:05 PM PT: After getting booed for having hedged on whether he’d release more than one year’s worth of returns, Mitt finally says that he “will” release multiple years. But then he says he hasn’t decided how many.
6:05 PM PT: Mitt mentions that his dad was born in Mexico. (He was an American citizen.)]
5:59: Audience member asks when they’ll release tax returns. Gingrich: “An hour ago.” Paul says he hasn’t done it because “would probably be embarrassed.” Says he has no intention of doing that right now. Will HURT him. Romney? Says will release his “when my taxes are complete for this year.” Says he’ll “probably” release them for other years as well but in April. Romney attacks Obama playing golf (PUH-LEAZE! Pure polemics) while there’s unemployment. Romney says he won’t release past returns now to avoid drip drip drip and will release all at one time. Gingrich: notes he released all of his this evening so they know his background. Santorum? On his computer and does his own taxes but will release them when he’s home. Santorum says he isn’t clamoring for Romney to release his tax returns now. King notes that Romney’s dad released returns for 12 years and set the standards. Asks if he’ll follow his father’s example. Romney: “Maybe.” Crowd not happy. “I’ll release multiple years. I don’t know how many years.” Romney paints this as people going after him “because I’ve been successful.” He is going to turn off a lot of voters. Almost gloating about his wealth. Says he did “not inherit money from my parents” — he earned it.
5:55: Romney says Gingrich’s recounting is exactly why GOP needs someone to go to Washington who has not been in Washington. He says need to have someone “outside Washington to go to Washington.” America’s choice is whether send people to Washington who’ve been in Washington. Romney says credit in Washington often belongs on Main Street. Says Gingrich is mentioned “once” in Reagan diary — and had one idea that wasn’t a good idea. Diary mentioned George Bush many times and his Dad once. A silk dagger: discredits Gingrich with a smile and an aside. Gingrich: wraps himself in Reagan and also when he became speaker “we went back to the Ronald Reagan playbook.” Says Romney did very well under the rules he and Reagan perpetuated.
5:49: King asks Santorum about Gingrich suggesting that Perry and him drop out of the race and Gingrich saying Santorum doesn’t have knowledge to do something on this scale. Santorum slams Gingrich’s arrogance — that people don’t want a nominee “where we have to worry about what he’ll say next.” Notes that he finished ahead of Gingrich in votes. “These are not cogent thoughts” about him getting out of the race. Talks about with Newt the “worrisome moments” where you wonder “what will pop.” Gingrich: question is how big a scale of change do they want in Washington. Cites work with Reagan, work during the 80s, 16 years to create a Republican majority in the House and created first majority, reformed welfare, etc. cut taxes. Points to jobs created when he was speaker. Says “we need leadership prepared to take on big projects.” Santorum: says OK on grandiose projects but notes Gingrich was thrown out as speaker “It was a coup..It was an idea a minute.” Blasts Gingrich’s claims and blasts him on not having courage to confront major scandal. Gingrich: suggests use of “selective history” of Santorum. Gingrich notes how he opposed George H.W. Bush on taxes and his role in leading GOPers in Congress and worked to make his party majority party.
5:45 King announces that Gingrich has just released his tax returns online. Another SMART Gingrich move: this means Romney will be put on the spot during the debate to release his and explain why if he won’t. And for multiple years. They’re on a break and will get to it when the debate resumes.
[The Guardian live blogging which includes a Guest Tweet:
8.37pm: Now it’s a question about what happens after we all abolish Obamacare. This gives everyone the chance to blather on about the awfulness of Obamacare and so forth.
Romney then says he will make health insurance “more like the free market”. Yes, an always popular position.
Newt Gingrich pokes one of Obama’s more popular healthcare positions: allowing children to remain on their parents’ healthcare until the age of 26. This is very popular. But Gingrich takes it head on: “Parents of America, elect me president and your children will get a job and leave home.” (I paraphrase, but not much.)
