SC DEBATE (CNN) — REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RACE 1-19-2012
Trying to make some brief 'color' notes; my friends wonder if I can stray brief.
Electronic feedback via Twitter, Facebook, and their CNN website.
Into, walking onto stage: Ron Paul, Gingrich, Romney, Santorum (four remain).
Before, Pledge of Allegiance; now cadets choir singing National Anthem.
CNN John King moderates. Affair questioned, "No, but I will" respond. "Vicious". Gingrich gets the second historic standing ovation. "Despicable" question. "The story was false!" Santorum thanks God for forgiveness, but ... Romney "Let's get on with the real issues. That's all I've got to say." Ron Paul talks about the corporations that run the media; standards are important, proud of his wife attending, 54 yrs.
Q1: 9.9% unemployment. Do we need specific federal program? Name three.
You can check the transcript(s) for Ron Paul's good answers. Newt is smiling, he adds kill Dodd-Frank, natural gas, modernize port of Charleston and Corp of Engineers. Romney wants to stop crony capitalism of Obama. Asked to take his time, Romney expands on Capitalism and finishes strong with applause along the way. Santorum says something about Obama and economic squalor/dependency.
Q2: Age 20-24 has 22% unemployment. Should The Regime target that group?
Ron Paul says not just that group. A great point about not needing support in a growing economy from cutting taxes. [Hope he can be in the cabinet.] Santorum wants to continue vet preferences. Romney gives examples of MA supporting vets; and Obama cuts them. Gingrich talks further about what Ron Paul said on vets.
Q3: Can Obamacare be repealed totally?
Romney says the executive order is just beginning, we have to go for complete repeal. The American people will stand w/American POTUS. Secondly, have a new system run like a free market. [Good hand gestures!] Gingrich wants it a major part of the fall campaign. "Elect us and your kids will be able to move out and find work."
Santorum expanded to attack Romney & Gingrich on healthcare, looking unpresidential. They both smacked him down good. It was entertaining.
Ron Paul speaks from his doctor experience; smacks Santorum support. He was doing great, saying for gov't to get out of medicine until he said "save overseas".
Break, and announcement that Newt Gingrich has his tax info now online.
Ads: Clean coal; Artist movie; ATT silent treatment; selsun blue; DanLouther book;
Gingrich explained his Reagan era with grandiose results and explained why he said Santorum can't do the same. Santorum was there when Gingrich was stepped down. Gingrich wins with a dozen points from history. Romney wants to send someone not already in Washington but from the private sector. The free people make America strong, not Washington. Gingrich speaks again and speaks well. Romney then speaks better about having 25 years in industry vs Gingrich 4 yrs in govt.
Q: When will we see your tax returns? "When they are complete in April."
After extended prodding, pointing to a dozen years of George Romney tax returns, Mitt Romney makes a strong and convincing conclusion, to applause and cheering.
[Lapse here: I was typing while Santorum goes on and on. Some of the points hopefuls are making the audience knows Romney also supports. So? Same for Ron Paul talking about trading with China. "This whole ballgame is going to end and we had better be prepared for it."]
Q: Pirating software?
Newt, "You are asking a Conservative about Left-wing Hollywood." Google, Wikipedia, Yahoo, others say it will totally screw up the Internet. Romney: We already have copyright laws. Gingrich got it just about right, far too intrusive. Use current laws to narrowly go after illegality.
Break/Ads: Cadillac; Vote4Energy.org; SupportPopularVote (toss Constitution).
Ads: Artist movie; Barcelo; America's natural gas; Cisco; and, of course, CNN.
Q: One thing you could 'do over'.
Newt: toss the first advisors; Romney: work to get 25 more votes in Iowa, and spend the moment talking of others on stage and talk about Obama, etc. Any one of them would be a better than the person in over his head. Santorum: not a thing, 700 townhall mtgs; Congressman Ron Paul: not a single one thing, I learn a lot about delivering better, speaking slower and delivering the great message.
Q: Illegals and keep jobs first for Americans.
Newt: first control the border and build fence by 2014. Newt laid out six or so items that are wise, "most would leave" and then look at those here. Romney: this is not tough, build the fence, etc. Sanction employers. No preferential pathway. Newt, as POTUS, on Day One would drop the lawsuits against AZ, SC, and AL.
Q: The Life issue of Romney.
Newt: Romneycare supports Abortion clinics and appointed Choice judges. Romney: I'm not questioned on character very often. Corrects Gingrich. "I am pro-Life." "You can count on me as president of the United States to pursue a policy that protects the life of unborn in USA and overseas; and I'll reverse Obama policies."
Before moving on, the audience yells out, demanding to hear Ron Paul (doctor).
TX Congressman Paul: "When you are taking care of a woman who is pregnant, you are taking care of two patients (mommy & unborn baby!) .!. The culture changed in 1960s, (war drugs sex 'choice'). Laws don't correct the underlying culture. Get the gov't out."
Closing: [My rating] Romney 100%; Gingrich 88%; Paul 70%; Santorum 35%.
Points were made that Romney also supports and so he remains. We'll see soon.
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