Republican Debate Reaction Round-Up: Romney vs. Perry; Huntsman WTF?

Posted on | September 8, 2011 | 37 Comments

From my point of view, the two biggest questions about last night’s Republican debate were, (a) why was Jon Huntsman on the stage and (b) why did he get so much time? It is absurd to include the man I’ve dubbed “Governor Asterisk” — denoting his status as an irrelevant footnote to the 2012 campaign — while excluding, inter alia, Thad McCotter and Buddy Roemer.

Huntsman represents the “re-elect Obama” wing of the Republican Party, so the MSM types consider him legitimate, and therefore his inclusion is not questioned while all the media focus on the “fireworks” between Mitt Romney and Rick Perry:

Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) began sparring over their respective jobs records less than 10 minutes into Wednesday’s Republican presidential debate.
The highly-anticipated fight between Romney and Perry, the two front-runners for the GOP nomination, largely lived up to expectations, with extended spats between the pair throughout the debate. . . .

(“Highly-anticipated” by whom? The media, of course.)

[Romney] saw his opportunity to pounce later, when Perry doubled down on remarks in his book calling Social Security a “monstrosity,” and likening it to a Ponzi scheme.
“The issue in the book ‘Fed Up,’ governor, is you say that by any measure, Social Security is a failure,” Romney said. “Our nominee has to be someone who isn’t committed to abolishing Social Security, but who is committed to saving Social Security … I will make sure that we keep the program and we make it financially secure, and under no circumstances would I ever say by any measure it’s a failure.”

Here’s video of that exchange:

Here’s the lead of the New York Times front-page story:

The fight for the Republican presidential nomination began narrowing into an intense and ideological battle at a debate here Wednesday night, with Gov. Rick Perry of Texas and Mitt Romney sharply clashing over Social Security, health care and each other’s long-term prospect against President Obama.
A series of spirited exchanges between the two men, which revealed differences in substance and style, offered the first extensive look into the months-long contest ahead. They traded attacks on each other’s job creation records and qualifications to be president, overshadowing their opponents in the crowded Republican field.

Never mind, of course, that the fight between Perry and Romney was incited by Brian Williams of NBC ahd John Harris of Politico like a made-for-TV spat on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Let’s just pretend the televised drama was spontaneous and cover it as a preview of a “months-long contest,” because the media have decided it’s now all about Perry and Romney, just like they’ve decided that Governor Asterisk is a legit Republican candidate.

Stanley Kurtz at NRO proclaims Perry the winner. But a Romney adviser sees it otherwise: “[Perry] has lost. No federal candidate has ever won on the Perry program to kill Social Security. Never has. never will.” So Rick Perry has either (a) indisputably triumphed or (b) failed disastrously.

Governor Asterisk, meanwhile, played the role of liberal stalking horse:

Reviving a minor debate with his Republican presidential primary opponent, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman warned Wednesday night that the GOP shouldn’t “run from science.”
“Listen, when you make comments that fly in the face of what 98 out of 100 climate scientists have said, when you call into question the science of evolution, all I’m saying is that, in order for the Republican Party to win, we can’t run from science,” Huntsman said at a Republican debate.

Might as well invite Al Gore to the GOP debates.

A press release from the Herman Cain campaign notes: “During the 1 hour and 45 minute debate, Cain received a total of five questions for less than six minutes of speaking time.” But Cain is an actual Republican, whereas Governor Asterisk worked for the Obama administration and favors gay civil unions, so we know who gets the media love, right?

Category: Debates, Election 2012, Mitt Romney, Rick Perry

Comments

37 Responses to “Republican Debate Reaction Round-Up: Romney vs. Perry; Huntsman WTF?”

Matt Lewis
September 8th, 2011 @ 11:33 am

Though he didn’t get a lot of time, I thought Cain did pretty well.

I’m skeptical of the 999 plan. Not that it doesn’t sound promising, but having Federal income and sales taxes seems like the wrong path.

I thought Perry did decently well, though far from perfect. Probably not poorly enough to lose front runner status, nor good enough to widen the lead, but who knows?

Most of them did a good job, I thought, in getting around some stupid (but predictable) question begging by the moderators.
Rush Limbaugh: Marco Rubio Will Be President Someday - The POH Diaries
September 8th, 2011 @ 8:43 am

[…] Stacy McCain has a Republican debate roundup. […]
Joe
September 8th, 2011 @ 1:35 pm

I did not watch. But Huntsman? I cannot see Huntsman getting any traction whatsoever in any primary (Utah included). He is a non entity.
Rooster
September 8th, 2011 @ 1:38 pm

Newt by far appears the most comfortable and actually answered the questions asked instead of steering comments back to scripted speaking points, i.e. I have a plan, I have a plan. He was the winner by far but has too much baggage to be considered electable.

Mitt was Mitt – in the end he represents the establishment that a large portion of the voters despise. That perception will haunt him throughout the campain.

IMO, Perry seemed unprepared, He completely flubbed the question re global warming and throughout the debate his replys were preceded by a noticable pause, as if he were rehearsing his answers on the spot. He need to do better than that.

