January 19, 2012 CNN Republican Presidential Primary Debate

[Larry]

Paul's positions on resources tied up in military needs overseas would be better used elsewhere is one of several I lean (not all the way) towards.

I do think he's got some validity.

But, like many of his ideas, he takes a good idea to "plaid".

And, the part of the debate I listened to, it was like listening to Obama's debates. EVERYTHING will get paid for by repealing Bush's tax cuts on the wealthy.

[GibbsFactor]

Well, as Jon Stewart said, there's also the minor problem of Ron Paul's financial statements being treasure maps to his buried chests of gold.

I have to admit, that was a wonderful line and why few have the wit of the Daily Show.

[grhqofb5]

I would seriously enjoy seeing a leading presidential candidate clearly mention his non-belief in "God" during some part of some spew during a debate like this and have it get a standard ration of applause.

I'd like to hear one of these candidates mention that he worships satan during one of these debates. Just don't think it'll happen.

---------- Post added January-19th-2012 at 10:33 PM ----------

I have to admit, that was a wonderful line and why few have the wit of the Daily Show.

Maybe John Stewart should run for president. He's obviously much more intelligent than all of us combined.

[GibbsFactor]

I'd like to hear one of these candidates mention that he worships satan during one of these debates. Just don't think it'll happen.

That might be worse than saying you'll raise taxes.

Maybe John Stewart should run for president. He's obviously much more intelligent than all of us combined.

He'll never win. Voters are selfish. They wouldn't want to give up his show.

[Hubbs]

LMAO @ Newt. He says that he thought John King did a pretty good job.

"Despicable" John King.

I noticed that too. Shameless.

I thought so with the Fox debate, Newt got a standing O when he started attacking the media, but that's about it.

Paul was solid tonight, addressing many issues. On the abortion issue, the crowd even came to his defense and wanted to hear what he had to say.

I honestly don't know how Romney is leading lol

It was nice to hear the crowd ask for Paul to at least get a chance to not be totally ignored.

As for Romney, it's nothing more than electoral inertia. He's the weakest frontrunner in either party in God knows how long, and I'd bet that he's gone from a presumptive 3-0 in the primaries to 1-2 in the span of about 100 hours. Not good for him at all.

I do think he's got some validity.

But, like many of his ideas, he takes a good idea to "plaid".

And, the part of the debate I listened to, it was like listening to Obama's debates. EVERYTHING will get paid for by repealing Bush's tax cuts on the wealthy.

Yeah, that annoyed me too. We're gonna need more money than military savings would bring us.

[NoVaO]

Should Romney win the nomination, like I still expect him to do, he will be entering the fight with Obama with some pretty serious chinks in his armor. During this whole process Democrats have pretty much been on the sidelines, and Romney's Republican opponents have barely run any attacks ads on him for the entire primary because they never had the funds to do so seriously. But he'll be entering the general election with the very thing Romney uses to justify his qualifications for President under complete assault. He's got a difficult road ahead unless he figure out a way to credibly rebut these attacks.

[88Comrade2000]

I skipped this one. I hope Rick Santorum wins on Saturday to stop Romney's momentum and to get Newt of the race.

Newt is mentally unstable and he showcases that daily.

Honestly, any moral conservative that votes for Newt is a hypocrite and needs to shut up forever if they vote for him.

Baring the economy getting far worse; I don't see how any of the current 4 beats Obama.

Obama has to be the luckiest man on earth.

Best thing to happen would be for Rick to win SC and for Newt to crash again to third place or even 4th place. That would end his campaign. Then maybe someone else will decide to get into the race.

[Ken]

Guys, why waste time talking about Newt and Santorum?

They are both INELIGIBLE to participate in the Virginia election on Super Tuesday. How can you nominate someone who isn't even on a key state's ballot?

This is such a joke. How is this not a focal point of this debate? How do 95 percent of people not know this?

Oh yeah, the media has completely brushed it under the carpet.

---------- Post added January-20th-2012 at 02:31 AM ----------

Err...or maybe they think it would look bad to slam an old guy in a debate all the time.

It was pretty ugly the way the crowd tore him apart during the last debate.

The crowd was a bunch of morons.

The 'Crowd' boooed the golden rule. Yeah, let's listen to them.

So much for it being a religious state, eh?