8.33pm: Our correspondent Ewen MacAskill is at the debate venue here in Charleston and gives his thoughts on Newt Gingrich’s beat-up of CNN’s super-dumb questioning about his second wife:
Ewen MacAskill:
It was a good tactic for Gingrich to shift the onus onto the media, criticising John King for starting the presidential debate with it. Media-bashing proved popular with this Republican audience and probably goes down well nationwide. It has worked for Gingrich in earlier debates.
But maybe he made too much of it, going on just a bit too long. Many millions watching would have been unaware of the Marianne Gingrich interview: the former House speaker has just provide great advertising for the ABC interview. He has just ensured many of them will be tuning in to hear it.
And, even if it is unfair, such personal comments about Gingrich from his ex-wife can have a negative impact. People decry negative stories but they still watch and read them, and they do have an impact.
8.30pm: As usual, Ana Marie Cox nails it.
Ana Marie Cox
@anamariecox“Do the math,” also the phrase uttered by Marianne Gingrich at one point. #scdebate
19 Jan 12]
5:42: Santorum and Gingrich wrangle over Gingrich’s old position on Obama care. King turns to Paul and asks him if he trusts them to repeal Obama care. Paul says: could repeal it but is more concerned about bigger picture: the government involvement in medicine in general.
5:35: Santorum says two people can’t really attack this issue. Points to Romney’s plan in Massachusetts. Gives a lot of impressive stats on the cost in Massachusetts and problems with the system there. “It is an abject disaster and he’s standing by it” and says Obama will say he used model for it. Romney smiles. Then talks notes Gingrich until a few years ago was for the individual mandate. Says neither of then “present the full contrast that I do.” Says he has been consistent for 20 years “while these two guys were playing footsie with the left.” Romney says most of what Santorum said was wrong. Goes point per point. Santorum shakes head when Romney talks. Will Fact Check sort this out tomorrow? Santorum: says his facts not wrong and says “was the basis for Obamacare.” Romney says wants to get fed government out of Medicaid. Gingrich: notes his ideas don’t resemble Obama. Says would love Lincoln Douglas debate with Obama and let Obama use a teleprompter (wait? Didn’t Romney use one…Didn’t Sarah Palin write on her hand? He’s still using THAT line? But the crowd cheers.)
5:33: Gingrich. Need House, President and Senate to repeal it. Says Americans “frightened” by Obama care and says Romney’s ideas are good on this. Claims Obama wants young people to remain on their parents’ insurance “because he can’t get any jobs to get insurance.” Says promise to parents “Elect us so your kids can move out and be able to work.”
5:31: Romney calls for complete repeal of “Obamacare.” Has to happen with a House and Senate but thinks can convince Democrats to go ahead with repealing it. “But we’ll replace it.” Says will have a bill to protect people with pre-existing conditions. Also let people own their own insurance as they go from job to job. Calls for health care “act like a market as opposed to have it be like Amtrack and the Post Office.” Markets and free choice versus the “government domination” of Obama.
5:27: Santorum says it’s “disgusting” Obama won’t cut social welfare but is cutting the military. Romney talks about how he as Governor helped veterans who came back find jobs. Good, solid answer. “But let’s do it at the state level…let’s not have the federal government extend its tentacles to everything that goes on in this country….” Send it to the states and let them care for their people the way they feel best. Also attacks Obama for military cuts. This attack line could replace the old national security attack lines. “We need a military so strong no one in the world would think of testing it.”
[Andrew Sullivan is live blogging:
8.30 pm. Santorum hones his manufacturing working class economic chops in a very deft and indrect criticism of Romney’s kind of capitalism. A very effective performance. They’re all on tonight, it seems. But Gingrich’s spirited, angry, anti-media rant at the start towers over the rest.
