First 2012 GOP Debate in New Hampshire: Join the Live Chat
Seven presidential hopefuls are sharing the stage in New Hampshire tonight for a GOP Presidential Debate. The showdown wraps up at 10 p.m. ET and will be followed by a special edition of AC360° live from Manchester. Anderson and our political panel will discuss the key moments. We'll also show you some of the hits Pres. Obama took from his GOP rivals tonight. We'll talk that over with his Obama campaign surrogate and former W.H. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. And CNN and the National Journal are asking a panel of political insiders who they thought won and lost tonight's debate. Don't miss the results of our exclusive "insider's" poll.
Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's debate. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.
Here are some of them:
1) Keep it short (we don't have time to read a "book")
2) Don't write in ALL CAPS (there's no need to yell)
3) Use your real name (first name only is fine)
4) No links
5) Watch your language (keep it G-rated; PG at worst - and that includes $#&*)
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I only saw some of the debate but it seemd as if Ron Paul was giving the only specific answers.
This may be is downfall.
Ron Paul is the only candidate who has been consistent throughout his entire career and has a solid plan and philosophy to improve the future of American. He is the only candidate who can beat Obama, period.
Agreed. He's the only one who simply follows the Constitution, not just picking the parts he likes as every other candidate does. The biggest difference between the others is that he understands economics. There's a reason the Constitution says "only gold and silver" is legal tender. Unless you look at the Fed, nothing will change.
The recover needs to be faster.
That won't happen when you create an anti-business environment.
Yes.
Cain and Gingrich is a big flop by talking against our secular condition of our state and the comments he made about Muslims.....I think Ron Paul rocks!!!
In my view,
They just answered a bad question, TRUTHFULLY. (that gives them both points...especially for actually ANSWERING it). –bonus points awarded for saying why and because of previous episodes of Muslim treason among people have taken the oath with no other goal but to infiltrate. Kudos to both I say.
President Obama when with a plan! Let's not forget!
just lost respect i had for andy card. rather than condemn herman cain and newt gingrich's intolerant comments as david gergen did, he deflected, calling it a minor issue and then continued the deflection and distraction with the non sequitor regarding the dems not having a debate.
Is anyone willing to reduce lifetime congressional benefits?
Yes
I think we need to stop blaming Bush.
If the Dems want to win, they best let it go. It won't work this time; will be perceived as a huge negative.
Ron Paul Vs Obama
I think they both would do good. I'm liberal but I believe in working together.
I hate when they make simply remarks because they think America people are without brains
I am not sure who I would select as a winner. I need to hear more from all of them. We really need someone who is very very strong.
Bachmann on same sex marriage: She believes in self determination for the states, but not for gay couples.
she lost my vote with that question.
Excellent observation. *like*
I would love to see a debate with just Ron Paul vs all the rest. He is only talking about fundamental change in current policies.
Ron Paul is our only hope.
Thank you, Dr. Ron Paul, for representing the middle class!
Ron Paul was clearly the candidate on the stage who spoke from the heart and with the experience of decades of defending the Constitution. The others were just dancing.
It's time to forego comments about Bush; it makes us appear unwilling to accept the current reality.
Herman Cain will be digging for a long time.
Yea, speaking the truth will get those politicians in trouble every time.
Newt did great. May be my front runner. Didn't expect that.
Ron Paul spoke with compassion and ethics, but seems to lack conviction in regards to military issues.
Herman Cain surprised me, but lack of knowledge of foreign policy is a problem.
Mitt Romney did ok but I have trouble trusting him and I can't get over his health care plan.
The rest were rather unimpressive, not bad, simply did not stand out.
They just sit back and remain in Bush good grace!
in response to joe ii cant recall what obama has said as to how he intends to create jobs oh hold on its coming to me he is going to spend and create more debt than any and all presidents in the history of this nation to create jobs yet we stend at 9.1% unemployment
when i think of ron paul, i always think of the word "practical". i enjoy listening to his commentary.
Interesting, but not much of a debate. Same theme, give to the private sector, you know the private sector right.... the ones they gave all the perks to under Bush and how many jobs and economic growth did that recreate, these people have short memories and no integrity!
I was surprised about the open biggotry of Herman Cain. I hope my party isn't really going in the direction of unabashedly showing predjuice against a whole people group.
That was FAR from bigotry.. especially in showing why we need to be cautious because of the previous events they very briefly specified. A horrible question was answered, TRUTHFULLY. I say kudos. Did he answer that question 100% to perfection? No. But did he expect a question like that coming out of left field and has this country already been bitten on the butt by radicals who swore an oath that could care less about it before? Yep. (so again, I say kudos to Cain there)
Ron Paul did worse then he normally does. Santorum was awful. Newt is irrelevant and proved it. Herman Cain was OK. Bachmann spoke to the religious right. Romney was pure politician and gained nothing. Pawlenty showed he can hold his own, and I think he did himself good tonight. Pawlenty wins in my opinion.
Ron Paul was only one who actually answered the questions asked, brought up the constitution and desires for the US citizen to received all the rights granted under the constitution......by far the BEST
It's funny how they can say that now, but they could not tell Bush that when he was in office!
I think we are spread too thin.
I would never feel safe in America with Ron Paul as President.
Ron Paul is the ONLY ONE who has spoken for years about the Fed Res being out of control and correctly predicted our present economic situation over 20 years ago!!!
Our involvement overseas with 900 military bases in 130 countries actually makes us less safe because we give others the incentive to want to kill us because we have to mind everyone's business and try to bring democracy countries that don't want it. Ron Paul would make us safer because he would remove the incentive and bring our boys home to defend our country, not foreign countries.
Yeh..I second you both.
I'd feel THE MOST SAFE with Ron Paul, period.
