Last night's debate (R)

Posted: Sunday, January 06, 2008 10:26 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: 2008, Republican debates

The New York Times reports that Romney "was the target in the Republican debate. He was attacked by two rivals - Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, who beat him in Iowa on Thursday, and Senator John McCain of Arizona, who is leading in polls here - on issues like immigration and on his history of shifting some positions."

The Washington Post looks at Romney's struggles through the debate prism. "Clearly feeling under siege and trailing McCain in two polls released Saturday, Romney was repeatedly in the crosshairs of his rivals. After one sharp exchange with Iowa caucus winner Mike Huckabee, Romney accused his opponents of attacking his character rather than engaging in a serious debate. They, in turn, accused him of flip-flopping. ‘Is there a way to have this about issues and not about personal attacks?’ he asked. ‘I hope so.’”

The L.A. Times notes, "Telling in the debate was the resurgence in both praise for President Bush and comments on Iraq. In forums last year, mentions of Bush were rare as the candidates tried to keep a distance from his faded poll numbers and Iraq. But with the buildup of American troops apparently trimming the violence in Iraq, the war was back on stage Saturday."

"With their presidential candidacies largely depending on a first-place finish in Tuesday's New Hampshire primary, Republicans Mitt Romney and John McCain clashed on illegal immigration in last night's debate at St. Anselm College."

The New York Daily News gives Giuliani and McCain the highest grades for last night's debate: a B. Huckabee and Romney get B-minuses and Thompson got a C-minus.

Per NBC’s Lauren Appelbaum, here was the time breakdown:
Romney: 17:47
Giuliani: 12:50
McCain: 12:29
Huckabee: 12:06
Thompson: 11:35
Paul: 8:59

In the spin room last night, Romney’s camp tried to stay positive after what was clearly a rough night for their candidate, NBC/NJ’s Mike Memoli notes. Despite McCain’s joke, they stuck to the message that Romney is the candidate of change and accused McCain of negative attacks. “I think that it came off as a rather calculated attack against Gov. Romney,” Kevin Madden said of the “change” line. “A lot of what we see and what voters have seen in New Hampshire is that Sen. McCain doesn’t try to differentiate on issues or substantive policy. Instead seems to take what is a personal attack against governor Romney. And I think that a lot of voters frown on that.”

His camp also relished the opportunity to keep a focus on the immigration issue, saying McCain’s denial that his plan constituted amnesty “fell flat.” “The reality is the American people know it’s amnesty,” said state director Jim Merrill. “If it walks like it, talks like it, looks like it, it’s amnesty. The American people know it, that’s why they rejected it.” Tom Tancredo was even more blunt. “If Sen. McCain really and truly does not understand it, that what he proposes over and over again is amnesty, then I wouldn’t call him a liar. I would say he’s incredibly naïve,” he said.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

If the general election becomes Obama and Edwards versus McCain and Huckabee, we as a nation will win no matter who is elected. I cannot remember a past election where that was remotely true.

Pete Caloger Bushkill, PA 18324 (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 10:40 AM)

THE NEW YORK TIMES GIVES RUDY AN A, LIKE FOX NEWS ONLY PROMOTES RUDY, OREILLY SCREAMED AT LAURA INGRAM AND JUAN FOR LIKING HUCKABEE, IM SURE THATS WHY HUCKABEE WOULDNT TALK TO CARL CAMERON YESTERDAY, FAIR AND BALANCED BULL CRAP O REILLY AND HANNITY. THE RIGHT MADE YOU AND WILL KILL YOU. THANK YOU HUCKABEE FOR STANDING UP TO FOX, THE VOTERS WILL REWARD YOU. I WILL NEVER WATCH FOX AGAIN TRYING TO FIX THE ELECTION, HOW CHEAP

DAVID ANDERS , PHARR, TX. (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 10:52 AM)

Finally people are waking up to the fact that there is a difference between being a good actor that can pay lip service, from a man of substance. The hypocrisy of Huckabee was very apparent during last nights debates. He has been a whiner about what he calls “negative attacks” yet look at his poor behavior at the debate! Romney is the smartest, most successful, most secure individual running for office. He wants to serve the people of the United States, not for status, not for pay, but because he loves America, he loves Americans.

