Posted on: January 7th, 2012
Category: Beyond Brandeis, Brandeis Values, elections, Elly, Liveblogging, National Issues, Take Action, Transparency
Liveblogging the New Hampshire Republican Debate from my TV in NY!
Broadcast on ABC. Commentators: Josh McElveen, George Stephanopoulos and Diane Sawyer
Participants: Romney, Santorum, Gingrich, Huntsman, Perry, Paul.
9 PM EST
- Politicians' Business versus Political Backgrounds
- Semantics
9:10
- In asking a question, the commentator misspoke, confusing "corrupt" and "corporate."
- As Paul was speaking, his microphone malfunctioned. Santorum jumped in, saying "They caught you not telling the truth, Ron" and then proceeded to laugh at his own joke. Paul did not acknowledge it.
9:17
- Santorum proving he doesn't believing in big spending: "I put on the board something called a spendometer!"
9:21
- Candidates continue to accuse each other of being insiders.
- Huntsman says he is the only politician onstage to have ever lived in 4 different countries.
9:28
- War
- Paul and Perry were the only two politicians onstage to serve in the military.
- Throwback to Kerry versus Bush "Did YOU serve in the war?" Paul versus Gingrich style.
- Paul mentioned "Rick" and the camera went to Perry, instead of Santorum (who he meant).
9:31
- Paul asked about the racist literature published in his newsletters, under his name.
- Doesn't give an explanation, but redirects to the racial biases inherent in our criminal justice system (blacks disproportionately arrested for drug offenses, drafted into military).
9:40
- The Constitution and the Supreme Court
- Romney wants a constitutional amendement banning gay marriage, and thinks Supreme Court should overturn Roe v. Wade.
- Romney won't answer the question whether states have a right to ban contraception or not.
- Says it's an unrealistic hypothetical question (no state would WANT to) so won't answer.
- Refers the question to the 'Constitutional Expert,' Paul.
- Audience reacts for one of the first times- laughing, applauding his answer.
- Santorum says it's not okay to take a life (anti-abortion).
- My mom says "SOMEONE BRING UP CAPITAL PUNISHMENT PLZ."
9:46
- Gay Marriage
- Gingrich against Civil Unions.
- Huntsman for Civil Unions but not Marriage.
- Santorum thinks Marriage Laws must be uniform against the country.
- Santorum says that 1800 gay married couples in NH's marriages should not be federally recognized/allowed.
- Romney says marriage should be between a man and a woman since that is the ideal situation for children to be raised, and so the government should encourage it.
- Gingrich says Obama administration practices bigotry against Catholic Church and other organizations which refuse to allow gay couples to adopt, or provide other services for them.
- Audience erupts in applause.
- Romney says he agrees.
- Commentator George Stephanopoulos wipes away sweat dripping down his nose mid-asking question.
- My friend refers to Mitt Romney as "Ritt Mommy" and Ron Paul as "Pr0n Haul."
9:54
- War in Afghanistan: When can the troops come home?
- Perry would send troops back into Iraq.
- My mom thinks Sawyer treats Romney terribly (keeps interrupting him while he is answering her questions).
- Santorum implies Obama is corrupt ("Obviously a Chicago politician) for not renouncing Ahmadinejad's victory in last Iranian elections.
10:08
- Fred Thompson (Rep. presidential contender in 2008) now in AAG Mortgage commercial airing in debate commercial breaks.
- I wonder how he feels right now. I hope he is not too sad.
10:13
- TAXES
- I have to admit, I am not familiat with most of the tax codes and legislation to which they are referring.
10:24
- Huntsman: I went to Lindy's Diner in Keene, NH and talked with a guy named Jamie who owns a motorcycle shop….
- Is this the right Lindy's Diner? Will it be extra-popular tomorrow?
- This is great! Hunstman's daughters tweeted this on Dec. 11th.
- "Fact about Lindy's Diner: Every Pres. since Carter has stopped here on their way to the WH. Dad is the only GOPer to come this cycle."
10:38
- Striking Ancestry.com ad featuring a black man saying he was afraid to look up his ancestry because of what he might find, but it turns out his great-grandfather was born a slave and became a businessman, 'so it was all worth it.'
- Reminiscent of Hermain Cain.
- Best question so far: Where would you be on this Saturday night if you were not here?
- Perry says he would be at a rifle range, ithers all say would be with family (Paul says he would read an Econ textbook after his family went to sleep).
CLOSING THOUGHTS
- ABC has the best coming attractions for the nightly news.
- 'Who Shot a Kid in the Bronx?'
- 'Why is A Group of People Standing Still to Keep A Killer Behind Bars?'
- One of the most boring debates so far.
- The audience was surprisingly quiet.
- The candidates were surprisingly congenial with each other, instead all focusing on anti-Obama lines.
- Candidates allowed to give long, drawn-out answers.
- Perry spoke least, Huntsman second least, then Paul and Gingrich, then Santorum, then Romney.
