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Carolina Spin Wars

By on 1.17.12 @ 6:09AM

Did Romney emerge “unscathed” from Monday’s debate?

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Mitt Romney came under the most intense fire he’s faced in a televised debate Monday night, hammered from the outset by his four remaining rivals for the Republican presidential nomination. And, according to one of his top advisers, Romney won.

“Governor Romney demonstrated tonight why he’s leading in South Carolina [and] why he’s leading nationally,” Eric Fehrnstrom said in the “spin room” where reporters gathered to get the post-debate perspective of candidates and their surrogates. “You heard him give strong answers about his business record, about Afghanistan and foreign policy, about his entitlement plan. And I think what these debates have turned into is a ‘get Mitt’ show, and anytime something like that happens and Mitt Romney comes out of it unscathed, then I think you can fairly conclude that he’s the winner.”

Whether Romney was “unscathed” in the debate here was, of course, disputed by the other campaigns. Rick Santorum’s campaign manager, Mike Biundo said his candidate “did really well.… He had a very pointed exchange with Governor Romney, showed that he certainly has debate skills and understands and has a command of the issues, and I think you’re going to need that in the fall.”

Santorum came out hard against Romney, saying that a so-called “super PAC” supporting the former Massachusetts governor “has put an ad out there suggesting that I voted to allow felons to be able to vote from prison.” Then Santorum asked Romney directly whether “felons who have served their time who have exhausted their parole and probation” should be able to vote. Romney attempted to explain that, by law, he cannot communicate with the independent group, Restore Our Values, which produced the ad, one which Santorum has called dishonest. But Santorum interrupted Romney’s explanation: “Answer the question first.”

When Romney again tried to defer, Santorum demanded an answer and said: “This is Martin Luther King day. This is a huge deal in the African American community because we have disproportionately high rates of incarceration in the African-American community.” This seemed an unusual line of argument in a Republican debate, especially in a state as conservative as South Carolina, but Santorum was steering the frontrunner into a trap. When Romney then said he believes violent criminals should have their voting rights permanently revoked, Santorum pointed out that when Romney was governor of Massachusetts, that state’s law permitted felons to vote while still on probation or parole — more liberal than the federal law for which Santorum voted. “If in fact you felt so passionately about this,” the former Pennsylvania senator challenged Romney, “then why didn’t you try to change that when you were governor of Massachusetts?”

It was inarguably one of Santorum’s best performances to date, but it was generally a good night for all the “not Romney” conservative challengers, including Texas Gov. Rick Perry — currently dead last in South Carolina polls among the five candidates still actively campaigning — and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, widely regarded as the candidate with the best chance to beat Romney in Saturday’s primary here. But Gingrich also suffered some blowback for his own attacks on Romney’s business record at Bain Capital, which he defended by saying, “We need to satisfy the country that whoever we nominate has a record that can stand up to Barack Obama in a very effective way.” But then it was Romney’s turn to criticize “super PAC” ads, calling an attack ad by a pro-Gingrich group “the biggest hoax since Bigfoot.”

Of course, there are those who say that Bigfoot — the legendary half-man, half-ape of the Pacific Northwest — is quite real. And if Romney should get the Republican nomination, the Obama campaign will surely target his record at the Bain investment firm in much the same way Gingrich and his PAC have done. So, “hoax” or not, Gingrich has undoubtedly exposed one of the frontrunner’s biggest weaknesses. The question, however, is whether any of Romney’s rivals have hit him hard enough — or soon enough.

That question was raised when the Santorum campaign unveiled a new TV ad yesterday that compares Romney’s record to the Democratic incumbent’s record and asks, “Why would we ever vote for someone who is just like Obama?” Mark Halperin of Time magazine remarked, “Amazing to think about what would have happened if this ad had been run in Iowa for all of December with real money behind it.”

Whether such attacks — either in ads or in speeches or in debates — can slow Romney’s momentum now is the big question remaining to be answered. And the answer to that one will have to wait until the votes are counted here Saturday.

About the Author

Robert Stacy McCain is co-author (with Lynn Vincent) of Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party (Nelson Current). He blogs at The Other McCain.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (160) |

Jack in Wi.| 1.17.12 @ 6:20AM

Romney. Obama.
Romneycare. Obamacare.
Endless war. Endless war.
Torture. Torture.
NDAA. NDAA.
Goldman-Sachs. Goldman Sachs.
Fed. forever. Fed forever.
Exrays forever. Exrays forever.
TSA TSA.
DHS. DHS.
Patriot Act. Patriot Act.
Bailouts forever. Bailouts forever.
Bankruptcy. Bankruptcy.

Doorgunner| 1.17.12 @ 6:46AM

Haven't you two clowns realized yet that we will never vote for Ronpaulstiltskin? Never.

And by we, I mean the vast majority of voters who consider themselves remotely 'conservative'.

Clint| 1.17.12 @ 6:49AM

Doghumper, Haven't You Realized That You're A RINO-CINO AssHat ?

The Tea Party Rebellion Steps On Mittens' Tail.

Doorgunner| 1.17.12 @ 8:36AM

You shouldn't call your mother a dog.

Clint| 1.17.12 @ 4:11PM

I Was Just Callin ' Ya The Son Of A Bitch Doggie That You Are , Doghumper.

Play Dead.

The Tea Party Rebellion Steps On Mittens' Tail.

Occam's Tool| 1.17.12 @ 4:11PM

DG:

if you've read my previous comments, you would know that my account of Clint's parents' meeting has never been disputed by Clint---- that his mother was chasing cars on all fours when she met his father.

Great minds think alike, eh?

Clint| 1.17.12 @ 5:32PM

The Neo-Chickenhawk Coward Israel Firster Smear Bund Bibi Butt Boy.Tool Job Likes To Get On All Fours For Bibi.

The Tea Party Steps On The Israel Firster Smear Bund AssHat, Tool Job.

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 9:08AM

I love the cacaphony of boos your perpetual candidate got last night. And his stuttering & bumbling made him look more & more like the senile dementia patient he is. But he's old. So what's YOUR excuse, Herr KKKlint?

Ken (Old Texican) | 1.17.12 @ 9:56AM

Hey Con Chef
Have you seen Governor Perry reading Ron Paul the riot act?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related

I missed it darn it!

Al Adab| 1.17.12 @ 11:06AM

NB, Ken:
See todays WSJ editorial page. Who can unite the defense hawks, cultural cons and economic libertarians? That is who we need and NOW.

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 11:09AM

It was BEAUTIFUL!

Clint| 1.17.12 @ 5:36PM

" Rick Perry supported Lance Armstrong's 3 billion dollar Texas taxpayer funded medical research center. That’s like ObamaCare. That’s not free market.

Rick Perry, secured a 300 million dollar business handout slush fund for him and just the two leaders of the legislature to dole out to whomever he felt like being friendly to. That’s corporate welfare, a recipe for corruption, and as bad as the TARP bailouts that caused the Tea Parties to explode all across America. In fact, Perry gave 20 million dollars to Countrywide Financial which later went bankrupt.
He supported a new state business tax. He set up toll road tax collection booths all over Texas highways. The Austin Tea Party and the Austin Toll Party booed him on the steps of the state Capitol for that.

Rick Perry, signed an executive order mandating young Texas schoolgirls to get the HPV vaccine, while his former chief of staff was a lobbyist for Merck. Perry's judgment was so bad the Texas legislature revolted against him and overturned his decision,"

The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina.

Nite| 1.17.12 @ 7:27PM

Now you know these comments about Rick Perry are not true or else are so slanted the meaning changes. Lance Armstrong's medical research center is NOT like Obamacare. You have been called on this stuff before. I am from TX and know the factual information and this garbage is not it. This is Ron Pauls talking points.

