The day after: Romney on the debate

Posted: Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:34 AM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Erin McPike
ST PETERSBURG, FL -- Romney made the cable news rounds this morning at site of last night's YouTube debate here.

From his appearance on MSNBC's Morning Joe, it became even clearer that Romney considers his two biggest threats to be the two candidates he was sandwiched between last night: Giuliani and Huckabee. In his interview with the Morning Joe team, Romney criticized the two candidates on a range of issues, including immigration, spending, their records, and tactics. But McCain and Thompson never came up.

At the top of the interview, discussing the immigration scuffle with Giuliani that kicked off the debate, Romney used his own situation -- which Giuliani called his "sanctuary mansion" -- to emphasize his call for an employee verification system. He reiterated that he didn't know some of the workers hired by the group he contracted to work on his lawn were illegal immigrants.

Romney's answer on torture was a source of chatter in the spin room on site last night, but he said again this morning that the issue is something to be considered "in private." As for the Middle East talks, he revealed that his expectations "are modest."

And although Romney has seemed hesitant to engage some of his rivals in head-on combat until recently, he said that he anticipates "more give and take" in the upcoming debates. As for his rivals last night, "they got as good as they gave."

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Actually, I was watching that segment, and I believe they did discuss his disagreement with McCain regarding torture. Mika and Joe were debating it prior to Romney coming on the show, and (if I am not mistaken) Mika asked Romney about it.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:46 AM)

Romney's new campaign slogan should be "Torture-R-Us". Couldn't, wouldn't disavow torture even when challenged by McCain. Haven't we had enough of this weaving and bobbing and evasiveness from Bush and Co.? For someone who is supposedly so religious, so "faith" orientated, his inability to condemn and confirm that he would not allow or condone torture under any circumstances was disgusting. He should be ashamed. McCain was absolutely right.

R.Merrell (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:52 AM)

Romney has explained himself well. I agree with him that the torture issue should be kept private. He is not saying that he thinks we should engage in terrrible acts of torture, but he is saying that he will not define the limits of torture due to unforseen circumstances and because it certainly doesn't make sense to put it all out there for our future enemies. Rudy is so desperate right now that he made himself look like a idiot as he accused Mitt of hiring illegals. I believe almost everyone has had an illegal do work for them in one way or another. Mitt is right...you never know when you hire a company for a job who their employees are.

D.White Vancouver,WA (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:57 AM)

Romney made Giuliani look like a child with their immigration spat! He exposed his weakness in his record, and his weakness in finding a legitimate argument against Romney on immigration. Immigration is a major issue, unlike most issues that were raised in the debate last night, and Romney captured my vote by exposing his rivals' views and laying out a doable way to end immigration without a huge tax dollar burden!

Josh, Goose Creek SC (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:02 AM)

<YAWN> Romney makes me so sleepy. This guy will say whatever he needs to say, regardless of what he believes, to get elected.

Kevin, Austin, TX (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:08 AM)

I thought that Mitt Romney did very well in the debate last night. I don't judge a debate winner on who cuts down their oppents with quick one liners, or who was the funniest. We have major issues in this country that need to be fixed by a problem solver. I believe Romney is that person.

John, Lake Worth, Florida (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:09 AM)

Looks like the MSM marching orders involve promoting Huckabee endlessly. Ron Paul had 2-3 questions and limited time. He still crushed them all (how come every article forgets to include his comeback to McCain which mentioned that Ron Paul gets more Military Contributions than any other candidate?). Mitt is dead after desecrating the Confederate flag. Many Southerns died under that flag. Unfortunately it took segregationist Governor Wallace to reveal the truth that "there's not a dime's worth of difference between" Republicans and Democrats. The Democrats willingly went along with the War in Iraq, suspension of Habeas Corpus, detaining protesters, banning books like "America Deceived' from Amazon, warrant-less wiretapping and refusing to investigate 9/11 properly. They are both guilty of treason.
Support Dr. Ron Paul and save this great nation.
Last link (before Google Books bends to gov't Will and drops the title):
http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-38523-0

David H (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:21 AM)

The American people have a unique opportunity to interact with candidates through the internet. Not unlike voting on reality TV programs, we should demonstrate our support for candidates and, perhaps more importantly, their ideas by making contributions that are tied to their debate performance.