8.20 pm. Gingrich is on a roll – rattling off a list of South Carolina issues, including the port of Charleston. Then he quickly and effectively summarizes a core case against the dodgy practices of Bain Capital. Romney then tries to avoid answering the direct question about Bain and seems to conflate “crony capitalism” with Democrats’ relationships with the union.
He does not address the core issue of how you make millions off bankrupting companies. It’s good though to recognize, as he does, that he was working not for the employees, but for his wealthy investors.
8.12 pm. Newt’s response to the open marriage is turned into a tour de force against the media. He calls John King’s questions “as close to despicable as I can imagine.” The crowd loves it. The first response as to whether he wanted to talk about it: “No, but I will.” Perfect. Then he rounds on King and gets another standing ovation. I think he may have won the primary tonight with that response.
Romney essentially says: me too. Paul attacks media corporations. Santorum squirms. Advantage: Gingrich. But one might recall that Gingrich was the person behind pursuing issues in Bill Clinton’s private life and marital problems. He showed no pity then.]
5:22: Santorum does some of the same boilerplate but talks about need to put people back to work, not just talk about cutting taxes. Talks about how South Carolina can compete with anyone in the world in manufacturing. His focus is on jobs…but doing some of that by cutting taxes for business. Talks about need to get Reagan Democrats to sign up with the GOP “to sign up with us and we’ll get them back to work.”
5:17: Gingrich says Bain Capital issue started because Romney used his experience as a selling point for President. Romney is asked to respond but says he wants to first talk about the economy. He accuses Obama of “Crony Capitalism”: gives General Motors to Labor. Big attack on labor. Also goes after environmentalists on Keystone pipeline. “This President is the biggest impediment to job growth.” Boilerplate. King now asks Romney about the 120,000 jobs that he created with Bain. Romney uses line: knows he’ll be attacked from the left by Obama. “Capitalism works, free enterprise works.” Says he created 120,000 jobs as of today. Says some lost jobs. Very convoluted answer. He is coming across like Harold Hill from “The Music Man.” Romney says nothing wrong with profit because a lot of people and institutions benefited. He keeps hammering that he belongs in free enterprise and captalism and freedom. Basically says Obama doesn’t believe in capitalism and freedom. I can’t see how this will play well with independent voters. It is political polemics. And he seems to be repeating canned lines.
5:13: Romney passes. “John let’s get onto the real issues, that’s all I have to say” on the Gingrich problem. Ron Paul says everyone talks about corporations in campaign “but what about the corporations that run the media..” Big cheer. Gingrich neutralized it by a classic technique: he went on the attack, going after the messenger not the message originator (not his wife but make the media the issue).
5:12: Santorum says these are issues “of character for people to consider.” Asks people to look at what he has done in his private and public life…
5:08: King notes the events of today. Asks Gingrich about ex wife when he reportedly asked him about an open marriage. Asks Gingrich if h’ed like to respond. “No. But I will.” Calls it “destructive, vicious negative nature of much of news media” makes it hard to get people to participate “and I am apalled that you would begin a Presidential debate on a topic like that.” Gingrich didn’t waste any time attacking the media this time. Gingrich says everyone here has something painful happen. Says King’s question 2 days before the vote “is as close to despicable as anything I could imagine” says “astounded CNN would take trash like that and use it to open a presidential debate.” Gingrich yells at King now says King and his staff chose to start debate on it. Says it is “false.” Gingrich using “the best defense is a good offense.” Says “I am tired of the elite media protecting Barack Obama by attacking Republicans.” All red meat. GOPers will love it — and fall for it. Like fish eating a baited hook.
5:07: Hokey John King explanation of how candidates can introduce themselves. (CRINGE). Hey, these ARE adults (I think). Romney makes big point of mentioning his wife, kids. Could there be a tie in with Gingrich’s wife’s interview. (NAH!)
5:03: Intros…the four come out. Romney, “Newt…” as he shakes hands.