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 12:03AM

agree or not...all these people you target actually ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING. Paul has never been an effective force during all his years in Congress.

what the heck....Stan Laurel for President! As we saw the other night...he's really quick on his feet!

Quartermaster| 1.17.12 @ 5:38PM

Ya'll didn't get the memo apparently. When intelligent people argue with an idiot, it's hard to tell teh difference. It's especially hard when the intelligent people use the same idiotic language to argue back.

Dai Alanye | 1.17.12 @ 11:12AM

This might have been the best panel of questioners yet, and certainly the first one to nail RonPaul's hide to the door. Despite the madness of his ideas (zero taxes, be nicer to terrorists) he has never before been effectively challenged, probably due to sympathy for poor old half-senile grandpa.

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 12:04AM

exactly! the debates have largely been moderated by Left of Center types.

Occam's Tool| 1.17.12 @ 4:10PM

Ya know, Clint, Doorgunner actually served, unlike you. You're just a bullying cowardly punk scared off by a middle aged Jewish guy wearing a colostomy bag (Con gave you his address and an invite, but not a "boo" from you, terrorist fellator). And, while I don't always agree with DG, he's a VERY good guy who served. Name call me all you want, but you didn't serve, despite being an alleged elite athlete. So shut up. And no, I don't plan to make you, unless you come within a hundred miles of my kids.

Alan Brooks| 1.17.12 @ 9:30AM

"Haven't you two clowns realized yet that we will never vote for Ronpaulstiltskin"?

Yeah? how about Rumplednewtbrain, the laughingstock of 'futurism'.

Alice Moore| 1.17.12 @ 9:46AM

Ronpaulstilskin, Rumplednewtbrain, I'll even throw in Rumplemittkins. All would be 1000% better than Rumplebambam

Purp| 1.17.12 @ 1:50PM

Too bad, so sad, you won't have the chance to find out.

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 2:30PM

We'll see, won't we, Perp?

Doctor Right| 1.17.12 @ 7:51AM

Ron Paul. Grandpa Simpson.
Nuts. Nuts.
Paranoid. Paranoid
Mumbler. Mumbler.
Conspiracy theorist. Conspiracy theorist.
Devoted son. Devoted son.
Followers should be committed. Followers are committed.
Blames America for Everything. Blames Shelbyville for everything.
Thinks the best defense is no defense. Thinks he doesn't like the looks of them teenagers.
Once met DW Griffith. Once met Andy Griffith.
Eats with a straw. Eats with a straw.
Has NO chance of ever being President. Han an outside shot as a write-in for the Bull-Moose Party.

Doorgunner| 1.17.12 @ 8:34AM

I laughed so hard I cried.

Thanks, Dr. Right.

Alan Brooks| 1.17.12 @ 9:35AM

"Has NO chance of ever being President."

None of your tepid candidates do. You are driving with Reagan fumes in your GOP tank- everyone knows it save for you. You got it right without knowing it concerning third party; such is your one chance; but luckily for america, you'd blow that too.

Drunken Sailor| 1.17.12 @ 11:10AM

Don't you have a Newsweek article to finish submitting?

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 12:07AM

bingo!

bill| 1.17.12 @ 10:37AM

Ron Paul needs to join NAACP because he has become the father of "black liberation conspiracy theory." I hate him because he said that blacks are disproportionally imprisoned. We all know that that was a lie. Ron Paul is "talking black," and he is done for 2012.

Purp| 1.17.12 @ 1:53PM

THAT is not a lie - but you don't know anything do you? While I don't support Ron Paul, he does speak a lot of truth - way more than I can say for the Fixed News spin zone machine. This is a prison statistic, you can look it up - Google it, Oh my, you might learn something!

chuck| 1.17.12 @ 8:00PM

Probably because they commit a disproportionate number of the crimes!

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaah, we're just a "racist" country.

Occam's Tool| 1.17.12 @ 4:14PM

Please, Clint, give us that website for Paul's "The Minority Ad" again. It was such a masterpiece of Paulist thinking explained (truly).

rhortus| 1.17.12 @ 9:09AM

I'm voting for Ron Paul again: 1988, 2008 & 2012.

bill| 1.17.12 @ 12:25PM

Ron Paul is a member of NAACP, the organization I hate the most.
Ron Paul should be expelled from GOP.

Bob Buoy| 1.17.12 @ 8:55PM

I don't get the newt loving. We cheer his janitor idea but please look at what he is proposing... a NEW GOVT PROGRAM. the 90 kids in 1 school replacing 3 janitors and doing light janitorial work. Think about how that would work in real life -- it would be a joke. Over time it would get worse as EVERY BIG GOVT PROGRAM does.
As for the author, he is a Perry-Newt lover and VERY BIASED.

Clint| 1.17.12 @ 6:23AM

The Dog Ate Mittens' Tax Returns.

Romney Thinks He Can Run Out The Clock On His Tax Returns.

The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina.

wodiej| 1.17.12 @ 7:25AM

lol...glad to hear the TP rebellion is alive and well in SC!

Doctor Right| 1.17.12 @ 7:57AM

As usual, your response is devoid of logic.

Why would Mitt Romney submit his tax returns for scrutiny if he's NOT the nominee?

April is tax-month. As a teenager who lives off oh his mom and who doesn't pay taxes, this doesn't mean much to you, but to us adults, it means a lot.

Did you like watching Ron Paul get booed in SC last night? After all, you ARE there, right? In the "rebellion"??

LOL.

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 9:09AM

"The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina."

And damn near got booed the hell outta the hall last night. They don't like surrender monkeys in that part of Dixie, Yankee Boy.

Patrick| 1.17.12 @ 9:56AM

As a Yank, I can honestly say that I can't tolerate surrender-monkeying either.

Sure, he has some nice things to say about domestic policy, but he ruins it all by his foreign naivety. Islam will have a murderous hate for us for so long as there is either Islam or us.

irish19| 1.17.12 @ 11:09AM

Bingo!! Islam has been at war with civilization since the pedophile prophet arrived in Medina.

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 11:10AM

Irish:

Lest we forget, "Islam" means "submission."

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 11:09AM

Hell, Billy Yank, its cool!

:-)

Occam's Tool| 1.17.12 @ 4:19PM

I'm a Yank, too (albeit with an Alabama medical license)---Paul is a cheese eating surrender monkey.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.17.12 @ 7:15AM

The Santorum racial move will prove to be a very bad idea for him. Most citizens were probably not aware he wants convicted felons to vote and wants it in an enthusiastic manner. Most citizens do not want that. His claim that it affects mostly African-Americans may be true but most people, including that group, don't care. If they cared they would stop committing felonies and going to prison. It was a particularly bad move for Santorum which may come back to haunt him right out of the race.

On another note, Gingrich continues his "anybody but me gets it and there will be a flame out" with gusto. That's not presidential.

Ron Paul sounded like Obama with his the terrorists have rights statements. No, they don't.

Perry now sounds like he has his act together but he would sound better by not insisting on Romney releasing his tax returns. Romney will release them at some point and then all the people insisting on it will look like Obama as they tear into Romney in a new wave of class warfare led by Gingrich and Perry once again.

Oddly enough, Gingrich has not yet released his tax return while bashing Romney for not releasing his return. Gingrich is allegedly releasing it this week.

In short, there are few really experienced candidates at turning things around. Romney and Perry could make a good case there and Romney has made a good case.

Gingrich could have made the case too with his Contract with America but instead has simply used his candidacy to launch untruthful attacks against other candidates.

In that sense, Gingrich took his own campaign down because people want to hear principles.

If Romney sticks to his theme based on past successes then he should clear the hurdles left and find success.

