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Subscribe to RSSWatch the full NBC News/National Journal/Tampa Bay Times GOP presidential debate as Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney set a combative ahead of Florida's Jan. 31 primary.
Updated 10:56 p.m. ET
The long-awaited showdown between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney erupted into a slugfest at a Republican presidential debate in Florida, setting a combative tone in the campaign ahead of the state's Jan. 31 primary.
The former House speaker and the former Massachusetts governor began sniping early at Monday evening's NBC News/National Journal/Tampa Bay Times debate; they carried on through much of the debate before finding more conciliatory turf when answering questions specific to the state of Florida.
Still, the gathering delivered what had been expected: Romney taking a new, aggressive tack against Gingrich, and Gingrich finding himself in the frontrunner's spotlight after having scored a decisive victory in last weekend's South Carolina primary.
The sharpest exchange over the evening came over Gingrich's work on behalf of troubled mortgage giant Freddie Mac. Romney had assailed that work, which earned Gingrich's consulting firm a lucrative contract, on the campaign trail, and repeated it tonight.
"The fact is I offered strategic advice, largely based on my knowledge of history, including the history of Washington," Gingrich said of his work. (His campaign released a copy of his contract with Freddie Mac this evening at the behest of the Romney campaign.)
At Monday's Republican presidential debate in Florida, the showdown between former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich erupted into a verbal slugfest. NBC's Peter Alexander reports.
Romney insisted that Gingrich's advocacy work on behalf of Freddie Mac — as well as the ex-speaker's push for a prescription drug benefit in Medicare during a legislative battle in 2003 — represented nothing more than lobbying by another name.
"If you're getting paid by health companies … and you then meet with Republican congressmen and encourage them to support that legislation, you can call it whatever you'd like. I call it influence-peddling," Romney said. "It is not right. It is not right. You have a conflict."
The sparring between Romney and Gingrich was reflective of the uncertainty injected into the primary campaign by Gingrich's victory in South Carolina. None of the four candidates onstage tonight in Tampa has won more than a single nominating contest, and the campaign now threatens to extend into Super Tuesday and beyond.
Romney had sent every signal between Saturday night and Monday evening's debate that he planned to take a more aggressive tack against Gingrich as part of an effort to halt the former speaker's momentum in Florida, which isn't just a key primary state, but a pivotal swing state in the general election, as well.
'Historic losses'
Romney launched into the criticism in his very first answer, assailing Gingrich as an unreliable conservative who could embarrass the GOP.
Former speaker on the defensive over his role as a paid adviser for Freddie Mac, insurance companies.
"The speaker was given an opportunity to be the leader of our party in 1994. And at the end of four years, he had to resign in disgrace," Romney said.
"Don't forget at the end of the speaker's term as speaker, his approval rating was down to 18 percent. We suffered historic losses after his four years in office," Romney added.
For his part, Gingrich opened on a more optimistic note and appeared reluctant at first to engage Romney's attacks.
"I'm not going to spend the evening trying to chase Gov. Romney's misinformation," Gingrich said, explaining his campaign would provide rejoinders on its website tomorrow morning. "He just said four things that were false. I don't want to waste any time on them."
But any hopes for a high-brow affair quickly disappeared when Gingrich sharply disputed Romney's account of his speakership: "He may have made a good financier. He's a terrible historian."
It was the kind of red-hot fight most political observers had expected after the GOP presidential primary was thrown into upheaval by the former House speaker's victory in this past weekend's in South Carolina.
The two GOP front-runners battle over their past in a pivotal NBC News debate.
The debate was one of the fiercest battles of the Republican campaign, presaged by a day of sniping on the campaign trail that saw the Romney and Gingrich trade rhetorical blows in a preview of the new phase of the GOP campaign.
The Romney campaign is hoping Florida proves to be a firewall against Gingrich's surge. They've spent millions on advertising in the state, and Romney has enjoyed an early advantage in the polls — one his campaign hopes transfers to the over 225,000 early and absentee ballots that have been cast.
But the voting is limited to registered Republicans only, meaning the electorate might be composed of the more conservative voters that fueled Gingrich's win in South Carolina. Gingrich is hoping that twin victories in South Carolina and Florida would decimate the aura of inevitability Romney built around his campaign.
Texas Rep. Ron Paul has elected against participating in Florida with much vigor. He spent most of the debate voicing his usual message, decrying government spending and U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.