Have we forgotten why the majority of people on both sides of the isle loved and respected President Ronald Reagan? It was because he loved America. He put America first, before himself or anything else. Romney clearly demonstrates that same character trait. He has proved he will do what the people want him to do; he has been successful in everything he has done. So America, tell him what you want, he’ll deliver, believe that.

Those of us that had decent parents were taught that we needed to pay attention in school, work hard, and be honest so that we have a better chance of success in our lives. Mr. Romney was paying attention, and is a very successful American. Now the democrats as well as Huckabee and McCain would have you believe that his success is a sin, or that because of his success he should be disrespected or doubted. I have never in my life seen such a public display of jealousy in my 51 years. Only Romney with his proven track record is the man to fix the economy. McCaine has “been there, but not done that.”

As far as “foreign policy experience,” let’s not forget that Ronald Reagan didn’t have any either when he came into office, yet the hostages were released immediately when he took office. President Carter made several attempts through negotiations and militarily to free the hostages; all failed. How is it that after all the unsuccessful attempts of a seated American President (Carter), that merely the news of Reagan’s being elected caused the bad guys to free the hostages? Because the hostage takers knew they were in deep doo-doo with Reagan in office. They knew what his position and character was. What did Reagan posses that others didn’t? An ability to make the hard decisions! Firm principles of what is right and what is wrong, and a willingness to fully commit and stand up for what is right. In Romney you will see that again. And don’t forget Reagan set the stage and deserves most of the credit for the Berlin wall coming down and the fall of the USSR. You don’t necessarily need a man with experience in all areas, you need a man who is smart, a man with a background of character, a great negotiator with a proven backbone and a man that will put our Country before himself!

Give America and the world a break; elect Romney as president!

Dave Cartwright, Sandpoint (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 11:19 AM)

I agree with Tancredo!! I don't think many people who watched the debate (other than the main-stream media, apparently) think McCain came out a winner from all of this. I lost a lot of respect for him last night. His personal attacks were ugly and he couldn't prove Romney wrong. McCain was the biggest loser in the debate - and this coming from someone who was a McCain supporter going into the debate.

Anyone but Huckabee, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 11:46 AM)

McCain looked so unproffesional. McCain would not let Romney answer the questions and would constantly interupt him. He acted like a junior high kid, trying to pick a fight. He made Romney look very presidential.
All the attacks on Romney made people swing over to support Romney.

Yasser Sanchez (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 12:22 PM)

Avoid the elite media’s “RUSH”, support Governor Huckabee early!

David - Oregn City (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 12:37 PM)

" ...and Thompson got a C-minus."
--Was Fred Thompson running for President, because I've seen two-year-olds appearing more Presidential (and throwing less 'tantrums'.

--NSMsnbc (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 12:57 PM)

Ron Paul was the only candidate last night who wasn't speaking in soundbites on what they thought the people wanted to hear. He actually spoke in depth about issues by being realistic about the economy, the falling dollar, inflation, the war, etc. People need to quit worrying about who "looks presidential" or whatever that means and really envision each of these people in the White House representing us abroad and the kind of policies and ideas they would bring to the table. I truly feel that Ron Paul is the most honest candidate in this election, (check his voting record), and will truly have the best interests of the American people at heart...not the corporations, lobbyists, and mass media.