The public is not that tuned into the hate thesis of the political class and it's a loser. Every time Gingrich brings up Bain Romney looks like a winner and Gingrich looks like a whiner.

Gingrich looked like a complete idiot with that Super Pac comment. It's illegal to control the Super Pacs and he had to admit it.

The cheap shots aren't working.

Gingrich looked best when standing up for his principles but it may be too late for that.

Dai Alanye | 1.17.12 @ 11:30AM

"Most candidates historically have released their tax returns in April. April sounds good to me. Yes, I might release them in April. Maybe. Perhaps in April or..."

Mitt never did give a definite answer, even in response to repeated direct questions. In fact, he showed extensive waffling ability on several matters last night. But he surely does just LO-OO-VE America, the land for which he's sacrificed so much. That love is the only reason he's running, yanno.

There was a point during Iowa when I thought I could stomach him, but his inherent phooniness is making it harder all the time.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.17.12 @ 1:04PM

Why should you release your tax returns if you're not the final candidate? At one time in this country what you made was your business.

The release of tax returns is oh so liberal, so the class warfare specialists can simply use your tax returns to tear you apart.

In fact, that's rather phony of Romney standing around while Newt and Perry sound like Occupy Wall Street. Or isn't it?

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 12:13AM

yup!

Michael Tomlinson| 1.17.12 @ 7:16AM

Ron Paul = billions of taxpayer's dollars to his pet projects.

Ron Paul = hundreds of first class flights paid for by taxpayers.

Ron Paul = to dumb to know what was being written in his newsletter or a two-faced liar (I believe the latter).

Ron Paul = 9/11 truther.

Ron Paul = paranoid conspiracy theorist. Did you know our money is being used to track us?

Ron Paul = apologists for Muslim terrorists, jihadists and Iranian nuclear program.

Ron Paul = to stupid to know that we never supported the Taliban in the fight against the Soviets, because Mullah Omar didn't create them until the mid 1990's.

Ron Paul = support for Mexican narco-terrorists having a monopoly on dope dealing (probably his friends at Stormfront too).

Ron Paul = using the Huffington Post and George Soros to attack real conservatives and Republicans.

Ron Paul = anti-US military.

Ron Paul = last minute leftist Democrats give him third in Iowa caucuses.

Ron Paul = supporter of anti-American OWS anarchists.

Ron Paul = defender of traitor Bradley Manning.

Ron Paul = Bro-friend of Julian Assange.

Ron Paul = RINO leftist dedicated to the destruction of America, the Constitution and freedom.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.17.12 @ 7:25AM

Good comment.

Indy| 1.17.12 @ 7:53AM

Ron Paul = Sustainable Defense Task Force

Who has he teamed with to propose defense cuts? The Hard Left, Barney Frank and George Soros minions

http://biggovernment.com/tloud.....cuts-plan/

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 9:11AM

You forgot that Ron Paul also wants us to be on the lookout for those sinister Confucist dissidents from China.

Al Adab| 1.17.12 @ 3:42PM

Wow. Hard to be a Confucionist dissident as that philosophy is the most Conservative on earth. Would master Kung be a RINO then?

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 4:04PM

(snicker)

rhortus| 1.17.12 @ 9:53AM

You are delusional Michael.

bill| 1.17.12 @ 11:01AM

Ron Paul was the "father of liberty," but he now became the "father of Black Liberation Theology." His views on social justice and blacks are very disturbing. He was "talking black." Ron Paul will never get the GOP nod and my vote.

bill| 1.17.12 @ 12:26PM

I agree with you 100%.

Occam's Tool| 1.17.12 @ 4:21PM

Aaaand, he's got a squeaky, irritating voice and his district eats shit. Ron Paul.

RR Crossing| 1.17.12 @ 7:22AM

Romney comes across as a very dishonest, improper man, a poor manager/leader.

That sums it up if you want to believe his tripe about him being unable to call "stop it!" to those running his campaign ads.

Really? (He expects us as Joe and Josephine Homebodies to believe him when he says this?)

What a clown. Of course Romney can get his ad agencies to stop certain TV political ads, start others, modify some, change wording or graphics, etc.

Thanks for lying to the nation, Mr. Romney. (I guess that bold face lying to the nation is a Mormon acceptable behavior?)

What we all got out of the Myrtle Beach event -- if one was listening properly: A lesson in Romney's dishonest "presidential" (wannabe) leadership style.

Simply put: He'll do whatever it takes to win. If lying is needed, then lying is "on the table."

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.17.12 @ 7:27AM

Gingrich told his Super Pac last week to stop the attacks. They are still doing it. Under your line of reasoning Newt should drop out today and that would also make Newt the liar.

RR Crossing| 1.17.12 @ 7:56AM

Mr. O'Stalin, I wish I could see these ads. Then I could take stock of them myself.

Somehow I think them not as "vile" or "negative" as what pundits and wonks like to cite.

However, the "negativity" is not the point. The point is the integrity of being either in charge of your campaign/presidency bid or farming it out to lackeys who do "dirty work" that 'candidate' can deny having anything to do with.

(This is done in places like Moscow; shouldn't be done here)

But for a candidate to purposely (this is what Romney is doing) NOT view his own ad team's ads

He purposely does not view them so that his deniability sounds plausible/believable.

For a guy who says he's helped big corporations suceed (moving mounains, etc.) he doesn't know how to use a surrogate to "order" this or that be done by his ad agencies?

If Newt or any other candidate anywhere else is doing likewise AND they lying (while throwing hands up in the air) saying, "Please! If I could, I'd do something to stop these ads!"

Sounds like a 5-year old making excuses for all the Crayola Crayon markings on the walls.

If any of them that lie about not being in "concert" with their ad agencies? Lie about being unable to impact what the ad agencies do or fail to do? Any who do this are unworthy or our time or consideration.

They should go back where they came from.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.17.12 @ 8:03AM

It is illegal to control your Super Pac and even Newt Gingrich admitted that during the debate.

What you are writing does not have any merit or make any sense.

RR Crossing| 1.17.12 @ 8:36AM

If it is "illegal" to do so.....(Really?)

Okay, for argument's sake, we'll say it is impermissible/illegal to 'control' one's Super Pac.

Then.....why enter into an agreement with something one cannot control?

Everything that your campaign does is a reflection of you. From your top aides who are paid quite handsomely (in Romney's case) to the low end staff volunteers who've never met you and work in counties and states far afield.

If Romney, Gingritch and other candidates are so smart and principled, why would an upright man enter into a binding/contractural/legal agreement that makes it impossible for you to alter, sway, change, or impact those doing your advertising?

As a U.S. presidency candidate, why run the very real risk of looking the fool as your Super Pac freaks dream up garbage & gossip on the opposition and post it with abandon in the media?

Is it an imperative that a candidate must have an ad agency or Super Pac?

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.17.12 @ 8:39AM

It's the law so there is no merit. That's it.

Silver Fox| 1.17.12 @ 3:49PM

It seems you're unclear as to how Super PAC's work. A SuperPAC is *not* a part of a candidate's campaign. It is a separate legal entity, and according to the law (known as McCain-Feingold), the candidate can have no voice, influence or control over what the SuperPAC does.

So, you are quite mistaken when you ask why the candidate would enter into a binding agreement with the SuperPAC. None of the candidates have, nor could, enter into agreements with them. SuperPAC's are simply an outlet for people, outside of an official campaign, to voice their opinions on a matter. As such, you have SuperPAC's that speak in support of their favored candidates, while other SuperPAC's focus on promoting a particular issue. But in no case do they have any formal or legal connection to a candidate; indeed, they are expressly prohibited from such.

So, it would be quite illegal for Romney or any other candidate to do as you suggest.