NBC's Andrea Mitchell, David Gregory and Chuck Todd provide analysis following tonight's GOP debate.
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, the winner of the Iowa caucus by the slimmest of margins, put himself forward at the debate as the only true conservative. He went on the attack against Gingrich and Romney by saying there is little different between them and President Obama.
"They rejected conservatism when it was hard to stand. It's going to be hard to stand whoever this president is going to be elected," Santorum said, echoing that same line of attack at the end of the debate. "There is no difference between President Obama and these two gentlemen. And that's why this election in Florida is so critical, that we have someone that actually can create a contrast between the president and the conservative point of view."
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney released his tax returns, which reveal he paid a 14 percent rate on nearly $22 million in income for 2010. NBC's Chuck Todd talks to TODAY's Matt Lauer about how this release might impact the race.
Romney, on the attack for much of the night, stumbled on a question regarding how he would handle illegal immigrants residing in the United States.
"Well, the answer is self-deportation, which is people decide they can do better by going home because they can't find work here because they don't have legal documentation to allow them to work here," Romney said, raising eyebrows if nothing else than for the opacity of the concept. "And so we're not going to round people up."
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As far as small business jumpstarting this economy. Right now there might be a few phone apps that might make someone wealthy by individual standards, but as a small businessman all my life I can tell you that regulation stops any small businessman dead in his tracts today. Next you would need to fight cartels of lawyers that demand you join them and pay them big bucks not to tie you up in court on frivalous suits over copywright and patents. They are a semilegalized mofia. My guess is that rather than the republicrats or demicans fighting for small entrepreneurs they will continue to support big business over small business. I is so more rewarding to cheat and connive, in this economy, to hire a bunch of illegal aliens and make your money under the table.
I just heard the craziest thing.....the TEA PARTY/CONSERVATIVES are supporting a Freddie Mac Lobbyist, paid millions by the taxpayers and also supports cap and trade with Pelosi and like Obama he supports individual mandates. Can these people be full of any more nonsense?They dont even believe in their principles, why should anyone else?
Both mainstream party's have blended to become a hybrid of corruption. Neither will cut entitlements or defense spending which were the defining differences between the party's. That was the only check and balance that kept us from a runaway deficit.
Now the same lobby's in banking/wallstreet, oil companies and military contractors are stuffing both party's full of cash. Both party's and the mega-lobby's have figured they make much more playing both sides against the middle.
"If each party has chosen a strategy and no party can benefit by changing his or her strategy while the other party's keep theirs unchanged, then the current set of strategy choices and the corresponding payoffs constitute a Nash equilibrium." John Nash..... It's A Beautiful Mind
Ron Paul 2012 or just sit back and watch the lobby's run the country into the ground.
Adam101, didn't Leon Panetta just cut 600 billion from the defense budget....thought I read that somewhere.
I used to get so upset when people "pushed" Ron Paul...but I don't anymore. As long as Obama has a clown like Biden in his camp--they're doomed!!! We'll win with whatever the wind blows in~
If you saw a $600 billion dollar cut you would see at least a 30% layoff in the military contractor workforce...... of course there would be a "special bailout" for them all. They would all get supported at full salary and retrained as bankers or lawyers at taxpayer expense.
Sounded nice because that would probably save SS/MediCare for at least 5 years. Nope we're going to blow things up and borrow instead.
RON PAUL in 2012! Let's take our country back.
In the last SC debate....Ron Paul wasn't even a player...and didn't know he was being ignored until his fans started an uproar! If I were one of Ron Paul's kids, I'd be furious that he's squandering "my portion of the inheritance" on a race he has no chance in hell of winning. God help us to be cursed with a candidate who is such a mental "flatliner"! But, having said that, he couldn't screw up the"most powerful nation on earth" any worse than Obama has.
27Reasons
RON PAUL in 2012! Let's take our country back".......to the stone age.... Of course, I'm all for it...if we all went back to riding horses....the oil companies would go nuts!
I don't have a horse, but I'll do just fine.
Has anyone noticed that the media does not present critical questions put to the "other" candidates, online here, ever? Those questions that RON PAUL gets asked regarding the economy, foreign affairs, jobs, etc. All we hear about is attacks and counter-attacks regarding their past. This is what the majority is putting their votes on? Does anyone remember what the various positions are for romney and gingrich, as it relates to the important stuff we need to hear about?
