*** The GOP Debate reality show 8pm ET on CNN - live chat thread ***

[Tx4obama]

LIVE STREAM: http://www.rentadrone.tv/cnn-live-stream/
or: http://www.cnn.com/video/?/tab/live#/video/cvplive/cvpstream1
or: http://www.mediaite.com/online/watch-the-cnnsouthern-republican-leadership-conference-debate-live-here/

Moderated by: John King
Location: Charleston, SC
Sponsored by: CNN /Southern Republican Leadership Conf.

Scheduled to attend: Gingrich, Paul, Perry, Romney, Santorum

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_republican_debates
http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012-debate-schedule/2011-2012-primary-debate-schedule/




=======

The Democrats had 26 debates during the 2008 primary campaign.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_democratic_debates

The GOP had 21 debates during the 2008 primary campaign.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_republican_debates

This time around The GOP will have a total of 24 during the 2012 primary campaign
LIST of all scheduled Republican Party 2012 presidential debates:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_republican_debates

[Tx4obama]

1. So, is anyone going to watch?

The crazy factor will be way down with Cain, Bachmann, and Perry not being there,
but some expect the 'hate' factor to be way up,
the bickering between Romney and Grinch should be fun

[tabatha]

2. You are informed. Thanks for the links.

Is there any topic?

I hope Paul shoots them all down, and runs interference with Newt.

[Tx4obama]

4. I haven't seen anything regarding a main topic, perhaps someone else has. n/t

[oberliner]

9. Marital Infedility

That should make for a fun chat.

[opihimoimoi]

3. This is gonna be a duzzy of a debate...everything on the line...everything that is precious

[bagimin]

11. it might even be a doozy!

[Purveyor]

5. For those political junkies with dial-up, this CNN 'audio only' link works pretty good for me.

[link:http://www.cnn.com/audio/radio/cnntv.html|

[Tx4obama]

6. Here we go, it's starting :)

[oberliner]

7. We are blessed tonight!

Good stuff....love those intros and awkward handshakes.

[demtenjeep]

8. newt just clump walks

I shudder to think of any one boinking him grosssss

[Tx4obama]

10. Did they sing before the Democratic debates in 2008? I don't remember. n/t

[MidwestTransplant]

12. I see White People.

[mrs_p]

52. DUzy

[MidwestTransplant]

135. Lol thanks!

[spanone]

13. well, they sure are patriotic...john says that was fabulous, just fabulous

[Purveyor]

14. Oh for the love of christ when did they start singing 'the anthem' before debates?

[spanone]

16. and they announced they said the pledge of allegiance before they came on the air

[oberliner]

115. Good thing they told us that

I would've been wondering about it all night.

[oberliner]

15. Nice zinger from Romney (edit to add: and Paul)

Married - joy of my life. Good stuff.

Paul - Only US veteran!

[demtenjeep]

17. frothy got the first zing in

will this be beat up Romney night

[spanone]

18. starting with the ex-wife... setting up newt perfectly

[oberliner]

20. Did audiences always cheer and hoot like this?

I don't remember presidential debates feeling like the Jerry Springer show.

[Enrique]

25. GOP voters love open marriages

[nolabear]

35. HuffPo had an article on that today. This is the worst since TV.

Way back they wee more moblike, then TV instituted some formality. Apparently the media has become a circus.

[demtenjeep]

19. Newts big balls are raging

haha

[demtenjeep]

24. his poutrage is showing

what a douche

[ellisonz]

37. I wonder if that's how he talked to his ex-wives.

[Enrique]

21. Newt indignant

crowd loves it.

[spanone]

23. it's the perfect setup for newt. he's the fucking hero of the night.

[brooklynite]

22. AAAAND...there's our "Yahoo" moment for this evening...

A standing ovation for serial adultery.

[demtenjeep]

26. and its all Obama's fault

hehe

[one_voice]

27. I guess Newt...

forgot the way the right bashed Michelle Obama non stop--and still do.

He's such a fucking hypocrite--I can't stand him.

[ellisonz]

28. They got mad squabbles.

Checking-in.

[brooklynite]

31. Why is Ron Paul boring everyone by giving a lecture on policy issues?

[ellisonz]

33. I dunno...

...the same reason certain DUers feel the need to lecture us on how Ron Paul makes sense on anything.

[trumad]

39. Fuck Ron Paul

[morningfog]

44. He is a single issue candidate. His issue is libertarianism.

That is all he sells. It isn't a logical or easily relevant position. Hence, his answers don't really relate to the question. Or reality.

[oberliner]

29. Are they going to applaud everything everyone says?

If so, this is going to be a long and silly night.

[nolabear]

30. Romney and Paul have both pointed out their long marriages.

SURE they don't think it's relevent...well, useable.