However, you do make a good point, and that is that the SuperPAC's can go on and say whatever they want in support of the candidate, and the candidate can do nothing about it. That's why just about every candidate up on that debate stage would do away with SuperPAC's if they could. But for now, it's what the current law supports, and they have to abide by those rules.

wodiej| 1.17.12 @ 7:28AM

I hope all SC voters see what you seen. Romney is a liberal.

Occam's Tool| 1.17.12 @ 4:23PM

Hey, if Romney keeps my taxes low, destroys the Iranian nuclear weapon program,repeals Obamacare, and reforms entitlements that will bankrupt this country, the fact that his dog once had diarrhea won't matter much to me.

I'm sure Obama's Wookie occasionally has the runs.

wodiej| 1.17.12 @ 7:27AM

I hope SC voters will see through Romney's "pious baloney" and give a much deserved win to Gingrich. The fact that Romney is liberal is enough to not support him. Gingrich has a 90% conservative rating and talks about the values and history of America constantly. Romney-nothing.

Kade| 1.17.12 @ 7:52AM

Rush could propel Newt to victory in SC if he pivoted and started praising Newt instead shilling for RINO Flip. If Rush does not or straddles the fence on this critical SC primary he will forever be labeled a Republican establishment insider, no matter what he says to the contrary.

Patrick| 1.17.12 @ 10:01AM

Newt is any less an insider? If anything, he is to the left of the tepid Mitt.

Dai Alanye | 1.17.12 @ 11:44AM

Rush has chosen to play neutral, criticizing or congratulating without regard to any particular candidate. For whatever reason, some consider this to be a subtle form of partisanship.

It ain't.

Patrick| 1.17.12 @ 10:00AM

Newt is as much a phoney as anyone can be when he wishes to be proclaimed as conservative while at the same time sits up on television with that gargoyle Nancy Pelosi, calling Paul Ryan's plan of sustainable government "right wing social engineering".

No, Newt is wholly unworthy of so much as being a town dog-catcher. He is a whore.

Kade| 1.17.12 @ 10:46AM

Points well taken. I normally would not vote for Newt for a number of reasons, but sadly he is the best of bad choices and the fate of our country is at stake. Romney on campaign rhetoric is very conservative but only the naïve believe he means it.

Kade| 1.17.12 @ 11:21AM

If pro-American Trump runs I would consider him but would need to hear more about his other views.

Laura Inhagram asked on Fox today: why hasn’t more on trade and China been covered at the debates? The reason is that both Parties and the left/right media are bought off by the ruling corporate elite who pushed Clinton’s NAFTA and the rest of the free trade sellouts of America’s sovereignty and independence.

Mitt has his coached anti-China talking points down too but Flip is the poster child for economic globalism.

Clint| 1.17.12 @ 7:39AM

"The Taliban are one of the mujahideen ("holy warriors" or "freedom fighters") groups that formed during the war against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan (1979-89)."

" Ron Paul Receives More Military Donations Than All The Other Republican Candidates Combined and More Than President Barack Obama."

"On October 10, 2001, Congressman Ron Paul led the effort in Congress to give President Bush the tools he needed to capture, dead or alive, Osama bin Laden and the other terrorists responsible for September 11th. Dr. Paul introduced on that day H.R. 3076 - The September 11 Marque and Reprisal Act of 2001.

If passed, that legislation would have given President Bush an additional weapon against bin Laden. If Dr. Paul's legislation had passed in 2001, it is likely bin Laden would not have been around until May of 2011."

Dr.Ron Paul Voted For The Use Of Force In Afghanistan.

Dr.Ron Paul, " I'll ask Congress for a Declaration Of War against Iran, if necessary,"

The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina.

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 9:20AM

"The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina."

And flaming out more & more with the average South Carolinian, who's no surrender monkey.

Dai Alanye | 1.17.12 @ 12:05PM

The Taliban (Students) came to power in the mid-nineties with the assisstance of Pakistan's ISI. The US indirectly assisted Afghanistan in it's resistance to the Soviet Union through the medium of Pakistan. The US, to the best of my knowledge, never recongnised any Afghan group during the struggle. After 2001 the US demanded the Taliban expel al Qaeda, and the rest is history.

The resolution authorizing the invasion of Afghanistan was vigorously opposed by RonPaul until hours before the vote, when his staff finally convinced him it would be political suicide to vote no. Paul is the most reluctant warrior in Congress since the Copperhead Clement Vallandgham. In fact, Doctor Captain RonPaul, an old reptilian Texan, perfectly fits the designation of Copperhead.

VonMisesJr| 1.17.12 @ 8:38AM

Newt won decisively. He summed up Romney's campaign as "It's not my fault."

Newt: "Why did you pass RomneyCare in MA?"
Mitt: "The Democrats in the majority made me do it!"

Newt: "Why don't you rebuke your Super PAC?"
Mitt: "John McCain and Russ feingold won't let me!"

All: "Why did you pass stringent gun laws in MA?"
Mitt: "Because the hunters couldn't cross the street! Charleston Heston made me do it!"

And so it goes.........

Vern Crisler| 1.17.12 @ 9:31AM

I agree, Newt was the clear winner. He is both knowledgeable and passionate about his conservative beliefs.

Romney speaks in a monotone. He would use the same tone of voice whether he was talking about the death of his mother or buying a new suit. Everytime he begins answering a question, my eyes glaze over. It will be a disaster for Republicans if Romney is nominated.

Patrick| 1.17.12 @ 10:02AM

He is knowledgeable and passionate about fame and fortune, particularly about who's fortune he derives his income from in lobbying.

observances| 1.17.12 @ 10:19AM

The way that Mitt Romney clasps his hands together on the podium when concluding what he is saying and gazes out at the questioner with eyes that seek approval reminds me of the zit-faced first-year debate team candidates I coached in high school.

It is very difficult to believe that men with so few genuine, professional, polished and natural oral presentation skills are vying for such a place of national responsibility.

The classical education of a man is truly dead.

Kade| 1.17.12 @ 9:43AM

Perfect description,Vern. Romney always veers to his memorized general talking points and goes on and on and on trying to cover every conceivable base.

Naturalborn Texicanette| 1.17.12 @ 9:51AM

Methinks it doesn't matter if any of us "like" Ron Paul or not.......

Clint's continual and irritating profane rants have had a NEGATIVE effect on me for sure, and I think, all of us when it comes to considering Paul, I think, with the AS family as a whole.

Patrick| 1.17.12 @ 10:04AM

Well, Ron Paul's greatest weakness is his own supporters. I honestly don't mind much of his domestic policies, but you never get just the domestic with a presidency.

Occam's Tool| 1.17.12 @ 4:25PM

Well, ma'am, Clint doesn't know how to treat ladies like you...he hates everyone except Cheesehead Jack.

Casey Abell| 1.17.12 @ 10:04AM

Before Russ Kaminsky beats me to it, I'll quote this morning's Intrade numbers on the SC primary...

Romney 89.7%
Gingrich 6.8%
Santorum 2.1%
Paul 1.4%

Romney looks pretty "unscathed" to me. His numbers didn't waver at all as a result of the debate. Yes, Intrade is just a betting site. But it's more or less neutral politically, with bettors canceling each other out in the ideology wars.

Newt had some good moments and some not so good ones. So did Mitt. Santorum and Paul didn't help themselves. I pretty much agree with Intrade: nothing happened last night.

Patrick| 1.17.12 @ 10:06AM

Problem is, we all know where all the money in Vegas goes to.

Casey Abell| 1.17.12 @ 10:19AM

"Problem is, we all know where all the money in Vegas goes to."

I think that's a swipe at Gingrich. He's never going to live down that casino mogul's contributions.