You can help show the candidates that they are accountable to the people and that their positions on issues directly affect their financial support.

If you support one position advanced by a candidate last night, contribute a dollar to that candidate's campaign. If you support five positions, contribute five dollars.

I have attempted to facilitate this concept with respect to Mike Huckabee and encourage you to take this challenge by visiting www.abuckforhuck.com.

You can make a difference!

I Like Mike, Washington, DC (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:25 AM)

Mitt: dedicated to endless oil wars and and underclass to fight them!

" Mitt is right...you never know when you hire a company for a job who their employees are. "

You're supposed to find out if they have a SSN or not. After all the "nanny-gates" that have ruined nominations?

Bad judgement. Bad choice.

! (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:30 AM)

We once again were treated to politicians changing the subject, sidestepping and evading. Ron Paul answered honestly. (When he wasn't totally ignored.) I personally am getting tired of the media favorites being presented front center while the other candidates are pushed aside. This is true for both parties. Ron Smith

Ron Smith (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:32 AM)

Romney and Giuliani are one and the same both would anything to be elected ,Giuliani he gose to sleep thinking helery and wakes up thinking helery ,his record as a mayor is not that impresive untill 911.
I think M. Huckabee looks presedential ,speakes from his heart.
abraham

abraham,independence,ks (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:37 AM)

abraham,independence,ks (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:38 AM)

mitt romney will be another religious ideologue who flip flops in order to just get elected, who was a lackluster do nothing one term governor of a state that is now back under democratic control and is busy undoing all the damage mitt did in his short 4 years. how anyone can vote for this guy is beyond my comprehension.

pat huntington ny (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:46 AM)

The difference between Giuliani and Romney in the debate last night was my respect. Giuliani completely lost the respect I had for him and Romney won all of my respect. I have always admired Giuliani for the well-publicized changes he made in New York City. But last night he appeared to let his true character come out, taking cowardly and shallow pot shots unbecoming of a true gentleman. There was also an aroma of scandal and corruption coming from Giuliani's direction that I had never noticed before.

Romney on the other hand totally won my respect for standing up to the cheap attacks coming at him from all directions (including from CNN). I think that if any of the other candidates had been dealt the same mob attacks directed at Romney, they would not have survived the night. But Romney triumphed.

Some of the other candidates are very entertaining to watch, but at this point, they are just taking up valuable air time that I would rather have spent listening more to Romney and Giuliani.

Tony, San Francisco, California (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:57 AM)

"You're supposed to find out if they have a SSN or not. After all the "nanny-gates" that have ruined nominations?"

Really? I don't think so. A nanny you personally hire in your house is one thing. You are illegal yourself if you don't pay their half of SS.

But an employee of a contractor you hired to do work on your home? If I was that worker, I'd tell you to go fly a kite. You're not paying him, the contractor (e.g., Home Depot) is. It's their responsibility, not yours.

If you're going to attack someone, you should at least make sense about it.

common sense (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:07 PM)

mitt romney will be another religious ideologue who flip flops in order to just get elected,

Just like the female anti-christ who gives five positions to everything and now her husband can't decide what side of the iraq war he was on as well right Pat?

