Raw Politics: Live from Charleston: The AC360 Debate Live Blog
9:28 p.m.
Romney seems to be losing his debate mojo. He managed to slide through 16 of these like a pro - but tonight, it's starting to seem like he's answering some familiar questions for the very first time. The gap in audience reaction - the space between the boos he drew on the tax question and Gingrich's standing o's - is so wide you could drive a tricked-out campaign bus through it.
It isn't just that Newt Gingrich, who started out strong right from the top, has had a very good night so far. Mitt Romney's having a bad one.
9:14 p.m.
Gingrich's Hollywood slam is so tough it's easy to forget: he's a movie producer himself. Many times over.
9:09 p.m.
Releasing your tax returns is sort of like yanking off a band-aid. Quicker is better. Is Romney really opting to spend the next two months pulling it off? (ouch)
8:55 p.m.
Not the way you might've expected that to go: the Santorum slam on Gingrich drew a bigger crowd reaction than Gingrich's return serve.
8:56 p.m.
Ah yes - Romney's still here. His performance so far tonight has mostly been a lot like his campaign so far: No blowouts. No major flubs. Nothing that could kill his candidacy; nothing that would push him over the top. Is that still good enough?
8:48 p.m.
Keeping Them Honest: for a field that wants to cut government spending, they sure sound nostalgic about a lot of government programs: the GI Bill, government housing, etc
8:42 p.m.
Guys like Rick Santorum apparently like to refer to themselves in the third person.
8:34 p.m.
What exactly replaces "Obamacare"? Romney's not the only candidate still working on how to answer that one.
8:27 p.m.
Some more details from Romney on his Bain jobs math: "120,000, less 10, means we created something over 100,000 jobs"
8:22 p.m.
Did you hear that Rick Santorum won Iowa? Just in case you didn't catch that the first time he mentioned it tonight...Rick Santorum would like you to know: he won Iowa.
8:16 p.m.
And the Gingrich campaign decides now would be the ideal time to release his tax returns. Here they are: http://j.mp/A4CGUj
8:12 p.m.
Two standing ovations for Newt in the first 12 minutes. On a question about infidelity. In the South. #yesreally
8:13 p.m.
Seems like the others are jumping on the Newt train too.
8:00 p.m.
You're watching the CNN debate right now. So are we. And not just because we're getting paid: today has been one of the wildest news cycles of the race so far and it's not over yet. The Final Four face off tonight for the last time before Saturday's Republican primary vote in South Carolina. Tune in to tonight's debate, then stick around for Anderson's live interviews with newly-crowned Iowa winner Rick Santorum and surging South Carolina contender Newt Gingrich.
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Filed under: 2012 Election • Raw Politics |
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Gingrich was very hypocritical going after Clinton's infidelity when he was involved in one himself, asking his wife for an open marriage.
Why would the question by John to Newt about his previous marriages not be relevant? The Republican party has made "family values" and the Perfect Family their platform as recently as last week when the group met in Dallas. Family values is what they stand for so that makes all these questions relevant to Newt. He should not be shocked or surprised to have to face these questions if he is going to claim to be a Republican. He should be forced to have to answer to these questions. It is all fair game in the Republican Party when it comes to the "Perfect Family".
Your 360 show following the 1/19/2012 SC debate was quite interesting! Ron Paul was not mentioned until 55 minutes into your show. Is Ron Paul invisible, OR, was there a directive issued, by the powers that be, that Ron Paul is a myth and a invisible figure, and to paint him as invisible? The more the corporate media paints Ron Paul invisible, the more visable he is. I think your awesome, but now I know just where your paycheck comes from, and that saddens me Anderson. Try some parity in your political shows. Equal time for all candidates, How about it?
Ron Paul was barely given time to speak. When they were ask about Obamacare John was going to skip Ron Paul until the crowd began to shout out Ron Paul's name, and then he was allowed to speak. That was not right! Why did the crowd have to insist that Ron get some fair time? Video of the other 3 were showed constantly while Ron Paul was cut out of the picture. What is going on with this?
I would like to know ,,,if it;'s so important for the South Carolina voters to see tax returns, why wasn't it important for iowa and New Hampshire voters to see the returns. Seems to me you shouldn't be crying foul just for South Carolina.
