Thursday, January 19, 2012

The LuLac Edition #1908, January 19th, 2012

Debaters from left to right, Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul.

SOUTH CAROLINA DEBATE # 2

Saying that momentum was on his side after an announcement of victory in Iowa, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum attempted to weaken foes Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich with a series of direct attacks on the two front-runners in the last South Carolina debate ahead of the state's primary on Saturday.
Santorum charged both Romney and Gingrich would be weaker opponents against President Barack Obama. Santorum brought up health care and said neither could draw a contrast with the incumbent over health care policy.
A rejuvenated Santorum characterized the Massachusetts health care plan passed while Romney was governor "an abject disaster". Romney retorted that he'd get rid of Obama Care on day 1 and that he would have consumers have the ability to buy their own health insurance taking it from job to job. He also attacked Gingrich for supporting an individual mandate for over a decade.
The debate came at the end of a huge day that saw Santorum being declared winner of the Iowa caucuses more than two weeks after his apparent second-place showing to Romney. Texas Gov. Rick Perry then dropped out of the race and throwing his support to Gingrich. It is the last debate match up between the four candidates two days before Saturday's pivotal first in the South primary.
Things started off with a bang when a thoroughly pissed Gingrich criticized CNN for starting off with a question about reports that he offered his then-second wife a choice of an open marriage or divorce. He revealed to her he was having an affair with the woman he later made his third wife.Gingrich attacked the news media and King in particular saying he was appalled a Presidential debate would start with a question like that.
"To take an ex-wife and make it two days before the primary a significant question in a presidential campaign is as close to despicable as anything I can imagine," retorted Gingrich who said CNN was peddling trash. Gingrich said that CNN chose to start the debate with it. Gingrich came out of the box swinging saying the “elite media” was attacking the GOP in hopes of getting Barack Obama re-elected. Gingrich's response elicited loud applause from the audience. Santorum said he was a Christian and was forgiving but it was up to the voters. Romney said that they needed to get to the real issues and Paul weighed in saying that corporations who run the media sometimes need to be looked at in terms of standards.
Recent polling of the race suggests that Gingrich has been enjoying a late surge in South Carolina, one that could threaten Romney's bid for a win that, his campaign hopes, would all but seal the nomination. South Carolina has correctly predicted the eventual Republican nominee since the inception of its primary in 1980; in each subsequent contest, the winner has gone on to become the GOP standard-bearer.
Romney has sought to project an air of inevitability surrounding his candidacy, but has been tagged by questions about the business practices of Bain Capital, the private equity firm he co founded, that go to the core of his argument that he is the candidate most experienced to repair the U.S. economy. Romney's work for Bain also made him wealthy, and Romney's GOP rivals have pressed him to release his tax returns.
He dealt with both issues in the debate. Romney sought to explain Bain's work in greater detail, highlighting instances in which its work created jobs. He avoided engaging with Republicans, like Gingrich, who have questioned Romney's private sector record.
It was Santorum, though, who put the most pointed questions to the two front runners. Santorum, who served in Congress while Gingrich was speaker, raised questions about whether Gingrich's conduct as a leader would lead to a "worrisome moment" for the GOP. That exchange opened up a broader, sharper discussion between the candidates on their backgrounds. Romney characterized Gingrich as a lifelong insider, and again touted his business experience as the best qualification for his candidacy. Whether Romney did much to reverse his slide likely won't be known until Saturday, when South Carolinians head to the polls. Debate settings have been a strength for Gingrich, and he, Paul and Santorum have relished the opportunity to pile on Romney in these settings.
Romney held his own but really had to struggle when pressed on his record as Governor. Santorum tried to make points by painting himself as the safe conservative alternative to Gingrich. Santorum seemed to be saying “you won’t have an October surprise from me. Ron Paul was all but eclipsed by the three others. Paul did win points by talking about support for veterans and saying he was embarrassed to produce his taxes saying he didn’t make as much money as the other three. Who won? Gingrich for his straight forward attacks and ability to turn any negative answer about himself to a positive. Santorum for his cogent attacks on Gingrich and Romney. Those were the two winners, Romney held his own and Paul placed.

13 Comments:

At 6:17 AM, Anonymous Professor Milburn Cleaver, OPA said...

Students,
Let me begin with an old adage: "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned". Such is the case with the former Mrs. Gingrich.
In a "he said, she said" type of predicament it is only proper to side with the accused.
Remember, back when Bill Clinton was accused of impropriety, I sided with him until the famous dress (smoking gun) made its appearance. I do believe in fair play, and since there is NO evidence against the Speaker we must side with his story.
Now, let us examine a very important fact of life: It is the most dangerous path to go down if we as free Americans begin to punish those who are of wealth.
MR. Romney is wealthy--no question. Mr. Romney is a free market capitalist--no question. Mr. ROmney is also a man of great intellect and vigor. What Mr. Romney is NOT is a tax cheat. NOt a single opponent or liberal scribe has accused the former Governor of cheating on his taxes---just utilizing "legal" loopholes to make as much a profit as he can from his investments.
I ask you all, have you NOT ever taken advantage??? Surely you have used your cigarette coupons and beer store rebate tickets and perhaps maybe received a few "extra coupons" from non smoking or drinking friends (though I may be stretching the final point--birds of a feather). Of course you have done all of the above.
Governor Romney is a fine man, with a great vision for our nation. Unlike today's occupant of the White House, who will be leaving office one year from today.
For all the character assassination you have thrown his way, and despite the doomsayers on the news programs (including, by the way, prominent conservatives such as Ari Fleischer--I am fair) he has continued to strive forward as a great leader does. I will make one last point: WILLARD MITT ROMNEY WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!!
Now, youngsters, as you embark on your football playoff barroom drinkathon this weekend, please be careful. I cannot emphasize this enough. I have a late meeting at the social club I belong to this Sunday and I do not wish to encounter some useless drunken youngster swerving into my lane.
Otherwise, have a good weekend.
Class Dismissed!!!!!!!!!!

