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The Spectacle Blog
Mitt Romney was off his game tonight, more awkward and unprepared than I’ve seen him during this campaign. But I’m not sure the most effective attacks by his opponents are the kind that will net them votes. Rick Santorum clearly got the best of Romney in their exchange over felon voting rights. But is endorsing felon voting rights really a way to win votes in a South Carolina Republican primary? Santorum did have some nice moments casting a compassionate conservatism that is more compatible with libertarianism than what we saw in the Bush years.
Newt Gingrich had perhaps his best debate in weeks, really winning over the crowd in his sure-to-be-much discussed back-and-forth with Juan Williams. But isn’t clear that his “I’m just raising questions and/or toughening Mitt up for the general” defense of his Bain attacks will persuade many people not already so inclined. Rick Perry was solid as well, though at 5 percent in the polls with just days to go before the primary it could be too little, too late.
Ron Paul didn’t have a very good debate tonight. His process-oriented answer on the killing of Osama bin Laden was a disaster. The debate needed an effective contrast with the chest-beating that passed for the other candidates’ foreign policy answers, but Paul’s answers were more muddled than usual. It could make a difference, since he is in position for another top three finish but is polling very close to Santorum.
We only have a few more days to look at poll results to tell whether any of this will matter. There is a second debate later this week.
View all comments (30) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by W. James Antle, III
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/01/16/tonights-south-carolina-debate
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W| 1.16.12 @ 11:31PM
I like Santorum but he did not get the best of the felon vote debate. Santorum said he voted for a bill to allow felons who completed their parole to vote. That means he voted for felons to vote. The charge was allowing felons to vote. Santorum's argument did not dispute he would allow felons to vote. I can't believe this is a big issue, and Santorum wasted time and energy on this.
Clint| 1.16.12 @ 11:35PM
Fox News Is Reporting That Dr. Ron Paul Scored Very High On The Fox News Answer/Dodge Meters.
brian| 1.17.12 @ 12:28AM
That's good to hear!!!
Indy| 1.17.12 @ 8:17AM
Of course he did, his supporters skew the results, there is no science in that and for Fox to report that as "news" is disgraceful. I don't have a twitter account nor do many others.
Fox is getting caught up in meaningless graphics and talking points, it was a real insult to viewers.
Dai Alanye | 1.16.12 @ 11:51PM
1. Romney's SuperPac accused Santorum, yet felon voting was more liberal in Massachusetts under Romney, who did nothing to correct it. The issue was Romney's hypocrisy.
2. Ron Paul scores high on all unregulated polls because his supporters use Chicago voting techniques.
Sean| 1.17.12 @ 12:02AM
Santorum voted to limit 2nd amendment rights, voted for unbalanced budgets increasing our debt, and voted against right to work. We can't afford another liberal "compassionate conservative."
Dai Alanye | 1.17.12 @ 12:35AM
These charges fall into two categories, false and distorted. Santorum is, for instance, a hunter and long-time NRA member, having an A+ rating from them. He voted against RTW when in Pennsylvania for political reasons but favors it nationwide as President. He has successfully worked to cut government spending and favors balancing the budget.
Santorum is a candidate with successful experience in the legislative branch, where he has always held leadership positions. He stands out well compared to do-nothing/accomplish-nothing legislators like, for instance, Barack Obama or Ron Paul, neither of whom ever managed to pass a significant bill.
TycheSD| 1.17.12 @ 1:24AM
Ron Paul thinks passing legislation may not be a good thing, as most legislation usually increases the power and size of the federal government. Therefore, he thinks his record of fighting what others were trying to pass is better than Santorum's record of voting in favor of government-growing things like No Child Left Behind and Medicare Part D.
Sean| 1.17.12 @ 7:50AM
Voting for background checks at gunshows is not protecting gunrights. His vote against right to work was as a Senator, which means he voted against it nationwide. He voted for unbalanced deficit spending. So what exactly did I say that was false? You haven't refuted even one thing there.
Clint| 1.16.12 @ 11:57PM
Smoke This Israel Firster Smear Bund Ass Clown.
" Palmetto State Tea Party favorite and GOP heavyweight endorses Ron Paul."
" CNN Poll: Obama tied with Romney & Paul in November showdowns
Washington (CNN) – Mitt Romney is all tied up with President Barack Obama in a likely general election matchup, with the president showing signs of weakness on the economy and Romney seen as out of touch with ordinary Americans, according to a new national survey.
And a CNN/ORC International Poll released Monday also indicates that Rep. Ron Paul of Texas is also even with Obama in another possible showdown this November. The survey also suggests the Republican advantage on voter enthusiasm is eroding, which could be crucial in a close contest."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina.
buckeyeman| 1.17.12 @ 11:26AM
What's a "bund"?
TycheSD| 1.16.12 @ 11:59PM
Antle: "Ron Paul didn't have a very good debate tonight. His process-oriented answer on the killing of Osama bin Laden was a disaster. The debate needed an effective contrast with the chest-beating that passed for the other candidates' foreign policy answers, but Paul's answers were more muddled than usual."