Cain is correct – he was pretty much ignored. Had this been a democratic debate, MSM would be crying racism this morning.

Bachman and Pawlenty did nothing to change their status.

WHERE’S Palin??? If she were watching last night, she’d have to believe she could win. She’s much more polished than 2008 and any baggage she has is alraedy out there. If she’s going to take a shot, now’s the time.
ThePaganTemple
September 8th, 2011 @ 1:38 pm

I still say Bachmann won. I’m not saying that necessarily because I’m in her corner, just the way I see it. Just because the MSNBC moderators have decided its a contest between Romney and Perry and have written everybody else off doesn’t make it so. I actually hope Gingrich stays in the race through all the debates, playing his role of traffic cop. Of course the moderators avoided him like the plaque after his rant. But hell, the only others that got that much time was Paul, and Huntsman, who surprisingly the post debate analysts also wrote off. Santorum, Cain, Bachmann, and Gingrich would have had to undress on stage to get any kind of exposure at that silly ass debate.
The Science Question « The Cranky Conservative
September 8th, 2011 @ 9:50 am

[…] at every single Republican debate. I’m starting to think that Jon Hunstman, or the man Stacy McCain has dubbed Governor Asterisk, is in this race for the sole purpose of trying to make the rest of the […]
Anonymous
September 8th, 2011 @ 2:03 pm

Unfortunately I missed it. To even things out, I’ll skip Obama tonight. 🙂
Wordygirl
September 8th, 2011 @ 2:09 pm

Romney is already trying to spin Perry’s response as a threat to end Social Security, but that’s not even close to what he said. I don’t appreciate the campaign people of any candidate thinking we’re stupid enough to fall for that.
Matt Lewis
September 8th, 2011 @ 2:16 pm

The real problem with that sort of thing is that more people may hear the Romney claim than actually watched the debate.

I mean, I would agree that it’s wrong to say that Social Security is a failure no matter how you look at it. But it’s still a failure in some really important ways that aren’t all obvious, like how it set up current deficits by running a programmatic surplus and covering up other excess spending.
ThePaganTemple
September 8th, 2011 @ 2:27 pm

The biggest problem with Social Security is by the time the sixties came along it was turned into the Congressional Cookie Jar and nobody could keep their grimy paws out of it, especially Democrats when it came time to buy another election. That right there is the best reason to privatize it, so no President or the Congress can ever touch it again. It just needs a special system to keep it relatively isolated from the up-and-down caprices of the market, but that shouldn’t take a lot to accomplish. If they did it right, people could draw more for less in their retirement. But the minute somebody comes up with a sensible plan, no doubt the opposition both outside and inside the party are going to demagogue it with the same old gloom and doom bullshit, so why bother?
Datechguy's Blog » Blog Archive » The debate has totally reconfigured the GOP race, till the next one on Monday
September 8th, 2011 @ 10:57 am

[…] It’s MSNBC and they love John Huntsman the way Cyrano loved Roxanne as Stacy McCain noted:: A press release from the Herman Cain campaign notes: “During the 1 hour and 45 minute debate, […]
Bob Belvedere
September 8th, 2011 @ 3:18 pm

The biggest problem with Social Security is that IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL!
keyboard jockey
September 8th, 2011 @ 3:22 pm

Michael Graham 96.9 Boston Talk, leader of “Anyone But Romney For President” Movement.Michael Gramham, Has Brokeback Moment “Pretty Excited About Rick Perry” Video this morning on Imus In The Morning.

http://youhavetobethistalltogoonthisride.blogspot.com/2011/09/imus-guest-michael-graham-has-brokeback.html
ThePaganTemple
September 8th, 2011 @ 3:42 pm

That ship has done sailed my friend, just like minimum wage. Trying to get rid of either one of them is like dancing with a mountain lion. Let’s concentrate on getting rid of Obamneycare before it becomes similarly embedded in the American consciousness. We can deal with this other stuff in good time, in a way that will be palatable, compassionate, and fair. And constitutional.
Anonymous
September 8th, 2011 @ 4:27 pm

Pawlenty?
Chas C-Q
September 8th, 2011 @ 4:37 pm

“… while excluding, inter alia, [Gary Johnson,] Thad McCotter and Buddy Roemer.”

FIFY.
Reagan Library Politico MSNBC Republican Presidential Debate Recap | REPUBLICAN REDEFINED
September 8th, 2011 @ 12:51 pm

[…] RS McCain: A press release from the Herman Cain campaign notes: “During the 1 hour and 45 minute debate, […]
Gov. Benzene: Huntsman a ‘Green’ Phony : The Other McCain
September 8th, 2011 @ 12:53 pm

[…] Perry as “anti-science” for his skepticism toward global warming, I remarked, “Might as well invite Al Gore to the GOP debates.”Turns out that remark was more accurate than I suspected because, just like Gore, Huntsman […]
The Minority Report Blog » Gov. Benzene: Huntsman a ‘Green’ Phony
September 8th, 2011 @ 1:00 pm