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:10 PM)

the whole debate was a shame....

cnn did not give fair and equitable time for all candidates....only the ones that they like. its not democractic and not true journalism when you marginalize other candidates by not giving them hardly any questions or giving the hardest ones to answer.

if you research ron paul...he gets the most attention on youtube. i would have to guess that most of the 5000 questions were ron paul influenced. it was funny that some of the stands that ron paul took months ago and how the other candidates mock him are slowly mimicking some of his stances.

some of the questions, if allowed by the other candidates to answer them would show you the real diffences between each of their platforms. but alas, opportunity lost.

not really....

we can not be a nation of sheep when you have the media guiding the questions and picking who the candidates are. follow the money as mike grave says. each of the media is own by the corporate elite. they have a vested interest in getting what they want. do you think ron paul shares their views? wake up america!!!!

we have been dumbed down by society, the media, our education system. we lack the ability to become critical thinkers. how the other people evaluated the debates really show the depth of their understanding....which is not very much. i challenge you to be a critical thinker. do your research.

if you think ron paul did an average performance compared to some....then evaluate why there wasn't enough questions thrown at him. its a tactic called "marginalizing" if you are aware of it...you would see if more. read all the articles....they marginalize because they fear a real change.

be a critical thinker...please.

look at ron paul...you tube, read his interviews (outside of the mainstream corporate media). take the red pill (ref matrix). wake up...the end of our empire is right around the corner....subprime, the falling of the dollar...the eroding of the constitution.

don't be sheep. wake up.

marcus, san dieg, ca (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:34 PM)

I agree with ! regarding Romney's comments on hiring illegal immigrants. He discussed that on Morning Joe this morning, and mentioned that it was not possible to know everyone who works on your yard.

It is entirely possible. How? You ask. Perhaps you don't go up to each worker individually, but you can certainly request your contractor to provide with you the proper documentation indicating all employees are may legally work in the US. Employers are required to have this information anyway.

A cop out from Mitt, if you ask me.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:44 PM)

For anyone still stupid enough to be confused on the waterboarding issue may I invite you to give it a try and report back to us on whether its torture or not...if we waterboarded scooter libby and he implicated the veep in crimes would it be admissable? just wondering

Rick, WS, NC (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:52 PM)

"Romney has explained himself well. I agree with him that the torture issue should be kept private. He is not saying that he thinks we should engage in terrrible acts of torture, but he is saying that he will not define the limits of torture due to unforseen circumstances and because it certainly doesn't make sense to put it all out there for our future enemies." D. White, Vancouver, WA

Are you kidding me? You think we should keep private how we feel about torture? I'm sure that's reassuring to our soldiers over there who are in danger of being kidnapped everyday and possibly tortured. What can our government possibly say if we haven't made clear exactly how we feel about torture and the Geneva Convention???? How do we demand they take the utmost care of our soldiers when we won't even confirm that we plan to do the same. This country use to stand for moral values, and it seems to me rather ironic that a President who ran on "Christian" values, has no problem with torture.

New Independent (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:02 PM)

Typical Jerry who loves to bash the Clintons about everything under the sun and now he attacking Bill about different positions about Iraq.How many different excuses did the Shrub and neo-cons come up with about invading Iraq? Last time I COUNTED IT WAS ABOUT 6 OR 7.

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:26 PM)

New. The word 'Christian' doesn't mean what it used to mean. For that matter, neither does 'Compassionate'or 'Conservative'. They're just code words for 'Radical Right'.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:51 PM)

So next time I drive through McDonalds I have to ask the manager to see papers on his workers? What BS. Total BS. Rudy got owned.

Nate, Denver (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:10 PM)

Huckabee does well as a minister,however, he is not qualified and well versed enough to be President of the USA.

Huckabee also puts illegals above legal citizens, who paid to have the illegals go to college, and which slot did they take that could have been given to a legal citizen? Doesn't work for mainstream America who has already voiced their opinion on LEGAL vs ILLEGAL, along with outright disgust on picking up the financial tab.

There is another problem with Huckabee vilifying the outraged citizen, and glorifying the illegal. They broke the law, they continue to benefit, now we are supposed to pay for their education... so, as he says, that they don't take to the streets, etc.? Statistics shows that they are already doing just this... are we expecting anything different when they begin their entrance into the USA by breaking laws that interfere with their goals?

Time to look into Huckabee’s history, there are some interesting issues.

