Gingrich aide: Romney packed debate hall with supporters
posted at 1:00 pm on January 27, 2012 by Tina Korbe
In the middle of last night’s debate, I actually tweeted about it because the difference was audible: Mitt Romney’s applause, for the first time that I can remember, was louder than Newt Gingrich’s. The Gingrich campaign can think of just one possible explanation as to how Mitt Romney could have inspired such a response in his audience: He must have unfairly packed the hall.
“They definitely packed the room,” Kevin Kellems, one of Gingrich’s senior advisers, told The Huffington Post early Friday morning. “The problem for them is their candidate, at several junctures, couldn’t remember what he had said before on an issue or what the fundamental truth is on a given topic. TV viewers tend to notice and remember things like that.”
A more junior member of the Gingrich campaign said in an email that it was “obvious” that the Romney campaign had worked to make sure the audience was overly favorable toward the former Massachusetts governor. …
The campaign staffer noted that the Florida Republican Party had “picked 900 plus seats.”
Florida Republican Party spokesman Brian Hughes told HuffPost in a phone interview late Thursday that the state party controlled who got roughly 900 of the 1,200 tickets issued to the debate. But he took issue with charges that the crowd was tilted toward any one candidate.
“The vast majority of [the tickets] went to rank and file. We did a very thorough job of getting them to the rank and file, vetting them to make sure they went to registered Republicans and then making sure they went out to people that were not knowingly affiliated” with any of the candidates, Hughes said.
These accusations of room-packing come closely on the heels of Gingrich’s spoken beefs with NBC’s no-audience-applause-allowed policy at Monday night’s debate. After that debate, Gingrich said, “We’re going to serve notice on future debates. We’re just not going to allow that to happen. That’s wrong. The media doesn’t control free speech. People ought to be allowed to applaud if they want to.”
Apparently, to Gingrich and his campaign staff, the only “fair” debate is one in which (a) audience participation is allowed and (b) that audience participation works in Gingrich’s favor. After the NBC debate, his gripe seemed legitimate: The utter audience silence of the debate was strange and the bias betrayed by the moderators flat-out offensive to many viewers as well as the candidates themselves. After this debate, his complaints seem weak. Sure, he’s a great debater, but that doesn’t mean another candidate can’t possibly overshadow him in a particular showing. Even Gingrich fans admit the former Speaker’s performance last night was lackluster. Who knows? Maybe he pandered to Floridians too much: Eventually flattery offends as much as it gratifies. At this point, Gingrich just needs to take responsibility for his own poor performances and stop making excuses.
That said, though, it’d be great to watch just one well-moderated debate, one in which the questions are insightful and issues-oriented, one in which the candidates are able to capture our attention and hold it — not with attacks on each other but with compelling plans for the future of the country.
Blowback
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We cvan’t vote for Newt b/c he doesn’t look 21 and energetic like one. :)
This is what the Republican party has been reduced to.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 1:49 PM
Pitiful when you have to seek solance and support from the like of NBC, MSNBC or ABC.
galtani on January 27, 2012 at 1:49 PM
Politics ain’t daisy sniffing, Mr. Speaker. You could have packed the other half of the audience, couldn’t you?
Archivarix on January 27, 2012 at 1:51 PM
I’m going more with “we can’t for Newt b/c he dreams of getting his unfavorable numbers to where Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi’s are.”
Red Cloud on January 27, 2012 at 1:51 PM
Hey Newt. Maybe you would have gotten louder applause if you hadn’t gotten your rear handed to you last night. Even Luap Nor outperformed you.
Minnfidel on January 27, 2012 at 1:52 PM
Simmer down. First, learn to read. Then, cite the lie. The time I said Mitt Romney addressed or referred to a crowd as neanderthals. Finally, think about bleeping yourself.
de rigueur on January 27, 2012 at 1:53 PM
In all honesty none of these guys are great debaters. I am sure it is nerve-wracking to be up there and have to think on your feet and they do a reasonable job of that.
However, on substance most of their answers can be ridiculed and rebutted immediately and they are when you monitor Twitter while they are talking. The entire exercise is not very illuminating, especially when we allow left wing hacks to set the terms of the debate. We have had tons of debates and I still haven’t heard a word about the KSM trial debacle, fast and furious, or the other problems at the Obama/Holder justice Dept.
echosyst on January 27, 2012 at 1:54 PM
Dole’s favorable ratings was up near 90% back in ’96 and he got stomped by Clinton.
