TPM2012

Debate In 100 Seconds: Have A Sunshine State Disposition

Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich

It was the last debate before the Florida primary on Jan. 31 the candidates fought to maintain a sunny disposition befitting the Sunshine State.

They also fought to hold a sunny disposition about Latino immigrants… about whom some of them had been - well - let’s just say they’d been “less enthusiastic” in states where there are drastically fewer Hispanic Republicans. Indeed, it suddenly seems that if there’s one thing all the candidates agree on, it’s that grandmas are awesome, no matter where they’re from.

But it wasn’t all fun and games. Rick Santorum finally pointed out the blindingly obvious: that Mitt Romney’s Massachusetts healthcare law is virtually indistinguishable from the dreaded “Obamacare.” Mitt’s response to that is worth watching this for alone.

2012, 2012 Presidential Primaries, Debate In 100 Seconds, Debates
Thomas Lane

Thomas Lane is an associate editor at Talking Points Memo. He previously produced and reported for the BBC from its UN Bureau in New York. He is a dual citizen of the US and the UK.

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thepoliticalcat 506 pts

Word of advice to Newt: NEVER again speak of "three wives" -- disirregardless, fellow, of whose they might be.

Mint RMONEY is the smarmiest thing I've seen since I don't know when. Who put his r-Emote chip in for the debate? He was actually trying to act human, briefly. Not that it worked, or anything.

nka 17 pts

"Manners is important in my house?" Apparently grammar is not so important. . .

museredux 32 pts

(And what better judge of women than Newt?) But "kids are born bad?" Says it all. Republicans are so inflated that they anoint themselves the righteousness to inflict their own self-defined and self-fulfilling rightness on all. All the little Cromwells, doing god's work. After all, it's why god made the world, gave them dominion over all.

Cynner 2337 pts

"I think all three of the wives represented here will be terrific first ladies..." and then Newt continued... "But while I haven't slept with two of them yet... I'll be favorable this evening."

Seriously, if you were illegal, and Newt was your Grandfather -- would you save him from immigration?

Show of hands, please.

thepoliticalcat 506 pts

Cynner That's not a fair question. You need to ask whether his family would pay to have him deported.

dale0987654321 1561 pts

Newt: "...all three wives would be terrific First Ladies". (And not a single joke?)

Perhaps he was offering to take them along for the ride in his open marriage... if things work out.

john_kick1 47 pts

dale0987654321 I am sure Newt would like to get to know them, what a guy.

Wild Willy 615 pts

john_kick1dale0987654321 ...for love of country...

Mineola 29 pts

If I were a conservative Rick Santorum would be my guy. Next to the other three, he appears poised, knowleldgeable, smart, steadfast, true to his convictions over a long period of time, experienced, warm at times. I don't get why the right is not supporting him more enthusiastically.

peterprinciple 4351 pts

Mineola Dunno. Punch his name into Google and see if you can find out anything.

Akonitum 30 pts

Mineola Well, he's also an ignorant, bigoted, war-mongering, theoretic, self-righteous cold fish, but I'm with you, that seems like a fit.

rhewitt 686 pts

Mineola Actually, the Evangelical so-called "Christian" leaders got together and decided Santorum was their pick. So he does have a group of supporters out there.

thepoliticalcat 506 pts

rhewittMineola Not that you'd know it from his poll numbers. Santorum is ... leaking ... support.

capitalistpig 23 pts

Mineola

If what you say is true then Rick must have been taken by aliens from another galaxy and an android substituted in his stead.

Wild Willy 615 pts

Mineola Yes, when you stand him beside the other Republican candidates, he seems almost normal.

See "trick perspectives"...

Jason Scott 152 pts

Mineola Santorum appears to be positioning himself to be more of a favorite 4 years from now. He's opened to doors to the salons where wingnut welfare is doled out.

jennpolk1 52 pts

How is it possible that Santorum's warnings about the imminent danger of a South American Caliphate didn't make the cut?

peterprinciple 4351 pts

jennpolk1 Clearly the Latino Hezbollah has a planted a mole inside TPM.

David 6616 pts

barthanderson

That movie's been "in production" for 6 years, and all that's come out is a tiny handful of trailers, almost all CGI. Is there any evidence that they're actually shooting any real film?

Flying Squid 23795 pts

Davidbarthanderson It's a movie being made by a few people as a hobby and they previously completed a fun Star Trek/Babylon 5 parody, Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning, which was both funny and very well-done, especially considering the budget was essentially zero. I am sure once Iron Sky is finally completed, it will be just as entertaining.

NorthsideTony 90 pts

"grandiose ideas" Hitler, Ed Gein and Charles Manson had them too!

Jason Scott 152 pts

Okay. Best case scenario: Newt gets enough delegates to force Mitt to pick him for the VP spot. Newt spends the entire campaign standing two feet behind Romney rolling his eyes and shaking his head ruefully.

Cynner 2337 pts

Jason Scott And don't forget... "... while his belly jiggled like a bowl full of jelly..."

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