A critical debate for Republican hopefuls
Three things to watch for in tonight’s GOP presidential debate from Charleston, S.C.:
– In recent days, Mitt Romney hasn’t handled questions about his Bain years and his tax returns very smoothly. We can now add questions about large sums of money being held in offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands. That may be well within the legal rights of a private citizen; it’s less certain that voters will find it acceptable in a president. Romney will have repeated opportunities to address such concerns tonight.
– Asking your wife to accept an ongoing affair with a younger woman is also not unknown in private life. Whether voters find that acceptable in a potential president is again another matter. Newt Gingrich has had a great few days, beginning with a starring performance in a debate Monday. With a repeat performance tonight he could go a long way toward winning South Carolina and extending the contest with Romney.
– In tribute to the recently departed Rick Perry, I forget the third thing.
– Jay Bookman
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401 comments Add your comment
bman
January 19th, 2012
8:02 pm
The next President of the United States will be on-stage shortly. So, pay close attention.
Jay
January 19th, 2012
8:03 pm
John King is running for president?
getalife
January 19th, 2012
8:03 pm
President Obama is not there bman.
Rip willard to pieces cons.
bman
January 19th, 2012
8:03 pm
haha Mister Bookman
Brosephus
January 19th, 2012
8:04 pm
In tribute to the recently departed Rick Perry, I forget the third thing.
Unsportsmanlike conduct. Illegal hit on the unprotected candidate!!!!
josef
January 19th, 2012
8:04 pm
bman
Who dat?
Jay
January 19th, 2012
8:04 pm
and then there were four. …
Brosephus
January 19th, 2012
8:05 pm
jo
Did you get my response about the visa thing downstairs?
Newtpewt
January 19th, 2012
8:05 pm
I’m taking dibs on how fast Willard Mitt asks the moderator to fend off attacks by his opponents….I’d say less than 5 minutes!
stands for decibels
January 19th, 2012
8:05 pm
Are they going to interrupt it 3/4 of the way through for an annoying rendition of “God Bless America?”
stands for decibels
January 19th, 2012
8:07 pm
I’m sure the lowcountry crowd will live up to their name.
Jay
January 19th, 2012
8:08 pm
Romney running down his list of beloved family members, a not so subtle dig at Newt.
AmVet - A proud, card carrying member of the EOI Union.
January 19th, 2012
8:09 pm
Poor Ricky P; that forgetful third thing will be his legacy. Reminds me of this skit in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWS8Mg-JWSg
Erwin's cat
January 19th, 2012
8:09 pm
stands – go violate yourself
0311/1811
January 19th, 2012
8:09 pm
Jay:
“Asking your wife to accept an ongoing affair with a younger woman is also not unknown in private life.”
No it’s not. Hillary accepted multiple affairs both before and during Bill’s presidency.
stands for decibels
January 19th, 2012
8:09 pm
Newt: “Wahh! meaniehead media!”
AmVet - A proud, card carrying member of the EOI Union.
January 19th, 2012
8:09 pm
stands, maybe they’ll boo gay soldiers…
Jay
January 19th, 2012
8:10 pm
John King gives Newt the chance to address it head on. And Newt hits it right back at him, attacking the media for bringing it up.
getalife
January 19th, 2012
8:10 pm
He is appalled.
stands for decibels
January 19th, 2012
8:11 pm
He’s playing the “think of my children” card. What an a-hole.
getalife
January 19th, 2012
8:11 pm
Answer the question newt.
Jay
January 19th, 2012
8:11 pm
“… as close as despicable as anything I can imagine,” says Newt.
Well, no. I have heard more despicable things very recently.
Erwin's cat
January 19th, 2012
8:11 pm
Newt won that one
AmVet - A proud, card carrying member of the EOI Union.
January 19th, 2012
8:12 pm
So Newtie ’s channeling Spiro again?
Jay
January 19th, 2012
8:12 pm
But politically speaking, I think Newt handled it with aplomb.
Erwin's cat
January 19th, 2012
8:13 pm
LOL…Newt came to play
St Simons - we're on Island time
January 19th, 2012
8:14 pm
what was the over/under on the “wah-wah blame the media” card? 5min?
josef
January 19th, 2012
8:14 pm
Brosephus
Got it!