Ignoring Ron Paul again are you? Your bias is disgusting.
I wonder how many Republican women have had abortions? I can't imagine any women, of either party , would welcome these men dictating to them what they should do in such a personal matter.....I'm especially surprised that Ron Paul, who stands for "Liberty" would promote this, since he would be stepping on my liberty of choice!
If it weren't so appalling, it would almost be funny how blatantly the cameras, reporters and debate mediators have been cutting out Ron Paul. That only serves to make it even more clear how biased and unobjective our media really is. And how threatened by difficult truths, perhaps? It's time to go back to supporting candidates who possess integrity and decency, and lead by straightforward example, as with Dr. Paul. His understanding of past and present events allowed him to accurately predict our current issues for the past 20 years!
I cannot believe how this coverage has completely ignored Ron Paul. It is disgusting that you can call yourself news presenters while completely ignoring a person that is still a contender in the the caucas process. Not only have you ignored him, but in 60 minutes of wrap-up coverage you did not even mention his name. I thought he made some quality points throughout the debate and that could have been a great basis for discussion. Instead, you hark on sensationalism and ignore everything that is taught in journalism school, such as covering the content of the debate. I would know, I have journalism degree from the University of Illinois. I usually tune in to CNN because I can depend on fairly balanced coverage, obviously this is not true.
What was John King thinking, or does he work for DNC and not CNN?
Hey Cooper...I'm still not sure who I like from the primaries yet...there are plenty of your typical poltician answers and some very honest answers, too...so I'm biding my time. With that being said, what's the deal? I heard two mentions of Ron Paul in your post debate discussions...but they didn't concern anything he said in the debate, how his words relate to America, or his electability. So, my question to you is, "What happened to fair and unbiased reporting?" It seems to me you and your cronies are trying to direct people to vote for whom you would like to see win the Rebublican nomination. Please, Team Cooper, get back to the basics of reporting and give some time to all the candidates. At least give equal and unbiased coverage to all of the candidates if not equal discussion time.
One more. Stop debating whether or not you asked the right questions; ie the fidelity question. Get to the national issues in front of our nation and start serving to accurately inform the public.
I resent you at CNN, and the press, injecting your personal and sometime inaccurate opinions, against the republican positions and candidates. Unprofessional. Especially your reporter in the crowd. Eric Anderson with the same tie. Stick to facts and do reporting.
As a woman and a tea party conservative, I am not convinced I could vote for Newt Gingrich. Though he is great at landing "zingers" in debates, I find him belittling and condescending. I prefer the style and composure of Romney. I would rather have Santorum, but sadly I don't believe he could win in a general election. People need to really think this through. I just don't think Newt gets women, or independents for that matter.
I am sitting here watching CNN "nit-pick" each candidate over PERSONAL issues and very little about the COUNTRIES issues. Is CNN willing to do conduct and analyze a GENERAL debate to the same level?
Whats with CNN ignoring Ron Paul? He was going to get skipped over on the abortion question until the crowd started booing, now on the after coverage no mention of it or him. And to boot CNN has a poll on their website asking who will win SC Paul is leading with 48%
One question, Why do you keep leaving Ron Paul out. Does he scare you, Is it that you know he has it down, how to put America back on track, bring our military back home and protect OUR COUNTRY, not the other countries..If you can't give each candidate the same amount of air time, then maybe you need to hang it up call it quits. Your loosing your followers because you and the other news stations are so unfair.....The whole purpose of this is to see who would be the right president, I'm tired of Romney and Santorum cat fighting, thats not the kind of president I want. GIVE RON PAUL THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME AS THE OTHERS............No one else has it down like Ron Paul...........
Where's the Ron Paul coverage? Why does the Main Stream Media go out of its way to not give equal coverage to all the candidates.
Doesn't John King realize that his leading question on the Gingrich scandal degrades his integrity. King's 26 years as a serious journalist were diminished by leading with shock and gossip. There are important problems in our beloved country that need serious discussion. Why erode the process with nonsense.
Jon king works with a network that has poorly translated their responsibility of putting on the debates. And look how they did it. the opening and intro looked like American Idol meets High School "King of the prom." With the trancelike music in the background to boot. I was waiting for Seacrest. CNN has enabled American Politics to become a garbled mess of entertainment, gossip and mudslinging.
