Romney Shines, Santorum Struggles in Arizona Debate
NH observers weigh in on the four GOP candidates.
Here's what four New Hampshire political observer had to say about Wednesday night's GOP debate in Arizona.
University of New Hampshire political science professor Dante Scala: Ron Paul, world's best wing man. Did Romney a big favor, helped to bog down Santorum in earmark discussion early on. And Gingrich had that November 2011 feel about him. Funny, above the fray. Too bad it's almost March.
Former State Rep. Fran Wendelboe, R-New Hampton: No big game changer. I think Santorum came off a little desperate at times. Romney was composed and didn’t make any mistakes. Newt looked like it was a walk in the park. He looked totally relaxed, that he was enjoying himself, confident smile and so on. He hit some home runs, especially on the fence issue. Ron Paul was not as grumpy as in the past. I must say the audience was a little more rowdy than those in the past, boos and so on. Mitt probably benefited the most.
Former State Rep. Jim Splaine, D-Portsmouth: Three general observations: First, I found it remarkable that after all this time, Rick Santorum hasn't become better at being clearer in his answers and comments. He fell into that pattern several times, and the audience responded negatively – especially as he tried to explain why he voted for budget bills that contained items not to the liking of conservative causes. Second, it was interesting to see the Republican audience boo Ron Paul’s logic as to why America should be cautious of attacking other countries. Third, as each addressed education with rhetoric that centered on charter schools and choice being the whole solution, I just got the feeling that none of them would even qualify to be teachers who should teach our children. I would give this debate to Mitt Romney, with Newt Gingrich showing why he's still hanging in there, and a near wipe out for Santorum. Several months ago I expressed that I thought this race would go through April, and perhaps to the Republican National Convention. I'm expecting it will, and that prospect continues to allow President Barack Obama and the Democrats show that they can govern in these difficult times.
Bedford Republican Stephen Poschmann: Santorum came out swinging early against Romney. Ron Paul seemed to have a bee in his bonnet about Rick Santorum tonight. He went after the senator early and often. Gingrich stated he does not believe in class warfare. This was laughable given his attacks on private enterprise a few weeks earlier. Gingrich was able, as always, to bring it back to local issues. He scored some Arizona points on a few occasions. The early topic about earmarks got rather heated to the point there was a fair amount of booing. Santorum tread on shaky ground, calling out Romney for being inconsistent. All politicians have inconsistencies and he himself had to admit two times in this debate that he voted for No Child Left Behind against his better judgment. On several occasions Newt Gingrich would say the same thing as another candidate but better. Newt Gingrich had his opportunity to go against the “elite media” and he took it on the contraception topic. Romney tied the contraception hullabaloo back to the NH debate with George Stephanopoulos, implying the media is in league with the administration. Santorum continues to be too wordy and not concise in many of his answers. All candidates answered the contraception question well. A telling sign in the debate was when Santorum was booed for his Planned Parenthood funding and was immediately booed again for criticizing Romneycare. Astonishing. Romney was then cheered for his rebuttal. Santorum’s answer for supporting Arlen Spector regarding the Supreme Court was very good. Ron Paul danced around the immigration question, one of the few topics on which he will not give a straight answer. As usual, Ron Paul was booed on foreign policy and blamed the U.S. for the Iranian issue. Santorum gave a very poor answer on his support of NCLB. Received more boos. Until the foreign policy portion of the debate, Ron Paul was having a very strong night. Tonight Newt Gingrich pulled punches against his opponents. Tonight was not a great night for Santorum. He was very feisty but the crowd didn’t seem to be with him. Romney was very strong. The crowd was with him.
jrmetalman
10:53 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The media has been for B O from the beginning, just ask Hillary. How could any politician SUCK this bad and the media not even notice???
David Victory
12:25 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Stop listening to Limbaugh.
jrmetalman
10:59 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Quite often the majority is wrong. Ron Paul was having a strong night Especially when asked about Iran. He without a doubt is the only candidate you can count on! We should have learned by now what he is trying to tell us. All these wars are going NOWHERE!!! Lets not start another one.