JAY
It’s all y’all’s fault…
stands for decibels
January 19th, 2012
8:14 pm
Git out of the way!
woo-wee!!
0311/1811
January 19th, 2012
8:15 pm
Obama is praying for Romney ………….. he don’t want none of Newt !
getalife
January 19th, 2012
8:15 pm
Blame the media for his actions is a cowardly act.
bman
January 19th, 2012
8:15 pm
9.9% unemployment? South Carolinians didn’t get the everything is getting better memo?
Erwin's cat
January 19th, 2012
8:16 pm
a Paul gotcha and good for Mitt
stands for decibels
January 19th, 2012
8:16 pm
“dodd frank is killing small business.”
I guess this guy can’t help lying, can he?
Soothsayer
January 19th, 2012
8:16 pm
I thought Newtster was just plain gonna blow a fuse there at the beginning!
josef
January 19th, 2012
8:17 pm
He handled it how! Gevalt! Pure unadulterated pomposity and avoiding the real issue..excuse me, Sir, but how do you rationalize being such a… Can I say it now, Imam?
getalife
January 19th, 2012
8:17 pm
Get him newt.
stands for decibels
January 19th, 2012
8:18 pm
Can I say it now, Imam?
it’s that word that rhymes with what you do to move a runner over, right?
stands for decibels
January 19th, 2012
8:19 pm
120,000 jobs? um, why do leftists attack me any my freedoms?
josef
January 19th, 2012
8:20 pm
SFD
That low country dig was cheap and trashy…
Soothsayer
January 19th, 2012
8:20 pm
Rabid, foaming-at-the-mouth FRIGHT-WING audience. Drinking the Kool-Aid with gusto!
getalife
January 19th, 2012
8:20 pm
willard still stumbling on bain.
He is hiding the fact he is a job killer.
md
January 19th, 2012
8:21 pm
“Asking your wife to accept an ongoing affair with a younger woman is also not unknown in private life.”
Might be interesting if my wife would have an ongoing affair with a younger woman……..
Jay
January 19th, 2012
8:21 pm
Mitt is not handling the Bain question very well. He’s shaken by it, and it shows.
bman
January 19th, 2012
8:21 pm
Romney got more media attention with that $10,000 (his own money) bet than Obama did with his 500 million (our money) bet.
Soothsayer
January 19th, 2012
8:21 pm
Run and get my shovel, will ya?
stands for decibels
January 19th, 2012
8:21 pm
“We’re gone stuff it down his throat.”
ooh, I’m sure Obama’s terrified, Mittens.
Soothsayer
January 19th, 2012
8:23 pm
Right, everything was just fine before that Obama come in and rurnt everything.
Jay
January 19th, 2012
8:23 pm
I’d also note that none of the candidates has responded to the voter’s question about specific steps the federal government can take to help create jobs.
And Santorum: “… the economic squalor that Barack Obama has visited on this country”?
stands for decibels
January 19th, 2012
8:23 pm
Mrs. sfd sez enough of this crap, and I can’t say I blame her, so I guess I’m done liveblogging for now. Have fun, kids.
josef
January 19th, 2012
8:24 pm
Wanna make sure you get on the teevee? Just be black and go to a GOP event! All three have had their close-up, mr. De Mille.
Zeus in his blazing hot speedos- object of keep's obsession
January 19th, 2012
8:25 pm
I saw an interesting thing on my comcast home page highlighting the 10 worst states for retirees. Interesting so I looked up and read on all 10 states. Funny but they were all blue states and the recurring theme in just about all 10 pieces on the different states was high taxes whether it be property taxes, state income taxes, and of course higher costs of living. Thought that was interesting. No wonder the blue states are generally losing population to the red states. People vote with their feet.
willie lynch
January 19th, 2012
8:26 pm
I tried. These guys are so full of sh** I’ve got to do something else.
Erwin's cat
January 19th, 2012
8:27 pm
all of a sudden RP gets air time?….gee i wonder?
