Analysis
Monday’s Republican presidential debate in the first-in-the-nation primary state of New Hampshire, hosted by CNN’s John King, featured seven candidates answering questions from King and the audience.
While the debate was spirited at times, conspicuously absent—and even avoided—were displays of animosity between candidates.
Herman Cain summed it up well when he said, “We’re not far apart on all of the big issues.” Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) said that he learned during the debate that the candidates can talk about differences “and be civil to each other.”
Of particular note was former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s refusal to repeat his public dig at fellow candidate and current campaign front-runner Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor.
On Fox News Sunday, June 12, Pawlenty had characterized the health care system designed by Romney for his state, “Obamneycare.”
After side-stepping the question from King to explain himself three times, Pawlenty finally said: “Well, the issue that was raised in a question from a reporter was, what are the similarities between the two? And I just cited President Obama’s own words that he looked to Massachusetts as a blueprint or a guide when he designed Obamacare.”
Obamacare is the term coined by Republicans for the Affordable Care Act, passed without their support, and with strong leadership by then newly elected President Barack Obama, and the Democratic Party.
Unsatisfied with Pawlenty’s response, King pressed on: “Your rival is standing right there. If it was Obamneycare on “Fox News Sunday,” why isn’t it not Obamneycare standing here with the governor right there?”
Pawlenty declined to take the bait, and punted again. Romney defended himself anyway, suggesting that he would be “delighted” to debate the president on the issue. “Mr. President, if, in fact, you did look at what we did in Massachusetts, why didn’t you give me a call and ask what worked and what didn’t?” Romney asked rhetorically.
I would have told him what he wants to do won’t work, he added.
Responding to a question from a family doctor about how to ensure that Medicare stays financially solvent, Cain apologized, saying, “I hate to tell you—I hate to be the one to give you the bad news, doctor. You’re not going to get most of the money you put into Medicare if we don’t restructure it.”
Michelle Bachman (R-Minn.), leader of the Tea Party caucus, made official her decision to run for the presidency, near the beginning of the debate.
Before I fully answer your question, she said to King: “I just want to make an announcement here for you, John, on CNN tonight. I filed today my paperwork to seek the office of the presidency of the United States today. And I'll very soon be making my formal announcement.”
“So I wanted you to be the first to know,” she said.
“This or That”
As a way to dig into the personality of the candidates, King gave each one of them a choice of what King called “This or That?” lighter questions related to American culture, like “Coke or Pepsi?” “iPhone or Blackberry?” and so on.
Asked whether he chose “Leno or Conan,” Rick Santorum, a newcomer to the race, apologized to King for not watching either.
Santorum was likely sorry that he missed a chance to connect with voters, having to admit that he doesn’t share this piece of culture with millions of Americans who watch the comedians’ programs.
Ron Paul, asked who among the candidates he would choose to join his administration (should he be elected), Ron responded first that they were all qualified.
Pressed to choose, Paul responded that he would have to learn “how they feel about the Federal Reserve.”
Paul’s long career in politics, as one of the few libertarians in Congress, has been dominated by an effort to end the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Finally, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich gave his colleagues a little lesson on getting along, and conducting politics in a cooperative way.
“If you’re dealing with something as big as Medicare, and you can’t have a conversation with the country where the country thinks what you’re doing is the right thing, you better slow down,” he said.
Gingrich made waves during the first week of his race when he openly criticized Republican Budget Chairman Paul Ryan’s health care reform policy, along with the full-scale support given to the plan by elected Republicans.
“Remember, we all got mad at Obama because he ran over us when we said don’t do it. Well, the Republicans ought to follow the same ground rule,” Gingrich suggested, softening his tone somewhat, but further explaining why he feels as he does.
CNN talk show host John King asked to be excused for mistaking the location of the debate, St. Anselm College, for “St. Anselm Congress.”
While the debate was spirited at times, conspicuously absent—and even avoided—were displays of animosity between candidates.
Herman Cain summed it up well when he said, “We’re not far apart on all of the big issues.” Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) said that he learned during the debate that the candidates can talk about differences “and be civil to each other.”
Of particular note was former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s refusal to repeat his public dig at fellow candidate and current campaign front-runner Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor.
On Fox News Sunday, June 12, Pawlenty had characterized the health care system designed by Romney for his state, “Obamneycare.”
After side-stepping the question from King to explain himself three times, Pawlenty finally said: “Well, the issue that was raised in a question from a reporter was, what are the similarities between the two? And I just cited President Obama’s own words that he looked to Massachusetts as a blueprint or a guide when he designed Obamacare.”
Obamacare is the term coined by Republicans for the Affordable Care Act, passed without their support, and with strong leadership by then newly elected President Barack Obama, and the Democratic Party.
Unsatisfied with Pawlenty’s response, King pressed on: “Your rival is standing right there. If it was Obamneycare on “Fox News Sunday,” why isn’t it not Obamneycare standing here with the governor right there?”
Pawlenty declined to take the bait, and punted again. Romney defended himself anyway, suggesting that he would be “delighted” to debate the president on the issue. “Mr. President, if, in fact, you did look at what we did in Massachusetts, why didn’t you give me a call and ask what worked and what didn’t?” Romney asked rhetorically.
I would have told him what he wants to do won’t work, he added.
Responding to a question from a family doctor about how to ensure that Medicare stays financially solvent, Cain apologized, saying, “I hate to tell you—I hate to be the one to give you the bad news, doctor. You’re not going to get most of the money you put into Medicare if we don’t restructure it.”
Michelle Bachman (R-Minn.), leader of the Tea Party caucus, made official her decision to run for the presidency, near the beginning of the debate.
Before I fully answer your question, she said to King: “I just want to make an announcement here for you, John, on CNN tonight. I filed today my paperwork to seek the office of the presidency of the United States today. And I'll very soon be making my formal announcement.”
“So I wanted you to be the first to know,” she said.
“This or That”
As a way to dig into the personality of the candidates, King gave each one of them a choice of what King called “This or That?” lighter questions related to American culture, like “Coke or Pepsi?” “iPhone or Blackberry?” and so on.
Asked whether he chose “Leno or Conan,” Rick Santorum, a newcomer to the race, apologized to King for not watching either.
Santorum was likely sorry that he missed a chance to connect with voters, having to admit that he doesn’t share this piece of culture with millions of Americans who watch the comedians’ programs.
Ron Paul, asked who among the candidates he would choose to join his administration (should he be elected), Ron responded first that they were all qualified.
Pressed to choose, Paul responded that he would have to learn “how they feel about the Federal Reserve.”
Paul’s long career in politics, as one of the few libertarians in Congress, has been dominated by an effort to end the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Finally, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich gave his colleagues a little lesson on getting along, and conducting politics in a cooperative way.
“If you’re dealing with something as big as Medicare, and you can’t have a conversation with the country where the country thinks what you’re doing is the right thing, you better slow down,” he said.
Gingrich made waves during the first week of his race when he openly criticized Republican Budget Chairman Paul Ryan’s health care reform policy, along with the full-scale support given to the plan by elected Republicans.
“Remember, we all got mad at Obama because he ran over us when we said don’t do it. Well, the Republicans ought to follow the same ground rule,” Gingrich suggested, softening his tone somewhat, but further explaining why he feels as he does.
CNN talk show host John King asked to be excused for mistaking the location of the debate, St. Anselm College, for “St. Anselm Congress.”
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