Reagan was only 35% favorable in 79.
You guys put too much stock into this kind of thing.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 1:55 PM
But! I thought we WANTED audience participation?? I thought Newt was going to refuse to show up if the debate moderators didn’t allow audience noise. Surely, this is what Newt wanted.
/s
Book on January 27, 2012 at 1:57 PM
I remember Romney whining a lot after he bombed his softball interview with Fox News.
I don’t remember Tina calling Romney a whiner at the time.
There’s a double standard on how Romney gets treated by our pundits. NO question about it.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 1:58 PM
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 1:28 PM
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Romneycare is it pertains to the repeal of obiecare. (We don’t really care about Massachussets HC I assume- correct?)
.
The repeal process of ObieCare starts FIRST in the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES- HR1 2013- lets hope – Once passed it moves onto the SENATE for passage to repeal obiecare. THEN it goes to President Romney.
.
So we all understand- a President Romney ONLY signs the repeal into law OR vetoes it. THAT’S ALL HIS PART AS PRESIDENT is in repealing ObieCare.
Mitt has PROMISED HE WOULD REPEAL and give blanket WAIVERS to the states. He has said this over and over. 41′s Read my lips- x100.
.
Let Maobama start a national discussion about the 10th amendment and LET HIM ARGUE THE POSITION THE STATES DO NOT HAVE THAT “RESERVED” RIGHT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION to govern its people. The bigger fight with these marxists clowns is a states rights issue. The 10th amendment. Game on time.
FlaMurph on January 27, 2012 at 1:48 PM
FlaMurph on January 27, 2012 at 2:00 PM
Mitt can make all the promises he wants. His record is one of flip flopping so don’t hate me for being skeptical of anything he says. He’ll say anything to secure votes but if he still thinks Romneycare is a good idea and it’s not worth getting angry about, I think he’s the worst candidate we could put up.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:03 PM
Wish the crowds would pack in once for Rick Santy!
KOOLAID2 on January 27, 2012 at 2:05 PM
No, it’s because he’s a spoiled & sniveling 5-year old with ADD. Newt makes Mitt “Eddie Haskell” Romney look like the 10-year old in the room.
ebrown2 on January 27, 2012 at 2:05 PM
MItt Romney is more of a political calculation than a candidate.
The idea is he is so bland that he want alienate moderates and disgruntled Democrats and they’ll vote for him and not Romney b/c the robot conservative voters will vote for him no matter how much they think he’s the same as Obama on a lot of issues.
But if you look at history the bland boring candidates tend to lose.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:05 PM
A) I honestly don’t believe your Dole comment. Show me some kind of proof and I will.
B) There’s no denying that, even if he isn’t the most hated politician in the nation right now (he may be), he was at one point. Reagan and Dole never were.
Red Cloud on January 27, 2012 at 2:06 PM
I think debates are just used to reinforce whatever you want to think about the candidates. Most people who watch debates are not open minded about who they are voting for, they are watching to cheerlead their guy and demonize the other.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:07 PM
It’s amazing Gingrich stomped Romney in South Carolina if he’s so hated. I mean, it wasn’t even close despite Romney benefiting from a divided conservtive vote.
I guess South Carolina just likes hateful people, maybe going back to their racist past as our genius pundits like ANn Coulter opine.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:08 PM
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:03 PM
.
You missed my point. Repeal has a long process to get to the Presidents desk. Thrown in some media meltdowns, filibusters and walkouts…. Do you really think he would not sign a repeal of Obiecare after all that will be needed to be done to put the repeal on the desk in the oval office?
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C’mon Newts a changed man- why can’t the Mittster be a changed man???
FlaMurph on January 27, 2012 at 2:09 PM
Not sure which “National” news media you were trying to listen to this morning, but I think its pretty clear that Newt didnt do well this debate. And everyone is saying this is one of Romney’s best debates.
Watch the evening news tonight, where they get a chance to talk about it. Its all your going to hear.
kage on January 27, 2012 at 2:09 PM
I am just sick and tired of all the BS from all these people. They are working hard to reelect odumbo this fall, and none of them have a real clue. They are doing the liberal’s work for them in preparation for the election….. mark my words, the GOP will pull defeat from the jaws of victory. Jeez, I am tired of the stupidity of politicians.
ultracon on January 27, 2012 at 2:10 PM
Polls are a lot more accurate nowadays than in the 1970s. We have much better sampling and randomization today. The polls have been remarkably accurate of the primaries this season.
