Posted on 12/02/2011 11:36:29 AM PST by Notwithstanding
With the Republican presidential primary appearing to have narrowed into a two-man contest, Human Events and Red State moved quickly to lock down a date for a Lincoln-Douglas-style debate between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich.
The two organizations went so far this past Monday as to firm up the Annenberg Theater at the Newseum in Washington as the venue on Dec. 19 after another debate originally scheduled that day was canceled. For its part, the Newseum was excited to host the pre-primary forum.
There was just one problem. While Gingrich was ready to take his place on the stage, the Romney campaign politely declined in a series of mostly e-mail exchanges.
As Joe Guerriero, a Human Events editor, put it to RCP: “Newt was all over it, and the Romney camp basically said no. It wasn’t a harsh no, but it was a no.”
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
Romney’s not quite so dumb as I thought.
What is Romney afraid of?
More like Pee Wee Herman and Jim Norton debate.
Maybe Romney could send his boy Chris Christi to debate Gingrich.
Spineless Rino versus Grizzley Gingrich
Smokes Hopium, too.
LOL!!!!!! annieokie, only YOU could come up with such a great comeback:)
Yes - he is very wise
to let people wonder whether he would get stomped in a debate against Gingrich
than to
actually participate and get stomped!
RINOmney’s perfectly lubricated zero-friction weather vane wouldn’t have had a chance against Newt’s blast-O-words.
Not that I’m particularly a Newt fan...but I just cannot stomach a man that has managed to come this far without ever encountering an idea that he feels strongly enough about to defend.
Even the Cretin-in-Chief supports ideas. (Dumb ones created by intellectual weaklings that have never worked...but they are ideas nonetheless.)
IF Romney is afraid to debate Newt...how will he deal with congress and leaders of foreign nations. Got have some backbone here...the man is a whimp
I'm guess the Romney camp plans to use the tactic that worked so well for them on other candidates. That is to ignore them in public, and turn the smear machine into high gear behind the scenes.
The same thing Gingrich would be afraid of if Romney challenged him to a discussion on the importance of marriage vows and being faithful.
NO! You're a RINO!
You're a flip-flopper!
NO! You're a flip-flopper!
I'll be the nominee!
NO, I'll be the nominee.
Maybe the cancellation is a good thing.
Maybe Zer0 could challenge him to a pitching contest to see who throws most like a girl.
Newt would murder Romney in a debate and Romney knows it. If Newt gets the nomination, he will get the same response from Obama.
Newt would not attack Romney ..Newt would respond to the questions. On the other hand..Romney would need some “depends” on his rear.
Newt is not afraid of such questions and has appeared on Fox news and other television shows honestly responding. He also has the letter from his daughter on his site and answers all attacks in full.
If voters want a man that is running on social issues and a true social conservative..Santorum would be leading in the polls
an opposition candidate with a brain.
Romney isn’t as smart nor as quick as HE thinks he is.
Romney helpfully supplies Obama with a precedent to follow.
Yes - Santorum is my ideological choice, but he is also flawed. And he has not been able to get any traction - and that is a fatal flaw for any candidate.
We can’t vote just for ideology - we have to vote for a package of all that is necessary as BOTH a candidate and a President.
I have said the same thing about Mitt’s refusal to debate or appear on the Sunday talking head political shows. He hasn’t been there for over 2 years. He complained about ‘aggressive questions’ when he appeared on Fox this week.
I don’t think Mitt has a pair of “big girl panties’ to put on when he has to.
That's why I still prefer Perry to Romney or Newt!
And yes, all three have their problems w/ Conservatives.
Truman: The buck stops here.
Romney: The buck-buck-buck stops here.
LOL, Well, it’s true. He has already sent Christi to make some negative comments about Newt.
Baggage? Wild oats sown by a war-horse.
And so would Obama. Neither of the two are that stupid. Gingrich will never get the chance, in ANY debate with Romney or Obama.
Romney is used to being “the media darling” and even if he received more simplistic questions..Newt would rip him to shreds. I would love to see them debate in NH...Lincoln Douglas style
Of course he would! No way he can match Newt’s knowledge!