Hey, I like Newt myself. I like his cocky combativeness, or his combative cockiness. He sure ain't boring, anyway.

But he did get spanked a few times last night, especially on that SuperPAC money. I think the NEWT WON signs all over the conservative blogosphere may be a bit of wishful thinking.

At least we won't see Quin Hillyer shouting NEWT WON. Hillyer would rather chew broken glass.

Casey Abell| 1.17.12 @ 10:23AM

Speaking of Quin Hillyer, did he select the photo for this story? Makes Gingrich look like a nutcase.

Resist We Much! | 1.17.12 @ 10:07AM

Wow, what an awesome, stupendous performance Paul Pot put in last night, KKKlinty!

Resist We Much! | 1.17.12 @ 10:11AM

Newt: "Why did you pass RomneyCare in MA?"

Mitt: Why did you say this about it in 2006? "[MittCare is] the most exciting development of the past few weeks." "[It has a] tremendous potential to effect major change in the American health system." "We agree entirely with Gov. Romney and Massachusetts legislators that our goal should be 100 percent insurance coverage for all Americans."

Newt, why did you support a FEDERAL INDIVIDUAL MANDATE from 1993 until 2011?

I'm no fan of Mitt Romney, but it appears that many people don't know much about Newt Gingrich....

Newt: If You Don't Know Me By Now... (Mo Will Tell You Everything That I Don't Want You To Know)

http://predicthistunpredictpas.....-will.html

Newt: Bubba, I'll Stop The World And Melt With You

http://predicthistunpredictpas.....th_13.html

bill| 1.17.12 @ 10:32AM

Romney was robotic, as usual,but he was no longer unscratched, and his refusal to fix the SS and Medicare system, his stances on abortion, gay marriage, and gun control will ultimately hurt him in SC.

Gingrich was articulate and provided clear and specific plans on the SS and Medicare. He looked gloomy when he attacked Romney over Super-Pac. He should mention that It was Romney who started the Ad war against fellow Republicans in the GOP race. He was in full control while he answered of his food-stamp and welfare. Gingrich is the winner of the Fox News debate.

Santorum was confusing and angry. His attacks on Romney about felon-voters drew no applause among the audience. He admitted that he would do nothing to fix the SS and Medicare problem, yet he wanted to fix the economy first. Pretty confusing.

Ron Paul was the "father of liberty," but he now became the "father of Black Liberation Theology." His views on social justice and blacks are very disturbing. He was "talking black." Ron Paul will never get the GOP nod and my vote.

Rick Perry was given least amount of time ans was interrupted over and over, yet he was articulate and bold, and showed his charisma and leadership last night. He stood up firmly on the states' rights and his passion for faith and values. He may not win the SC Primary and will remain a viable alternative. He may be in the 2nd place in SC ballot.

Dai Alanye | 1.17.12 @ 12:08PM

Let's hope Perry finally gets the message in SC.

Nite| 1.17.12 @ 7:21PM

Just because you think he should quit doesn't mean he should.

Al Adab| 1.17.12 @ 10:51AM

So the question remains. Why would we vote for someone not so differnet from Obama? Legitimate question. Five candidates: two on varying spectra of the party left and three spread on the party right. Who is the most principled Conservative standing? That is where our support should go.

bill| 1.17.12 @ 11:40AM

SC Primary Results:

Winner: Newt Gingrich
2nd: Mitt Romney
3rd: Rick Perry
4th: Rick Santorum
5th: Ron Paul

Gingrich will "come from behind" and win the SC Primary.
Any idea who is going to be the POTUS?
Newt Gingrich, "a man of honor."

Purp| 1.17.12 @ 2:12PM

Man of Honor? I almost choked. the smarmy b*d would sell his own mother to get ahead - and the R's still in Congress from his time know it. That's why they don't support him. There was a reason they kicked him out on his ear.
Without his casino "sugar daddy" he'd be gone already.

bill| 1.17.12 @ 2:30PM

Purp, Here some facts:

Newt Gingrich

-Engineered the 1994 GOP revolution
-Balanced the budget four straight years
-Reformed the welfare system
-Passed the Crime Bill
-Impeached Bill "Liar" Clinton

Besides those accomplishments, Gingrich is a great debater ans can shred Obama in the debate.

Gingrich is not perfect, but he is far better candidate than Romney or Ron Paul or Santorum.

Gingrich is from the "great" South, the land of liberty and prosperity.

David| 1.17.12 @ 12:30PM

In my opinion, all of the candidates except ROn Paul did well last night. This was only the second debate I have watched.

Newt, as usual, was a great debater. As much as we would like to see him demolish Bam Bam in the debates, we must remind ourselves that he HAS TOO MUCH BAGGAGE and will not be elected prez.

Santorum finally showed that he too is a very good debater. That is the Santorum I have seen in well of the House and Senate the past 20 years. I do agree with Hussein O'Stalin in that I don't know why Santorum brought up the crap about felons voting.

Perry did well, too, but he still comes across as though he does not thoroughly know and understand the issues. I can't see him going toe to toe with Bam Bam.

That said, Santorum is our best hope. He simply does not have the baggage that Gingrich does and he has a thorough command of the issues. So, here are his positives again.

Hey folks, this is information on Santorum from RedState. It was published on January 6, 2012.

I keep telling everyone to get behind Santorum now - support him with five bucks. Forget Perry and Huntsman and Gingrich and Paul. Santorum can win - and win as a conservative.

The following is From RedState.

Here are his ratings from when he was in Congress:

American Conservative Union — 88%
National Right to Life Committee — 100%
Americans for Tax Reform — 95%
National Tax Limitation Committee — 92%
U.S. Chamber of Commerce — 88%
League of Private Property Voters — 94%

Now remember, this is Santorum’s House ratings, in a DEMOCRAT district. How many Republicans in Democrat areas vote this conservative? Kirk? Snowe? That’s conviction! Santorum is NOT a ‘big government conservative’ but an across-the-board mainstream conservative with a solidly conservative voting record, albeit marred with the support for earmarks and some spending bills that many Republicans in Bush eara fell prey to.

Yet another source that looks at Santorum’s record is Jen Rubin, who likewise absolves Santorum of the phony claim that he is a big-government conservative:

“While in Iowa, Texas Gov. Rick Perry tried to begin a line of attack on Rick Santorum claiming that the former Pennsylvania senator is a big-government conservative. That attack seems poorly thought through (shocking, I know from such a meticulous campaign) for several reasons.

First, Santorum is to the right of Perry in some important ways. Santorum opposed the Troubled Assets Relief Program; Perry wrote a letter on the day of the Senate vote urging Congress to pass legislation to avert a meltdown. Santorum, as we saw in the debates, is likewise to the right of Perry (and Newt Gingrich, for that matter) on immigration.

Indeed, Santorum’s supposed deviations from conservative orthodoxy are similar those of his rivals. He voted for earmarks and highway funds. Gov. Perry took the money. Santorum voted for Medicare Part D; Gingrich lobbied for it, and Perry said in a debate that he wouldn’t repeal it.”

“And finally, Santorum has put together an aggressive spending reduction plan. He’s for the balanced-budget amendment. He’s embraced Rep. Paul Ryan’s Medicare reform plan. He’s in favor of Social Security reform, against energy subsidies, for privatizing Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and in favor of repealing Obamacare. The guy is no liberal when it comes to spending taxpayer money. Is he to the right of Gingrich? Yes. To the left of Ron Paul? Yes. But so are most GOP voters.”

