Jan 20 2012
Debate Recap
After sleeping on it a bit, I think it was generally a good debate last night. Newt seems to have skated past the media’s muck-raking, can’t say the same for Romney on tax havens in the Cayman’s.
Things that made me cringe:
Ron Paul’s awkward reminders of his military service. His segues between his service and issues seemed like pandering.
Santorum’s back-stabbing of Newt as Speaker on right to life and other topics. We all know Newt has switched positions, sometimes at convenient times. But somehow Rick’s delivery comes off as if he is superior to all.
Romney’s evasion on tax returns and continued denial that RomneyCare was a bad idea.
Newt’s comments on SOPA and Hollywood smacked of favoritism.
Admirable moments:
Paul’s comments on abortion and taking it out hands of the federal government was a good push back on Santorum. His comment about having two patients when dealing with pregnant mothers was spot on.
Santorum did well on the RomneyCare issue, really nailed it with facts and problems.
Romney had very few topical strong points that set him above the rest. His best moment was early on when he showed Santorum how to deal with the Gingrich marriage issue – move onto the real debate.
Newt really blasted the media over its muckraking, always a winner in conservative circles. Probably a winner with centrists as well. Was on average better than the rest on each topic.
I think overall Romney took more hits. He just did not look smooth but more elitist in his responses. That gap is beginning to widen. Paul and Santorum did OK, but their supporters seemed to think every answer was gold. This gives their campaigns a cult feeling and turns off the average voter. I would have to say Newt won the night here.
Good debate recap, AJ. I’ve long thought that if we had to choose based on debate performance alone, Newt would be the unquestioned winner. This is his element. The problem I have with Newt isn’t so much the soap opera as it is another part of his history: as soon as Newt starts feeling confident and full of himself he pops off and says something so grandiosely aggravating to everyone that people find reasons to hate him all over again. (remember the “impeach the judges” remarks a couple weeks back) He’s done it before, and I can’t help but believe he’ll do it again. How could I support someone who I am absolutely convinced is going to self destruct before the end? I’ve known people like that at various times, and I’ve observed that not only do they ruin their own lives, they always end up ruining things for anyone who ever trusted them. A thousand sparkling debate performances still will never get me to trust in Newt.
This is a sad primary race which has mainly exposed weaknesses, not strengths. Agree with you that Santorum’s social conservative beliefs will never pull in a majority; they’re too harsh and he delivers them with the finesses of a tap dancing elephant.
Paul does good until someone asks him whether we should have taken out Bin Laden, and that’s where he always (and will always) loses 90% of the voters.
And Romney has indeed exposed a huge vulnerability in his inartful handling of his tax returns. If he doesn’t want to release them, he should not have run. I still lean towards Romney, but he has to find a way to get these out. If he doesn’t, that will be all will hear about from now on.
Too late to draft Chris Christie?
I think I get it. Nothing Romney does will satisfy you.
I do find it objectionable to condemn the man for following the tax laws as written. Those convoluted laws are not of his doing. Unlike the former Speaker of the House, he had no role in formulating them, and no power to change them.
It is well documented that Romney has donated a great deal of money to causes that he supports, through organizations that he considers more effective than the U.S. Treasury. I commend him for paying the taxes he owes, unlike some incumbents in high office, and for his charitable activities. I do not fault him for choosing to withhold as much as is legally permitted from the voracious federal treasury, and donating it instead to charitable entities that more closely reflect his values, and that will incidentally use his contributions more efficiently and wisely. I believe his actions reflect Conservative values. His behavior with respect to our ridiculous tax laws simply mirror those of any sentient citizen. The fact that he has, earned wealth, and that he is a political candidate are not relevant to the discussion.
The Romneycare meme is so old. He has repudiated the concept as national policy. It was a response to problems in one state. Whether the net effect was good or bad is for the citizens of that state to determine. But, Romney has been unequivocal in his opposition to Obama’s health schemes on the national level. The constant harping on Romneycare now borders on dishonesty.
Agreed that Newt was the winner – by a smaller margin than the Fox debate – and that he had ther best line of the night blasting CNN and the elite media.
Think you missed the second best line. When Newt and Santorum were going back and forth at each other (with Romney in the middle) Mitt finally broke in and said something like: Here’s the problem! Two longtime Washington DC insiders arguing about there insider history.
Thought is was a great contrast.
One of the things that hasn’t come up yet is, will born agains vote for a Mormon? The first time around for Mitt, they would not.
Relative to SOPA / PIPA
Manhattan Moment: The rest of the story behind Obama’s recess appointments
Ties together well how the appoints and SOPA are joined at the hip
Andrew McCarthy, over at NRO, makes an interesting distinction about Newt’s interaction with the media in this piece:Newt, Make up your mind about the media. Here he subtly suggests that Newt’s anger could have been contrived.
OFg8r,
Well spotted. I do not like Romney. So glad you figured it out.
Wonderful thing about America, you get to vote and support your conscience. Notice how I don’t whine about Romney supporters or anyone supporting someone I don’t support?
It’s called respecting diverse views.
Kathie,
I hope we have gotten over that Mormon thing. My complaints with Robamaney is his world views and policies. I could care less about his faith.
Jan,
I noted the reversal on the media too, when he ended with a thanks to CNN. Newt is experienced enough a politician to contrive poses, emotion, positions, etc.
That question by King about Newt’s ex was a like a slow pitch softball – Newt had obviously been practicing his “outrage” for days in advance. It would have ruined Newt’s entire night if King hadn’t given him the setup he needed.