UPDATE: A few Tweets
—Political Scientist Larry Sababo. A cross section of some of his Tweets: Note: Some of these have been a bit mangled so go to the link to read all of his Tweets. I’ve cut these down. Some may be retweets
Larry Sabato
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
Newt: “John did a great job.” Translation: He was a wonderful punching bag for me.
2 minutes ago
Larry Sabato
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
Gingrich won debate on scandal issue that may not produce many votes for him. Sympathy elections rare. Usually just to elect widows.
3 minutes ago
Larry Sabato
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
Gingrich won the debate in the first few minutes: A. Santorum was 2nd: A-. Romney was bland, poor tax answer: B. Paul: C.
5 minutes ago
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
Summary of Romney close: “I’m the nominee & you all know it.”
10 minutes ago
Larry Sabato
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
Newt bashes John King again. Now I see why. Look closely. King is wearing “KICK ME” sign on suitcoat. CNN practical joke.
28 minutes ago
Larry Sabato
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
Romney is sweet tonight. No complaining about ‘wait your turn–it’s my time’. Mitt: “Can’t we all just get along?”
32 minutes ago…It’s as though Romney has decided just to survive the debates & rely on his far superior organization. At some point, he’ll stop debating.
48 minutes ago
Larry Sabato
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
Santorum has done a good job separating himself from the others on a half-dozen issues. And Sant has had, er, his own internet problems.
51 minutes agoLarrySabato Larry Sabato
Newt knows how to push the base’s buttons. Only group Rs hate more than media is Hollywood!
53 minutes agoLarrySabato Larry Sabato
Amazing that Romney STILL doesn’t have a solid, pat answer to the tax question. “Being successful” is fine but just get it over with!
1 hour ago
Larry Sabato
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
I wonder if there’s anything in Newt’s taxes that will cause him an end-of-campaign controversy.
1 hour agoLarrySabato Larry Sabato
How many times was Mitt Romney mentioned in Reagan’s book? Just asking.
1 hour agoLarrySabato Larry Sabato
“Somebody who’s lived in the real streets of America”. Mitt Romney?
1 hour ago
Larry Sabato
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
Newt slips a knife into George H.W. “Read my lips” Bush. Payback for Bush 41’s Romney endorsement.
1 hour ago
Larry Sabato
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
Sant to Newt: “You covered up the House banking scandal!”
1 hour ago
Larry Sabato
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
“These are not cogent thoughts”: Sant on Newt. “I think grandiose thoughts”: Newt to Sant. “You can’t execute”: Sant-back.
1 hour agoLarrySabato Larry Sabato
Paul hits home on Bush’s expensive, not-paid-for prescription drug program. R voters have really soured on Bush’s spending.
1 hour ago
Larry Sabato
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
Here’s the hard truth for the other 3: No one is going to out-debate Newt, ever.
1 hour ago
Larry Sabato
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
Voters will be talking about Newt’s marriages & the media all the way to the polls. If this audience is typical, results are clear.
1 hour agoLarry Sabato
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
Attacking media gives Newt a homerun for umpteenth time in this campaign. The depth of GOP anger toward media is enormous.
1 hour ago
Larry Sabato
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
Granted, the media have tons of problems. But most of the attacks in this campaign have come from the candidates & their Super PACs.