Where Santorum deviated from the conservative line, like his vote on NAFTA and his support for earmarks, he was doing the exceptional thing, and those deviations were in most cases catering to his constituents. But UNLIKE most Northeast Republicans, that ‘catering’ did not extend to abandoning conservative principles again and again. They’ve been the exception to the rule that Congressman and Senator Rick Santorum held. With his support for lower taxes, prolife and profamily policies, conservative Judges, for balanced budgets and entitlement reform, against McCain-Feingold, for school choice, against TARP and Frank-Dodd. Rick Santorum has had a solid and mostly consistent conservative voting record.

Santorum further has a solid and conservative agenda for President. Romney timidly talks of getting spending maybe down to 20% of GDP. Rick Santorum fully supports the Republican balanced budget amendment that caps spending at 18% of GDP. He wants lower tax rates for all, going to a 10%/28% two tier tax rate and lowering corporate tax rates.

While Gingrich criticized the Ryan roadmap, Santorum embraced it. Newt supported Medicare Part D, supported at one time healthcare mandates, and supported all the Bush programs that conservatives object to in Santorum’s voting record. Romney has gone further of course, embracing not just TARP, but healthcare mandates and failing to even fully criticize the Obama stimulus spending. Only Gingrich or Santorum will wage a campaign that fully challenges Obama’s whole agenda and actually works to repeal it. Newt has pegged Mitt Romney rightly as a Massachusetts moderate, but Newt is not without flys in his ointment either, from global warming to embracing Hillary, Pelosi and Al Sharpton (!) at various times in attempts to ‘reach across’ bipartisanly.

The bottom line is that between Newt, Santorum, and Romney .. Santorum is the one who is most fiscally conservative and who will have the most fiscally conservative administration as President.

Both Newt and Santorum are conservative. Just not perfect conservatives. For those who say that Santorum is not a ‘true conservative’, I would argue simply that if an 85% ACU rating and leadership on conservative issues in Congress for almost 2 decades is not enough, you will NEVER find a ‘true conservative’ in the Presidential field.

For the rest of us without that fine a filter, yes, Rick Santorum is a ‘true conservative’. Conservatives will be happy with his SCOTUS picks, his support of our military, his support for life, his tax reform and entitlement reforms, his pro-energy policies, his economic growth agenda, his fiscally responsible budgets, and his appeal to get America working again.

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 12:40PM

Someone get this man an Aston Martin, Breitling watch, Punch cigar & a bottle of Blanton's Bourbon.

Well said, sir.

Vern Crisler| 1.17.12 @ 12:56PM

Santorum does not have any leadership experience.

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 1:03PM

His time in the House & Senate for PA?

David| 1.17.12 @ 1:50PM

Vern, pull up Santorum on Wikipedia. I think you will see that during his time in Congress he was a very courageous leader on many important issues. It is too lengthy to post here, so educate yourself and do a little reading about Santorum. If you are a fair person, you will be impressed not only with what he accomplished, but with what he TRIED to accomplish against great odds.

Santorum, always the underdog, always the fighter, and except for one election (which has been adequately explained here by many posters), always a winner.

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 2:20PM

I was new to PA during his last term, but I can remember living in TN before I moved here & LOVING listening to him speak if he was on the news. He's the conservative "firebrand" that I think we need. The man's great.

Occam's Tool| 1.17.12 @ 4:29PM

Vern:

he doesn't have "executive" experience. He was the prominent leader in Welfare reform. I like Rick; I will vote for him if he is on the ballot in Minnesota. If nominated by the Republicans, I will vote for Mitt, the two Ricks, or Newt. Hell, if it's a brokered convention, I'll vote for whomever they nominate---so long as it is NOT Paul.

bill| 1.17.12 @ 12:38PM

Majority of Blacks are uneducated and unskilled. They are lazy and don't want to work. they are abusing the welfare system and favor big government.
Not everybody borne on poverty, illiteracy and laziness creates poverty.
Poverty and lack of character prompts crime.
Majority of crimes have been committed by Blacks, and Blacks are imprisoned more than Whites, logically.
The American Justice System is fair and balanced. They do not favor any race but reward redemption and hard work. Blacks lack character and perseverance.
Blacks will remain in poverty and incarcerated unless they invest on education and moral character.
The problem with Blacks are themselves, it's not the Judicial System.

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 12:46PM

The sad thing is that guys like Rev. CL Bryant, Thomas Sowell, Alan Keys, Alen West, Justice Thomas & Thomas Sowell are denounced as "Uncle Toms" by the people who pass themselves off as "leaders of the black community." Those denouncers like Sharpton, Wright, Jackson & everyone in the CBC EXCEPT Allen West are the one's who've wrought & perpetrated the circular firing squad that is the whole dynamic in the black community of "if you're successful, you're a 'sellout' or an Uncle Tom."

bill| 1.17.12 @ 1:24PM

Blacks will never vote for GOP, and GOP does not have to knell down to the Black community. Majority of Blacks are uneducated and unemployed. They never understand the essence of freedom and free-enterprise. They seek government and love to abuse the welfare system. GOP need to court the White and the Hispanic community. They have diverse back ground and seek liberty, instead of big government and poverty.
I'll never vote for a Black candidate. They all are same-hate America.

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 2:22PM

Rev. CL Bryant, Thomas Sowell, Alan Keys, Alen West, Justice Thomas & Thomas Sowell.

Lemme get this straight:

You'd never vote for any of those guys?

Al Adab| 1.17.12 @ 2:34PM

MB:
Don't forget Walter Williams or J C Watts either. Thomas Sowell SHOULD be President.

Isn't it about time our three remaining candidates got together in a smoke filled room to, putting egos aside, decide which of them should be the Conservative standard bearer? 70% to 30% does us no good split three ways. Chase off Paul and Mitt and get on with electing a new President.

bill| 1.17.12 @ 2:35PM

I do not trust any Black. For instance, between Paul Ryan and Allen West, I'll pick Paul Ryan because he will defend the constitutional. Allen West, may be a good Black, he ain't no trustworthy.
I was a vocal opponent of Herman Cain and crusaded to defeat him from the GOP race. I was right and America knows about Herman Cain now. He is nothing but a black version of Bill Clinton.
I do not trust any Blacks.

RCV| 1.17.12 @ 3:28PM

So, bill, you are unreconstructed Southern racist. We don't need to hear any more of your despicable ignorant opinions.

bill| 1.17.12 @ 3:58PM

I'm proud of my faith and ideology. I'm no racist, I just tell the truth. Some people cannot swallow it.

Occam's Tool| 1.17.12 @ 4:32PM

Allen West is better than any man running. Allen West put his ass on the line for this country, and his career on the line for the lives of his men. Col. West is a man I would follow to hell. Sorry, Bill---one should never judge a man except by the content of his character and mind.

idalily| 1.17.12 @ 3:29PM

You are sick. Seek help.

spike59| 1.17.12 @ 4:04PM

shut up, dr paul

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 4:05PM

Geez. Are you related to Bull Connor or George Wallace?

Occam's Tool| 1.17.12 @ 4:39PM

Con---don't besmirch Wallace---he became a champion of Civil Rights later in his career. (Believe it or not, it's true) Here's the Wiki:

"Wallace announced that he was a born-again Christian in the late 1970s, and apologized to black civil rights leaders for his earlier segregationist positions. He said that while he had once sought power and glory, he realized he needed to seek love and forgiveness.[note 3] In 1979, Wallace said of his stand in the schoolhouse door: "I was wrong. Those days are over and they ought to be over."[4] His final term as Governor (1983–1987) saw a record number of black appointments to government positions.[43] Also in his final term, Wallace was the first governor to appoint two black members in the same cabinet, a number that has been equalled but never surpassed. In the 1982 Alabama gubernatorial Democratic primary, Wallace's main opponents were Lieutenant Governor George McMillan and Alabama House Speaker Joe McCorquodale. In the primary, McCorquodale was eliminated, and the vote went to a runoff with Wallace holding a slight edge over McMillan. Wallace won the Democratic nomination by a margin of 51 to 49 percent.

