Posted on 02/23/2012 8:39:30 AM PST by SeekAndFind
The final four GOP presidential candidates came out swinging Wednesday night on earmarks, the economy, healthcare and the automotive bailout in the 20th and final debate before the decisive Super Tuesday contests.
Much of the jabs were directed at the unlikely new front-runner — former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, who is fresh off a triple-play of victories in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri.
Asked by CNN moderator John King why he ran an ad accusing Santorum of being a “fake,” feisty Texas Rep. Ron Paul retorted, “Because he’s a fake.”
Paul went on to attack Santorum’s support for the No Child Left Behind legislation, which he now plans to repeal if elected president.
“I find it really fascinating that when people are running for office they’re really fiscally conservative,” charged Paul. “When they’re in office they do something different. Then, when they explain themselves, they say ‘oh I want to repeal that.’ ”
"Look, politics is a team sport, folks," Santorum said of the measure backed by Republican President George W. Bush and other GOP lawmakers. "I voted for that; it was against the principles I believe in, but I did that to help the team. Sometimes you have to take one for the team."
Santorum has surged ahead of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney heading into two key primaries Tuesday — one in Arizona, where the debate was held, and the other in Michigan, where Romney was born and his father served as governor.
With so much at stake, the candidates began the debate with their views on how they would bring down the nation’s national debt, which is now more than $15.3 trillion.
Santorum pledged to trim $5 trillion from the deficit over five years, but leave defense spending intact.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
SANTORUM’s PLAN FOR DEALING WITH BUDGET DEFICIT AND DEBT:
* Repeal Obamacare. That’s the one entitlement that we can get rid of,” he said to applause. “And that’s a couple trillion dollars in spending over the next 10 years.”
* Unlike the Paul Ryan plan we will also deal with Medicare and Social Security — not 10 years from now — but we have to start dealing with it now because our country is facing fiscal bankruptcy.
I was glad to see Newt seize the moment to kick the MSM right in the bias...
....When (IL State Senator) Bammie voted to allow doctors to commit infanticide....
...killing the babies that survived an abortion...
I hope many millions heard that one....
I wasn’t home so I didn’t get to watch the debate. Did Newt bring up 0s vote on the Born Alive act?
Of course I also have the sneaking suspicion that the headlines were written and the pic chosen before the debate ever took place...
RE: I hope many millions heard that one....
The contraception question is really a PLUS for any GOP candidate.
I actually WANT it to be brought up in the presidential debate vs Obama.
Firstly, it will allow them to highlight how Obama and his HHS are taking away our FREEDOM. Make it a First Amendment issue.
Secondly, as Newt pointed out, one can turn it around Jiu-Jitsu style and remind people who EXTREME Obama is when he REFUSED to save Babies who survive abortion.
The name of current abortion survivors and nurses who witnessed the procedure can even be brought up for reference.
They can also say that even pro-choice legislators like Barbara Boxer VOTED FOR a similar bill at the Federal level even as Obama refused to do it in Illinois.
I noticed that the point in the debate where Santorum said that Romney did not have to raise taxes in Mass. to pay for his Romneycare because he stole 3 or 400 million dollars from all the rest of the taxpayers across the country to pay for it and now Deval Patrick is looking for 50 billion dollars to pay for the disaster,I thought romney looked like he crapped his pants.I watched the kiss romney ass love fest and bash Santorum show on Fox this morning and of course they did not show that clip. Figures
I noticed that the point in the debate where Santorum said that Romney did not have to raise taxes in Mass. to pay for his Romneycare because he stole 3 or 400 million dollars from all the rest of the taxpayers across the country to pay for it and now Deval Patrick is looking for 50 billion dollars to pay for the disaster,I thought romney looked like he crapped his pants.I watched the kiss romney ass love fest and bash Santorum show on Fox this morning and of course they did not show that clip. Figures
RE: Did Newt bring up 0s vote on the Born Alive act?
ABSOLUTELY and it was brilliant.
It was in the context of a question of the HHS contraception mandate.
In so many words.
When the moderator was asking the candidates about contraception, Newt asked why the media never asked Obama about his support of infanticide.
I though Santorum had a rough night. He got bogged down in Washington insiderness. He needs to be more deft on his feet.
For instance, I understand the point he was trying to illustrate with his support for Title 10. He was basically saying that, while he is personally opposed to contraception and Planned Parenthood, he doesn’t let his personal beliefs dictate how he governs.
However, it came off looking like he is willing to vote for stuff he doesn’t believe in for political expediency.
He also had trouble with the earmarking issue. He should have just left it alone.
Newt had a great night, and I was personally glad that Ron Paul was given more time on domestic issues to make the strong case for limited government.
He is absolutely right about abortion and contraception being symptoms of an immoral society, rather than the cause.
I agree.
However, it came off looking like he is willing to vote for stuff he doesn’t believe in for political expediency.
That answer on why he voted for NCLB but now opposes it was absolutely awful. One of the biggest gaffes I've seen in these debates.
He also had trouble with the earmarking issue. He should have just left it alone.
Agreed, again.
The problem with Santorum is he's not a good formal debater. He makes lots of simple mistakes in this format. I don't understand how some people think it was a good performance.
FU Milt, and your puppet RuPaul.
NCLB was a centerpiece bill in socialist lite Bush’s new Presidency. He could either get behind it, as did virtually all Republicans, or become an ineffective outcast for his final four years. Laura was George’s downfall, and one of the main reasons that we now have Obama, and why it has become tougher for a conservative to win a nomination. Bob
I completely understand that.
But, there has to be a much better way to answer that question in a primary debate that does not give the (what appears to be correct) impression that Santorum will support his party over his principles.
I groaned. Members of the audience groaned. And I guarantee a lot of people watching at home, wondering if they should support Santorum, groaned.
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