Last night was the Republican Debate in Florida. We were spared the pleasure of watching Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry make fools of themselves. Instead we watched the last four candidates, Santorum, Gingrich, Romney, and Paul, argue amongst themselves regarding such burning issues as our relations with Cuba, whether English should be the first language of the United States, and whether Puerto Rico should be a state or remain a territory. There seemed to be no controversy about what language should be the dominant language of America. The crowd seemed to have no opinion regarding the appropriate treatment of Cuba. Nobody cared if Puerto Rico was a territory or state. The U.S. economy was first and foremost in the minds of everyone in the audience, and relatively little time was spent on that issue.

Mitt Romney had a new debate coach.  The change in Romney’s tone and willingness to aggressively respond to Gingrich paid off. No longer is Romney willing to be attacked by Newt Gingrich without responding! The amazing thing is that Newt Gingrich, who has become the attack dog, characterized attack adds as “disgusting” and explained that Republicans are only helping Obama by the negative ads, and that they don’t know how much damage is being “done to our team.”

The candidate who has been most outspoken about the destructive effects of negative campaigning in the Republican primary, has become the most aggressive candidate to attack the others.

In the debate last night Newt attacked Mitt Romney because some of his personal investments included bonds he bought through a fund that included some bonds of  Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae. Romney explained that these were purchased on his behalf as part of a blind trust, and that he was in essence loaning the money to Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae, instead of taking money from them. Unlike Newt, Romney was an investor in the companies, instead of an independent contractor taking money from them. Gingrich had virtually no response. In addition, Romney pointed out that Newt had made similar investments, so he should not be complaining about the investments of Romney. Gingrich has no response to that statement either.

My favorite exchange came when the two were discussing illegal immigrants, and the difference in their positions. Newt seemed to focus on his position that we should not deport grandmas and grandfathers who have been in this country for many years. Mitt Romney responded by explaining that illegal immigrants who are grandmothers and grandfathers are not the problem, and if elected president he wouldn’t be rounding up old people to deport them. Newt had no response.

This debate could only have been better if Mitt Romney had talked about the absurdity of Newt running as the Washington outsider, only because he QUIT after serving in the U.S. Government 20 years. He might have mentioned the absurdity of a man running as the conservative candidate, who has been endorsed by the Palins, and portrays himself as a man of honesty and family values, and yet was unfaithful to his first two wives, and was sanctioned by the House of Representatives for Ethics Violations. Romney could have mentioned the misleading use of the term “Mr. Speaker” when Newt resigned as the Speaker of the House after the Ethics Violations and being sanctioned by the House $300,000.00. Romney could have mentioned Newt’s “pie in the sky” ideas like putting a colony on the moon for people to live, while balancing the budget here on earth.

It was clear to me that Santorum and Paul were present only because they have not officially dropped out, but that it is a matter of time. The only real question is whether the Newt can challenge Romney and I predict the people of Florida will not favor Newt. Newt can join Sarah Palin in being “Undefeated” but not holding any elected office. Perhaps they will endorse each other for the position of President of Ubekebeke-stan and they could name Herb Cain as their Vice President.


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