[SnyderShrugged]

Had class last night so I missed part of the debate. Caught some clips this morning and felt compelled to post this one on abortion (and its where the crowd forces King to include Paul)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERthbZCe_-Q

I'm glad that with the field winnowed down now, that even folks that dont like RP can see the deplorable treatment by the media at times. They started out great and were much more fair than in other debates, but allowing that forever triangle attack/defend with the sanitorium, swingrich, and mittens triplets yo go on like they did was simply wrong.

[@DCGoldPants]

Watched pieces of it and now read the reviews. Clearly Newt rocked the house last night.

Overall ranking the group from winning to losing

1. Obama - The GOP leadership potential nightmare continues with Newt swinging to the front again. The WH shouldn't be taking this lightly, but a drawn out primary still helps an incumbent the most.

2. Newt - Played to the base like a champ. Did everything he needed to

3. Santorum - Its an amazing world where he seems like the stable guy in the room

4. Romney - The jealous line isn't playing when his own party including Christie are telling him to just release those records. Somebody is giving him bad advice or he has something bad to hide

5. Paul - Seemed like just an oversized suit hanging on a rack last night

I do find it amazing the applause a big government, serial adulterer gets when he doesn't particularly stand for anything the Tea Party or social conservatives are looking for.

[Larry]

I do find it amazing the applause a big government, serial adulterer gets when he doesn't particularly stand for anything the Tea Party or social conservatives are looking for.

"I have balanced the federal budget".

[@DCGoldPants]

"I have balanced the federal budget".

Then he should run for a job on the Hill again because I guess you can do it all from there.

[Ellis]

I choose to watch the debate last night. First one I've seen since the first debate many, many months ago.

I thought Newt did the best and I will be surprised if he doesn't win SC.

[Burgold]

That would be very interesting if in the first three contests we had three different winners. Santorum (Iowa) New Hampshire (Romney) and South Carolina (Gingrich)... does that mean that Florida goes for Paul? After all, in Miami, Paul would look like a youngster.

[JimboDaMan]

Not judging by the crowd. I think Newt got the most applause.

But judging by Ron Paul supporters, Ron Paul was the clear winner. Imagine that.

This was clearly a home run by Gingrich. Not because he made a lot of sense, but he consistently delivered the red meat that makes the sap rise in the crowd. Watch the crowd react after Newt delivers a zinger. Are they nodding sagely in agreement of his wisdom? No, they're laughing, rocking back in their seats and nudging the guy next to them - good one Newt! good one!

We can shake our heads all we want, but these are the people who will be voting. Gingrich knows what he's doing. Primary goes to Swinging Newt.

[ixcuincle]

Lol radio playing highlights of Newt going off and corresponding crowd uproar

Hmm

[Ellis]

I was in Savannah, GA for a few days this week and b/c it is so close to the border of SC, I was able to see the super PAC commercials as well as the usual campaign commercials. There are a lot of attack ads on Romney and a lot of pro-Newt ads. Rarely did I get see a pro-Romney ad.

4 days of commercials isn't exactly a lot of time to review the ads or gauge the public... but I got the sense that Newt had the state all wrapped up. It's really the only reason I tuned in last night. I wanted to see if Newt could rise above the other candidates now that there are only 4 of them.

[Ken]

Watched pieces of it and now read the reviews. Clearly Newt rocked the house last night.

Overall ranking the group from winning to losing

1. Obama - The GOP leadership potential nightmare continues with Newt swinging to the front again. The WH shouldn't be taking this lightly, but a drawn out primary still helps an incumbent the most.

2. Newt - Played to the base like a champ. Did everything he needed to

3. Santorum - Its an amazing world where he seems like the stable guy in the room

4. Romney - The jealous line isn't playing when his own party including Christie are telling him to just release those records. Somebody is giving him bad advice or he has something bad to hide

5. Paul - Seemed like just an oversized suit hanging on a rack last night

I do find it amazing the applause a big government, serial adulterer gets when he doesn't particularly stand for anything the Tea Party or social conservatives are looking for.

And this summarizes what is wrong with America.. Newt 'Rocked the house'. Ya, a guy who has 0 morals 'rocked it' and can clearly be our president. He can continue our senseless wars and degrading country. Awesome.

The one guy who:

1. Is talking about the real issues;

2. Has an impeccable political record.

3. Is the only Veteran on the stage;

4. Has the most military support of all of the canidates combined;

5. Has an impeccable private life;

6. is one of only two canidates eligible on the Virginia balllot;

7. Finished 2nd in New Hampshire;

8. has polled with Romney as the only canidates to challenge Obama in an election;

9. has a real solution to our disasterous economy;

10. is principled in what made this country great and is a true American in every sense of the word.