What polls can’t predict is changing moods well in advance. Could Newt’s favorability go up among women? I don’t see it happening. Most women are not going to be happy about making a mistress the First Lady.
haner on January 27, 2012 at 2:12 PM
Redemption only goes to the thrice-married adulterer and thrice-converted parishoner, not the Mormon. Mormons are cults who believe in Satan.
/
haner on January 27, 2012 at 2:13 PM
Someone earlier was asking about sites declaring Romney the winner and just said they saw bloggers. Will these do:
SCORECARDS—
TIME’s Mark Halperin—Romney, A; Santorum, B-; Gingrich, C-; Paul, C-. http://ti.me/wbHgkR
LARRY SABATO—Romney B+; Santorum B+; Gingrich C+; Paul C. “Romney got what he needed for FL comeback,” he tweeted. http://bit.ly/wBIQJ1
THE NEW YORK TIMES’ Nate Silver—“Grades (strategy/execution): Romney (A/A); Santorum (A-/A); Paul (B-/C); Gingrich (D-/B).” http://nyti.ms/w7uwVp.
THE WASHINGTON POST’s Aaron Blake and Rachel Weiner: Winners: Romney, Santorum. Losers: Gingrich, Callista Gingrich, http://wapo.st/ySEY8J
CBS News’ Corbett Daly – Winners: Romney, Santorum, Paul. Losers: Gingrich. http://bit.ly/zojvzX
ABC’s Amy Walter and Michael Falcone: “Romney wins…Gingrich looks rattled and uneven.” http://abcn.ws/xu6xFk
BUZZFEED’s Zeke Miller: Romney, win; Santorum, cute; Gingrich, fail; Paul, “omg.” http://bit.ly/yALu2o
HOW IT’S PLAYING –
THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER’s Byron York: “Gingrich blows chance in crucial final debate”: http://bit.ly/yMHngZ
TAMPA BAY TIMES’ Alex Leary and Adam C. Smith: “Gingrich and Romney brawl, Romney lands punches”: http://bit.ly/AsIF7S.
THE LOS ANGELES TIMES’ Paul West and Seema Mehta: “Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich.” http://lat.ms/x54NTf
NEW YORK TIMES’ Jim Rutenberg and Jeff Zeleny: “Romney stays on the offensive with Gingrich.” A1: http://nyti.ms/w96ULT.
BOSTON GLOBE’s Chris Rowland: “Romney turns more aggressive.” http://b.globe.com/AtJy2R
g2825m on January 27, 2012 at 2:13 PM
Biggest problem in the debate for Newt, was CNN’s Blitzer. He set the tone, he wanted a catfight and he pushed and prodded until he got one.
And what was with Wolfie interjecting his two cents after every audience member posed a question? Don’t stand there and tell us at the beeginning of the debate that “the voters will ask questions tonight”, when you step on their questions and add a few inflammatory comments of your own.
GOP, stop having debates ON CNN!
Nobody is the GOP winner with those assclowns running the show.
fogw on January 27, 2012 at 2:13 PM
Romney has no conservative accomplishments. He was happy to govern as a liberal in Mass…he never even tried to push the state to the right…he’s not a leader.
Newt does have conservative accomplishments.
Romney implemented RomneyCare, worked with Ted Kennedy to secure federal subsidies for it. You can say Newt’s a hypocrite on this but he never actually did it, and he did oppose HillaryCare.
I prefer Santorum but I’ve been told I hate the gays, only reason to support Santy is b/c you hate gays. He’s not a fiscal conservative i’ve been told because he hates the gays.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:14 PM
C’mon Newt – give us a break why don’t you. It’s called politics. Stop whining and $ukk it up man.
independentvoice on January 27, 2012 at 2:15 PM
Someone earlier asked about not seeing any other sites except bloggers saying Romney won. Here are some:
SCORECARDS—
TIME’s Mark Halperin—Romney, A; Santorum, B-; Gingrich, C-; Paul, C-.
LARRY SABATO—Romney B+; Santorum B+; Gingrich C+; Paul C. “Romney got what he needed for FL comeback,” he tweeted.
