DebateScoop.org: GOP in Florida January 24 -- Liveblog

GOP in Florida January 24 -- Liveblog

By Ross Smith 01/24/2008 08:36:04 PM EST

Join us in the comments for liveblogging of tonight's GOP presidential primary debate from Boca Raton, Florida, held five days before Tuesday's primary there.

The debate starts at 9 pm ET on MSNBC and can also be viewed at MSNBC's website.

The five remaining candidates (Giuliani, Huckabee, McCain, Paul, and Romney) will be questioned by moderator Brian Williams, NBC's Tim Russert, and St. Petersburg Times editor, Paul Tash.

In the comments we'll be looking for signs of desperation from Rudy (who had told Russert and the world that Florida was his firewall) and for an escalation in the Romney/McCain competition for front runner status.

Tags: liveblog, debate, debates, republican presidential primary, elections 2008, Florida, MSNBC

< Silence - Where has Candidates' Post-Debate Web Spin Gone? | TIPS FOR WATCHING A POLITICAL DEBATE >

GOP in Florida January 24 -- Liveblog | 37 comments (37 topical, 0 hidden)

Positioned from left to right . . . (none / 0)

Romney, McCain, Giuliani, Paul, Huckabee

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:01:58 PM EST

Rules and format (none / 0)

90 minute debate, 90 sec. answers, 30 sec. rebuttals, each candidate gets one question to a candidate of his choosing.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:02:55 PM EST

Romney on stimulus is first question (none / 0)

Positions him as economic leader.

Romney approves of Bush plan, says his own just goes further. Makes himself sound knowledgeable and having empathy.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:05:28 PM EST

McCain on permanent tax cuts (none / 0)

Says he voted twice to make the Bush tax cuts permanent and is saddened that is not part of the deal. Also wants to cut corporate taxes and "worries about" potential pork barrel projects.

Then says need to restrain spending!! Huh?

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:07:26 PM EST

Rudy wants to raise (none / 0)

Says his package is even better at cutting more taxes.

Incoherent agreement with McCain on reducing spending.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:09:01 PM EST

Russert quotes McCain confessing ignorance (none / 0)

on the economy. McCain claims he does not know where the quote came from.

Kemp? That's a rec?

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:10:42 PM EST

Russert siccks Huck on Romney (none / 0)

on taxes/fees. Huck talks about his own record.

Then goes after Chinese. Populist. Says add hiway lanes.

Interesting idea that infrastructure spending is not spent on Chinese products.

Traffic a national issue?

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:12:58 PM EST

Does Romney trust McCain and Rudy (none / 0)

he says he does. Defends his own record.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:13:34 PM EST

No one taking bait early (none / 0)

Candidates ignoring Russert's invitations to attack opponents.

Romney does say McCain was mistaken not to vote for the Bush tax cuts originally.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:14:49 PM EST

McCain lured into attack on Romney (none / 0)

Does not go full throttle on Romney fee increases.

McCain lists organizations that support him.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:16:20 PM EST

Ron Paul can't find camera (none / 0)

Looks sideways (toward Russert?) Novice.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:17:51 PM EST

Russert recites facts (none / 0)

that show GOP in terrible economic light.

McCain answers with GOP talking points. Then attacks Bush on signing pork laden bills.

Huckabee gets to answer as Washington outsider.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:24:08 PM EST

Huck gets to reprise Dearborn debate (none / 0)

When he was the only one who did not say the economy was hunky dory!

Tops it off with populist message about the working people and "not just the people at the top."

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:25:29 PM EST

Romney outsider (none / 0)

Says he will run away from the record of Washington and on his won record. Is subtle dig at McCain, too.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:26:22 PM EST

Rudy says he turned NY economy around (none / 0)

In case you missed it.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:27:53 PM EST

McCain on military and economy (none / 0)

"You're wrong" that we can't sustain in Iraq.

Does not address question's point about resources overstretch.

Is proud to have been only one for the surge. Attacks Hillary.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:31:06 PM EST

Romney asked how to increase military size (none / 0)

Says Mass paid for more in National Guard, need to update $$ for GI Bill.

Takes time to attack Dems. Claims getting out more important than winning to Dems .

Scary Al Qaida stuff.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:33:14 PM EST

60% said removal of Saddam was not worth it (none / 0)

Gets applause!

Asks if war was a good idea? Worth the price in blood and treasure?

McCain: yes. And says was justified because of the threat of Sadddam Hussein.

Rudy: Attacks Hillary. Says he was for it regardless of polling, unlike Hillary.

Paul: very bad idea, not worth it. AQ was not there then. Had nothing to do with 9/11.

Huck: I supported the President as did the Democrats (not an answer). Ludicrous claim that weapons may have been there but we just did not find them.