Yea, Ron Paul is just 'an oversized suit hanging on a rack'.

Awesome.

[SnyderShrugged]

But judging by Ron Paul supporters, Ron Paul was the clear winner. Imagine that.

This was clearly a home run by Gingrich. Not because he made a lot of sense, but he consistently delivered the red meat that makes the sap rise in the crowd. Watch the crowd react after Newt delivers a zinger. Are they nodding sagely in agreement of his wisdom? No, they're laughing, rocking back in their seats and nudging the guy next to them - good one Newt! good one!

We can shake our heads all we want, but these are the people who will be voting. Gingrich knows what he's doing. Primary goes to Swinging Newt.

Nice generaliation, I actually think Swingrich came out best from this one. I liked Paul's answers on some things, cringed when he turned one question back to FP (yet I understand the connection, just dont feel non-paul supporters would have), and cheered when the audience had his back on the unfair time allotment.

So save the sweeping generalizations for when they are warranted.

[Ken]

Nice generaliation, I actually think Swingrich came out best from this one. I liked Paul's answers on some things, cringed when he turned one question back to FP (yet I understand the connection, just dont feel non-paul supporters would have), and cheered when the audience had his back on the unfair time allotment.

So save the sweeping generalizations for when they are warranted.

If I were watching American Idol, I would understand Newt 'Winning' last night.

This is a debate to be President of the USA though. I have no use for this degenerate.

Anyone who would take him truthfully......wow.

[JimboDaMan]

Nice generaliation, I actually think Swingrich came out best from this one. I liked Paul's answers on some things, cringed when he turned one question back to FP (yet I understand the connection, just dont feel non-paul supporters would have), and cheered when the audience had his back on the unfair time allotment.

So save the sweeping generalizations for when they are warranted.

Sorry, didn't mean to come off that snide. I actually preferred RP to Newt last night myself. But when the carnival barker is working the crowd, he's really on, and last night he was on fire.

[SnyderShrugged]

If I were watching American Idol, I would understand Newt 'Winning' last night.

This is a debate to be President of the USA though. I have no use for this degenerate.

Anyone who would take him truthfully......wow.

I agree with you. My comments were more in the vein of audience approval of his performance. I think his substance sucked, but thats what seems to sell with the neo-cons.

---------- Post added January-20th-2012 at 08:36 AM ----------

Sorry, didn't mean to come off that snide. I actually preferred RP to Newt last night myself. But when the carnival barker is working the crowd, he's really on, and last night he was on fire.

Thats cool man, and I in turn apologize for returning in a snide fashion. I'm glad we are on the same general page!

[Ellis]

"Did you know that if you guess Ron Paul's real name, he has to teach you how to spin hay into gold?" ~ Stephen Colbert, on Morning Joe recapping the SC debate

[hokie4redskins]

Watched pieces of it and now read the reviews. Clearly Newt rocked the house last night.

Overall ranking the group from winning to losing

1. Obama - The GOP leadership potential nightmare continues with Newt swinging to the front again. The WH shouldn't be taking this lightly, but a drawn out primary still helps an incumbent the most.

2. Newt - Played to the base like a champ. Did everything he needed to

3. Santorum - Its an amazing world where he seems like the stable guy in the room

4. Romney - The jealous line isn't playing when his own party including Christie are telling him to just release those records. Somebody is giving him bad advice or he has something bad to hide

5. Paul - Seemed like just an oversized suit hanging on a rack last night

I do find it amazing the applause a big government, serial adulterer gets when he doesn't particularly stand for anything the Tea Party or social conservatives are looking for.

This is why I have zero hope regarding the future of this country.

[Larry]

But judging by Ron Paul supporters, Ron Paul was the clear winner. Imagine that.

This was clearly a home run by Gingrich. Not because he made a lot of sense, but he consistently delivered the red meat that makes the sap rise in the crowd. Watch the crowd react after Newt delivers a zinger. Are they nodding sagely in agreement of his wisdom? No, they're laughing, rocking back in their seats and nudging the guy next to them - good one Newt! good one!

We can shake our heads all we want, but these are the people who will be voting. Gingrich knows what he's doing. Primary goes to Swinging Newt.

Agree. At least based on that debate, Newt has this state. And by a good margin.