THE NEW YORK TIMES’ Nate Silver—“Grades (strategy/execution): Romney (A/A); Santorum (A-/A); Paul (B-/C); Gingrich (D-/B).”
THE WASHINGTON POST’s Aaron Blake and Rachel Weiner: Winners: Romney, Santorum. Losers: Gingrich, Callista Gingrich,
CBS News’ Corbett Daly – Winners: Romney, Santorum, Paul. Losers: Gingrich.
ABC’s Amy Walter and Michael Falcone: “Romney wins…Gingrich looks rattled and uneven.”
BUZZFEED’s Zeke Miller: Romney, win; Santorum, cute; Gingrich, fail; Paul, “omg.”
HOW IT’S PLAYING –
THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER’s Byron York: “Gingrich blows chance in crucial final debate”:
TAMPA BAY TIMES’ Alex Leary and Adam C. Smith: “Gingrich and Romney brawl, Romney lands punches”:
THE LOS ANGELES TIMES’ Paul West and Seema Mehta: “Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich.”
NEW YORK TIMES’ Jim Rutenberg and Jeff Zeleny: “Romney stays on the offensive with Gingrich.” A1:
BOSTON GLOBE’s Chris Rowland: “Romney turns more aggressive.”
g2825m on January 27, 2012 at 2:16 PM
Romney’s favoriality is higher b/c he rarely says anything.
That’s the benefit of not having strong opinions and playing it safe.
I don’t understand why any Republican voter would want Romney.
RomneyCare should have disqualified him from the start.
But this kind of thing doesnt seem to matter these days.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:17 PM
Exactly; another savaging by the Romney establishment machine/ pundits/media on Newt. I thought it sounded like the Romney crowd was bigger last night, but perhaps they were just louder and cheered longer. Wouldn’t put anything past the dirty trick Mittsters at this point though.
Much truth in what you say tkyang99. The Romney media considers it a debate loss for Newt sans a standing o.
I was wondering what the take would be on the debate with the establishment media today. My impression was that Newt did very well; Romney blew it with his defense of mandated RomneyCare; Santorum probably had his best debate performance; and Ron Paul totally enjoyed himself while he was providing the comic relief.
IndeCon on January 27, 2012 at 2:17 PM
Stop whining and just punch the opposition out. They are the passive-aggressive narcissist snipers.
Schadenfreude on January 27, 2012 at 2:17 PM
FINAL DRUDGE POLL RESULTS… READERS FROM FLORIDA ONLY: ROMNEY 34.78%… SANTORUM 24.61%… PAUL 22.7%… GINGRICH 17.92%…
haner on January 27, 2012 at 2:17 PM
Didn’t Romney and his supporters whine about Newt’s Bain capital ads?
They sure did, but notice nobody called it whining. They weren’t saying “politics ain’t beanbag” at that point. :)
Amazing how this works.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:19 PM
.
Cue the Drudge hate in 3…2..
FlaMurph on January 27, 2012 at 2:19 PM
g2825m on January 27, 2012 at 2:19 PM
“Boo hoo, Newt”???
So far, I’ve been resisting the temptation to jump on the “Tina is a Romney shill” bandwagon, but that temptation grows with each comment like that showing up on Hot Gas…
Mr. Prodigy on January 27, 2012 at 2:21 PM
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The Bain whining was for the attack on capitalism and the Private Equity straw man attack.
FlaMurph on January 27, 2012 at 2:22 PM
Drudge poll results never match the final result.
He’s defintely not supporting Newt. It’s not hate to conclude that based on the very anti-Newt content of his website.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:22 PM
Must protect Romney’s glass jaw while he tries to knock out Gingrich.
Christien on January 27, 2012 at 2:23 PM
.
you have a gift for innuendo.
FlaMurph on January 27, 2012 at 2:23 PM
Polls are used to sway public opinion of the uninformed masses. They are often weighted and loading with questions prepared in such a manner to get the answer the polling house wants. Often times the sample is way to small or focused on the wrong sector, avoiding likely voters and polling random people who claim to belong to one party when there’s no way of telling who they really are. But that doesn’t matter, as long as the results are favorable.
Polls have become a self-fulfilling prophecy more than an accurate measuring stick.
fogw on January 27, 2012 at 2:24 PM
I thought you Romney supporters didn’t like Gingrich b/c he”s a whiner though? You cant have it both ways. Youc an’t whine about negative ads by Gingrich and then mock Gingrich for whining about Romney stacking the debate forum with his supporters.