In the general election, his opponent was Montgomery Republican mayor Emory Folmar. Polling experts said this was the best chance since Reconstruction for a Republican to be elected Alabama governor.[citation needed] However, it was Wallace who made the victory speech on Election Night."

Remember the Jewish position on forgiveness and redemption.

Bill, on the other hand, is as useless as Clint. A racist (Bill) and an antisemite (guess who)---we don't need these people.

Occam's Tool| 1.17.12 @ 4:53PM

Incidentally, this is one of the reasons I respect Wallace---I do NOT agree with his earlier views on segregation, which were repulsive---but I appreciate his capacity for change, and, more importantly, the fact that he WALKED THE WALK and didn't just talk.

I'm hoping Romney fulfills his promises to us like Wallace fulfilled his promises in his last term as governor to Alabama's blacks. Believe me, as I was there---there was genuine grief over his passing when he died among Black leaders in Alabama. He reformed and lived his words.

RCV| 1.17.12 @ 10:05PM

You have far more respect for Wallace than I do. He became a public racist to win elections, and only saw the light when blacks became a voting for e in Alabama. The man was as vile and unprincipled as the come.

I do, however appreciate your calling out that racist scumbag bill.

Drunken Sailor| 1.17.12 @ 4:28PM

And this Bill, is why the left scream Racist. If someone said all white Texans (no offense Ken) were trailer park trash you would be offended but it's the same group think you exhibit to the black community. At least you should recognize that there are members of the Black community that recognize how the Dems and Welfare are hurting their community.

Quartermaster| 1.17.12 @ 5:42PM

The left screams raaaaacit because what is attached to the word. The truth is not racist, it simply is. Refusing to deal with the color of crime is a form of racism, on the other hand. Refusing to acknowledge what a man makes himself is also silly.

Allan West is a man. Period. he showed what he was made of when he stood up for his men in Iraq, and threw his career away for them. I couldn't care less about the color of his skin.

martin j smith| 1.17.12 @ 1:07PM

now that huntsman is out so far No for Ron Paul
Gingrich I do not get and maybe Rick Perry or Santorum. I would like a new candidate to step in or more than one. But if the vote was this For or Against Obama I would vote for anyone but Ron Paul. With very little enthusiasm about the particular candidate--especially Romney --but against Obama in a very big way.

McCandles| 1.17.12 @ 1:11PM

Ann Coulter, Sarah Palin, Rush, etc. If these folks can't be trusted to have some guts and endorse a non-Romney, who can?? They are waiting to see who gets the nod, then will play it safe and endorse the nominee. Have some courage, people, its almost too late to make a difference!!!!

Kade| 1.17.12 @ 2:51PM

Here is a secret -- all these big-money pundits are part of the GOP establishment gravy train.

David| 1.17.12 @ 1:37PM

Ann Coulter has already endorsed Romney. More than that, she has been singing his praises since the last prez election. Personally, I don't understand it.

Palin has no problem endorsing folks, so why not now? Rubio, too.

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 2:23PM

Her readership & comment numbers over at Townhall are WAAAY down because of it, too.

Al Adab| 1.17.12 @ 2:36PM

NB:
Maybe Ann wants to be press secretary in the Romney administration. What cabinet post did Niki Haley sell out for?

bill| 1.17.12 @ 1:49PM

Please help Gov. Scott Walker (WI).

Hello, America!

The Democratic Governors Association (DGA) and the big labors have been recalling Gov. Walker, in favor of bureaucrats and the big labors.
Gov. Walker implemented reforms and balanced the budget, projecting surplus and prompting efficiency and transparency in the public sector.
That infuriated the bureaucrats and big labors, and they are causing chaos in WI, disrupting Gov. Walker's reform initiatives.
We must help Gov. Walker and fend off big labors and DGA ousting Gov. Walker from the office.
Do not let those liberals win.
We must act now. Everybody should contribute and help Gov. Walker, and stop the big labors and DGA.

Purp| 1.17.12 @ 2:06PM

Yeah, and also lost over 200,000 jobs in Wisconsin, when he campaigned on a platform of jobs, jobs, jobs. THAT's why the move to oust him is so popular. They've collected over 700,000 signatures while needing only 510, 000 ... so he's going to be recalled. A dog could do better than Walker, the Koch Bros. shill. And Wisconsinites know it.

Al Adab| 1.17.12 @ 2:38PM

Any job loss was the direct result of Union attempts to monopolize (and price out of work) the labot force.

Tell me why the WI court allowed the names of Mickey Mouse and Adolph Hitler to remain as valid on the recall petitions?

bill| 1.17.12 @ 3:00PM

Al Adab, Thank you for your comments.

bill| 1.17.12 @ 2:44PM

Purp,
You're a stupid liberal.
WI did not lose any job under Gov. Walker.
Big labors and DGA waged a war on Gov. Walker and collected "phony" signatures to recall him.
Walker's predecessor, Democrat Gov. Doyle left $3.6 billion debt. Gov Walker implemented the reform plan, balanced the budget, and we have now $300 million budget surplus.
His reform plan and success infuriated the Dems and they plotted to oust him, favoring big labors and bureaucrats over people of Wisconsin.
A dog could better than Obama.
Jorge Soros is a "serial rapist."

RCV| 1.17.12 @ 3:28PM

Mr. racism speaks again.

bill| 1.17.12 @ 3:59PM

It's the First amendment, right?

bill| 1.17.12 @ 4:01PM

RCV, you're a disposable bigot racist Obama-dog.

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 4:06PM

Wow, THAT worked. Oh, wait, he's not the one who said that NO BLACK is worth voting for.

Occam's Tool| 1.17.12 @ 4:42PM

Look, Con and I agree with RCV on almost nothing domestic. But, come on, Bill! Alan Keyes isn't a staunch Conservative? Thomas Sowell is a squish? Allen West is a traitor?

bill| 1.17.12 @ 7:39PM

I respect Mr. Allen West because he is O.K..He'll have a tough race in 2012. It'll be worth watching whether he can hold on to his seat. The FL redistricting put him in a tough district, favoring the Dems. No wonder why?

David| 1.17.12 @ 1:51PM

Vern, pull up Santorum on Wikipedia. I think you will see that during his time in Congress he was a very courageous leader on many important issues. It is too lengthy to post here, so educate yourself and do a little reading about Santorum. If you are a fair person, you will be impressed not only with what he accomplished, but with what he TRIED to accomplish against great odds.

Santorum, always the underdog, always the fighter, and except for one election (which has been adequately explained here by many posters), always a winner.

Reply to this

Purp| 1.17.12 @ 1:57PM

Willard made $374,000 last year in speaker fees! Come, come Richie Romney, release your tax returns. 15% income tax you "think" you pay ... on how many millions? Yeah, you feel our pain, you're unemployed, you understand the American worker - riiiighhht. Shill for the 1% needs to dumped in the garbage can waiting to be collected, while President Obama is waiting in the White House waiting to be elected. Republicants really screwed the pooch this time 'round. Have a nice day!

bill| 1.17.12 @ 2:47PM

Barack Hussein Obama is a Muslim, liar, fraud, loser, abuser, and campaigner in chief. He is campaigning with my tax dollar, and I want Obama to return my tax dollar.