We always talk about our nation's "defense"... and "defending" our nation. 'Everyone' else is too busy OFFENDING... if anyone's gonna take the lead as commander and chief (even above the military commanders as the chief should), it is definitely RON PAUL, easily and that in and of itself will help rectify the debt.
Romney looked pretty good.
it looks too me that most people are not giving herman cain much of a shot at the white house but i say to you all do not write him off because he is not your run of the mill beltway republican
When Herman Cain first started came into the 'Lime-light', I did not really like him. But after listening to what he has to say I believe he is the 2nd best choice to beat Obama in 2012. Tha is some what of a credit to him, but he is WAY far behind Ron Paul. PLEASE people look into Ron PAul, he is definitely the best choice for president!!! Once he gets the nomination and he gets 100% support from the GOP, there is NOWAY Obama will win in 2012!!!!
i loved what john king said at the beginning of the debate (don't know if this is verbatim, but it is close – would love to see the actual clip) ... he instructed the participants to 'be as specific as you can' and 'answer the question you were asked, not the question you WISH you were asked' ...
Hi Anderson! Hi Everyone! Good evening.
This debate should have been called..."Dancing around the Questions in New Hampshire" The candidates never gave a specific answer on how they would create jobs only what Obama is doing. I hope that these candidates and others that will join will understand the questions and respond of what they will do and not Obama. All dancing no substance during this debate.
Interesting that all are against government involvement except when it comes to the social/religious issue of marriage and then it's time for a constitutional amendment! A constitutional amendment!
My BIGGEST gripe with all of these debates... (pretty much my only gripe actually) no matter how hugely important these debates are... no matter how important the responses from the candidates.... no matter how important these issues (etc etc etc) they are severely rushed in every single segment.
It is arguably the largest 'unforseen' cause behind so many voters as a result voting for the wrong candidates. If these debates are really as important as I think they are, the time allotted in each segment should SERIOUSLY be reconsidered. Every single debate is the same thing too. Quit asking questions only to continually cut them all off.
I have to agree with you on that Brendon. And plenty irrelevant questions.
interesting phrase – "make them bleed" – i am guessing that is related to the "red meat" term so often used in politics
Does the Republican Party support the death penalty while at the same time support pro-life which doesn't allow a woman who was raped from getting an abortion?
The vast majority of Republicans support abortion in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. A baby is innocent. Someone sentenced to death is not. There is a difference.
Good evening Everyone
Yes, the US is in dire straights financially. This is a major problem that will end up affecting our grandchildren.
I hate election season! can't stand all the negatve ads and name calling. I feel like im back in high school.
I love how almost everyone is now saying what Ron Paul has been saying for years now.... Ron Paul is our only real hope.
YES!!!!! Everyone that researches Ron Paul will ABSOLUTELY want him to be POTUS. Ron Paul wins the Primary and gets full support from the GOP, he will EASILY win 75% of the votes in the 2012 election!!!! NO MORE OBAMA!!!!! PLEASE people, don't listen to what people say about Ron Paul(not even me!!!) look into him yourself, hear what HE says, you will agree with him, as it is all common sense!!!!!
What does everyone this of the debate tonight?
Severely rushed and inadequate....
Other than that, I say that it was much needed.
At the end of the debate a gentleman asked the question "is there anyone on stage who would close military bases overseas" the answer is yes, Ron Paul. Unfortunately, he didn't get a chance to tell the man because CNN cut to commercial after one of the candidates said he wouldn't and told the questioner he was wrong.
I noticed that too. It's a good question, and Ron Paul has the answer.
Yeh,
Throughout each and every last one of these debates, they rush through the segments ...EVERY segment is severely rushed and it hurts the voter everytime... and of course, furthermore, the country once so many voters make the wrong decisions at the ballot box. They seriously need to start giving everyone ample time to illustrate exactly what they want to and quit rushing through the debates as if these things are of little importance.
oh bother – i missed some of the actual debate – SO glad 360 is doing these hilight summaries of the good stuff – really looking forward to the discussions and analysis
Everybody wants to make oneself look good, but one does not have the sympathy of the America people. How can one win with that?
I was just sworn as an American very proud, but I am watching this debate.. who is there to choose from.. I do not see anyone. do u?
Ron Paul. Google Ron Paul and you will see that he doesn't try and sell himself like the rest of them were doing. He is the most honest and constitutionally minded man out there. And he has been faithfully married for over 40 years.
Ron Paul all the way. All the candidates are picking up on things he has been saying since the 1970s, because he has literally framed the issues. The difference is the others don't have the 40 year record to back it up. Liberty isn't that crazy.
Good evening everyone. I didn't watch it but I'll be interested to hear what everyone says about the individual performances.
Where is the poll to vote for who won?
The candidates pretty much all stated their opposition to gay marriage and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. I'd like to hear their thoughts on gay and trans-inclusive employment nondiscrimination protection and the federal hate crimes legislation passed by Obama.
I am fiscally conservative, but socially progressive. The strong socially conservative stance that republican candidates typically take prevents me from voting for them. I just don't understand why they would give up that population of possible voters.
Many of the candidates acknowledge that our government is out of control, not only domestically but internationally. It always has been-and always will be. Call me a pessimist if you wish-but look back in history and try to refute it. Government is a huge vacuum, and that sound you hear is your pockets being emptied to fund some international crisis.
Anderson,
Hi! It's great to see you on.
Interesting debate. I'm looking forward to your analysis.
I have been watching the news since I could remember. Last week on thursday I have become a US Citizen, and I am very pround of it. I have always supported President Obama yet I could have not voted for him in the last election. I feel Im a democrat... but then again would u not want to witch sides with me with the results we have had.
Good Evening Everyone! Greetings!