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5368

Debrar (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 3:18 PM)

"But an employee of a contractor you hired to do work on your home? If I was that worker, I'd tell you to go fly a kite. You're not paying him, the contractor (e.g., Home Depot) is. It's their responsibility, not yours. "

Good advice - knowing what you're talking about. The home owner IS responsible for his contractor's employees. Go back to minding your own business if you don't know what the hell you're talking about.

"Common sense" didn't do you any good (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 3:23 PM)

New Independent:

Sounds like you were using McCain's ears when you listened to Romney's view on torture at last night's debate. He said that he does NOT believe in torture, McCain yelled at him and wondered how dare he believe in torture, then Romney said AGAIN that he did not believe in torture.... BUT, when badgered on "washboarding", said that he would keep methods of dealing with enemy combatants private as he worked with those who have experience/expertise/etc in these topics, INCLUDING McCain.

Did you listen?

If you did, then you just choose to mislead.

Debrar (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 3:24 PM)

Nate, that is hardly the same thing as making sure that everyone who is working on your house, i.e. working not only on your property but on your land, is able to legally work in this country. If you are really serious about ending illegal immigration, and enforcing the laws we have on the books now, then you would make sure that you don't employ people employing illegals.

And really, how many people are we talking about? We are not talking about hundreds of employees.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 3:26 PM)

Anyone looking for a different take on the GOP YouTube debate should try:
http://goupstate.us/index.php/lanefiller/2007/11/28/youtube_madness

lane filler, spartanburg, sc (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 3:35 PM)

Jerry, where is your pride? You revealed the REAL Jerry yesterday when you referred to Obama as that "black man". Your disrespect for him left no doubt that you are a racist in addition to being disgusting. It is too bad that your mother was not "uppity" enough to instill some positive qualities in you when you were growing up. Anyone that reads your blogs and even remotely thinks you have an ounce on intelligence needs some serious help.

a.brocco, albuquereque,NM (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 3:42 PM)

Waterboarding falls within one of the grey areas between torture and "enhanced interrogation techniques." Its a very aggressive and I'm sure unpleasant experience for the recipient. The line has to be drawn somewhere and Romney was correct in saying he is not going to publicly say what that line is. There are varous scenarios (nukes, dirty bombs, chemical weapons, etc.) where waterboarding or "enhanced interrogation techniques" may be necessary to extract information. I feel alot of the detractors are quite shortsighted and don't consider all the scenarios a president may have to face. Romney is right on the money on this issue.

Dan, USA (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 3:50 PM)

Well "Common Sense", you need to use some. I am sure that almost 100% of the people who use an agency to do ANYTHING, do NOT check papers/review the person supplied to do the job. It is assumed, and expected, that the agency supplying the workforce has done this job. Isn't that one of the reasons for hiring them?

If Romney were trying to hire an illegal, he did not need to hire an agency to employ one. You got to admit, illegals are easy to find, it's the "legals" that are a bit difficult to locate.

There's your "common sense".

Debrar (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 3:54 PM)

Gov Romney again showed why he is the man for the job of President.

Good point, next time I go to McDonalds I will be asking for papers. LOL LOL...... Thats was funny !

It's the Owner or manager of McDonalds to ask for their papers, not the customers

Scott from AZ (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 3:55 PM)

And here's the EXACT dialogue from last night's debate.

You will see that Romney said, TWICE, that : "I oppose torture. I would not be in favor of torture in any way, shape or form", and regardless, McCain blasted and spoke as if Romney said he WAS in support of torture. Are these the unfortunate after effects of his POW experience, that he is ready to combat without even listening?

Either it's McCain's age and need for hearing aids, or he is choosing to mislead the public.

Romney, McCain Spar on Waterboarding and Torture at GOP Debate
http://www.democracynow.org/2007/11/29/romney_mccain_spar_on_waterboarding_and

Debrar (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 4:42 PM)

Mitt Romney---oh goody he answere one question to the satisfaction of the right wingers---surely this will get him elected.Lets just all forget about his flip-flop flip-flop-flip-flop----

HMT (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 4:45 PM)

HMT:
There are several candidates, Democrats and Republicans, who have changed their views.