Oldefarte| 1.17.12 @ 2:43PM

I didn't watch the debate but later caught a snipit of Newt's answer concerning welfare. It was simply brilliant and true, and the man know how to intelligently debat!!!!!!!!

bill| 1.17.12 @ 2:58PM

A Conservative Manifesto:

To help win the 2012 election and defeat Obama, I propose my 18 points plan:

1. Ban abortion in all 50 states
2. Ban same sex marriage in all 50 states
3. Legalize guns in all 50 states
4. Pass the BBA
5. Abolish Dept. of Education, Energy. Interior, Commerce, EPA, and HUD
6. Abolish the public sector unions (SEIU, teachers' union)
7. No more aid to Pakistan, Palestine, Egypt
8. Increase cooperation with Israel
10. No more cuts in the defense budget
11. Help build the military industrial complex
12. De-fund the planned parenthood
13. Repeal ObamaCare and the Dodd-frank Bill
14. Give waiver to all 50 states on NCLB
15. Mandate a term limit on lawmakers (in the senate and House of Representative)
16. Deport all illegals
17. Mandate the E-Verify system in all 50 states
18. Prohibit hiring and harboring illegals in all 50 states.

I hope all conservative voters will embrace my plan and help America save from liberals.

RCV| 1.17.12 @ 3:29PM

No decent person is going to endorse the platform of an outright racist like you, bill.

bill| 1.17.12 @ 4:00PM

You're a racist Obama-Dog, RCV.

Con Chef (NB) | 1.17.12 @ 4:07PM

Go iron your sheet.

Drunken Sailor| 1.17.12 @ 4:30PM

Get with the program Con, he has the new "wash and wear" Clan gear. Pointed head is optional.

Occam's Tool| 1.17.12 @ 4:49PM

Bill, not a bad set of ideas---but you would vote against Allen West based on his skin color? You ever received a blood transfusion---the research on blood typing was done by a Black guy. Best Pediatric Neurosurgeon in the Country? Black Guy at Hopkins. Best Associate Justice on the Supreme Court? Clarence Thomas, Black guy. Most opposed to the spread of sharia law in America in the US House of Representatives? Black guy. (NOT Keith Ellison, Demoncrat)

Best fighter squadron in WWII? Black guys---no bomber lost to enemy air action that they escorted. C'mon, Bill. Apologize. You're wrong on this one.

carnot| 1.18.12 @ 12:20AM

so....how would you compare this particular fighter squadron to those that fought in the Pacific? kind of a dumb observation in an otherwise positive post.

Randy | 1.17.12 @ 3:55PM

If the polls are indication, yes, he's well on his way to the nomination. He's picked up 6-7 points in SC in the last 3-4 days. Go Mitt!!!

Oldefarte| 1.17.12 @ 4:05PM

The following is an example of where Paul's theoretical ideas prove false, since Obama/Holder are currently using the political power of the US Justice Dept to legally sue the states of Arizona and Alabama over their respective legislating of state immigration laws. What good does it do to ignore certain federal laws that states disagree with, if the federal government has the immense power to take said states to court and sue them after same have ignored and passed their own state laws in the process? :
'.....NewsmaxPaul:StatesShouldDecideWhichFed.LawstoFollow Tuesday, January 17, 2012 11:44 AMBy: COLUMBIA, S.C.— White House hopeful Ron Paul says he likes the idea of states deciding which federal laws they shouldn't have to follow because they deem them unconstitutional.
The libertarian-leaning congressman from Texas says nullification could be a helpful check on the federal government and that it would be a lot smaller if that principle were part of the Constitution.Paul is in South Carolina making his final pitch to voters ahead of Saturday's first-in-the-South primary there. He spoke Tuesday at the South Carolina Statehouse, surrounded by icons of the Civil War......'

David | 1.17.12 @ 5:06PM

Perfect description,Vern. Romney always veers to his memorized general talking points and goes on and on and on trying to cover every conceivable base.

Nick099| 1.17.12 @ 5:14PM

Mitt looked very ¨ Clinton-esque ¨ - squirmy, shifty, and dishonest.

Resist We Much! | 1.17.12 @ 6:19PM

Hey, Brat!

OMFA! I just got my hands on a bunch of old Ron Paul newsletters. Wait until I scan them and have a chance to post them on my blog. I have looked over a few of them and already have title:

"I'm A Little Anti-Semite Short And Out ... In Left Field"

Will post the link when it goes up. It might not be until tomorrow because its about 80 scans, but wanted to whet your appetite.

Hehehehe!

Clint| 1.17.12 @ 6:25PM

" The New Hampshire Gazette

The Chickenhawk Hall Of Shame.

name:
Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich
rank:
Chickenhawk First Class with Distinguished Fleeing Cross
date-of-birth:
June 17, 1943
home state:
Georgia
missed opportunity:
Vietnam War
preferred activity:
Attending grad school
occupation:
Congressman

A virtuoso in the art of hypocrisy, the former Speaker of the House now claims the Vietnam War was a splendid idea, but at the time he opposed going himself. Newtie also speaks highly of morality, but as a serial adulterer he doesn't want to get too close."

The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina.

Clint| 1.17.12 @ 6:30PM

" Palmetto State Tea Party favorite and GOP heavyweight endorses Ron Paul


Monday, January 16, 2012 - 15:07 Edited from a Press Release
COLUMBIA, SC – 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul received today the key endorsement of tea party favorite and South Carolina political heavyweight, state Sen. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort)."

The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina.

POST American| 1.17.12 @ 9:56PM

--------------------BOTTOM LINE----------------------

AS the Globalist RED China set up, sellout,
TREASON and power grab steams ahead----

Leering laughs n' crooked smiles

------Leering laughs n' crooked smiles!

BackToBasics| 1.18.12 @ 12:19AM

When Gingrich steps out of his thin skin and a predilection for inclusiveness such as he did last night, he is able to reach oratorical heights none of the other candidates can reach. Inside the insecurities he has the potential to be a great leader as long as he remained true to conservative ideas.

Even in his answers though, he still has the seed of government help in mind for individuals such as "helping" the poor get a job, grow in their job and own the job phraseology. But it still beats what the left has to offer and it beats the meanderings and ramblings of Romneyspeak.

Gingrich's mindset last night was more conservative and certainly had a "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" quality. Conservatism is always strongest when presented in this way. Now that he's desperate, Gingrich may stay more on course and time will soon tell if it is too little too late for him.

POST American| 1.19.12 @ 1:25AM

--------------------BOTTOM LINE----------------------

Ginrich is a full-blown, aggressive
'on board' UN Globalist.

He was brought forth by Globalist
elements in the early 90's to co-opt,
redirect and subvert the GENUINE
Constitutional awakeing of that time.

He was a KEY player and prime presiding
fugure during that crucial decade in the
RED China sellout and TREASON long
term 'Age-enda'.

He, like the Bushes, Clintons, Rockefellers
----and Obamas, is as good as GUILTY of
the absolutely lowest crime there is

--------------HIGH TREASON---------------

With the overturn of the US Constitution
by NDAA 1031 ---and the steady handover
of legislative authorities to the UNELECTED
corporate world banking 'sin-dick-'IT'
UN
-------------THE REPUBLIC HAS FALLEN-----------

SO, at least take back the language.

Call out the issues and the perpetrators.

Unaccountable, inter-generational,
psychopathic Global USURY ----and its
long, long, long laid, lavishly, indeed,
TAX FREE, funded and implemented
AGE-enda for Global CON-solidation
and CON-troll is upon us.

No crime could be worse.

NO FINAL aim could be more unspeakable,
-----WORLD CONTROL married to

--------------BOTTOMLESS EUGENICS--------------

"Remember folks, this is to be an
authoritarian world system. There
will be NO complaints department
---let alone redress. ANY objection
to government policy will be CON-strued
as 'Anti-Government' ---they're even
using that very same Soviet era term.
They are bringing in the most horrifying
SIS-tem the world has EVER seen.
---You better start believing it---."

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Doomed Beyond All Hope of Redemption

November 7, 2012 | Robert Stacy McCain

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