If RON PAUL looses the primary, all supporters should put their vote on President Obama. SLAP the GOP!
Fact: Obama/Biden win in 2012!
Fact: Newtie Tootie will never, ever be POTUS! Calista will never, ever be First "Lady"! Lady??
Fact: Newtie Tootie will spend donor$ money on personal uses, ater eliminated or implodes for Repub nomination!
Fact: 2-Faced Mittens cannot think on his own 2 feet. Cannot out-debate Obama! Mitt loses, big time!
Fact: Obama will continue to sucessfully clean up the mess of the Bush/Cheney Crime Syndicate's damage.
Fact: Dems will recapture the House!
Fact: Dems will keep the Senate!
Fact: The racist 'baggernuts, aka, tea party...will lose nearly all influence and die! Good!!
Fact: The economy will continue to improve and grow! See auto industry barometer as proof.
Calista would be "first skank" CD, but you're right, it ain't gonna happen. Even Americans aren't THAT stupid!
27Reasons
RON PAUL in 2012! Let's take our country back".......to the stone ages.... Of course, I'm all for it...if we all went back to riding horses....the oil companies would go nuts!
I think all you anti-Ron Paul people need to listen what he has to say. He is not off the wall at all. Everything he says makes sense and is commonsense.
Never voted to raise taxes
Never voted to raise Congressional pay
Never taken out Congressional pension funds
Never Lobbied
Voted against patriot act
WILL bring the troops home
Will use those troops to raise national defense
Will cut government spending by trillion dollars in first year
Will restore Gold Standard
Will End the Fed! (small group of powerful men that control our monetary sytem? wtf?)
Will secure the borders
Will end Obamacare
Has been consistent with his principles for 30 years! Never Waivered!
Its time to bring true conservatism back to America.
Ron Paul will always be my hero even if he doesnt win
The most Honest and consistent man should be president
Ron Paul 2012!
You Paulites give it up already. The old geezer has some good ideas, but he's bat@!$%# crazy
Dear Student14. Ron Paul's attributes as a politician, citizen and human being are not lost on you. Unfortunately, leroy was not a very good student.
EVERYONE knows of Paul's good ideas and positive attributes. You Paulites have been ramming them down our throats ad nauseaum. You need to take off your blinders and see the insanity that comes along with the good. Sorry, the whitehouse doesn't have any rubber rooms!
Insanity. leroy? Such as? Seriously TRY to answer the question (unlike every other Ron Paul hater). And don't make stuff up. It's lame.
Look, you Ron Paulians go over to the Libertarian camp where you belong!---You don't like the Republican platform, you don't sound anything like Republicans.....just go to where you'll be most happy! Why hang around here, you're not gonna win the ticket---not even come close, so just leave. You've already said that's what you're going to do if that senile old man doesn't get win this primary...you even said that you're going to vote for Obama if Ron Paul loses! Right there proves you've got no business in the Republican camp!
Sorry Simon, you Paulites are too fanatical to reason with. Take a CRITICAL look at ALL of Pauls positions on things. NO ONE hates Ron Paul. Almost everyone agrees with many things he says. Just the fact that you refer to others as Ron Paul haters shows how dogmatic you are. There is no media conspiracy against Paul, never was, the truth is that he never stood a chance of winning the nomination. Even Ron Paul himself knows this.
It's not that we're Ron Paul Haters.....it just that this country has some SERIOUS problems, and Paul is just not the answer.
If you actually pay attention to what Paul wants to do and not his catch phrases about liberty and peace, etc you will see that what he actually proposes doing will undermine liberties and destroy our economy - those of us with degrees in business and economics realize he hasn't got a clue about anything regarding how an economy works or the how the federal reserve works or anything really. Obviously, neither do any of his followers - or they would not be buying into such silly gobbledygook nonsense. Just try to ask a Paul follower to explain anything - they can't. Paul has a knack for making gibberish sound like common sense and his followers don't know that because they don't bother to look anything up.
Newt says he's "outside the Establishment"
How is anyone who spent 40 YEARS in Washington D.C. "Outside the Establishment"????
How is possible that any intelligent individual can believe such horsecrap.
It's not. His life long goal was to become Speaker They don't get any more inside than that.
What's Newt been doing since he got booted out of Congress? Working the system
I'm afraid you're right on that one!
