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Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich agree to Lincoln-Douglas style debate in The Woodlands
Houston Chronicle ^ | 10/24/2011 | Richard Dunham

Posted on 10/24/2011 1:36:43 PM PDT by SeekAndFind

First, there were Lincoln and Douglas.

This year, we have Cain and Gingrich.

The two Georgians seeking the Republican nomination for president have accepted an invitation from the Texas Patriots PAC to meet in The Woodlands on Nov. 5 for a free-wheeling and moderator-free debate on the major issues in the 2012 presidential campaign.

The two participants — former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich — have gained ground in the polls following their performance in the first eight debates of the GOP campaign season. But Gingrich in particular has been critical of what he considers “gotcha” questions from reporters and the nasty tone of the most recent debate in Las Vegas.

“This event is a response to remarks by Speaker Gingrich regarding his frustration with the format of the other presidential debates,” said Bill O’Sullivan, a Texas Tea Party Patriots PAC volunteer. “We believe this is the best opportunity for candidates to have substantive discussion since the Lincoln-Douglas Debates.”

Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held a series of debates in 1858 when they were running for an Illinois Senate race. The debates became famous for the in-depth discuss of issues and the high level of political discourse. Democrat Douglas defeated Republican Lincoln in the 1858 Senate race. But Lincoln defeated Douglas and two other candidates in the 1860 presidential race.

The Cain-Gingrich event, sponsored by the Texas Tea Party Patriots PAC, will be held at 6 p.m. CST on Nov. 5 at The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center. The Patriots are based in The Woodlands.

(Excerpt) Read more at blog.chron.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: cain; debate; gingrich; hermancain; lincolndouglas; newt; newtgingrich; texas; thewoodlands; tx
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To: battletank

RE: Newt lives in Virginia.

Well, that makes a Cain/Gingrich tandem possible. All Newt needs to do is officially transfer his residency to VA.

I believe Cheney did the same when he ran with Bush ( he was living in Texas then ).


21 posted on 10/24/2011 2:39:43 PM PDT by SeekAndFind (u)
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To: SeekAndFind
My prediction - look for these two to end up as running mates.

Gingrich/Cain or Cain/Gingrich

I would vote for either.

22 posted on 10/24/2011 2:43:18 PM PDT by airborne (Paratroopers! Good to the last drop!)
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To: SeekAndFind

My initial reaction was to question Herman’s sanity.

But after giving it some thought, I changed my mind. Newt is the best debater of the candidates, and he could destroy Cain, but will he? I doubt it. He’s too smart to get overly aggressive. Remember how he likes to steer debate conversations toward Obama?

For all our talk about a Cain/Gingrich or Gingrich/Cain ticket, maybe the fix is already in. Maybe they’re just looking to capitalize on the added publicity against a common enemy. Who knows?


23 posted on 10/24/2011 2:58:37 PM PDT by Cato in PA
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To: SeekAndFind

This is a great idea. I totally love Cain, but I expect Newt will bury him(as he would most people) in such a debate.


24 posted on 10/24/2011 3:09:38 PM PDT by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
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To: SeekAndFind

“All Newt needs to do is officially transfer his residency to VA.”

According to this article at http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2011/08/where_do_the_gop_candidates_li.html , Newt has been a resident of Virginia for 11 years!

“Newt Gingrich: Gingrich has lived full-time in a McLean, Virginia, home outside of D.C. that he and his wife, Callista, bought in May of 2000 for $995,000. “


25 posted on 10/24/2011 3:09:46 PM PDT by battletank
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To: t2buckeye

Well, if it’s a real debate, I’m all for it. I think this stupid “soundbite” stuff that people have been subjected to through the MSM is idiotic. It doesn’t give you any idea what a candidate’s real plan is and it is based on destroying an opponent by catching him in a stumble.

Let’s hear some real ideas and some real discussion.


26 posted on 10/24/2011 3:11:29 PM PDT by livius
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To: New Jersey Realist

Um, I have to say someting about two of your points:

“...a single thought is as bad as the deed itself (or something like that). True Christians have to agree with him.”

No they don’t. A thought is not the same as a deed, but something you consciously think about will lead to deeds. You cannot help every thought that enters your mind, but you can choose to dwell on something else instead.

“Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”

That law referred ONLY to people who had not committed the SAME sin, not “any” sin. You could sin over and over and still stone someone under the law of Moses, you just couldn’t partake if you had committed that same type of sin. It is widely believed that the writings which Christ started writing on the ground were the names of those who had committed adultery also (or something similar) which is presumably why they all walked away. (If they had not been adulterers, they could have stoned her themselves).

Anyway, I still agree with the gist of your points, I just had to point out the two I did.


27 posted on 10/24/2011 3:11:38 PM PDT by JDW11235 (I think I got it now!)
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To: Cato in PA

You could very well be correct. Plus, I can see Herman possibly picking Gingrich as a running mate, since Cain could probably benefit from Gingrich’s legislative experience.


28 posted on 10/24/2011 3:16:10 PM PDT by JDW11235 (I think I got it now!)
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To: TexasFreeper2009; All
um... this might be a huge mistake for Cain.
Gingrich is a phenomenal debater... and has nothing to lose, while Cain has everything to lose and little to gain from this...
I can’t believe Cain would agree to this.


