New Hampshire Debate: Mitt Romney Untouched By Rivals, Goes On Offense Against Obama

[onehandle]

Source: Huffington Post

MANCHESTER, N.H. –- Mitt Romney waltzed off the stage after his first presidential primary debate here Monday night with the huge red and white target on his back completely untouched. The former Massachusetts governor entered the seven-person debate having extended his lead in the polls over the last week, and he did nothing during the two-hour quiz show to impede that trend. The fact that the six other candidates didn't lay a paw on him helped.

The defining moment came 25 minutes in, when former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was asked about his criticism just 24 hours earlier of Romney's health care law in Massachusetts. Pawlenty had called it ObamneyCare on "Fox News Sunday," but when asked to expand on that criticism, he scrambled for cover.

During his response, Pawlenty criticized President Obama, who he said modeled the federal health care overhaul on Romney's state program. CNN's John King, the moderator, stepped in to remind him of the question. "Why would you choose those words in the comfort of a Sunday show studio? Your rival is standing right there," King asked.

Pawlenty still declined to engage Romney, who stood one person over to his right. "President Obama is the person I quoted," he said. "Using the term Obamneycare was a reflection of the president's comments." That set the tone for the night, and Romney knew it. He immediately shifted focus to his prime objective: attacking Obama. He said the president will "eat those words" comparing the federal law to the Massachusetts law.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/13/new-hampshire-debate-romney-untouched_n_876380.html

---

I still say it's Mittens. With a 'surprise' running mate, Senator Rubio.

[Yon_Yonson]

1. Their lips were moving ... thus they are lying

[SpiralHawk]

2. Stinky Boy (R) Hurls Poo at Beloved US President

"When you have no ideas of your own, other than how to make rich people even richer, then fling poo at anyone who actually has a good idea."

- Excerpted from the Republicon Debate Handbook

[joeglow3]

4. Welcome to the world of running against an incumbent

Almost ALL politicians run on the mantra of "I'm not him/her." I don't expect this race to be any different. Makes it all the more important for Obama to start serving the people who elected him and quit serving his Corporate donors.

[Demeter]

3. I should hope he wasn't touched by his rivals

there's too much of that going around in the GOP already...the very thought gives me the creeps...ugh!

[sofa king]

5. So there's one Presidential candidate, and six VP candidates.

All six of them apparently banking that

a) They won't take as much political damage when they get their asses beat in 2012 if they hide in the second slot, as Palin did in '08;

b) In the unlikely event that Romney wins, he's flawed enough that a forced resignation (or other options) are possible, putting an unelectable and irretrievably evil candidate in a position to assume the Presidency;

c) The Man would not approve of their attacking the anointed candidate, so all of the second-stage players have mutually agreed to leave him alone for the moment.

[jeanmarc]

8. That's why Pawlenty wimped out

If he actually had a forceful exchange with Mittens, he would be out of the Veep race.

That wimp is actually running for VP right now. What a loser.

[Skink]

6. Good to know Romney is rady to repeal it on day one,

[bongbong]

7. IOKIYAR

I thought attacking the president during times of war was high treason, at least, that's what I heard from 2001 to 2008.

[JDPriestly]

9. It's Mittens all right. He already has the nomination.

The others are vying for the VP slot.

But he is too slick looking for Americans. Obama is the guy Americans would rather have a beer with.

Mitt Romney is just a little to "better than thou" in his demeanor.

[Mopar151]

10. His record on job creation stinks to high heaven

Bain Capital is a "vulture capitalist" company - break up companies, lay off the help, sell off whatever will bring money, then "bust out" the rest thru bankruptcy (or selling to some sucker with liabilities included).
Rachel M. said last night that his job creation record in Mass. was dismal - 47th of 50, IIRC. And from my point of view - He left Mass. little better than he found it, except for the health care thing. And Mass politics is a cesspool, everywhere you turn.