Shawn, Oklahoma City (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 1:12 PM)

iT5 GOING TO COME DOWN WHO CAN GO THE LENGTH AND HAS THE MONEY TO DO IT..DOESNT MATTER HOW MANY DEBATES YOU HAVE THE MONEY WILL BE THE DECIDING FACTOR AND ALL THIS BS MEANS NOTHING....TRUST ME YOU WILL BE FORGOTTEN IN THE END AND FOUR MORE YRS OF WHAT WE DESERVE IF WE DONT MAKE CHANGE NOW. INDEPENDENTS UNITE NOW AND LETS BE THE DECIDING FACTOR. WE HAVE A SHORT TIME TO UNITE BUT WE CAN DO IT. BUT NOT ALONE CAN I. SO LETS DO SOMETHING TO UNITE AND GET OUR SELVES IN A POSITION TO BECOMING THE DECIDING FACTOR...WONT ACCEPT FOUR MORE YEARS OF THE SAME AS IT IS NOW THE REPUBLICANS KEEP THERE TRUNKS IN YOUR WALLET AND THE DEMOCRATS KEEP LOOKING FOR THERE TAIL....WE DO HAVE SOME GRT REP AND DEMS BUT THEY CANT AFFORD TO RUN AND WE WOULD PROBABLY GET A BETTER PERSON IF IT WAS EQUAL FUNDING......

RUSS WELLS, MAINE (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 1:41 PM)

After viewing the debate last night, Republican & Democrat, it is clear that there are more than one,
that have "Ideas". The news, that the rise in gas prices, are due to the decline of the value of the "Dollar", "not so much" the availability of the resource. There is not (1) clear "Leader". Quite frankly, Colin Powell, or Donald Trump would be better
"Leaders". It seems that the new push for votes is from the "Youth" of America. They have been so influenced by "Talk Show Hosts, like Ophrah", and by "the right to choose what "Sex" you prefer to be, that there is no way that they can make a decision, about "Who should lead America into the 21st Century".
What I think is, that even "Chuck Norris", has more of a "Clue". At least he has chosen someone with "Morals". At this point Huckabee seems to have a
better chance of doing anything "for the good of the people".

Jon Hall (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 1:47 PM)

As the "debate" confirmed, there is no daylight whatsoever between these Republican prez wannabees and GW Bush. Electing any one of them, with the exception of Ron Paul, means a continuation of the failed, misguided policies of Bush/Cheney and company. Bush's War will become their war and they have no plan or intent to ever leave Iraq. They all talk about "change' in Washington but have no ideas, no platform other than a continuation of what we've experienced for the past 7 1/2 years. They're all striving for mediocrity and falling way short. If they're so committed to change, where have their voices been and why haven't they spoken up for the past 7 1/2 years?

R.Merrell (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 1:56 PM)

The only reason Romney came out with more time on the clock is because he kept rudely interrupting other candidates like the show was all about him. Romney really is a Narcissus. A deceptive one at that. Not just once, but every time he comes on tv, if find myself admitting, that's wrong! that's not right! Just like Sunday mornings news shows proved he was wrong about much he claimed in Saturday's debates.

fed up with mitt romney (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 1:59 PM)

The debate left my head spinning. Other than Ron Paul these guys are not talking about things that affect the American people. The falling value of the dollar, health insurance, global warming, the future of our nation's children, education. I'm disgusted how big business influences everything. The way I see it, to vote republican you are voting for big business. And they have more than enough.

P.D. Bristol, Pa (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 2:39 PM)

He was wrong about his commercial using the word "amnesty" referring to McCain's bill. He admitted that and said that he told his staff not to use the word. That's hardly "much he claimed".

The reason Romney got more time was because he was attacked by each of his opponents in turn. Anyone who thinks McCain is the frontrunner in this race need look no further than last night--the other candidates clearly understand that Romney is the one to address.

Romney's vision is for our families. Is that deceptive? Romney's position is for strength of the economy, the military, and our families. Is that deceptive? Quit listening to the sound bites and go look at his site to see what he actually has said and believes. The charges that he's "deceptive" have been so pervasive they've done nothing but distract from his actual message. Admirably, he's been on-topic with his message regardless of it all.

CoachNY (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 2:47 PM)

You're fed up with Romeny?

Are you kidding me?

