Posted on 05/15/2007 11:21:01 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Three top Republican presidential contenders took fire from their second-tier rivals and traded digs on Tuesday, with Rudolph Giuliani defending his abortion rights support and John McCain and Mitt Romney trying to burnish their conservative credentials.
In the second debate in two weeks between the 10 men vying for the 2008 Republican nomination, Giuliani, McCain and Romney -- "Rudy McRomney" to their detractors -- tried to ease doubts among conservatives about their records.
The 90-minute session in conservative South Carolina featured a sharp exchange between front-runner Giuliani and longshot Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, who said America's Middle East policies led to the September 11 attacks.
"Have you ever read about the reasons they attacked us? They attack us because we've been over there. We've been bombing Iraq for 10 years," Paul said.
"That's really an extraordinary statement," interrupted Giuliani, who was mayor of New York and widely heralded for his leadership at the time of the 2001 attacks.
"As someone who lived through the attack of September 11, that we invited the attack because we were attacking Iraq. I don't think I've ever heard that before and I've heard some pretty absurd explanations for September 11," he said, demanding Paul withdraw the statement.
It was a welcome return to the security issue for Giuliani, who has spent two weeks explaining his support of abortion rights after drawing attention to the issue in the last debate by appearing to play both sides.
Giuliani leads in national polls but trails McCain in South Carolina, which has a high population of conservative Christians and holds an early primary that has been crucial in determining the Republican presidential nominee in past elections.
That was particularly true in 2000, when Bush won a bitter campaign duel here with McCain, senator from Arizona, that was pivotal in giving him the nomination.
"I ultimately do believe in a woman's right of choice, but I think that there are ways in which we can reduce abortions," Giuliani said during the debate.
"In the kind of democracy we have ... and the kind of society we have where we want to keep government out of people's personal lives," he said.
That drew a quick retort from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
"If it's wrong, then we ought to be opposed to it," Huckabee said.
McCain has drawn criticism from conservatives for his support of campaign finance reform and opposition to President George W. Bush's tax cuts, while Romney has been hit for his late conversions on issues like abortion rights and gay rights.
"I trust those conversions when they happen on the road to Damascus, not on the road to Des Moines," Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo said.
Romney pledged not to raise taxes and said he backs the right to own guns, but supports a ban on assault weapons. McCain clung to his backing for the Bush administration's surge strategy in the Iraq war.
The debate also featured other candidates trying to elbow their way into contention -- Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, and former Govs. Jim Gilmore of Virginia and Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin.
I've always admired Ron Paul for his 2nd Amendment support and strident opposition to the U.N.
I never realized he was such a raving nutter.
Fred better not pick him for VP.
Bald Presidents :
John Adams
John Quincy Adams
Martin Van Buren
James Garfield
Herbert Hoover
Dwight Eisenhower
I keep reading that Fred is the savior but I think he’s showing political cowardice in ducking the debates. I want to see how well he thinks on his feet.
I think Fred is showing political cowardice in ducking the debates. I want to see how well he thinks on his feet - I already know he can memorize TV scripts.
They hate us because we are not Muslim. That’s the only reason.
You write as if the campaign in Iraq is weakinging radical Islam. Not true. The Christians never had to flee Hussein like they’re fleeing OUR Iraq.
One: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1819432/posts
Two: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1787198/posts
““I thought Tancredo, surprisingly did well”
I agree, he did impress me also.
I hope that Tancredo and Hunter change the “front tier” status that we have now.”
I have to disagree. While I like Tabcredo on immigration a lot, that is all he is about. I cannot remember a thing Hunter said.
Of the second tier candidates, only Huckabee had a distinctive night. His quip in Edwards was a keeper.
Ron Paul simpley closed his campaign last night.
McCain is right on spending and defense and wrong on immigration, global warming, and has no respect for the Constitution. Republicans do not want to step across the isle and work with the dems. We (I) want to crush them and their rotten policies.
Rudy found his feet and did OK
Romney did his usual superior performance.
Big three from last night:
Romney, Rudy and Huckabee
Big Losers..Paul, Thompson, Brownback
The serious candidates are now out in front: Rudy, Mitt, Hunter. The rest should just stop, support the frontrunners and if Newt and Fred get in, there would be 5 serious people who could debate and beat the 3 serious if flawed Dem ones, Hil,BO and Richardson. The seminar voters who put Paul up in front are doing the Republican Party a disservice. Ron Paul needs to go back to Texas and just be a nice wacky Rep. to keep the House aware of the Constitution but will keep him out of danger and leadership!!
Your candidate supports doubling the size of Guantanemo so that people accused of crimes won't be able to get lawyers and also supports torture and then you are accusing McCain of being the one who doesn't respect the Constitution??
MR. ROMNEY: Well, let’s get the record straight. First of all, there’s no question that I support Second Amendment rights, but I also support an assault weapon ban.
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