I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Ann Coulter just dressed down Bill O'Reilly on his "supposed no-spin zone show" for his suggestion that Newt was getting set up in the last two debates with "gotcha" questions. She said, and I'm paraphrasing, "Can you see Newt and Callista in the White House? Nobody can see them in the White House."
I never thought I'd be saying this, but right on, Annie.
Was that on Friday?? I gotta see that! Definitely a Kodak Moment! lol
no tonight's show. she was screaming at him!
LOL!
I would say that if you care to dig around, most presidential families have been an embarassment in the white house one way or another. We are not voting for who will make a pretty picture on the white house lawn.
Time to pop some popcorn and watch the circus. This is the most entertaining fiasco I've seen in a long time!
Obama/Biden 2012
You're right, Obama/Biden has been the most entertaining fiasco we've seen in a long time! Want some more Kool Aid to go with that popcorn? lol
I think anyone who votes for anyone or thing with Joe Biden attached to it, should be put on a national register of some kind....kinda like a "sex offender" registration....only for the terminally stupid. Because the words of wisdom from Ron White have become law in our society...."You can't fix Stupid"!
Texson,
1) So why describe Sarah Palin; she's a drop out, yet again??
2) Didn't your Republic of Texas Governor say that on his campaign tour? Instant Karma Gonna Get You, Rick!! Oops.
First, Sarah Palin truly did her job in drawing out the true anti-God?anti-family liberals of society. We very much enjoyed the Godless pulling their hair out while she ran with McCain. In addition to that, she didn't drop out for this contest....she was never running. She has you liberals to thank for that....if she had been able to serve out here term as governor of Alaska, she'd never had made the money she makes now. Secondly, Perry was never the reason Texas stands on it's own economically....that was happening before he got in years ago and beyond. You people who think you're SO witty and yet aren't are almost comical for that alone!.....I said "almost".....
Remember, you can scream about Palin all day long, but still at the end of the day, when you look in your toilet...you'll always see Biden's face smiling back at you! He's the gift that keeps on giving....to the Republicans.....
No Tex, YOU are the witty, funny one. Palin did her job drawing out the true anti-God liberals? Has anyone ever seen her anywhere near a church)? Oh yeah, she visited the old north church in Boston. That's where she invented American history about what Paul Revere did there. And drawing out the anti-family liberals of society? Let's see, she is the matron of a totally dysfunctional family. An out of wedlock grandchild that is , oops, about the same age as her youngest son. A husband that is always on the road, by himself and was a member of a secessionist organization. So YOU PEOPLE need to get YOUR facts straight.
Tex, what's scary is the turd in the toilet could have been Palin. I'll agree that Biden is Obama's Admiral Stockdale (Ross Perot's whacky old timer running mate). But Biden was a great senator and bridge builder in the Senate in his earlier days. Not so much anymore. But let's see who Romney or Gingrich pick and then we'll talk.
Oh yawn....whatever. My grandaddy always tol' me..."Never got mud-wrestlin with a pig....you just get all dirty....and the pig likes it anyway!"
Actually, I agree with you on that one, NoSnoHere, who they pick for running mates will really make or break them! It always does.
Ron Paul?????????? Are kidding. He thinks that the towel heads should all have nukes, because WE have them. Maybe Ron hasn't heard that the Muslims want to "rule the world" with their 4th century religion. And if you are not willing to accept that, they must kill you. Wow, give them nukes, that will bring peace. As for Romney, he is just another John McCain (you know that he was a prisoner of war, he reminds us every time that he speaks). McCain had no will to fight for what is right; he wanted to be a nice guy and compromise. I don’t want another no gonad President. I want someone that loses his cool and gets in your face. I want a President that will stick his finger in your chest and tell you just how wrong you are. I am tired of pu$$ys occupying the White House. I don't want compromise; I want my way or the highway. If I reach across the aisle it will be to choke some liberal unconscious. If I wanted what the liberals have to offer I would be on their side, a whimp and a liar.
As far as Obamination and another 4 years, I would sooner vote for a communist (oh wait, he is one) OK a socialist (darn, he's got that covered too), OK, I would sooner vote for someone that lacks any qualifications for the job, like a community organizer (poop, he has got that one sewed up). Well I guess I would rather vote for Captain Kirk as opposed to having another 4 years of Obamination. What so you want to bet that "American Girl" looks nothing like the photo that she posted? Should have gone for the Hillary picture instead.