Mark Schumacher
11:34 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I agree. Ron Paul is right. I don't want my tax dollars to be spent on unaffordable wars. I want my money in my pocket. Maybe if we become a free society countries will emulate us instead of fight us. None if these candidates besides Ron Paul even mention personal liberty and the right to live our life as we see fit. The main stream media is not getting my support anymore since they obviously don't cover and marginalize Dr. Paul. None of these guys even served in the military so they should shut up and listen to Dr. Paul who actually has been drafted. Newt shouldn't even run for president because he is a draft dodging coward. I don't want a coward for president. I won't even mention mr banker bail out protect the wealthy Romney and im so christlike fake Santorum.
Patriot
7:27 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Mark, there are people that want you dead! You may not believe it, but no matter what you do to appease some the end will be the same! "Dr. Paul" drafted? Yes, but try not tell me serving in a hospital equates to facing a road side bomb. Many physicians received training, education, and experience while "serving." Many patients received care from OJT. I love the Critique by the opposition. While fuel cost, unemployment, unfair trade issues, border security, and a host of domestic issue plague this country the democrats could not find one single person with a different view than Obama? Please!!!! Oh that's right, Obama thought about joining!
Rockne1865
8:35 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
MOST of the problems that face this country were caused by the Republicans, the same people fighting tooth & nail any attempt on the part of the Democrats to fix them ALL in the hope of making Obama look bad
The Republicans are willing to let the US go to hell in hopes that America will elect the party that got us into all the Depressisons since the 1930s
Rockne1865
8:40 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Do you remember president Nixon all the bills we had to pay, someone should write a song oh that's right someone aready did. No more Republicans ever PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
Rockne1865
8:52 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Anyone remember Glass–Steagall Act Remember that A$$ clown Reagan "we don't need no Goverment"
And then they dismantled everything the planes fell out of the air then they went out of business wages went down then the jobs went overseas ALL BECAUSE OF DEREGULATION.
Rockne1865
9:02 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Hey Remember NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND? Bush was so upset when the other kids got stars & all he got was notes to his parents!
Brian St. Onge
9:49 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
I see the high taxing, high spending, big government liberals are out in force this morning trying to degrade Republicans and engage in name-calling. That's what they do best. And they resort to that tactic because they cannot defend the deceptive, lying, arrogant socialist in the white house who is committed to destroying the United States. Their ignorance and political naivete shine though brightly.
Edward Dunsel
10:56 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
"socialist in the white house who is committed to destroying the United States. "
***************************************************************************************
Such reasoning brings to mind only one thought: Shouldn't you be in school little boy?
LJoel Hackbart
11:42 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
..."Out in force this morning trying to degrade Republicans and engage in name-calling"..... "deceptive, lying, arrogant socialist in the white house who is
committed to destroying the United States"
Who is doing the name-calling???????????
I'll [like your Mitt "corporations are people" Romney Buddie] bet you $10,000
that you dont even know what socialism is. [ Be fair. An off hand answer now.
Don't look it up]. .
Patriot
4:21 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
That is the best you can do? I was hoping we could go back to Lincoln.
Rockne1865
2:35 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
I see the high taxing, high spending, big government liberals
Bush threw US tax Dollars off the back of Toyota pickups in Iraq in the run up to Elections there i wonder how many weapons that bought to kill our troops? 30 tractor trailer loads of US Dollars went over there in one shipment & disappeared!
Rockne1865
2:46 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
I see the high taxing, high spending, big government liberals are out in force this morning trying to degrade Republicans and engage in name-calling. That's what they do best. And they resort to that tactic because they cannot defend the deceptive,
lying, arrogant socialist in the white house who is committed to destroying the United States. Their ignorance and political naivete shine though brightly.
Did you say something about name calling
PS I know the meaning of the words I used, do you?
Anyone can have an opinion they only count when they are based on facts.
ForThePeople
5:26 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
"I don't believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute," Santorum, a devout Catholic, said in an interview from Michigan on ABC's "This Week."
http://news.yahoo.com/santorum-says-doesnt-believe-separation-church-state-164307440.html
"Gingrich said at a church north of Atlanta that Americans have faced a "50-year assault" by those trying to alienate people of faith."
http://news.yahoo.com/gingrich-warns-role-secular-left-170959746.html
Religious crazies in the news. More reasons not to take Republican seriously. :-)