Posted: January 25, 2008 12:43 PM
Civility Reigns in GOP Florida Debate
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Republican contenders for the party’s nomination were painstakingly polite to one another in Thursday night’s MSNBC-hosted candidate debate in Florida — a pivotal state for the GOP hopefuls when voters go to the polls for Tuesday’s primary.
Although the five remaining candidates, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Arizona Sen. John McCain and Texas Rep. Ron Paul were given ample opportunity to address one another directly on policy discrepancies, the candidates used the debate to, instead, largely agree with one another as they all tried to appeal to Florida voters and prove their clout as the field’s true conservative.
Huckabee proposed spending $150 billion on a highway between Miami and Bangor Maine, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“A lot of people in Florida sit around in traffic every day, never getting to their kids’ dance recitals or soccer games because they’re stuck in traffic, and we’ve done nothing about it,” he said. Giuliani, who has made winning Florida the lynchpin to his eventual success, said he wanted to build a national catastrophe fund to help curb homeowner’s insurance in the hurricane-susceptible state. Despite skipping earlier contests to focus on Florida, however, Giuliani is currently polling behind Romney and McCain and tied for third with Huckabee, the Associated Press reported.
After spending millions on attack ads targeting Huckabee in Iowa and McCain in New Hampshire, Romney took few digs at his opponents, and “both Romney and McCain appeared relaxed and confident as they headed into a race that has the two men battling each other for first place,” the Boston Globe reported.
Still, amid race shake-ups and shaky polling in this year’s primaries, Giuliani is counting on absentee and early voters to give him an unexpected boost.
“He has get-out-the-vote programs catering to both,” the AP reported. “He’s also counting on a large number of New York retirees in Florida to carry him to victory.”
And while Thursday night’s debate was largely peaceful, the Republicans did manage to get aggressive on one topic: Democratic candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.
“McCain denounced Clinton for what he described as her ‘white flag of surrender’ policy toward the future of American involvement in Iraq; Romney won applause from the crowd — despite the urgings from the moderators not to clap — for his derisive reference to the New York Senator as ‘General Hillary Clinton,’” the Washington Post reported.
When Romney was asked how he would run against both Clintons, he responded: “I frankly can’t wait, because the idea of Bill Clinton in back in the White House with nothing to do is something I just can’t imagine.” The former governor declined to elaborate.
-- By , NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | Comments | Link
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Going into this debate we were assured that the economy would be a big topic of conversation. Because McCain flubbed his response to the economy question suddenly it isn't an issue.
This debate has shown who is the most presidential figure of the republicans. Mitt Romney stands heads and shoulders over McCain and all the others. When I look at a president, I try to imagine who's face could I see on Mt. Rushmore and Mitt Romney has the best chance of holding fast and being in the same class as those immortalized in stone.
When I look at a candidate for president I try to imagine if he can see a future where our kids and grandkids aren't paying for our generation's massive debt and this administration's arrogant, agressive foreign policy.
Alexis, you must have watched different debate as I didn't see that Ron Paul was one of those who "largely agreed" with the other candidates. You 'gloss' well.
McCain's response to Paul's Working Group question shows what an economice know-nothing he is. Most all of this country's woes can be traced right back to money creation by a private, foreign owned national bank. It keeps creating money out of thin air charging the rest of interest on it. What a racket!
In response to Greg Althammer; You know what Mt.Rushmore has to do with this election?...unnecessary spending. If you want someone who can balance a checkbook and have 'common sense' please look at Ron Paul.
Alexis you missed the omst important part of the Florida debate, Social Security. Ron Paul wants to desolve Social Security and save me, a college student, from paying into a system i will recieve no benifits from. I believe that might be a major theme to Ron Paul's canidacy, attracting young people to the polls like never before. His constant looks and plans toward future generations, rather than old, rich, white males is really awakening the youth. You can't fight against the youth, we're to strong.
The only true American on the stage-Ron Paul
He actually knows what WE THE PEOPLE is all about.
Rommny flip flops in every state.
McCain was trying to grant immunity to about 35 million illegals ( i know they say 12 million- They said that about 15 years ago to.)
Ron Paul stands for the true Americans.
Do yourself a favor and google Ron Paul.
You might be surprised. The only time the media says anything about him it is untrue and unfair.
And finally what about the Louisiana caucus?
Why is it not even mentioned in the CNN and Fox news results?
Go Ron Paul in 2008.
We will win it all.
Lets take back our AMERICA
I honestly thought I could trust PBS and the News Hour but you people are as bad as Fox when it comes to supporting candidates instead of reporting the facts. Granted people read your blogs to gather a thoughtful analogy of events, but personal bias and/or corporate subservience is wrong. Why are you ignoring Ron Paul and his pure constitutional ideals? If it was actually followed, it's guaranteed to prevent one branch of government from dominating the other two (checks and balances). Or is that just a fantasy we read about in school. Considering the staggering odds against him, Dr. Paul has done as well as can be expected. The kneecapping the media has done is deplorable and disgraceful. I'm ashamed to be an American and I come from a long line of veterans (Civil War (both sides) and every war since). Yeah that means me too. Where are the brave journalists? Are there no more Elijah Paris Lovejoys' in your midst? I hope when things get really bad, you'll remember me and the many adults who dared to dream of a real democracy, not this Orwellian nightmare we have now. It's never too late to change. There's no dishonor in admitting we were wrong and forgiveness is a good thing. Take care.