Wow, this is absolutely the most ignorant forum I have encountered so far. Really all you guys with your 1 liners stating this or that candidate is dumb/unfit and worse are completely disrespectful. Even if you are correct in some cases, please do not copy MSM 1 liners without doing your own research. And when you post a comment please state where you got that "enlightened" info from. I would vote Ron Paul if I were a US citizen but I will sink to your level just to blend in: Ron Paul or WW3 ..seriously vote anyone else and we will all die a horrible death!! :-)
You're right, this is ignorant!.....but, that's why this country is such a "kick"! As to your comment about Ron Paul.....if he were to get in....then Iran would go on un-impeded with their nuclear ambitions.....and then, fulfill the blood oath they have sworn to destroy Israel.....THEN get ready for Armageddon!
Reference to Armageddon....hmmmm, and your source material for this apocolyptic prediction is surely a thorough knowlege and study of the book of Revelations. I continually read comments in this forum about how stupid American military presence and action throughout the world is, how imperialistic, how wrong...and yet, nobody wants the crazy, third world, religious fanatical (a religious zealot does not have to be a Christian) to have nuclear capability, but yet we are not to expend money or manpower to see that doesn't happen....excuse me, but exactly which side of the defense spending fence are you people actually on, because I suspect that you are terribly uncomfortable from the straddle.
Throughout the GOP race, Romney has always benefited from the perception that he was the strongest general election candidate in the field. However, among Florida voters at the moment, that is no longer the case. Forty-two percent (42%) now believe Gingrich would be the strongest candidate against Obama, while 39% say the same of Romney. At the other extreme, 64% see Ron Paul as the weakest potential candidate against Obama.
Today’s numbers show Obama at 45% and Romney at 43%. Matched against Gingrich, the president leads 48% to 39%. Romney trails by nine among women while Gingrich trails by twelve. Among men, Romney has a slight advantage over the president while Gingrich is down six.
Regardless of their personal favorite, most Florida primary voters (52%) still think Romney will be the eventual nominee, but that's down dramatically from 79% two weeks ago. Thirty-five percent (35%) now think Gingrich will be the GOP nominee.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/florida/2012_florida_republican_primary
Romney and Gingrich are just more of the "same old, same old", there will not be any change with either one of them. Laugh at Ron Paul all you want, but if you REALLY want change in Washington, he's the only choice. Please, voters of America, if you want change, REAL CHANGE, you can do that, in the voting booth. Don't vote for any incumbents, none, zero, especially in a primary election. It's time for a clean sweep in Washington.
Well, I definitely agree with the "If-you're-in-you're-out" philosophy! I don't know how we're gonna do it, but we've got to get those "elephants guarding the peanuts" out of there!---regardless of what side of the isle they may be on!
Mr. Obama promised hope and change.....pardon me, if I run in the absolute opposite direction of any candidate promising that in the future.
I liked it better in Colonial times. Pistols at 10 Paces and it was settled.
But, if a wimp (and a lousy shot at that) was determining how you and your family would live you lives, you just might shoot him so you could put in a real marksman to shoot for the sake of your country.....ja think?
Since obama hasn't done anything in 4 years, it shouldn't take much from any of the repub candidates to better him. Romney, Paul (who is just wasting time and money),santorum, all need to withdraw, Newt pick any one of them as a running mate, or Perry, preferably Perry, and start now to defeat the worst person ever elected president. Barry was elected soley on race, nothing else. No experience, no knowledge, no brains!
Everyone thought the bottle water idea was crazy and stupid but look at who's laughing now. People you need to think outside the box and stop being caged up by these same ol politican. Open your eyes and grow some balls. We had 8 years of crazy already, why are you so scared of a revolution. We need a revolution. Stop being bully by big brother. Ron Paul make sense but people just watch to much tv to let the media do there talking for them. Don't let think cloud up your vision. Newt cheated on his first wife and second wife. He is not a man to lead. What makes you think he won't cheat on us. He don't care about the people, its about the money SAME GOES FOR ROMNEY. If a man can cheat on his wife twice what makes you think we won't be cheated. I don't understand why everyone booed Paul when he stands for the GOLDEN RULE (DON'T DO TO OTHERS WHAT YOU DON'T WANT DONE TO YOU)!!!!!!!!!