It surprises me that many people seem not to realize that it takes an incredible amount of intense planning to make something look “spontaneous”, especially an on-air emotional outburst like this. I appreciate the performance, and it was very well done, but watching Newt complain about CNN is like watching Rowdy Roddy Piper rant about Vince McMahon.
On another site this was posted:
John King giving Newt a head’s head to this question would explain everything — about Newt’s magnificent response, as well as his warm thank yous to King after the debate.
Good endorsement for the newster:
http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/
“in his inartful handling of his tax returns. If he doesn’t want to release them, he should not have run.”
Why? why should he release them? why would anyone think he should?
Obama has never released his college transcripts or his application to college which will likely show that he applied for aid for foreign students. But, the press doesn’t care. Why should they?
Merlin, about the recess appointments. The constitution is very specific in stating that it is for vacancies that occur DURING the recess. I know it’s probably never been interpreted strictly that way, but that IS clearly what the constitution states. None of the recess appointments that obammy made occurred DURING the recess.
AJ I agree about the Mormon thing, it matters not at all to me. It does matter to some, a lot.
Obama will find a way to use it, I don’t see how he could be believable on the subject, but he will use it for sure.
So Newt released his tax return …….BIG DEAL !!
And he released the tax return for his private foundation ….even a bigger ….BIG DEAL !!
Has anyone looked at those tax return ??
The bulk of his income $2.5 million and the salary for him and “Callista” of almost another $500 thousand come from GINGRICH HOLDINGS INC …….an S Corporation !!
How about the release of the 1120S for GINGRICH HOLDINGS INC ????
The 1120S is where all the “secret details” of where he earned his big bucks …are buried ….and if anyone doesn’t believe that, then they are nuts enough to support this consummate politician !!
And, as I write this …. I am listening to Newt on FOX calling Romney “dishonest” for not releasing his tax returns !!
If you all support Newt because you want a brokered convention, I can understand that !! But, if you all support him because you think he can defeat Obama ……..you are delusional !!
Newt is one time bomb after another …I can hardly wait for the next one !!
Hey Axelrod, just get the next time bomb from the IRS ….the 1120S will lead you to the real “good stuff” !!
P.S. $19,800 in alimony ….was that to wifey #1 ?? or “sour grapes” #2 ??
I am with you, WWS !! Still waiting on your conversion AJ !!
Good post, Jan !!
That explains the weird and unnatural sounding —
“NO…………but I WILL” (big pause) !!
Personally, I’m depressed because no matter who finally emerges, he and we are screwed. Our candidates are killing each other but what is left when inevitably the target will be Obama. His campaign has it all ready handed to him on a golden platter.
My son called and was elated at Newt’s take down of John King. I am sick of the debates so I was not watching but found the clip. At first I thought WOW! Newt took King’s head off, Way to GO! However the more I watched it and thought about it, it was obviously preplanned, he was just waiting for the opportunity to go off on the subject. It didn’t really address dumping one wife to go to a new one, it diverted the attention to the questioner and the news media in general.
I’m not happy with the four who are left for us to choose from. Actually, in Texas it won’t matter, just like 2008, we had no one left but McCain. It will be settled before we can vote.
Ron Paul is a nut case. I’ve observed him for years here in Texas. On some things he’s right on the mark but he’s off the wall on defense and defending America.
Newt Gingrich is a great debater. We have a great debater in office, but he’s been a disaster as a president. (Or a huge success if the desired end result is a socialist country.) Newt is one comment away from going off the rails once again. He’s done it before, he will do it again. He can’t help himself. I watched his One Minutes and Special Orders when he was in the House. They were great. I was elated when he came up with the Contract with America and won the House. But he betrayed us when his personal conduct was revealed to be no better than the man in the WH.
Mitt Romney has had a pretty successful campaign but like Rick Perry or Cain, he is not helping himself right now. He should have been prepared for the tax question. I personally don’t like him all that much because of Romneycare or some of his other flip-flops.
Rick Santorum says all the right things but does he look like a strong leader? No. He tends to whine. I believe he’s a strong conservative and it’s too bad we judge people by how they look but he looks like a loser and in fact he WAS a loser, losing his seat in the Senate.
I will vote for whoever wins the nomination but I probably won’t be happy about it. I just pray that whoever it is, is not another Bob Dole or John McCain incapable of going after Obama in the same way as tearing up the competition along the way to the nomination.
I would venture to say that if I were Romney, I would NOT release my tax returns. It’s no one’e business. He released a detailed financial statement, a requirement. Tax returns? Nada.
If you recall Bill Clinton did not release his medical records…and obama has not released A MULTITUDE of items that are normally released. And HOW LONG did it take to get his so-called birth certificate and WHY was there such shenanigans with Hawaii????
I would have an independent (confidential) audit of my returns, proving that I had done nothing illegal and then go public with the audit statement conclusion and that’s the end of it. I think many people would respect this.
And personally, I don’t think the Romney campaign expected REPUBLICANS to go after his tax returns at this point. Personally I am FURIOUS with Perry and Newt Gingrich because of their smears of Romney…And I was a Perry supporter!!
It appears that more and more conservative pundits and blog watchers have been catching on to the SC debate rouse. Here’s another one who actually apparently predicted Newt’s ‘home run’ would happen:
The Theater of Newt
Is that who people want for POTUS — someone who uses smoke and mirrors to out-shock other candidates and get an upper hand in the primaries?