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Yet Another Debate
Author: BobR
Date: 01/20/2012 13:37:00
Okay - I'll confess right up front: I only watched about 10 minutes of the Republican "debate" last night in South Carolina. I wanted to be able to write about my first-hand reactions, but I couldn't do it. The kicker was when John King - after asking Newt and Paul about 3 things they'd do to help the economy - asked Romney to rebutt a comment just made by Gingrich. That is what a debate is - a controlled discussion where participants provide their various viewpoints and counterpoints on one more subjects:
Romney's response? (paraphrasing here): "I'll do that in a minute, but first I want to answer the question you asked them, and then I'd also like to discuss this...."
Of course - King let him run with it. That is not a debate. It is an interview/press conference. There is no control. I've seen in previous debates where candidates would start arguing with each other and the crowd cheering like it's a WWE show. The audiences, too, are disgusting, cheering the most horrendous chest-beating bumper-sticker sound bites with bloodthirsty verve. Again, the WWE metaphor seems particularly apt.
But - I suppose I should post some of the more discussion-worthy points of the debate...
The tone was set early when John King gave Newt an opportunity to respond to allegations by former wife #2 that he requested an "open marriage". He gave King, CNN, and the media in general an indignant tongue lashing (sorry for that mental image):
Close to despicable, but not as completely despicable was what he did to wives #1 & 2. King gave the other candidates a chance to chime in, and they all did to some extent, but meekly. Here's a good breakdown of Newt's response.
Besides Gingrich's complete lack of moral scruples, the other big wowser moment was Romney's clumsy tap dance when asked about his personal finances. He was booed by the audience as he waffled on when and how many years of tax returns he'd release. Gingrich used that as an opportunity to opine that " if there’s something in Romney’s tax returns that could sink his candidacy, it’s better to know now than after he’s the nominee".
Besides those two topics, "ObamaCare" was also discussed (big surprise there). One does not need a crystal ball to know how THAT went. Romney also made the ludicrous assertion that he's "lived in the real streets of America". Are those the streets paved in gold, or the Wall Streets and K Streets? This was Mitt's attempt to separate himself from the other candidates who have spent time in DC as "insiders".
Despite there only being 4 candidates participating, Ron Paul still seemed like the odd one out, relegated to the margins by his age and viewpoints which consistently jibe with the views of about 10% of America. At least he's consistent and doesn't seem to be lying every 3rd word.
One thing they could all agree on is that SOPA sucks. I fear that is this a cause to which the Dems in Congress have unwisely hitched their wagons. I know a stopped clock is right twice a day, and this is that time of day when I agree with the Republicans.
Saturday is the election in SC. I believe Newt will win it, which will puff up his inflated ego and fat head even more so. Romney and Santorum will be a close 2nd and 3rd. Paul will get his usual 10-20%. Super Tuesday isn't until the beginning of March. It cannot get here soon enough.
- a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints: a debate in the Senate on farm price supports.
- a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.
Romney's response? (paraphrasing here): "I'll do that in a minute, but first I want to answer the question you asked them, and then I'd also like to discuss this...."
Of course - King let him run with it. That is not a debate. It is an interview/press conference. There is no control. I've seen in previous debates where candidates would start arguing with each other and the crowd cheering like it's a WWE show. The audiences, too, are disgusting, cheering the most horrendous chest-beating bumper-sticker sound bites with bloodthirsty verve. Again, the WWE metaphor seems particularly apt.
But - I suppose I should post some of the more discussion-worthy points of the debate...
The tone was set early when John King gave Newt an opportunity to respond to allegations by former wife #2 that he requested an "open marriage". He gave King, CNN, and the media in general an indignant tongue lashing (sorry for that mental image):
“I am tired of the elite media protecting Barack Obama by attacking Republicans,” he thundered, winning a standing ovation as he denied the story as “false” and called the question “as close to despicable as anything I can imagine.”
Close to despicable, but not as completely despicable was what he did to wives #1 & 2. King gave the other candidates a chance to chime in, and they all did to some extent, but meekly. Here's a good breakdown of Newt's response.
Besides Gingrich's complete lack of moral scruples, the other big wowser moment was Romney's clumsy tap dance when asked about his personal finances. He was booed by the audience as he waffled on when and how many years of tax returns he'd release. Gingrich used that as an opportunity to opine that " if there’s something in Romney’s tax returns that could sink his candidacy, it’s better to know now than after he’s the nominee".