Ron Paul has to sell himself just like all the candidates do. He can't whine when the ruthless press chews on him.....if he can't handle the press, he sure can't handle the job!
Ron Paul has sold himself to a great many people - just not the majority, yet.
Funny thing, though: his support gradually rises and scarcely falls. That's because he doesn't blow with the political winds as every other candidate has. Once you see the truth in his message, you see that none of the other candidates does.
Read The Revolution: A Manifesto. It is the shortest route to understanding that to which Paul is trying to wake up America.
People who don't support Ron Paul should read his book, The Revolution: A Manifesto. It is only 167 pages and clearly explains the logic behind Dr. Paul's stand on the issues. Another suggested book of his is Liberty Defined. Anyone who thinks Ron Paul is crazy - even a little bit - either hasn't read either of these books or is incapable of understanding them. (They're not hard to understand.) Personally, I don't agree with Dr. Paul on every issue, but there is rare clarity and integrity of thought and consistent logic in his platform. Even though I was at or near the top of every class I was ever in, I must defer to Dr. Paul; he has earned the benefit of the doubt.
Today, I learned that Iris Mack, a brilliant mathematician and economist, has endorsed Ron Paul "because he is the only presidential candidate who understands the current dire straits the economy is in and the only one with a coherent plan to fix things." ()
Finally, do you want a candidate with cajones? Only Ron Paul consistently stands in the line of fire and delivers the messages we need to hear, regardless of whether it is popular with the audience or not. The other candidates continually change their messages (adopting Dr. Paul's stance on most issues) and flip-flop when they come under fire.
If the comment is accurate, i e "Ron Paul ....... the only presidential candidate who understands the current dire straits the economy is in and the only one with a coherent plan to fix things." Why has he been so unable to sell that message? No one has "seen the lighting" or "heard the thunder" of Ron Paul's rhetoric....why is that? Why has he become so laughable like the once-perennial, Ralph Nader. His message is so loony and he's never done well in these races over the years. Who cares if he's the greatest mind of American society, if he can't communicate with its citizenry? And that, friends, is the imperative requirement as well as the epitome of being a statesman !
Let me restate what is so obvious to me: "Anyone who thinks Ron Paul is crazy - even a little bit - either hasn't read either of these books or is incapable of understanding them."
You do seem intelligent enough to understand Paul's books. However, your references to him as being "laughable" and "loony" indicate that you have not read the aforementioned books. Paul may not be much of a speaker, but he communicates with great clarity in his books (and doesn't do too poorly when he can speak without time constraints).
If it's a great speaker you want - well, then, you should be elated; your current president is among the best at oratory skills!
I'll take the less-skilled speaker with real solutions, anytime.
let's get ready for some comedy!
If you're talking about politics in general.....you got me there! lol If Judy Collins was singing "where are the clowns" nowdays, her whole band would stop playing and shout, "Are you kidding me!!"
I have seen every one but can skip this one. I am sure there will be reruns and talk on and on. I think the role these staged media shows have played is destructive. It takes more than a slick sound bite to win a general election. 8 of 10 Gingrich voters did so based on his debates according to Fox exit polls.
Please remember that we are talking about politicians. They all talk out of both sides of their mouths at the same time. Or, like the Indians used to say "White man speak with forked tongue." This is Mitt's second attempt at the presidentially election. And, he is trying to buy this one . He freely admits that he has the most campaign funds as does the media. Who's he backed by or is he using his own milliions? I doubt that he is using his own funds, but then again who knows. Gingrich on the other hand doesn't have the campaign funds or the perosnal finances to try and buy the presidency.
After the civil war, according to history books, we had similar politicians. Then they were called "carpetbaggers". We have carpetbagger in the office now and another hoping to take his place. Gingrich may not be the best candidate, but given the other two, he is the only one that stnads a chance of winning the republican nomination over Romney. I personally like Ron Paul's ideas as for as the deficit, economy, and unemployment. But I don't think he'll win the republican nomination. Hence, the lesser of two evils or someone that could unseat Obama, Mr Gingrich.
And a word for California, someone please propose a state law to retire Ms Pelosi in perpetuity. We are all tired of listening to her rhetoric and her bleeding heart liberal BS. Between her, Harry, Obama and a few select others to include GWB and Roosevelt, they are the reason we are in the economic state that we are in.