[Enrique]

32. Jobs programs?

so far, Ron Paul is a "no"

[Enrique]

36. Newt says modernize port of Charleston n/t

[Enrique]

40. mitt says replace Obama

i.e. no jobs programs.

[Enrique]

43. Santorum is looking like a "No" to jobs programs n/t

[morningfog]

34. Alright, the Paul rote answer tape-recorder played. Leave him alone the rest of the night.

Let Mitt and Newt suck each others blood.

[brooklynite]

38. First face-slap of the evening

Gingrich takes on Mittens' responsibility with Bain Capital on over-leveraging companies they took over.

[DCBob]

41. Despite all the controversies.. I dont think this helps our cause.

The more people hear these lies the more they might start to believe them.

[BadgerKid]

42. Mittster: BHO is biggest impediment to job creation.

Try faulting the Republicans in Congress for stalling and taking "not recess." LOL

[demtenjeep]

45. Mitt can't believe he has to educate "republicans"

what a snob

[ellisonz]

46. Rick Santorum accusing of the President of being "disgusting" on Veterans...

...is fucking evil considering his gung-ho Iran war drumming.

[Tx4obama]

51. Apparenty the GOPers don't know about all the things that Pres Obama and Michelle have done ...

for our Veterans.

[brooklynite]

47. Oops! Mittens mixes up "thousands" and "billions" in a budget question...

...well, you can understand why; they're so close to each other.

[demtenjeep]

48. oh but it isn't wrong to balance the budget on the backs of TEachers, Police, Fire?

I hate these "mofos"

[BadgerKid]

49. How about employer bonuses for hiring US workers?

...seeing as Mitt mentioned how there was(?) a time when employers received bonus to train veterans out of work for a year after the war.

Hope i recalled that correctly -- please correct me.

[spanone]

50. regulatory cuts....tax cuts nothing new ..how many times can we say Obamacare?

c'mon

[BadgerKid]

53. Santorum goes after RomneyCare (as a top-down failure). n/t

[Enrique]

55. Mitt trying to smile n/t

[brooklynite]

54. And now Santorum goes for the jugular...

"Romneycare is an abject disaster"...and Newt Gingrich supported the Individual Mandate.

[brooklynite]

56. "I have compassion for people who don't have health care..."

C'mon Mitt, you're NEVER going to get nominated with a message like that.

[Condem]

57. C'mon. Doesn't anybody else thinks Romney has the voice of Brent Mussberger?

So obvious.

[brooklynite]

58. Ow! that punch is gonna hurt...

Newt: "I was wrong and I figured it out; you were wrong and you didn't"

[Motown_Johnny]

61. no it won't

"It isn't wrong to save American's lives and if you could put your own political ambitions aside for a minute you would be able to see it."

[Motown_Johnny]

59. Gingrich releases tax returns during the debate

what a last ditch effort stunt


I hope it works

[oberliner]

60. These questions are pretty dumb

And the ones coming up seem even dumber.

Anyone else not a fan of this moderator?

[Tx4obama]

62. Some FACT checks

From Twitter

@politifact PolitiFact
People in Mass. like Romneycare 3 to 1. True. ow.ly/8zSxz

@thinkprogress ThinkProgress
FACT: Santorum supported individual mandates too thkpr.gs/xVZYMX

@politifact PolitiFact
Newt Gingrich supported the individual mandate. That was Mostly True. ow.ly/8zSuL #CNNdebate

@TheDemocrats The Democrats
FACT: Romney proposed giving veterans a private voucher, which would undermine the care they receive now. #cnndebate

@TheDemocrats The Democrats
Claim that Romneycare affected 8% of MA while the Affordable Care Act affects 100% of U.S. “pants on fire.” j.mp/pcfLPa #cnndebate

@politifact PolitiFact
In the '90s, some Republicans supported the individual mandate. Our stroll down mem'ry lane ow.ly/8zSEI #CNNdebate

[oberliner]

63. What is Santorum attacking Gingrich on?

Not clear what he is hitting him on. Do people know or care?

Strong attack though, it seems.

[blogslut]

66. The congressional check bouncing scandal from the 90's

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_banking_scandal

[oberliner]

96. Thanks for the info

Vaguely aware of that but I wonder if anyone cares?

[blogslut]

64. Frothy Mixture sure is spunky tonight

They're all attacking but Ricky's zingers are drawing blood.

[ellisonz]

75. Now with Extra-Stank™

[BadgerKid]

65. *Mitt stands idly by during the Santorum-Gingrich poo-slinging* n/t

[Enrique]

67. phew, Romney almost criticized Ron Paul

last minute save!