Jay
January 19th, 2012
8:27 pm
Ron Paul on post WWII programs to help returning vets: He says there weren’t any.
Really? There was the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, known as the GI Bill, which gave returning vets tuition aid, housing aid, etc.
getalife
January 19th, 2012
8:27 pm
It is tough to stomach.
Zeus in his blazing hot speedos- object of keep's obsession
January 19th, 2012
8:28 pm
Wanna make sure you get on the teevee? Just be white, be unkempt, dirty, scraggly, greasy hair, smelly, and go to a OWS event!
Zeus in his blazing hot speedos- object of keep's obsession
January 19th, 2012
8:29 pm
Sorry josef but I just couldn’t resist the typo correction.
Jay
January 19th, 2012
8:29 pm
Mitt comes across as repeating things that he knows he has to say.
josef
January 19th, 2012
8:30 pm
Hundred thousand, million, billion, trillion…whatever
AmVet - A proud, card carrying member of the EOI Union.
January 19th, 2012
8:31 pm
That little pig talking about helping veterans is rich, huh?
getalife
January 19th, 2012
8:31 pm
The newt corrects Paul.
Obamacare.
Drink.
Zeus in his blazing hot speedos- object of keep's obsession
January 19th, 2012
8:31 pm
“There was the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, known as the GI Bill, which gave returning vets tuition aid, housing aid, etc”
Probably the single best government program that ever worked. I’m guessing because the vets earned it and when you earn something as opposed to being given something you certainly appreciate it more.
Needabailout,too!
January 19th, 2012
8:31 pm
…except the GI bill that educated Newt’s father has been widely deemed by Republicans as an early form of welfare…
jm
January 19th, 2012
8:34 pm
“In tribute to the recently departed Rick Perry, I forget the third thing.”
Mitt doing fine. Kicking butt so far. Mitt is terrific. Kick some Obama butt.
josef
January 19th, 2012
8:35 pm
Which two would those be, Santy?
DeborahinAthens
January 19th, 2012
8:36 pm
Romney’s rich, there’s just no hiding it. It’s so funny watching him pretend to be middle class. I just don’t see why he feels defensive. Isn’t this the badge of honor for a true capitalist? Money? What’s even funnier is watching whack job Newt trying to convince people he can create jobs. Why doesn’t anyone call him on his lies? Go, Obama!
getalife
January 19th, 2012
8:36 pm
Get him sanitarioum.
md
January 19th, 2012
8:37 pm
“Mitt comes across as repeating things that he knows he has to say.”
Sounds smart to me……especially if he knows he has to say them.
jm
January 19th, 2012
8:37 pm
Santorum’s legislative accomplishments have magically gotten much larger…..
Zeus in his blazing hot speedos- object of keep's obsession
January 19th, 2012
8:37 pm
“I’d also note that none of the candidates has responded to the voter’s question about specific steps the federal government can take to help create jobs.’
Spoken like a true liberal who seems to think govt is what generates job growth. If the govt wants to help create jobs it can in fact do something now that I think about it. Cut spending, balance the budget, and get the hell out of the way.
jm
January 19th, 2012
8:38 pm
Mitt has money in the cayman’s? Smart guy…..
AmVet - A proud, card carrying member of the EOI Union.
January 19th, 2012
8:38 pm
I made it five minutes, I don’t know how you guys can watch that garbage. (Jay, because of professional duties gets a pass.)
My question is simply, is Ron Paul playing the role of Shemp?
Jay
January 19th, 2012
8:39 pm
a very strong response from Santorum taking on both Gingrich and Romney on their past support for health-insurance mandates, etc. Accuses Newt and Mitt of “playing footsies with the left” on the issue. Again, a great attack. Too bad he found his voice on this so late.
In response, Romney offers a defense of RomneyCare that also happens to be a defense of ObamaCare.
getalife
January 19th, 2012
8:39 pm
willardcare.
jm
January 19th, 2012
8:40 pm
4 people debating is much more pleasant than 9 people debating.