Romney: it was the right decision to go in. Poorly managed after we went in.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:38:35 PM EST

Romney Q for Rudy on trade and China (none / 0)

How do we make sure playing field is level?

Rudy: opportunity and challenge. Work with them to push down barriers, be careful on safety and security of imports, their growth means more customers, sell them energy, tech. There is a military aspect.

Bottom line: he does not answer the question and adds stuff on Bill Clinton and military size.

Waste.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:46:26 PM EST

McCain to Huck on Fair Tax (none / 0)

How do you answer the criticism that it is regressive and how do you account for the popularity of it?

Huck: people know they want IRS abolished, people penalized for productivity. The plan helps poor with prebates. "Untaxes" the poor and elderly.

Easy one for Huck. Unclear how it helps McCain to have asked this. Because it hurts Romney by helping Huck?

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:49:32 PM EST

Russert asks follow up of Huck (none / 0)

With stats that go over people's heads? Why is Russert getting in on this?

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:50:28 PM EST

Paul asks McCain opinion (none / 0)

of President's working group on financial markets.

McCain says would like to see more sunshine, would rely on Sec Treas and Jack Kemp, Phil Gramm, Rudman and his circle of acquaintances.

Not clear he knew waht the working group was.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:52:34 PM EST

Huck asks Romney about gun control (none / 0)

Calls him on Brady and assault weapon bans inconsistency.

A: Like the President, I would have signed the assault weapon bill . . . but I do not suport any new legislation.

Slick.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:54:22 PM EST

Rudy asks Romney about insurance (none / 0)

National catastrophic fund -- keeps pointing out McCain is not for it. You said would look into it . . . do you have a position?

Romney: I do support some form of it. I am not in favor of Iowa subsidizing the coasts . . . I took on tough problem in health insurance.

McCain gets to weigh in, says it is a terrible problem . . . says there are many ways. But the bill was $200 billion with no reform. Study counterplan.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 09:58:46 PM EST

Russert asks Rudy climate change (none / 0)

speaking of coasts . . .

why you oppose cap on GH gas emmissions?

Rudy: tech is good. Nucs good. Hybrids, clean coal, carbon sequestration, incntives, biofuels, wind, you name it, LNG. Apollo program for energy independence.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 10:00:46 PM EST

Russert says McCain favors caps (none / 0)

McCain says, no, cap and trade.

Whatever. CAP and trade includes CAPS.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 10:01:54 PM EST

Horeserace question to Rudy (none / 0)

why are you tanking in polls?

A: it is a competitive race and I am like NY Giants football.

Translation: I am screwed.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 10:07:34 PM EST

McCain your mom comments on GOP (none / 0)

"hold your nose" and vote for McCain (the one GOP is not united behind).

Claims he won majority GOP vote in NH and S Carolina and that conservative Republicans care about terror, Israel, climate change.

Claims he puts country above party, does not mention immigration, campaign finance, etc.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 10:10:28 PM EST

Romney vs Clintons? (none / 0)

He makes allusion to Bill and sex but backs off. Then just goes after Hillary. Says she is "Washington to the core."

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 10:11:41 PM EST

Russert asks about $ of Romney (none / 0)

Romney rightly tells Tim to wait.

Turns argument around to one of independence.

Russert presses on. Romney says I am using the money for the future of America.

He could have taken a cheap shot at campaign finance reform and McCain!

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 10:14:34 PM EST

Pile on (none / 0)

Now Williams asks about Mormon thing. Yuck.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 10:15:08 PM EST

Huck not so funny (none / 0)

talking about Mitt and his son's inheritance.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 10:19:36 PM EST

Romney won't raise taxes (none / 0)

Duh. Russert "trick" question prefacing with Reagan raised payroll taxes fails.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 10:21:36 PM EST

Rudy asked about ad in Spanish (none / 0)

He says to be a citizen you should show facility in English, but I am comfortable communicating in other languages.

Border, tamper proof ID card.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 10:24:24 PM EST

Cuba (finally) (none / 0)

What about people fleeing countries other than Cuba?

Rudy: 1960s policy because he is longest dictatorship. So do not have to prove it.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 01/24/2008 10:25:37 PM EST

Love Fest (none / 0)

At least compared with the Last Democrat Debate. Given control of at least part of the issues, the election becomes Romney vs McCain. Take that thought back to Oct. Whoa.

Allan Louden, Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

by Allan Louden on 01/24/2008 11:02:26 PM EST

Love Fest (none / 0)

At least compared with the Last Democrat Debate. Given control of at least part of the issues, the election becomes Romney vs McCain. Take that thought back to Oct. Whoa.

Allan Louden, Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

by Allan Louden on 01/24/2008 11:02:26 PM EST

GOP in Florida January 24 -- Liveblog | 37 comments (37 topical, 0 hidden)