RomneyCare was an attack on free markets and capitalism. Yet you support that guy. :)
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:24 PM
And we enter the latest Newtplosion episode. Let’s see if Santorum picks up any support.
jnelchef on January 27, 2012 at 2:24 PM
Here’s a hoping a viable conservative Republican runs 3rd party this year.
Somebody not for Obamacare/RomneyCare, so we have a choice.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:28 PM
Do folks really believe Newtzilla can survive the last 48 hours of nuke attacks?
BTW, this is not addressed to the Mittbots, I know what you think. I was curious what Conservatives thought about Newt at this point.
TitularHead on January 27, 2012 at 2:28 PM
This story is based on comments a junior staffer made to a left wing blog. Too many commenters on HA treat those remarks as if Newt said them.
Maybe that study in another thread claiming that conservatives are dumb has more to it than just the usual leftist hubris and lack of self-awareness.
WhatNot on January 27, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Yeah, what we need is another Ross Perot to upset the applecart.
Not.
fogw on January 27, 2012 at 2:31 PM
Newt blew it last night, and making accusations is not going to help his cause. He needs to move on and concentrate on the next few days.
youngTXcon on January 27, 2012 at 2:34 PM
I said viable conservative Republican. That wouldn’t be a Ross Perot type, so your talking falls flat.
I think it’s sad that so many Republicans hate Obama so much they will vote for the most liberal Republican to come down the pike in a long time in Romney. And think he’s a lock to beat Obama on top of that.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:35 PM
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Not a problem for me. I dont live in MAss. They can do what ever the hell they want to- same for CA- But on a federal level – nfw- if Mittens doesn’t sign a repeal- Then he is toast.
FlaMurph on January 27, 2012 at 2:35 PM
If Gingrich is concerned that Romney might have packed the debate hall with supporters to cheer him on, then so what?
The people actually in the debate hall are only a tiny fraction of the number of people watching the debate on TV, and it’s the much larger crowd of TV watchers that the candidates need to impress.
Gingrich needs to think of himself as the quarterback of a visiting football team. The fans in the stadium are all cheering on the home team, but if the visiting team plays better, the fans watching on TV back home are all cheering.
Steve Z on January 27, 2012 at 2:35 PM
That’s one thought. Or, maybe just let the Moderates put their Squish on the ballot to oppose 0bama again. That might be what it takes for another RINO purge in 2014 & 16.
Of course, that assumes we can survive four more years of the faux-Messiah.
TitularHead on January 27, 2012 at 2:36 PM
I didn’t know it was a conservative position to be ok with big government as long as it’s done only at the state level.
This is Romney redefining conservatism. :)
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:37 PM
Do Romney supporters characterize it as whining if you criticize Romney?
I don’t want to be called a whiner. Better to support big governmetn Romney than be called a whiner by his fans. :)
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:39 PM
I would like to know why Mr. Generic Republican has not been invited to any of the debates. He seems to be the most electable against Obama according to the polls. I would probably vote for him if I could hear more of his policy positions. He can’t be worse than the guys on stage last night.
gravityman on January 27, 2012 at 2:40 PM
Did you post similar sentiment on the Politico article from yesterday, alleging a Romney staffer made remarks about preachers and Newt’s supporters?
galtani on January 27, 2012 at 2:40 PM
I don’t want a third party. Why don’t we just get behind Santorum while we still have a chance to select the GOP candidate? There have only been votes cast in 3 out of 50 states and he won one of them.
pannw on January 27, 2012 at 2:40 PM
It’s not a conservative position. However, it is a Constitutional position. There’s nuance in that 10th Amendment.
The “market solution” is that people then move out of said big government state for a small government state, leaving the big government state with an insufficient tax base to fund its big government.
gravityman on January 27, 2012 at 2:44 PM
I dont’ remember a Republican candidate coming under more assault by our own media than Newt, outside of Palin maybe.
Yet he’s still in play. Kind of amazing, really.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:45 PM
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Can we stop pretending there aren’t government programs today and that somehow they will go away someday. Medicare is kinda popular with the folks- BUT obiecare replacing it does not work as a SOLUTION either. The private sector HAS to stay involved- as it does in Mass. What needs to occur is practical changes to a system bloating with cost and govt. regs. and thats Paul Ryan’s job. Once he gets the support he deserves-and gets the sharp metal object out of his back- MAYBE not a given- MAYBE the Rs can fix this thing.