 
At 7:53 AM, Anonymous your friend and political sparing partner said...

Gingrich is a skank. Bill Clinton is a skank. Either the voter cares or doesn't care.
The only thing I am wondering is if he is in an open marriage now and if so can I get his wife's number.

 
At 11:28 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yonkstur,
On the GOP
You are a man of fashion. Can you tell me why Ron Paul cant get a suit jacket that fits him?
Must be a plot among his tailors to make him look bad. Mission Accomplished!
Meanwhile, Rick Perry, guns holstered, rides off into the Texas sunset with his saddlebags full of electoral votes!
And who would of thought the Newter was such an accomplished ladies man and what style. All the charm of Henry Kissinger! Not so long ago Nelson Rockefeller couldnt be considered for the office of President because he was divorced. Maybe that was a long time ago, and look at how his fooling around ended!
The Newter changes wives and religious affiliation regularly. Was a time the Catholics wouldnt have had him!
Santorum just plain scares the Hell out of me!
So that leaves us with Romney. By far the lesser of all the evils offered as long as he doesnt get near my dog! We can worry about the Mormon thing later.
Michael Dukakus could beat these guys!

B.T.

 
At 1:08 PM, Blogger David Yonki said...

IN RESPONSE
You are a man of fashion. Can you tell me why Ron Paul cant get a suit jacket that fits him?
Must be a plot among his tailors to make him look bad. Mission Accomplished!
I DON'T KNOW. TE OLDER YOU GET, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE AN OLD MAN, YOU BASICALLY BECOME A VICTIM OF "WHO GIVES A SHIT" DISEASE. I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING TO PAUL. HE JUST DOESN'T CARE. 3 ROLE MODELS I"M GOING TO TRY TO USE FOR THE FUTURE ARE TONY BENNETT REGIS PHILBIN AND BERRY GORDY. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THEM OUT OF "UNIFORM". A SUIT AND TIE THAT IS PRESSED AND LOOKING GOOD. MAYBE REGIS SHOULD SIGN ON TO THE PAUL CAMPAIGN AND LEND HIM ONE OF HIS COBALT SUITS. BUT THEN SOMEONE WOULD THINK THE OLD DOCTOR WOULD BE STEPPING OUT IN HOPES OF MAKING BABIES INSTEAD OF DELIVERING THEM.

 
At 1:10 PM, Blogger David Yonki said...

IN RESPONSE
The only thing I am wondering is if he is in an open marriage now and if so can I get his wife's number.
REALLY? THE THIRD WIFE? TO EACH HIS OWN BUT I JUST DON'T SEE IT.

 
At 1:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Don't know where the Prof. gets all his information from. I guess he gets it when he picks up old Newsweek mags when he's out dumpster diving trying to find a cheap meal or maybe some new threads to wear. Sir you sound more and more like a Wino living on the streets for the most part. Albeit ... educated. I'm sorry for your decrepit state of life that you're in now. If you keep trying, you too can buck the tax system and try to make a few extra bucks off of Uncle Sam. I am sorry that you just sit around all day doing nothing constructive but instead incriminating all young people as bums, drunks, gamblers, and no accounts. Doubtful if a "Drunken youngster" will swerve into your lane and maybe hit your grocery cart in which you do most of your traveling, and spill out your life's belongings. Don't know if this will make it to print, but at least we know, your rants and accusations ALWAYS seem to make this blog site without exception.

 
At 2:06 PM, Anonymous Your Friend and Political Sparing Partner said...

Well it sure as hell isn't the second wife! We have to have lunch as soon as we can.

 
At 2:24 PM, Blogger David Yonki said...

IN RESPONSE
Well it sure as hell isn't the second wife! We have to have lunch as soon as we can.
YEAH, ON THE WAY TO THE EYE DOCTOR!!

 
At 2:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Yonk, take that condesending SOB off this blog! Professor Bullcrap!!!!! Spare the bloggers.

 
At 3:30 PM, Blogger David Yonki said...

IN RESPONSE
Hey Yonk, take that condesending SOB off this blog! Professor Bullcrap!!!!! Spare the bloggers.
TWO THINGS, FIRST OFF NO. I TAKE ANY AND ALL POSTS THAT I FIND ENTERTAINING AND REASONABLE AND SECOND, UNLIKE OTHER BLOGGERS, I DON'T WRITE FOR OTHER BLOGERS, I WRITE FOR READERS. SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I SHOULD SPARE THE BLOGGERS.

 
At 4:21 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yonki, Yonki, Yonki

 
At 5:14 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"make a buck off of Uncle Sam"!?

IT'S OUR MONEY!!!!
Nothing wrong with legal deductions dude.
That kind of logic costs us all.

 
At 5:18 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Did ya hear what some of Newt's ex wifes comtemporaries have said? Basically she " was nuts!".
Glad I waited for a while before commenting.

At least we can vet these guys. Last guy wouldn't even let us see his college transcripts or what he did at the Harvard Law Review.

 

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