[brooklynite]

68. Grandiosity has never been a problem for Newt Gingrich..."

Touche!

[bagimin]

70. Willard stutters.

[oberliner]

71. "My taxes are carefully managed"

Interesting remark there, Mitt.

[Enrique]

72. Mitt seething at the follow-up question

he's about to tell John King to go back to North Korea.

[highplainsdem]

73. Romney getting booed for saying "maybe" he'll release more than one year of tax returns,

[joshcryer]

74. Romney just lost SC.

[oberliner]

78. Nah

I don't think this is a major issue.

[joshcryer]

83. But he's coming off as weak on this issue, it's going to give voters pause.

If he's has trepidation on such a trivial issue, what's he going to do in a very tough race?

[ellisonz]

86. Republican Primary voters are actually "low-info"

This might be too late. They should have attacked him on this a month ago.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

75. Santorum said that Romney's tax burden is LOWER than his...

Corrected from mistype.

[BadgerKid]

81. I thought I heard Santorum say his tax rate was higher than Romney's. n/t

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

91. Oops! That's what I meant to type. I'm typing too fast!

[Enrique]

77. jeers from the crowd

that's not good for Mitt.

[karynnj]

89. Not to mention, Mitt was incredibly defensive and self rightous

You know you are losing a debate when instead of answering the question, you start throwing out unrelated attacks. In his case - the number of times Obama played golf - and ending up speaking of one nation under God! (I guess questioning Mitt's taxes is not allowed under his religion.) His argument that he can't put out past years now because the Democrats will attack him twice just does not hold water. I bet he WILL be forced to do this - so he loses on fighting it - and likely has something to hide.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

79. He keeps saying that the Democrats want to go after him for being successful!

[ellisonz]

84. What Williard calls "the politics of envy."

"You know, I think it's about envy. I think it's about class warfare"

[joshcryer]

80. Oh god Apple China question. Epic.

[think]

82. Santorum sounds like

Steve Carrell trying to make shit up as he goes on The Office

[Tx4obama]

84. Everyone knows that the reason Mitt won't release his tax forms is ...

because there's too much in there that he doesn't want anyone to see

By not showing them it is just as bad as showing them!

[joshcryer]

87. LOL, Ron Paul defending Apple's China exploitation.

Fucking hilarious, I fucking love Libertarians.

[MrScorpio]

88. Santorum: Let's make America competitive by turning it into a third world country

Yeah, right.

[Mr. Sparkle]

90. Ron paul is having a grandpa simpson moment!

[oberliner]

95. A better candidate with his same message could have done really well

Unfortunately he rambles and loses the audience.

If he stayed on the more popular elements of his message, he'd give these clowns a run for their money.

[ellisonz]

98. He can't help it.

He's a paranoid conspiracy theorist - his basic fear - that somehow society is out to get him and so he needs to put as much political distance as possible between society and himself.

[oberliner]

100. Wow - he is agreeing with me right now

I would add that Rand is going to be trouble down the road.

[oberliner]

92. Newt is off his game

Rick is actually much more on point.

And he sounds less insane when he doesn't talk about 'social issues'

Edit to add: In relation to this crowd, that is.

[ecstatic]

104. No minorities present to 'put in their place' tonight

Gingrich is at his best when he's tearing someone down.

[ellisonz]

93. SOPA question, oh snap.

Audience boos piracy.

Newt: "You're asking a conservative about the economic interests of Hollywood...has to think it over. I favor freedom."

Mittens agrees. Holy shit the Puke candidates are against SOPA...

They're all against overseas piracy of course.

[Enrique]

94. "if you could do one thing over, what would it be?"

self-serving answers coming up after the break!

[oberliner]

97. "if you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?"

these questions are idiotic

[ellisonz]

99. And Newt blows it...

...I would have fired the consultants I listened to for the last 3 months.

Mitt seizes it and gives a non-answer about changing the vote in Iowa and attacks Obama.

Santorum wouldn't change anything - goes storybook.

Ron Paul would be a better deliverer of the message.

[Tx4obama]

101. Someone there needs to remind Mitt that his dad was born in Mexico !!! n/t

[oberliner]

103. He actually mentioned it himself

For what that is worth.

[ellisonz]

102. Illegal immigration...

...I don't get why Newt thinks his position sells with the racists. Santorum attacks Romney as a flip-flopper. Romney says the GOP is the party of legal immigration.

[uppityperson]

105. I'd like to nominate this whole thread for a DUzy. Thank you all for typing this

laughing hard here and glad I don't have to watch.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

106. Wait a minute...Did someone in the audience just yell out "Liar" in response to Romney

re: his "pro-life" stance?

I swear to God I heard that!