FlaMurph on January 27, 2012 at 2:45 PM
If people don’t want Romney’s big government, why would they want Santorum’s big government?
gravityman on January 27, 2012 at 2:47 PM
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Santorum has left the building.
FlaMurph on January 27, 2012 at 2:47 PM
Newt and Obama… drinking from the same bottle of Whine…
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on January 27, 2012 at 2:48 PM
Paul Ryan’s job right now is to vote like a conservative on fiscal issues, yet he’s voting like a liberal on TARP, auto bailouts, etc.
I don’t know how this guy was able to dupe conservatives into thinking he’s some F.A Hayek kind of guy. The man has a voting record, spend a few minutes and get informed.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:49 PM
Santorum never supported Obamacare/RomneyCare government control of medical decisions.
It’s amusing when the gay-centric types start callign Santy a statist when Santy was anti-tax hike, pro-welfeare reform and pro-social security reform.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Romney did a lot of whining when he lost South Carolina badly.
Maybe the most sour grapes speech I’ve seen in politics.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:51 PM
Ross Perot was considered viable at the time by millions of voters. That’s how we ended up with Clinton. They didn’t vote for Perot because they thought he was a nutcase, they believed in what he was preaching. If nothing else, Perot was a true patriot who cared about his country.
Any third candidate running as a republican will only help Obama. It’s not complicated. Viable or not.
fogw on January 27, 2012 at 2:51 PM
In other words, Newty was out played and out debated. Now he wants to cry about it. I thought he was a fighter? lol Earlier in the week he was whining about the audience not being able to cheer. Now he’s whining about it when they were allowed to cheer. What’s with this guy?
cicerone on January 27, 2012 at 2:55 PM
That’s the convential wisdom but I think Romney and Obama are so close on the big issues epecially healthcare policy that a viable conservative candidate could win this year. It will be like that district in NY, where the Republicans rallied around the liberal Republican at first but realized the 3rd party conservative guy was more viable.
Other countries have more than 2 parties. It doesnt’ have to be Obama or Romney. I think a credible consrevative candidate can run against Obama-Romney and win.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:55 PM
How did Romney outdebate anybody? It sounds to me that Santorum won the debate if there was a winner. Santorum slapped Romney around on RomneyCare, which is the big issue this year, and Romney says it’s not worth getting angry about, but we are told Romney won the debate? What planet do you guys live on? :)
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 2:57 PM
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So your glass half empty guy- nothing wrong with that.
.
Paul Ryan is the most hated Rep – next to Walker- and is the devil to the uninformed democrite. Did you not know that ? If so, who’s side are you on again? I would think you would be the Ron Paul type.
FlaMurph on January 27, 2012 at 2:58 PM
Does anyone need more proof that Newt is a whiney populist pander machine?
Snake307 on January 27, 2012 at 2:59 PM
You’re already in the hole from your ridiculous speculation about the chances of a third party candidate. Leaving that nonsense aside for the moment, let me ask you: Who’s doing the whining today? The guy that lost.
cicerone on January 27, 2012 at 3:00 PM
You can brown nose Paul Ryan all you want but I looked at his voting record and it’ ain’t conservative. If this guy is our savoir we are screwed.
His rhetoric doesn’t match his record of voting for big government :)
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 3:00 PM
I don’t think Gingrich lost the debate. It’s just Romney voters saying that. I don’t think Romney did a good job defending RomneyCare so how can he be the winner?
He’s only the winnier if you think Santorum will do better in the election and hurt Gingrich.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 3:01 PM
We’re not another country and the national election will not be held in one puny district in NY.
That’s over the top. Really? You’re losing all credibility, at light speed.
fogw on January 27, 2012 at 3:03 PM
It’s a still a free country, so you can certainly think what you want. When you’re done, you can find the rest of us hanging out in the real world. Maybe we’ll see you there sometime?
cicerone on January 27, 2012 at 3:03 PM
I don’t support a 3rd party as much as a I support a 3rd candidate who is a conservative Republican with respect. I’m basically arguing the general election should be a continuation of our primary which seems set up to nominate moderate/liberal Republicans like McCain and Romney.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 3:04 PM
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I explained to you how the Obiecare repeal process works- and President Romney’s part is ONLY signing it or vetoing it. He said he would sign the repeal- over and over. He would be the disgrace of the American History if he went back on his word. Maybe impeachment. What do you not get?