Besides those two topics, "ObamaCare" was also discussed (big surprise there). One does not need a crystal ball to know how THAT went. Romney also made the ludicrous assertion that he's "lived in the real streets of America". Are those the streets paved in gold, or the Wall Streets and K Streets? This was Mitt's attempt to separate himself from the other candidates who have spent time in DC as "insiders".
Despite there only being 4 candidates participating, Ron Paul still seemed like the odd one out, relegated to the margins by his age and viewpoints which consistently jibe with the views of about 10% of America. At least he's consistent and doesn't seem to be lying every 3rd word.
One thing they could all agree on is that SOPA sucks. I fear that is this a cause to which the Dems in Congress have unwisely hitched their wagons. I know a stopped clock is right twice a day, and this is that time of day when I agree with the Republicans.
Saturday is the election in SC. I believe Newt will win it, which will puff up his inflated ego and fat head even more so. Romney and Santorum will be a close 2nd and 3rd. Paul will get his usual 10-20%. Super Tuesday isn't until the beginning of March. It cannot get here soon enough.
Comments:
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Comment by 
Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 13:57:49
Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 13:57:49
Acutally Bob the primary is tomorrow. South Carolina is...different.
Comment by 
Raine on 01/20/2012 14:03:24
good morning!
Raine on 01/20/2012 14:03:24
good morning!
Comment by 
wickedpam on 01/20/2012 14:04:39
wickedpam on 01/20/2012 14:04:39
Morning 
Wasn't Newty part of the "elite" media for a while as he was part of Fake News and since it was a #1 rated station that in my book makes it the mainsteam "elite"
Wasn't Newty part of the "elite" media for a while as he was part of Fake News and since it was a #1 rated station that in my book makes it the mainsteam "elite"
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 14:05:22
Raine on 01/20/2012 14:05:22
This makes me smile. And swoon!
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 14:06:49
Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 14:06:49
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
Wasn't Newty part of the "elite" media for a while as he was part of Fake News and since it was a #1 rated station that in my book makes it the mainsteam "elite"
Comment by 
TriSec on 01/20/2012 14:10:23
TriSec on 01/20/2012 14:10:23
So, Newt was appalled, eh? I bet Mrs. Newt #2 felt the same way.
I'd read the "debate" this way....Newt can't handle high-pressure questions? So, what's he going to do with Vladimir Putin or Imadinnerjacket when they ramp up the rhetoric?
Or to paraphrase a favored movie quote: "They must have hit pretty close to the mark to get him all riled up like that, huh kid?"
I'd read the "debate" this way....Newt can't handle high-pressure questions? So, what's he going to do with Vladimir Putin or Imadinnerjacket when they ramp up the rhetoric?
Or to paraphrase a favored movie quote: "They must have hit pretty close to the mark to get him all riled up like that, huh kid?"
Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 14:10:50
I heard this was at the Apollo - I think if one ever steps onto the Apollo stage they have to sing no matter how good or bad
wickedpam on 01/20/2012 14:10:50
Quote by Raine:
This makes me smile. And swoon!
I heard this was at the Apollo - I think if one ever steps onto the Apollo stage they have to sing no matter how good or bad
Comment by 
BobR on 01/20/2012 14:12:35
D'OH! - I knew that.
I guess I should fix the blog.
BobR on 01/20/2012 14:12:35
Quote by Mondobubba:
Acutally Bob the primary is tomorrow. South Carolina is...different.
D'OH! - I knew that.
I guess I should fix the blog.
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 14:18:15
I like this idea.
Boy -- Obama can sing!
Raine on 01/20/2012 14:18:15
Quote by wickedpam:
I heard this was at the Apollo - I think if one ever steps onto the Apollo stage they have to sing no matter how good or bad
Boy -- Obama can sing!
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 14:20:53
Raine on 01/20/2012 14:20:53
BREAKING: Sen. Reid: “In light of recent events, I have decided to postpone Tuesday’s vote on the PROTECT I.P. Act."
Via TPM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Via TPM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 14:27:24
He entered doucheknob after he said what he said.
I know he apologized, but it was really stupid to say in the first place.
Raine on 01/20/2012 14:27:24
Quote by Mondobubba:
When did Marky Mark become a meme?