[…] Why the hell is this guy — “Governor Asterisk,” an irrelevant distraction, a Charlie Crist clone who represents no actual GOP constituency — being included in the Republican debates and treated with fawning deference by the media? After last night’s debate, when Huntsman attacked Rick Perry as “anti-science” for his skepticism toward global warming, I remarked, “Might as well invite Al Gore to the GOP debates.” […]
Anonymous
September 8th, 2011 @ 5:13 pm

“inter alia” is Latin for “among others,” so that what follows are examples chosen from a listing that implicitly could be made longer. By naming McCotter and Roemer, “among others,” I did not deny the existence of Johnson or Fred Karger or any other candidate who might claim to be more legitimate than Governor Asterisk.
Dave
September 8th, 2011 @ 5:21 pm

You gotta admit, he did nothing to change his status.
CalMark
September 8th, 2011 @ 6:06 pm

That debate was a travesty. It’s the media trying to play Kingmaker, just like they did with McCain.

I blame the Reagan Library people. They are whores. They wanted their institution to be on TV, so the leftist media jerks were allowed to do whatever they wanted. And so, they ran roughshod. Shameful.

Rush Limbaugh calls them “State Run Media.” He’s right. And it’s long past time for our side to quit playing ball with them.
Anonymous
September 8th, 2011 @ 6:08 pm

Not surprised, I’ve heard it said, “90% of success is showing up.”
Dave
September 8th, 2011 @ 6:21 pm

Fred Kruger? He’s my dream candidate.
Steve in TN
September 8th, 2011 @ 6:53 pm

And that makes SS a failure by any measure, like Perry said.
Steve in TN
September 8th, 2011 @ 6:55 pm

Maybe you oughta get rid of thet fancy schmancy New Yawk word stuff and wrat fer us billies.
Gov. Benzene: Huntsman a ‘Green’ Phony | Right Wing News
September 8th, 2011 @ 3:19 pm

[…] Why the hell is this guy — “Governor Asterisk,” an irrelevant distraction, a Charlie Crist clone who represents no actual GOP constituency — being included in the Republican debates and treated with fawning deference by the media? After last night’s debate, when Huntsman attacked Rick Perry as “anti-science” for his skepticism toward global warming, I remarked, “Might as well invite Al Gore to the GOP debates.” […]
Adjoran
September 8th, 2011 @ 7:29 pm

Then take it to federal court. Presidential debates never resolve such issues, do they?
Anonymous
September 8th, 2011 @ 7:34 pm

I studied Latin as a sophomore and junior at Douglas County (Ga.) High School 1974-76. So I reckon “billies” can occasionally display book-learnin’ without losing their downhome authenticity.
Adjoran
September 8th, 2011 @ 7:34 pm

As long as we allow the media to act like they own the debates, they will set the rules. That’s why media faves like Huntsman get in. That’s why our candidates get grilled by Brian Williams, the Politico hacks, and Gwen Ifill but Democrats never stand before Rush, Ingraham, and Hume.

If every candidate refused to participate in debates where the “panelists” share the stage and spotlight, but only if it were just the candidates and a timekeeper, we could stop it. Unfortunately, many candidates have been trained and accustomed to the dog and pony shows and would be afraid to be on their own and have to manage their own time and bring up their own issues.
ThePaganTemple
September 8th, 2011 @ 7:43 pm

Hume has moderated debates before. The dream moderator team from my perspective would be Limbaugh, Malkin, and at one time Coulter, but here lately I wouldn’t be surprised if she doesn’t get her own hour on MSNBC.

You’re right though, modern debate format is way too tame, contrived, and skewed against Republicans, especially conservatives. That travesty on MSNBC last night wasn’t a debate, it was a show trial.
Bob Belvedere
September 8th, 2011 @ 8:31 pm

Fair and Balanced, eh?
Bob Belvedere
September 8th, 2011 @ 8:38 pm

Gov. Perry is doing the Lord’s Work by touching the ‘Third Rail Of Politics’. If we want to prove we are serious about saving this country then we’ve got to call the spades spades. While it is much to early to make the argument I mentioned, it must eventually be brought-up.

As to such things as the Minimum Wage, everything has to be put on the table or all this effort is just so much masturbation — quite satisfying for a few moments, but fleeting in affect.

As for those sailed ships: bring out the artillery.
Bob Belvedere
September 8th, 2011 @ 8:44 pm

Ad maiorem dei gloriam!
Thursday Quick Links « Nice Deb
September 8th, 2011 @ 6:18 pm

[…] I’ve promised I wouldn’t waste my time on this guy, but that doesn’t mean I won’t link to other bloggers who will: Why the hell is this guy — “Governor Asterisk,” an irrelevant distraction, a Charlie Crist clone who represents no actual GOP constituency — being included in the Republican debates and treated with fawning deference by the media? After last night’s debate, when Huntsman attacked Rick Perry as “anti-science” for his skepticism toward global warming, I remarked, “Might as well invite Al Gore to the GOP debates.” […]
What A Sorry Excuse For A Debate « That Mr. G Guy's Blog
September 8th, 2011 @ 8:58 pm

[…] Stacy McCain has some analysis as well as some video of the non- event last night and was very disappointed in […]
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