Let me guess you must be a passenger on the straight talk express right? AKA the John Mccain crazy pain train!

Romney wouldn't have had to interrupt if a seventy-one year old man weren't making snide little remarks and then laughing and snickering like a ten year old boy who just gave someone a wet willy

Anyone who thinks Mccain did himself a favor last night with his performance must be on the stuff that he forgot to take before the debate.

He was rude, insolent, petty, childish, and smug. Wether or not you like Romney you have to admit that Mccain came off as a complete jackass.

What I'm sick of is John Mccain supporting amnesty and then saying he didn't.

I'm sick of Mccain acting liek a liberal Democrat.

Mostly I'm sick of Mccain stinking up the elections every eight years. I hope someone, anyone, Mitt, Mike, Rudy, Ron....kicks his ass in NH and finally puts the nation out of the misery it's going through by being forced to consider this guy as a serious candidate by the media and turncoat republicans who support him.

No mas mccain (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 2:48 PM)

I felt McCain showed total lack of class (no surprise) last nite by making the remarks he did then sitting back grinning like the big bully he is. He feels he's above everyone else because he served.I'm all for debating but that was all McCain really had to say last nite. McCain is all about war and open borders. He's stubborn and a mental mess. We'll be in wars all over the world if this arrogant man is elected and the draft will be back!

lee (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 3:38 PM)

I think we can safely say that Mitt's faith speech worked. What a breath of fresh air - a republican debate in which religion wasn't brought up. That's a small step in the right direction.

Anyone but Huckabee, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 4:08 PM)

Romney can not be trusted. He is a known flip flopper and is constantly rambling on with a billion words a minute trying to confuse the audience that he knows something. Others take time to ponder their question to answer intelligently, whereas Romney spits out so many words someone thinks maybe he knows the answer.

Romney has a habit of reversing. He spends more millions of dollars attacking his opponents in TV commmericals than everyone combined, but then acts like he is the one getting attacked and rambles on a billion words to make it look like he knows what he is talking about.

Just as the NH newspaper accurately stated, Romney is a phony. He is more concerned about his $400 haircut that he keeps talking about that he doesnt want anyone to mess up. Romney is extremelly wealthy with some $250 million in his bank account. Romney really can not connect with the average New Hampshire american.

Don't be fooled by Romney's fast firing words, whoever fires off that many words so quickly, is naturally trying to hide his inexperience in solid understanding. Romney is trying to fool everyone's perception of him by talking so quickly. If Romney loses $30 million in just a few months of his bases money in Iowa losing there how in the world can we trust him to manage the government spending over 4 years?

Tony, Cincinnati, Oh (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 10:26 PM)

Gov. Romney does not appear to have been candid in responding to Gov. Huckabee during last night's debate.

Gov. Romney said: "I do not support and have never supported a timed withdrawal from Iraq."

However, on April 04, 2007, the Hill magazine reported: "Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney . . . on Wednesday endorsed setting 'timetables and milestones' for Iraq policy but keeping them private - an approach notably supported by Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor (Ark.)."

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/romney-supports-secret-iraq-timetable-2007-04-04.html

If the debate were a court of law, Gov. Romney's testimony would have been impeached.

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 12:20 AM)

Tony it was Edwards, not Romney that got the $400 haircut. Get your facts straight pal.

Also Romney's ads were on the records. Mccain and Huckabee have made personal attacks.

Romney is by far the best GOP has to offer.

Mike PA (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 7:51 AM)

I trust Romney because he cares about what is best for America. He cares about what is best for my family, his family and your family. He cares about what is best for our economy, and he cares about what is best for our security. Importantly, he has the leadership to change our Broken Government. Other politicians make a lot of promises but do not have the resume to show that they can keep their promises. Romney has the most impressive background for making the needed changes to fix big problems. Most importantly he can work with the Democrats to get it done, just as he did as Governor of Massachusetts.

Go Romney!!

Daniel, Gainesville, FL (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 2:16 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=553081