Agreed. Here is Victor Davis Hanson who I think nails Santorum's fatal flaw ....
Do not fight any opponent on their terms.
- Some smart guy
OK. Then how about a Mr. Haney-Mr. Douglas debate?
“I’m guess the Romney camp plans to use the tactic that worked so well for them on other candidates. That is to ignore them in public, and turn the smear machine into high gear behind the scenes”
That’s my opinion too. Romney trashed Sarah behind the scenes and may be behind the Cain smears. Guessing his back ops will go after Newt big time now and try to label newt as unstable, mean-spirited, philanderer, etc. etc. Or, they may think Newt is so strong and well-known that they’ll need something real big to knock him out. They could be concocting some sort of major dirt to release around the holidays.
Newt's already tried that once regarding Romneycare. Romney shut him down completely when he (Romney) stated that he got the idea of a government mandate to purchase healthcare insurance from Newt's support of the federal government forcing me to buy something. Newt had absolutely no response to it.
Don't get me wrong. I have no use for either Romney or Newt. Neither will be able to go after Obama regarding Obamacare, as Obama will just say he was doing what Romney and Newt supported, and followed their lead on the subject.
You may have a point about that - Don’t forget the Rick Perry stuff - Perry was suspicious of Romney too.
I don’t think two easy-to-mock stereotypical Texans lacking statesmanlike stage presence in a row would be good for the USA.
Image is important, and on the world stage, Perry would be even more of a joke than W ended up being.
I don’t think that caricature of W was fair, but it existed and it was widespread.
Perry’s “oops” moment was so damaging NOT because it was a big mistake, bur because it symbolized the utter lack of gravitas he had exhibited in all the debates prior to that “oops”. The “oops” confirmed our fears (based on our observations of him in debates) that Perry might consistently embarrass the USA on the world stage.
Gravitas is necessary in a president. Perry has none.
“I don’t think Mitt has a pair of “big girl panties’ to put on when he has to.”
I don’t know if he has a pair of “big girl panties” or not, but if he does would he wear them under or over his mormon underwear...just curious don’t know much about these things.
anyone, anyone, bhuller...
LOL!!! DEPENDS????? my thought exactly, but will they fit into the magic underwear?
Heck, Romney just got flustered and mad at Brett on the Fox interview, now try to imagine up against NEWT.
Looking back at the debates, Newt was very polite and never said anything negative about the others. I think he must have been thinking, JUST YOU WAIT, I'll take the very last one of you out with kindness, and make you like it, and do a double take of "what the hell happened".
Does all this mean that NEWT will now have the Center podium in the next debate???
Romney is afraid of Newt..period. Newt would answer any question hurled his way and not stutter. Romney always spinning...he now has the “deer in the headlights” look
“Maybe Romney could send his boy Chris Christi to debate Gingrich.”
Actually that would be good. Fire and ice. Not surprised about Romney. Holograms are all pixel, no guts.
8 days till the next debate!!! it will be in Iowa...LOOK OUT! as a matter of fact...I would need some depends if I had to debate Newt...LOL LOL LOL
8 days till the next debate!!! it will be in Iowa...LOOK OUT! as a matter of fact...I would need some depends if I had to debate Newt...LOL LOL LOL
Do you think Mitt wears boxers or briefs? lol lol
More good publicity for Newt. But of course Romney knows a trap when he sees one so he was wise to decline.
I am not a Romney supporter but he missed a golden opportunity. Mitt can hold is own with Newt- again not a Romney fan. He might not win, but a tie or close finish would be huge. It would take away a perceived notion that only Newt can beat Obama in a debate.
From what I've seen of those magic pants, they are boxeries, with little stitched emblems on them. google will find them for you. Not sure if only the ELITE "prophets" such as Romeny get to wear them, but I can see why he must live in a cold climate area.
But Bush was liked by our allies and loved by our military.
The MSM spun W as an idiot and will do the same with any Republican President.
But, what if, just what if Palin would endorse him over the other RINOs?
...setting up a Perry/Palin ticket?
I believe Sarah's "kingmaker' endorsement, whoever it is, will vault him/her ahead of the others.
HOLOGRAMS, rofl. So true.
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