Live Thread (CNN Presidential Debate from Mesa, AZ, Feb 22, 8 PM EST)

CNN.com ^ | 02-22-2012 | parksstp

[parksstp]

LIVE DEBATE THREAD (Is it too early to start?)

[Right_in_Virginia]

Nah... I don’t agree. You’ve made up your mind for Santorum based on platitudes. Why would I waste my time trying to get you to understand substance? (Hint: There’s no reason).

Thanks.

[Future Snake Eater]

Santorum: prolific proliferator....

That’s a mouthful.

[Jane Long]

Re: Santo's voice...he's pontificating profusely under pressure to be pertinent.

Emphasis on the "P".

[Poincare]

Paul is ok with Iran having one nuke, one with Israel’s name on it no doubt. Israel is a one bomb target.

[Antoninus]

This is kind of sad. This debate thread moves slower in terms of posts than any debate thread I've ever seen on FR. Why? Because it's a complete echo-chamber delivering no useful information. It's no less astro-turf for Gingrich than the stacked audience is for Romney.

Watching supposed conservatives bash a conservative stalwart like Rick Santorum because he's not their preferred candidate is boring. When FR becomes a one-candidate forum to the detriment of all others, its relevance diminishes drastically.

The goal here is to beat Romney, then beat Obama. If you've forgotten that, you're contributing to the election of one of them.

[Son House]

Yes, the intelligence level should increase next caucus when Ron Paul supporters have gone back to their Democrat home.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Santorum very very good in Obama vs. Iran (Obongo letting Iran walk all over His Royal Highness). Very good. Very impassioned. The Romney stacked audience would not go wild though. I can deal with it.

[mylife]

Newt’s nailing them with Perrys energy plan.

[Irish Eyes]

Of course now. Me neither. I personally know NO ONE who will vote for Romney.

Wish I could say the same. People in AZ seem to really like Romney.

:(

[katiedidit1]

Santorum looks like a wimp. Newt looks like a teacher educating the students aka RS, Mitt.

[sheikdetailfeather]

Santorum smacks down Obama on Iran and Newt does too!

[MagUSNRET]

I have said it before..so I repeat myself...Santorum is the “junior partner” in a Gingrich organization. Rick needs a few years to learn from the master. I like Santorum, but he is not yet ready for prime time, and this debate is proving it. That being said...he is a damned site better than Mittens, that smarmy lying sack of crap.

[sandshark222]

Why is there no discussion of gas prices, or keystone pipeline? Someone needs to call John King out on this horrible line of questions.

Not to mention all the softballs to Romney...

[matginzac]

LOL!!!!

[phoneman08]

Pray you’re right.

One would think a mannequin could defeat him as abysmal a President he is.

[Cato in PA]

Congressman Paul has shown a very serious defect in his understanding of reality. He's an absolute nutcase.

[writer33]

Nah. I made up my mind because of conviction. That’s why I wasted my time explaining it to someone who made up their mind based on debate performances only, because it certainly isn’t substance and it definitely isn’t conviction.

[rodguy911]

Notice how much time Paul burns as well. Moderator king asleep at the wheel. Were it not for Newt key issues would have been totally ignored tonight.

[RitaOK]

“Re: Santo’s voice...he’s pontificating profusely under pressure to be pertinent.
Emphasis on the “P”. “

PURRfectly said! Lol!! :)

[Deo volente]

Santorum is not a good debater, but he does great with people, in person.

He should focus on his strengths, and they are considerable. Debate is not one of them, however.