Are you perhaps overlooking that Herman Cain's own skills at communication have been honed in talk radio on WSM in Atlanta? He is no babe in the woods when it comes to debating the issues, the only thing new for Cain is the heightened scrutiny he has been having to deal with, and despite some slips here and there, I think he's doing just fine.

No question that Newt enters a debate like this holding the high cards, however the absence of the MSM yakkin' instigators trying to goad one candidate against the other means that this debate should be civil if not outright friendly, it will be substantive, it will definitely be serious (no stupid questions as was posed to the Sink Emperor, 'boxers or briefs'?), and I think rather than speculate as to whether Cain or Newt have nothing to lose or nothing to gain, the more pertinent observation is (IMHO), the American People are the ones who will definitely GAIN from this discussion and debate of the issues.

I'm looking forward to this. If I was able to clear my calendar, I would try to attend this event in person.
29 posted on 10/24/2011 3:16:42 PM PDT by mkjessup (Is Herman Cain the best conservative candidate? If you say "no", then tell me who IS!!)
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To: TexasFreeper2009

I think what Cain gains is a deserved reputation for standing his ground. Newt is a MUCH better debater, and I’m certain Newt will win the debate - for the mind. But if Cain holds steady, is courteous and shows he knows his stuff, then he may win the hearts. And most vote their hearts.


30 posted on 10/24/2011 3:24:30 PM PDT by Mr Rogers ("they found themselves made strangers in their own country")
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To: Cato in PA

My guess is that we’ll see a thoughtful, intelligent debate, with Newt being the better debater, but both men coming out looking good.

I’ll be shocked if either one attacks or slams their opponent - unless you think of Obama as the opponent. Both men are interested in ideas, and I think they both know that they aren’t really in competition with each other.


31 posted on 10/24/2011 3:29:08 PM PDT by Mr Rogers ("they found themselves made strangers in their own country")
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To: musicman

BFLR


32 posted on 10/24/2011 3:33:31 PM PDT by musicman (Until I see the REAL Long Form Vault BC, he's just "PRES__ENT" Obama = Without "ID")
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To: Cato in PA

I agree. For one thing, I don’t believe Cain would do something he didn’t feel would be beneficial to his campaign. He has come this far to do something stupid. Second, how many people will actually listen and pay attention to this debate? It is in TX, Cain is up big...it could help Newt, Cain or both.

But more importantly, this is a debate between 2 gentleman. These guys have attacked the other candidates the least and for this, they are being rewarded. Also, if memory serves me correctly, Cain and Newt like each other...to the point that Newt supported Cain in the 999 debate in the last “debate”. I think Newt is planning to be on Cain’s ticket...but we shall see.

One last thing...while everyone acknowledges that Newt is a superior debater, don’t sell Herman short in this type of setting. This is like a board room...he will be comfortable. It won’t hurt him much at all unless he completely bombs.


33 posted on 10/24/2011 3:37:10 PM PDT by chilepup
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To: KoRn; TexasFreeper2009

Disagree that Cain will get buried here. It won’t be that type of MSM debate where they give each candidate a knife and set them up to start slashing each other.

I don’t expect it to be hostile at all and it’ll very likely be a bore-fest if you tune in looking for a knockout punch to be delivered by someone, but very high on professionalism and ideas. Both candidates will elevate themselves above the lame attacks and one-liners that we get from Romney, Perry, Bachmann, and Santorum in these debates.

Hopefully a major network picks it up and a large segment of the electorate tunes in and decides that they prefer this constructive format over the MSM’s 90 minute Royal Rumbles.


34 posted on 10/24/2011 3:40:26 PM PDT by NoMitt
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To: SeekAndFind

Shocked that Cain would agree to this, as Newt is one hell of a debater. Good for him. Can’t imagine the programmed Mittens or mechanical Perry could last long.


35 posted on 10/24/2011 3:50:09 PM PDT by montag813
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To: airborne
My prediction - look for these two to end up as running mates.

Interesting, and I would vote such a ticket.

I do expect that both will use this to elevate themselves above the reset of the GOP field.
36 posted on 10/24/2011 3:50:47 PM PDT by af_vet_rr
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To: montag813
Shocked that Cain would agree to this, as Newt is one hell of a debater. Good for him. Can’t imagine the programmed Mittens or mechanical Perry could last long.

Cain should do just fine - look at his employment history, he is used to long discussions with others over important matters. This isn't a situation where somebody can write you a handful of zingers and soundbites and send you up there - any candidate attempting that is going to look dumb as hell.
37 posted on 10/24/2011 3:57:05 PM PDT by af_vet_rr
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To: SeekAndFind

Cool! a REAL debate. Both of these guys will rise as a result. ssssmmmmaart!


38 posted on 10/24/2011 4:05:25 PM PDT by cookcounty (2012 choice: It's the Tea Party or the Slumber Party.)
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To: TexasFreeper2009
"um... this might be a huge mistake for Cain."

I disagree. People are so hungry for positive substance and sick of the back-biting. The only threat to Herman would be Newt. Just being there and participating will up Herman's numbers relative to Perry, Romney, Bachmann and Santorum.

39 posted on 10/24/2011 4:10:31 PM PDT by cookcounty (2012 choice: It's the Tea Party or the Slumber Party.)
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To: af_vet_rr

In NASCAR terms,what they are doing is called Bump Drafting.


40 posted on 10/24/2011 4:16:53 PM PDT by fudimo
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