Be honest.

And, he said several things which were impressive.

Debrar (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 5:22 PM)

Whatever this sham of a debate proved, it should be noted that CNN tried mightily to ignore the stupid mistake they made with the gay General and his little speech. The only people talking about it today along with the whacky questions on YouTube that the "undecideds" were asking happened to be Fox and Morning Joe. Does CNN really think they are "keepin' them honest?"

Pat Walter, Oyster Bay, NY (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 9:35 PM)

Everyone's always blaming everyone else...finger pointing...name calling....when will the citizens of America realize that we have no true and just candidates to choose from for our next term. We really need a experienced, educated and willing person to lead us into our future. Problems abound, from immigration to oil prices, and there is no solid path for us...because we have no true leadership at hand. Let's look around us, identify the right people, elect them and hold them accountable for getting the work done. All of it, on time and under budget. Enough said.

Tom Mabe, Orlando, Florida (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:12 PM)

We need Mike Huckabee.

We're undertaxed and underregulated.

Go, Mike!

Daniel Peterson, Orem, UT (Sent Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:22 PM)

Why does the MSM not show the U-Tube clips of Fred Thompson's pro-choice statements he made in 1994 along side the clips Thompson is showing of Mitt Romney's 1994 statements? See http://www.evangelicalsformitt.org/front_page/i_cant_hear_you_i_cant_hear_yo.php for video of Thompsons 1994 interview. Romney is upfront about changing from pro-choice to pro-life. Thompson just denies that he was ever pro-life but the facts are different. Who has the better character?

John, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Friday, November 30, 2007 1:20 AM)

mitt romney is the right man for president. he has shown integrity and respect throughout his campaign, unlike other candidates, including Giuliani and Thompson.

ben, tacoma, wash (Sent Friday, November 30, 2007 1:26 AM)

Seventy to eighty percent of conservatives place illegal immigration as their most important issue right now. Huckabee had some nice moments but Romney trounced Guiliani and Huckabee on immigration. Guiliani's attacks were meanspirited and Romney beat him down with his counter. Romney had Huckabee try three times to convince him that giving instate tuition to illegals was a good idea. Every time Huckabee tried to explain why, I could almost hear his poll numbers fall.

Romney is not being evasive to refuse to explain what interrogation techniques we will use. He is being smart. Our enemies, when they are being interrogated need to believe we may pull their fingernails out if they don't give up their buddies. By the way, McCain should know that non-uniformed combatants (especially those who hold no allegiance to a country)by convention rules, DO NOT HAVE THE GENEVA CONVENTION PROTECTIONS.

DLounsbury, Salem, Oregon (Sent Friday, November 30, 2007 3:10 AM)

Terrorists are not official soldiers and therefore do not have all the protections of the Geneva Convention, and McCain must have known that. Therefore, he was being very misleading. It would be foolish of us to tell our enemies exactly what interrogation to prepare for anyway, and McCain should have known that as well. As for the SSN#'s, has anyone here considered what would happen if your workplace gave a list of all the names and SSN#'s of it's employees to just any customer that asked? Have you ever heard of identity FRAUD!!! Every internet application and most written ones I've filled out have a section on how my information will NOT be shared. If they gave out my SSN#, not only could someone look up much of my other info online, but they could get my financial records and order things pretending to be me. I'm sure the company would be sued for breach of privacy laws, and even if they won the suit it would cause media scandal and cost tons of money. Try asking a McD's manager for SSN#'s and records for everyone working there next time you order a cheeseburger and see what he tells you. I'm guessing he'll say he would need written permission from each employee to do so. Also if Mitt were a flip-flopper, that would require he actually went back and forth on issues instead of making a change and sticking to it. I he had no conviction, he would have changed religions by now. It would certainly make the debates easier on him to not be a Mormon.

Derak, Lafayette, IN (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 6:19 PM)

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=486933