Wonder how many will be debating in another 30 days….. 2, none, or just Mitt and Ron Paul talking to himself?
md
January 19th, 2012
8:40 pm
“Mitt has money in the cayman’s? Smart guy…..”
rule #1 – do not put all eggs in one basket……find basket in caymans…..and Switzerland…..and Costa Rica.
jm
January 19th, 2012
8:41 pm
Romneycare does not equal Obamacare
State laws aren’t the same as federal laws. For starters.
Red
January 19th, 2012
8:41 pm
I think Romney is in love with Santorum to be his vice
Zeus in his blazing hot speedos- object of keep's obsession
January 19th, 2012
8:41 pm
“What’s even funnier is watching whack job Newt trying to convince people he can create jobs.”
When he was speaker there sure were a lot of jobs being created. Helping to force Clinton into a balanced budget also helped.
” Why doesn’t anyone call him on his lies?”
Because I’m too busy calling you on yours.
“Go, Obama!”
Now there’s a real job creator. Bwahahahahahahahahaahah. Deborah please let me know when we get back under 8% unemployment under this ahem job creator Obama.
josef
January 19th, 2012
8:41 pm
The TelePrompTer card…
Aquagirl
January 19th, 2012
8:41 pm
Mitt doing fine. Kicking butt so far.
Not since he said he admitted to being compassionate about health care.
I’m surprised the crowd didn’t storm the stage and lynch him on the spot.
jm
January 19th, 2012
8:42 pm
Santorum. Not a bad message. But not the appropriate messenger to carry the GOP torch.
md
January 19th, 2012
8:42 pm
“Too bad he found his voice on this so late.”
Says who? He won Iowa……he somehow wins SC and he is the front runner……..
jm
January 19th, 2012
8:42 pm
Mitt said: repeal and replace. Good. Needs to be replaced.
Needabailout,too!
January 19th, 2012
8:43 pm
South Carolinians really enjoy people close to the event ‘being put in their place by Newt’. First John King, now Santorum evokes wild applause.
getalife
January 19th, 2012
8:43 pm
Get em Paul.
jm
January 19th, 2012
8:44 pm
Ron Paul says cut a Trillion. Instant recession. So silly.
md
January 19th, 2012
8:44 pm
“In response, Romney offers a defense of RomneyCare that also happens to be a defense of ObamaCare.”
How so? I’m not watching it, but Mitt says leave it to the States……not so with Obamacare.
Jay
January 19th, 2012
8:44 pm
he somehow wins SC and he is the front runner……..
The same could be said of Herman Cain or Michele Bachmann, but …
getalife
January 19th, 2012
8:46 pm
Tax returns.
Where are they willard?
newt released his.
md
January 19th, 2012
8:46 pm
“The same could be said of Herman Cain or Michele Bachmann, but …”
Not quite….those weren’t caucuses/primaries……Santorum is technically 1-1 going into SC.
jm
January 19th, 2012
8:46 pm
oooo. gingy tax returns…… wonder if there’s a letter requesting the option of filing taxes on paper with the IRS, but paying taxes in…. say…. Nigeria. You know. An open tax sort of thing.
AmVet - A proud, card carrying member of the EOI Union.
January 19th, 2012
8:47 pm
Amazingly, Shemp is the only one that makes sense.
And the only thing missing from this sitcom is a laugh track…
Jay
January 19th, 2012
8:47 pm
Well, at the commercial break, I’d say nothing poll-altering has happened so far. The big drama, the youtube sensation tomorrow, will be Newt’s angry tirade at the media, but other than that….?
jm
January 19th, 2012
8:47 pm
No tax returns needed for Romney
Stand up guy.
getalife
January 19th, 2012
8:47 pm
willard is blowing it because he is hiding his taxes.
Matti
January 19th, 2012
8:49 pm
They’re vile. They stand up there all puffed up and proud because THEIR sins have been forgiven! I guess it’s okay, then to follow that (or the words “I am a Christian”) with a *bleep* load of lies and bearing false witness. Talk about “moral decay…” These guys are positively PUTRID!
jm
January 19th, 2012
8:49 pm
No one cares about Romney’s taxes. They know he’s rich and doesn’t pay much.
jm
January 19th, 2012
8:50 pm
Santorum hitting newt hard.
Santorum, genuine guy. Decent speaker. Flawed candidate.