I know he apologized, but it was really stupid to say in the first place.
Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 14:27:40
There are very few stages that warrent automatic singing of any sort
wickedpam on 01/20/2012 14:27:40
Quote by Raine:I like this idea.Quote by wickedpam:
I heard this was at the Apollo - I think if one ever steps onto the Apollo stage they have to sing no matter how good or bad
Boy -- Obama can sing!
There are very few stages that warrent automatic singing of any sort
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 14:30:26
I didn't even know.
I'm not cool any more.
Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 14:30:26
Quote by Raine:He entered doucheknob after he said what he said.Quote by Mondobubba:
When did Marky Mark become a meme?
I know he apologized, but it was really stupid to say in the first place.
I didn't even know.
I'm not cool any more.
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 14:31:11
You mean he wasn't a doucheknob before? Just sayin...
Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 14:31:11
Quote by Raine:He entered doucheknob after he said what he said.Quote by Mondobubba:
When did Marky Mark become a meme?
I know he apologized, but it was really stupid to say in the first place.
You mean he wasn't a doucheknob before? Just sayin...
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 14:33:41
He deserves to be a meme.
You are still cool, Mondo.
Raine on 01/20/2012 14:33:41
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:He entered doucheknob after he said what he said.Quote by Mondobubba:
When did Marky Mark become a meme?
I know he apologized, but it was really stupid to say in the first place.
I didn't even know.
Maybe Mark Wahlberg shouldn’t have inserted his ego into a question about 9/11. The “Contraband†star, who was scheduled to be on the American Airlines flight from Boston to Los Angeles that crashed into the World Trade Center on 9/11, told Men’s Journal in their latest issue, “If I was on that plane with my kids, it wouldn’t have went down like it did. There would have been a lot of blood in that first-class cabin and then me saying, ‘OK, we’re going to land somewhere safely, don’t worry.’â€
You are still cool, Mondo.
Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 14:34:48
TriSec on 01/20/2012 14:34:48
The Mythbusters did that a while ago....an inexperienced person would put the plane upside-down in a field. Unless a very experienced ATC dude talked them down.
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 15:00:06
Raine on 01/20/2012 15:00:06
I'm not surprised about the newt affair -- and I think that people have a right to question about the second wife and her affair with newt -- but the very idea that he was asking for an open marriage just skeeves me out.
Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 15:04:37
I still don't get the appeal of one Mr. Newton Gingrich
wickedpam on 01/20/2012 15:04:37
Quote by Raine:
I'm not surprised about the newt affair -- and I think that people have a right to question about the second wife and her affair with newt -- but the very idea that he was asking for an open marriage just skeeves me out.
I still don't get the appeal of one Mr. Newton Gingrich
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 15:09:25
Newt's idea of an open marriage would be he gets to keep his mistress and his wife. Woo unto her if she started humping someone else.
Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 15:09:25
Quote by Raine:
I'm not surprised about the newt affair -- and I think that people have a right to question about the second wife and her affair with newt -- but the very idea that he was asking for an open marriage just skeeves me out.
Newt's idea of an open marriage would be he gets to keep his mistress and his wife. Woo unto her if she started humping someone else.
Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 15:16:21
Obviously, he has an enormous wang. You never can tell who will get one.
< solemnly hands over bottle of industrial-strength eye bleach. >
TriSec on 01/20/2012 15:16:21
Quote by wickedpam:
I still don't get the appeal of one Mr. Newton Gingrich
Obviously, he has an enormous wang. You never can tell who will get one.
< solemnly hands over bottle of industrial-strength eye bleach. >
Comment by 
Scoopster on 01/20/2012 15:16:51
Scoopster on 01/20/2012 15:16:51
Mornin' all & Happy Fridee! 
: 
I'm running on fumes today.. the office coffee pot DIED and I didn't get a cup on the way in!
: I'm running on fumes today.. the office coffee pot DIED and I didn't get a cup on the way in!
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 15:17:38
Raine on 01/20/2012 15:17:38
It appears that a lot of people are forgetting the entire reason WHY Brian Ross wanted to interview Marianne Gingrich-- it was because of an FBI investigation into both she and Newt.
The investigation appears to have gone nowhere.
In the 1990s, the FBI considered a sting operation against then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich after sifting through allegations from a notorious arms dealer that a $10 million bribe might get Congress to lift the Iraqi arms embargo.
Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 15:18:50
eeewwww - can I wish that image into the corn field?
wickedpam on 01/20/2012 15:18:50
Quote by TriSec:Quote by wickedpam:
I still don't get the appeal of one Mr. Newton Gingrich
Obviously, he has an enormous wang. You never can tell who will get one.
< solemnly hands over bottle of industrial-strength eye bleach. >
eeewwww - can I wish that image into the corn field?
Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 15:19:36
well, then you must send an underling for coffee, chop chop
wickedpam on 01/20/2012 15:19:36
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all & Happy Fridee!
I'm running on fumes today.. the office coffee pot DIED and I didn't get a cup on the way in!
well, then you must send an underling for coffee, chop chop
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 15:20:44
Raine on 01/20/2012 15:20:44
Here are a few more details:
Unaware that Soghanalian was an FBI informant, it is alleged that Marianne Gingrich whilst working for the Israel Export Development Corporation (IEDC) tried to facilitate a bribe to the tune of $10 million so that her husband could use his influence to lift the arms embargo against Iraq in order for Soghanalian to collect an outstanding payment of $54 million from Saddam Hussein.
In a series of interviews before his death in October 2011, Soghanalian claimed that people representing the Gingrichs advised that the money should not be paid directly to Gingrich but to a fund set up by the Institute for Advanced Strategic & Political Studies (IASPS), an Israeli/US think tank. According to its website, the IASPS was founded in 1984. It is connected to the Likud Party in Israel and maintains ties to conservative politicians in Israel and the United States.
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 15:20:47
Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 15:20:47
Quote by TriSec:Quote by wickedpam:
I still don't get the appeal of one Mr. Newton Gingrich
Obviously, he has an enormous wang. You never can tell who will get one.
< solemnly hands over bottle of industrial-strength eye bleach. >
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 15:21:48
Isn't there a weird intern for that?
Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 15:21:48
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all & Happy Fridee!
I'm running on fumes today.. the office coffee pot DIED and I didn't get a cup on the way in!
well, then you must send an underling for coffee, chop chop
Isn't there a weird intern for that?
Comment by Scoopster on 01/20/2012 15:27:19
Scoopster on 01/20/2012 15:27:19
Comment by Scoopster on 01/20/2012 15:28:24
I would send the office Labrador, but he doesn't exactly have the same mentality as a St. Bernard..
Scoopster on 01/20/2012 15:28:24
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all & Happy Fridee!
I'm running on fumes today.. the office coffee pot DIED and I didn't get a cup on the way in!
well, then you must send an underling for coffee, chop chop
Isn't there a weird intern for that?
I would send the office Labrador, but he doesn't exactly have the same mentality as a St. Bernard..
Comment by BobR on 01/20/2012 15:28:46
Really?
BobR on 01/20/2012 15:28:46
Quote by TriSec:Quote by wickedpam:
I still don't get the appeal of one Mr. Newton Gingrich
Obviously, he has an enormous wang. You never can tell who will get one.
< solemnly hands over bottle of industrial-strength eye bleach. >
Really?
Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 15:44:12
TriSec on 01/20/2012 15:44:12
*grumbles*
An hour and ten minutes to lunch yet?
I WANT IT NOW!
An hour and ten minutes to lunch yet?
I WANT IT NOW!
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 15:55:43
I'm hungry. I must address that. That said, I shall.
Raine on 01/20/2012 15:55:43
Quote by TriSec:
*grumbles*
An hour and ten minutes to lunch yet?
I WANT IT NOW!
I'm hungry. I must address that. That said, I shall.
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 16:02:49
Raine on 01/20/2012 16:02:49
SAY WHAT?? the local news on the radio stream said tha tNEWT cancelled his appearance at the SRLC.
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 16:07:48
Raine on 01/20/2012 16:07:48
Wow. HE really did cancel.
He's doing it for the behbies.
There were just a few dozen people in the audience at the College of Charleston’s arena, where the event was taking place. The conference has suffered from low attendance all week but Gingrich rival Rick Santorum went ahead and addressed the group on Thursday.
Gingrich’s spokesman said skipping the stop would give the former House speaker more time at his next scheduled event, a tour of a children’s hospital.
He's doing it for the behbies.
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 16:12:25
He wants to eat a baby.
Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 16:12:25
Quote by Raine:
Wow. HE really did cancel.There were just a few dozen people in the audience at the College of Charleston’s arena, where the event was taking place. The conference has suffered from low attendance all week but Gingrich rival Rick Santorum went ahead and addressed the group on Thursday.
Gingrich’s spokesman said skipping the stop would give the former House speaker more time at his next scheduled event, a tour of a children’s hospital.
He's doing it for the behbies.
He wants to eat a baby.
Comment by TriSec on 01/20/2012 16:16:44
Holy Infant - so tender and mild!
TriSec on 01/20/2012 16:16:44
Quote by Mondobubba:
He wants to eat a baby.
Holy Infant - so tender and mild!
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 16:17:13
It's his base appeal.
There is this from Fox
Raine on 01/20/2012 16:17:13
Quote by Mondobubba:
He wants to eat a baby.
It's his base appeal.
There is this from Fox
"I think it stinks," said Ann Sullivan, of Goldsboro, North Carolina when she learned of Gingrich's cancellation. "Is this the best attended event I've ever been to? No. But he gave his word."
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 16:21:15
Mondobubba on 01/20/2012 16:21:15
Tri, I need you to go to Watertown and crotch puch a guy for me, mmmkay?
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 16:22:05
Raine on 01/20/2012 16:22:05
I gotta say it: I won't be surprised if Santorum wins this primary tomorrow.
Newt canceling appearances is not a good sign, IMO. It should not matter if it a smaller than expected crowd --
Newt canceling appearances is not a good sign, IMO. It should not matter if it a smaller than expected crowd --
Comment by BobR on 01/20/2012 16:27:44
BobR on 01/20/2012 16:27:44
Quote by TriSec:Quote by Mondobubba:
He wants to eat a baby.
Holy Infant - so tender and mild!
Comment by BobR on 01/20/2012 16:28:32
Newt's word is worth the toilet paper it's printed on
BobR on 01/20/2012 16:28:32
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
He wants to eat a baby.
It's his base appeal.
There is this from Fox"I think it stinks," said Ann Sullivan, of Goldsboro, North Carolina when she learned of Gingrich's cancellation. "Is this the best attended event I've ever been to? No. But he gave his word."
Newt's word is worth the toilet paper it's printed on
Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 16:30:53
no it shouldn't - heck I remember getting to meet Dukakis when it was just about 20 college students in the student union - it was great and he was super nice
wickedpam on 01/20/2012 16:30:53
Quote by Raine:
I gotta say it: I won't be surprised if Santorum wins this primary tomorrow.
Newt canceling appearances is not a good sign, IMO. It should not matter if it a smaller than expected crowd --
no it shouldn't - heck I remember getting to meet Dukakis when it was just about 20 college students in the student union - it was great and he was super nice
Comment by wickedpam on 01/20/2012 16:50:20
wickedpam on 01/20/2012 16:50:20
TMZ is reporting that Etta James has died
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 16:50:53
I just got that... X2
Raine on 01/20/2012 16:50:53
Quote by BobR:Quote by TriSec:Quote by Mondobubba:
He wants to eat a baby.
Holy Infant - so tender and mild!
X2
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 16:51:32
Her suffering is over.
Raine on 01/20/2012 16:51:32
Quote by wickedpam:
TMZ is reporting that Etta James has died
Her suffering is over.
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 16:54:09
Raine on 01/20/2012 16:54:09
Oh... Chris is playing Etta. 
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 17:02:11
Raine on 01/20/2012 17:02:11
HUGE breaking news.
Obama Administration Approves Rule That Guarantees Near-Universal Contraceptive Coverage
Obama Administration Approves Rule That Guarantees Near-Universal Contraceptive Coverage
Comment by 
livingonli on 01/20/2012 17:02:45
livingonli on 01/20/2012 17:02:45
Good day everyone. I feel like feeding Newt to a pack of wild Wolverines but they probably would all get a stomach virus.
Comment by Raine on 01/20/2012 17:04:22
Raine on 01/20/2012 17:04:22
Statement from Planned Parenthood on Facebook:
BREAKING: Pres. Obama has rejected efforts by anti-women's health groups and their allies in Congress to cut off access to birth control for millions of women. Now, women cannot be denied birth control coverage simply because they work at religiously affiliated hospitals or attend religiously affiliated universities. This is GREAT NEWS!!