1 hour ago
Newt, on his his debate dialogue: “I wanted to keep it at a pretty big level.” Does he remember doing a Nixon on John King? #CNNdebate
9 minutes agoDick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Newt: “I favor freedom.” That’s what he told Marianne. #CNNdebate
1 hour ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Mitt, in essence: I refuse to release all my tax returns, because Democrats are jealous that I’ve made more money than they have. #CNNdebate
1 hour ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Did Mitt just say that he alone has walked “the real streets of America?” Is he referring to his private driveway in La Jolla? #CNNdebate
1 hour ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Santorum fears that Newt will snap his cap. But I doubt Santo can score on Newt by refighting the ’90s. #CNNdebate “something’s gonna pop”
1 hour ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
If Newt wins SC, it’s proof that “family values” conservatives hate “the elite media” more than they hate adultery. #CNNdebate
1 hour ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
My analysis at the commercial break: Far and away, this is Rick Perry’s finest debate performance. #CNNdebate
1 hour ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Santorum says that Newt in the ’90s played footsies with the left. Wrong. Newt and his mistress played footsies with both feet. #CNNdebate
1 hour ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Is Newt suddenly so confident that this explains why he didn’t go after Mitt on “Romneycare?” Santorum wisely seizes that opening #CNNdebate
1 hour ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Guess I’m missing something: Why does Newt get a standing O for infidelity, from the same kinda folks who denounced Clinton? #CNNdebate
1 hour ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Newt brings up “the second World War.” Where at CNN should the historian send his invoice? #CNNdebate
1 hour ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Newt naturally attacks CNN – “I’m appalled!” – for asking the 2nd-wife question. “Despicable!” Somewhere, Nixon nods approval. #CNNdebate
2 hours ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Mitt: “I’ve been married 42 years.” Translation: “I’m not a decadent amoral sleaze like that orotund blowhard standing nearby.” #CNNdebate
2 hours ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Newt isn’t singing the National Anthem! Imagine if Obama dared abstain in such a situation. #CNNdebate
2 hours ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Newt has am intrinsic advantage. If a moderator dares ask the second-wife question, the audience will gnaw him/her to shreds. #CNNdebate
2 hours ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Mitt tonite: “Yes, I sent a ton of my money to the Cayman Islands, but I didn’t inhale.” #CNNdebate
2 hours ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Newt tonite: “OF COURSE I asked Marianne for an open marriage. More than any candidate, I’ve long been in favor of transparency” #CNNdebate
2 hours ago
Dick Polman
DickPolman1 Dick Polman
Callista Gingrich: “I love these debates because they’re the only times I know for sure where Newt is.” #cnndebate #goodnight
17 minutes ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
I miss Rick Perry. This is like watching an episode of Friends with no Phoebe. #cnndebate
27 minutes ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
Ron Paul’s supporters in the audience are clearly not waiting for marijuana to be legalized. #cnndebate
34 minutes ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
Romney: “I am opposed to cloning, except in the case of Ronald Reagan.” #cnndebate
36 minutes ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
Romney: “I believe that life begins at conception and ends in the Caymans.” #cnndebate
39 minutes ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
Gingrich: “I believe that wife begins at insemination.” #cnndebate
42 minutes ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
Ron Paul: “I would hire illegal immigrants to kill Ben Bernanke.” #cnndebate
44 minutes ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
Santorum: “If I am elected, I would deport all Mormons.” #cnndebate
48 minutes ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
Gingrich: “Under my plan, immigrant women would gain citizenship by marrying me.” #cnndebate
50 minutes ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
Romney: “All illegals would have a 10-year waiting period where they would do yard work at my house.” #cnndebate
52 minutes ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
These four look exactly the way they’re described in the Book of Revelation. #cnndebate
55 minutes ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
Mitt Romney explains his finances: bit.ly/Apon82
3 hours ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
BREAKING Perry Endorses Gingrich; Cain Endorses Gingrich’s Lifestyle
3 hours ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
In Boston? I’m doing a free event at Harvard tomorrow: bit.ly/y8gZjt
3 hours ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
Gingrich: “The American people want an adult, and no one has more experience with adultery than I do.”
9 hours ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
@
@Karyn_Parsons Thank you Karyn my love!
9 hours ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
Wow: bit.ly/xpRtf4
9 hours ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
BREAKING: Perry Starts Campaigning Again Until Aides Remind Him He Quit
9 hours ago
Andy Borowitz
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
Disturbingly, Rick Perry’s decision to drop out smacks of awareness.
10 hours ago
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.