[ellisonz]

107. Abortion

Newt attacks Romney on Romneycare paying for abortion. Says he was pro-abortion before he was pro-life. Romney denies the validity of the charges. Romney babbles says he'll protect the unborn. Santorum joins in on the attack says Mittens should have explicitly banned funding for abortion. Say's he's the best on social issues and attacks Gingrich for not forcing social issues. The circle is complete.

[ellisonz]

110. The audience demands to hear from Ron Paul.

Ron Paul gigglebabbles - "John, once again it's a medical issue and I'm a doctor."

[ellisonz]

114. Now Santorum attacks Paul...

...says he doesn't stand up at a federal level, and that's not the same as a state level. Paul says Santorum is overly-sensitive...

[sfpcjock]

109. Romney protected fried egg in Mass...

[highplainsdem]

111. Sounds as if there are more Ron Paul supporters there than supporters of the other three.

It seemed that way when they were introduced, too.

[oberliner]

112. They are the loudest, that's for sure

And it is really obvious that he is getting short shrift here.

It was almost comical the way the moderator said they wouldn't include him in responding to the question.

[Tx4obama]

113. FACT: Romney used to support the McCain-Kennedy comprehensive immigration reform.

@TheDemocrats The Democrats
FACT: Romney used to support the McCain-Kennedy comprehensive immigration reform. j.mp/tkZ4fb #cnndebate
https://twitter.com/#!/TheDemocrats/status/160187827299160064

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

116. Of course he did. And he also tried to pass something like the DREAM Act in MA when he was governor.

He's a lying, arrogant sack of shit. And people who are duped by him is the saddest truth.

[oberliner]

117. Drink every time Ron Paul says "liberty"

That could be a fun game.

[ellisonz]

118. Newt: Barack Obama is the most dangerous President of our lifetime.

[coalition_unwilling]

119. Thanks for this. I saw a debate right before

Iowa and it sobered me up in a big hurry. Your thread did nothing to convince me that I was mistaken in my earlier assessment that the Repukes must not be allowed anywhere near the White House. What's amazing to me is that 40% of Americans (give or take) will still vote for this claptrap (no matter which of the Repukes is uttering it).

[ellisonz]

126. They have chicken-little syndrome.

What I love is how threatened they feel by what Obama represents and tries to do...

[cilla4progress]

120. Kill me now

Listening to these gallardos, I understand the middle ages.

[highplainsdem]

121. They should call this the "prove how delusional you are" part of the debate.

Since that's what they're doing...

[Tx4obama]

122. Newt can shove his Lincoln-Douglas debates where the sun don't shine!

I'm so sick of hearing him talk about 'debates'.

I watched one that Newt had with 'someone', can't remember who it was, and all they did was sit at a table and talk,
it was VERY boring - and all they did most of the time was agree with each other.

[cilla4progress]

123. Liars all!

They just got done talking about overturning Roe v. Wade, and now Romney is speechifying about freedom and liberty!

They are such louts and liars.

[ellisonz]

124. Mitt Romney rolls out the stump speech.

Mittbot: "Obama has made it almost impossible for our private sector to reboot."

[sfpcjock]

125. God, Mitt is a Moran! He thinks Obama is responsible for The New Deal of FDR...

that came out of the Great Depression. Remember Mitt, like the Great Recession that freaks like you and about 100 other greed heads Created. God, what a moron.

[BadgerKid]

127. Closing

Paul

Individual liberty for all. Mountain of debt. Pledges to cut $1 trillion from federal budget... overseas spending and entitlements.

Gingrich

We must defeat the dangerous Obama and what would be sure to be a radical second term. Need debates with Obama to show him for who he is.

Romney

Ditto Ron and Newt. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness. Economic power derives from freedom. Obama making us an entitlement system. Wants to restore America's values....free enterprise, etc.

Santorum

Agrees with Romney on stakes. Best person should have a clear contrast to Obama...one who has consistently been conservative (like he).

[Tx4obama]

128. Before ya'll go - a DU Rec would be nice :)

Thanks!

[highplainsdem]

130. You're welcome! Thanks for the thread!

[sfpcjock]

131. I recd you. Very funny post :)

[oberliner]

132. This was fun - thanks!

This is the last one for a while.

[sfpcjock]

129. Romney is not "successful", he's a disaster for American business.

This will be his strategy for Nov., I'd imagine. Nobody believes it any more.

[Tx4obama]

133. The NEXT debate will be Monday, January 23rd

January 23, 2012
Tampa, Florida
Sponsors: MSNBC / NBC News / National Journal /Tampa Bay Times / Florida Council of 100

[randr]

134. John King did himself and fellow journalists a disservice

by not responding to Newts attacks and letting him know that Newt was the one running for president.