Who is coaching Ron Paul in these debates??!! This is what's so maddening - that he makes a muddled and meandering explanation of his foreign policy views and doesn't effectively represent the non-interventionist viewpoint or challenge the mainstream GOP's bellicosity. It's almost like he was purposely goading the audience.
People who describe what Ron Paul was "trying" to say make more sense than he does. Why doesn't he have concise and coherent answers on this stuff? He should know by now that the Fox people are out to get him on his foreign policy views.
And his answer about bringing the troops home but keeping them in bases here isn't really satisfying. This will still encourage the pork barrel spending on defense that exists right now.
Imissbuckley| 1.17.12 @ 12:36AM
As a conservative with plenty of libertarian leanings, I would give anything to switch Ron with Rand. Matter fact I would give anything to see stage a stage with Mike Pence, Chris Christie, Allen West, Bobby Jindal, Rand Paul, and Pat Toomey on it rather than the current jokers. Oh well, maybe 2016 or 2020.
Dai Alanye | 1.17.12 @ 12:41AM
Chris Christie the RINO's RINO????
Imissbuckley| 1.17.12 @ 8:47AM
"Chris Christie the RINO's RINO????"
If there's gonna be a moderate on the stage then I rather it be Christie, (who actually tries to tackle the public sector unions problem), rather than a any of the others the Party is currently serving up, including the current Frontrunner.
TycheSD| 1.17.12 @ 1:35AM
I don't agree with you on several of the people you mention. Yes, Rand is more polished than his father. But Ron Paul has some things going for him that his son may never have.
Toomey might be the best of the people you mention, but I don't know a lot about him.
I like Christie's efforts to reduce the power of public employee unions, but his endorsement of Romney turned me off. And, his blustering is getting to be tiresome.
I do like Paul Ryan, but even he voted for Medicare Part D, and doesn't talk about cutting military spending.
I liked Huntsman a lot, but he talks out of both sides of his mouth, and isn't authentic.
No one has the consistency of Ron Paul. I just get frustrated because he doesn't always explain his position in a coherent fashion. I'm upset that he allowed himself to get booed like that tonight.
Here's what Chris Cillizza said about Paul tonight in a summing up column:
"We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: If Paul would deflect all foreign policy questions and turn every answer into something about his economic views, he could be a real contender for the nomination. He won’t do that, so he isn’t."
Clint| 1.17.12 @ 5:58AM
Mitt Romney Straps Chris Christie To The Roof Of His Car.
Clint| 1.17.12 @ 12:09AM
" Just as he did in 2008, Paul again has bragging rights when it comes to donors who list military affiliations. The nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics reports that Paul raised nearly $96,000 among military donors from January to September of last year.
That's more than his GOP rivals combined."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina.
Dai Alanye | 1.17.12 @ 12:39AM
Clint continues his campaign to lose votes for Ron Paul by insulting perfectly innocent (and handsome) potential voters. I say, long live the shift key propagandist!
Clint| 1.17.12 @ 6:02AM
Bibi Butt Boy, Dai Job Continues His Israel Firster Smear Bund Crybabyin'.
http://www.grimmemennesker.dk/.....people.jpg
Haddit| 1.17.12 @ 2:11PM
I would suspect they are rubbing that egg off their face after Paul's performance last night.
RJ| 1.17.12 @ 1:24AM
While all of the candidates have some flaws, I will fully support whoever wins the nomination in the battle against Obama. No conservative or libertarian should stay at home this election day and help give Obama a second term.
I thought Santorum did well (but why mention felon voting rights), Romney looked off and Newt did well again once the debate left the discussion of Bain Capital. Perry was OK, but who thinks he can recover at this stage.
Ron Paul could help himself if he focused his military position around President Eisenhower's military policies. No modern president understood the effective use of military power as well as Eisenhower. More importantly, he knew its limitations. He was an internationalist, but only deployed troops in a quasi-combat role once during his eight year term (in Lebanon, although I suspect many of you would also add the deployment of advisers in Vietnam as well). Further, he negotiated a cease-fire in Korea within 6 months of taking office. After the Eisenhower administration, the US has been much quicker at exercising the military option and has had many troubling experiences. All of the candidates would be better prepared to serve as Commander-in-Chief by studying Eisenhower's principles regarding military action.
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Tea Party Express| 1.17.12 @ 4:23AM
I thought Romney, Newt and Perry did very well, Romney looke very presidential, I realized he would be the target, considering he did ok 1st round and won the 2nd part. newt has great sound bites, but no realisitic solutions. Romney will be the nominee. And Romney has my vote, he has earned it.
Indy| 1.17.12 @ 8:23AM
"Romney look very presidential"
What happened to voting on principles? Since when is the Tea Party ok with Romneycare which teed up ObamaCare? Romney has not ruled out a VAT, what conservative principle has he fought for? Why should we trust him? He may have earned your vote, but many of us are turned off by Willard.
Haddit| 1.17.12 @ 2:13PM
Romney will crumble under the first racist attack. Ya see what Newt will do to that mindset don't you?