Will the serious journalists please restore the ethics, and focus on the real issues? Or are we just waiting for this whole talking heads circle, full of soundbite cliched statements, to become another rendition of "Real Housewives" Why not challenge a candidate with provocative questions to their ideas that cause them to stop and think who and how it affects? The media and news must remember that they are as important to US Politics and Shaping this nation as the Supreme Court
I can hear it now in 8 years Sarah Palin wins the Presidential Election because She told of a debate moderator that "I Like my Lou Bitton Shoes and you don't need to know how much I paid for em" And CNN spends several months playing the clip like a broken record. Then we all rally around her because she has bravado. Yet she still knows very little about the 3 branches of government. But she is snappy and makes me watch TV, so as long as the ratings are high keep promoting her cause
Watching your wrap-up show of the debate for 30 minutes and not ONE word about Congressman Paul. You guys are pathetic. What are you all afraid of that you have to act like he doesn't exist? He was spot on when he talked about the corporations behind the media and their agendas.
Although I am not a Newt Gingrich fan...if what we want to talk about is asking about the "open marriage" accusation from a likely bitter woman (which has nothing to do with the subject of finding an elected leader), why don't we do away with people like John King, and just bring in Jerry Springer. Come on people....knock off the "shallow thinking"...
I wish Gloria Borger could remain impartial in her questioning or comments about candidates.......her job is not to manipulate or persuade viewers.......she never misses a chance to keep slamming Ginrich........report the news.....don't try and create it.........enough said.....
You people think it's imperative to ask Newt THE QUESTION about his marriage. Were you as eager to delve into Bill Clinton's affairs of which there was much more proof? No, you trotted Hillary out and she declared it was a right wing conspiracy and that settled that. Talk about bias!
john king should have not led off with the personal question. we have majpor issues. nothing on iran, pakistan or forneighn policy.THESE ARE IMPORTANT ISSUES.......
Why is this always about the press...please get back to America's needs. You've spent 10 minutes on why a question was asked.
Although I am not a Newt Gingrich fan...if what we want to talk about is asking about the "open marriage" accusation from a likely bitter woman (which has nothing to do with the subject of finding an elected leader), why don't we do away with people like John King, and just bring in Jerry Springer. Come on people....let's knock of the "shallow thinking"...
why nobody asked about Romney's off shore accounts?
I think that overall Newt won the debate. He came in strong at the start and it was pretty clear that Charleston isn't as evangelically oriented as Myrtle Beach was but Newt still did very well in the face of a clearly biased moderator.
Why wont you show more of RON PAUL!!!!! Hesthe only one with a chance and CNN just ignores him more and more day after day. Well now me and many other Ron Paul supporters will ignore you CNN. congrats on failing yet again.
Why is CNN not reporting on Ron Paul?
How hypocritical can a person be? Newt Gingrich blaming the press and acting all self-righteous and angered because of a perfectly legitimate question. Wasn't he the one who started the impeachment against President Clinton for his personal failiures? He really needs to stop evading the main fact which is that he is not morally fit to lead this country. It would be a travesty if he were to ever become the President of the U.S.A. Go home Mr. Gingrich. Perhaps your family believes your self-righteous attitude, but no one with a memory ever will.
What would you do about "birthright" citizenship?
John King is struggling to maintain focus and flow. He is not good at moderating a debate of this magnitude.
Gingrich and Romney look and act presidential. Santourm has got to stop looking down as though he was searching for something significant to say. Ron Paul does not make a good physical impression on television. John King stepped in it big time when he started the debate with the tabloid-like focus on Gingrich. That was most unprofessional. He and CNN should be embarrased.
How much of your presidential paycheck would you return back to the people of the United States to balance the budget so the economy can recover and the stop the rising price of gas because we are trying fund multiple war zones
I am just amazed, at the candidates on the stage this evevning. For people who want less government, they are working so dilligently to get there. If you want government cut soooo much, why are you running for office? I guess you do not understand we pay for you. Healthcare, salary, transportation and I am sure a whole lot more. I would like to here a straight answer for once. The people know when you're not telling the truth.