We had a balanced budget once upon a time. That was during Ronald Reagan's presidency and Newt Gingrich's time as speaker. Although, I would not give all or most of the credit for that to Mr Gingrich
Mr. Reagan raised taxes 11 times during his presidency to help balance that budget.
I think there's "raising taxes"....and then there's "bankrupting a nation".....it's obvious which one we're dealing with now...
I think that Econ. #101 says that to rid yourself of debt you make cuts in spending and then raise revenue. Where is the republican effort to raise revenue? All they do is say it is raising Taxes! Of course it is and it is raising revenue! the top 5% is averaging paying only 15% in taxes while I paid out 28% last week!
Well, clwyd-2621393, while you and I are probably on the same financial plane....exactly how much did we invest into America?? That's why they only pay 15% tax. You sound like you know basis economics...didn't they cover that somewhere in class? Seriously, I don't begrudge those who have made it in this country. I'm happy where I'm at in life....but if I did want to become a gazillionaire, where would be my incentive to succeed if my government said I had to share with the lazy who had no drive what-so-ever? You mentioned "economics 101"....let's go a little more basic. What principles of economics do you get out of the story, "The Little Red Hen"? I'm really curious because that's where this whole "class-warfare" question is to be answered! It's just as simple as that!
Because of his initial huge tax cuts, and increases in defense, even when Reagan began again to raise them, he still ran deficits of hundreds of billions per year for all but the first year or so of his entire presidency, this trend never stopped for the 18 years that followed until Clinton balanced it. Newt was actually gone by the time it was balanced despite what he claims - he was there for all those years of hundreds of billions per year of deficit spending though. In fact,there was never a year when Newt was there where there was not billions in deficit spending.
You know, if everyone is more prosperous, then the raising of taxes doesn't seem to create the ire it does now when everyone is feeling continually more and more squeezed. The Reagan years did see a great deal of improvement in income and cash flow across all strata of the American society. Human nature being what it is, we would all like better than what we have, but I have to admit that I did personally see improvement financially, not only for myself, but the company that I worked for, the community in which I lived...everyone got something a bit better than what they had, so the increased taxes didn't hurt so much.
Still think Newt is a Conservative? newtexposed.com
Do ethics matter? ethics.house.gov/committee-report/matter-representative-newt-gingrich
Newt invokes Saul Alinsky against Obama...so tell me about your guru Newt...please tells us about Alvin Toffler and the Third Way! themoralliberal.com/2010/01/30/gingrich-toffler-and-gore-a-peculiar-trio-steve-farrell/
South Carolina threw away their votes because of a few punchy one liners in a debate. Don't make the same mistake Florida!
Don't get fooled again!
Obama 2012 in a landslide! We already know that Newt is unfaithful, unethical, was removed by his own party for unethical practices as Speaker of the House, is a flip-flopper, was a draft dodger and now is being investigated for using $6,600,000 from a non-profit group to fly over the Us to promote his book and campaign last year. Add, illegal activities to his baggage!
I just checked the CBO historical data, Newt's last four years showed between 100-300 billion per year in on-budget DEFICITS NOT a balanced budget like he claims - why isn't anyone challenging him on this? In fact, this amount of per year deficit spending was typical of ALL of Newts 20 years in congress except for the first few before Reagan took office.
I meant between 100-300 "billion" per year in deficits
Being a Romney guy---and after the SC debate, they've got me screaming for Romney to "SNAP OUT OF IT!! lol He better definitely get his game face on for Florida, or it won't matter how great his super-structure is for his campaign ....he'll be reduced to wandering around drooling on himself and looking lost....like Ron Paul! lol
I think we can go to Newt himself to answer your question:
"Now, I know among the politically correct you're not supposed to use facts that are uncomfortable."
His Mittness's game face is another pound of hair gel and more pancake to make his tanned face look paler. Gotta look like a commoner, you know.
Actually, I don't want my president to look like a commoner....or "Usher"....or "one o da boyz fwom da hood" who'll shoot some hoop as long as there's a camera around! Romney looks the part, and maybe Santorum too (if he'll lose the sweater vests. lol)
@Texson
Normally, I copy & paste what another poster said when I am going to respond to it, but your post #51.5 is so VILE and OFFENSIVE in its racist nature, I absolutely REFUSE to spread your IGNORANCE by re-posting it. GROW UP or at the very least get with the times, you bigot. Last time I checked it is 2012, NOT 1812!!!