FlaMurph on January 27, 2012 at 3:04 PM
You’re right. Romney gained a lot of voters after last night.
haner on January 27, 2012 at 3:04 PM
Ok, if it’s the real world that Romney won the debate when he bombed the RomneyCare question, then I’m happy living on fantasy island. :)
It’s not worth getting angry about? This is the guy our wise men want to run against Obama? How is that going to work?
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 3:05 PM
What? How can this be? Didn’t Newty accuse Ryan of practicing “right-wing social engineering?” Now you say he’s not conservative? Anti-Romney paranoia does terrible things to people…
cicerone on January 27, 2012 at 3:05 PM
What proof do you have of that? I don’t see a Gingrich voter going over to Romney. Maybe Santorum, but not Romney. :)
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 3:06 PM
Michelle Malking has talked about Ryan’s penchant for voting like a liberal on big fiscal issues. You can ignore if you want but I’m not making stuff up about Ryan and he’s not on the ballot and I doubt he ever will be. :)
He’d be better than Romney but who isn’t?
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 3:07 PM
Tina, you’re kinda blind on this. I suppose Romney didn’t have his supporters at Newt’s campaign events for the past couple of days to stir up anti-Newt sentiments either. Romney’s campaign is highly organized, including being highly organized in the sleaze factor. I would have been surprised if he didn’t pack the debate hall with his Mittbots. Romney will win only because he lacks principles and honesty. Pathetic
NOMOBO on January 27, 2012 at 3:09 PM
He was only concerned that Ricky was getting a little agitated and starting to babble. It was concern for Ricky as much as anything. We don’t want Ricky to have an aneurysm right there on stage. Besides, back in the day Ricky wasn’t that concerned about mandates. And I don’t recall him raising the outcry back in 2006 when the Massachusetts plan was put in place. So methinks Ricky doth protest too much.
cicerone on January 27, 2012 at 3:09 PM
The problem conservatives have with Romney is he doesn’t seem angry about Obama, b/c he isn’t angry about Obama b/c he’s basically the white version of Obama. He likes America a little more but if you compare the two on the issues, you have to break out the high powered microscope to see a difference.
A good Republican candidate should be able to contrast themselves with the most radical leftwing persident we’ve had in Obama.
Romney’s not that guy. You can spin all day for him if you want. Plus he’s just bland and boring and those candidates almost always lose. Charisma matters in politics. you can’t wish that away.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 3:12 PM
Ok,
I’m going to head out…I’m resolved not spending time thinking about how awful the GOP has become.
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 3:13 PM
So which is it? Is he a crypto-liberal or a mad genius of dangerous right-wing social engineering? Anti-Romney paranoia tends to destroy any kind of coherent message.
cicerone on January 27, 2012 at 3:14 PM
Love the idea, except that in the general, electoral college votes are at stake and third parties historically don’t win them, regardless of their popular vote.
de rigueur on January 27, 2012 at 3:14 PM
That’s EXACTLY what I told you… don’t ever down me again you programmed clowns
apocalypse on January 27, 2012 at 3:16 PM
It’s like fighting liberals…so easy.
Schadenfreude on January 27, 2012 at 3:17 PM
Those Romney vs Obama debates particularly on healthcare policy are going to be exciting only if you like watching politicians engage in a lot of doublespeak and intellctual dishonesty. :)
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 3:17 PM
You people here want Romney.fine you got him also you got Obama for 4 more years.
logman1 on January 27, 2012 at 3:17 PM
Woops, wrong click
Schadenfreude on January 27, 2012 at 3:17 PM
“Healthcare policy is not worth getting angry about” Romney
Romney 2012
Dr. Tesla on January 27, 2012 at 3:18 PM
Ask yourself, do you really want a fair McCain campaign against Obama, or a dirty fighting campaign against Obama?
haner on January 27, 2012 at 3:19 PM
Nope.
cicerone on January 27, 2012 at 3:20 PM
Based on her chosen subjects and her rhetoric, I get the feeling that Tina aspires to be the next Jennifer Rubin/Kathleen Parker/Peggy Noonan/Mona Charen.
NoNails on January 27, 2012 at 3:20 PM
It’s just been a bad all the way around for you, hasn’t it?
cicerone on January 27, 2012 at 3:21 PM
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