Content Section

Lloyd Grove on the Debate Shots That Made Mitt Romney Sweat

Romney got hit from all sides in Sunday morning’s debate, and the effects seem to be showing. Lloyd Grove on the shots that made him sweat.

It turns out that Mitt Romney is human after all. During Sunday morning’s final Republican presidential debate before the New Hampshire primary, his rivals—especially Newt Gingrich—effectively knocked him down from the trapeze and pulled him into the sawdust with the rest of the circus acts. After getting an initial pummeling from Newt over his claim that he is above politics—’”Let’s drop the pious baloney” was the line of the debate—Mitt had a fine layer of perspiration (not sweat) on his face and he looked to be bleeding internally.

sunday-debate-reaction-grove.jpg

Rick Santorum, left, and Mitt Romney spar during a Republican presidential candidate debate in Concord, N.H., Jan. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa / Getty Images)

He also came off not as unmussed, smoothly corporate, and in command—his usual debate demeanor—but as whiny and aggrieved. He accused Gingrich, his most effective antagonist (but not his only one—the candidates descended on Mitt like the marooned boys in Lord of the Flies) of being “over the top.” It wasn't particularly winning for Mitt to imply that only rich people like him should enter politics, quoting his late father, George (a governor and auto exec), as saying, "Mitt, don't go into politics if you need to do it to pay a mortgage."

All this as Mitt was sinking into the 30s in the latest New Hampshire tracking poll—down maybe 10 points from his high of 44.

Meanwhile, Jon Huntsman had his best debate so far. True, he does, as political scientist Larry Sabato tweeted, have an unfortunate schoolmarmish quality, but maybe he helped himself this morning.

Maybe not. But it seems that the Romney doctrine of inevitability got a bit frayed today.

You Might Also Like

Stewart: Florida Does It Again!

On 'The Daily Show's first post-election episode, Jon Stewart questioned the Sunshine State's relevance. Sorry, Florida, we elected a president without you.

  1. Elizabeth Warren, Badass Senator Play

    Elizabeth Warren, Badass Senator

  2. How Obama Pulled It Off Play

    How Obama Pulled It Off

  3. A Hate Ad Already? Play

    A Hate Ad Already?

super-pac-ad-tracker-tease

Election Ad Tracker

View, rate, and fact check the latest campaign ads.

Election Night

Victory

President Obama Passes 300 Electoral Votes, Wins Reelection

President Obama Passes 300 Electoral Votes, Wins Reelection

Interactive

State by State

Map: Election 2012 Results

Map: Election 2012 Results

The Daily Beast’s map of the Electoral College results—updated live as they come in.

Watch This!

The Night's Best Moments

13 Must-See Moments From Election Night

13 Must-See Moments From Election Night

From Obama’s win to Akin’s defeat, Sullivan’s celebration to Rove’s meltdown, watch the most memorable moments.

Aftermath

Post-Election

Five Stages of GOP Grief

Five Stages of GOP Grief

Losing sucks—and healing is hard. Paul Begala offers advice to hurting Republicans.

Over

A Thrashing

Forward

Obama’s Second Chance

Allies

Obama’s Win, Bibi’s Loss

Party Foul

Romney Victory Party a Bust

Gender Matters

Women in the World

Three Wild Races for Women

Three Wild Races for Women

Three of the most dramatic races ended in wins for Dems Elizabeth Warren and Maggie Hassan, and a loss for the GOP’s Linda McMahon.

 

 

 

NBC News

Courtesy of our partners @ NBCNews.

Campaign-In-Review

Memorable Moments

The Election’s 20 Turning Points

The Election’s 20 Turning Points

It’s finally over! Mark McKinnon looks back on two years of big moments that changed the 2012 race.

Oui Oui

Election Victory

A Great Day for America

A Great Day for America

Obama’s reelection is a victory for intelligence, reason—and, yes, hope.

Book List

Political Picks

The Obama Vs. Romney Reading List

The Obama Vs. Romney Reading List

As the candidates face off in the election, the books they’ve read recently and their professed favorites also go head to head. Who wins?