Would Ron Paul Run Independently?
Call him a straight shooter. On Fox News Sunday, the Texas congressman said he wouldn’t consider running as an independent if he doesn’t get the GOP nomination, despite speculation: “I have no intention of doing that. That doesn’t make any sense to me to even think about it, let alone plan to do that.” Paul added that he wouldn’t endorse a GOP nominee unless he completely agreed with his or her policies.
Boehner: Relationship With Obama Is ‘Frosty’
If it’s chilly in the White House, don’t blame the weather. On This Week, House Speaker John Boehner defended his service in Congress and expounded on his relationship with the president in the wake of conflict over the debt ceiling and job creation. “The president and I have a pretty good relationship. It’s been a little frosty here the last few weeks, but we’ve got a pretty good relationship,” the speaker said, adding that he considers himself to be “the most straight-up, transparent person in this town.”
Jon Huntsman: Romney Couldn’t Beat Obama
Here’s a way to draw a line in the sand. On Meet the Press, Jon Huntsman said he’s unsure Mitt Romney would be able to beat the president in an election. “I think there is an issue on the flip-flops as it relates to trust ... When there is a question about whether you’re running for the White House or running for the Waffle House, you’ve got a real problem with the American people,” the 2012 hopeful said. Huntsman cited Romney’s shifting pro-life stance as an example of his evolving views.
Liz Cheney: Herman Cain Can Survive
Herman Cain might be having a bad week, but that doesn’t mean he won’t rebound, according to Liz Cheney. On Face the Nation, the GOP consultant said that facts frequently become “casualties” of campaigns—and Cain’s camp is no exception. “The intensity of the focus here is very interesting to me, and the intensity of the focus we’ve seen on the debates, in particular … tells you that what the American voters really care about is the substance,” she said. As for the amount of information Cain should release about the incidents, “it’s a really fine line.”
Condoleezza Rice: It’s Time to Confront Iran
On This Week, after praising the president’s foreign policy, the former secretary of state minced no words when discussing her stance on Iran. Speaking about the U.S.’s presence in the Middle East following withdrawal from Iraq, Rice said, “This is one of the downsides of having our forces out of Iraq, because we can confront the Iranians in Iraq. So yes, I think it’s time to confront the Iranian regime.” As for foreign policy in the 2012 GOP field? “Foreign policy ought to be more a part of the debate than it is, because we’re so interconnected,” the No Higher Honor author said.
The Herman Cain Harassment Frenzy
Should Politico have broken the news that Herman Cain allegedly sexually harassed women—without knowing the names of the victims or details of the harassment? On Reliable Sources, host Howard Kurtz challenged the story’s lead reporter on whether he should have waited before publishing it. “With these kinds of stories, obviously the first story might not have all the information that you want, but subsequent reporting by my news organization and many others has corroborated the basic facts of this story,” Jonathan Martin said.
What Does the Future Hold for Herman Cain?
After allegations of sexual harassment, does Cain still stand a chance? The pizza magnate may still be in the game, but it’s not looking good, according to Anita Dunn. On State of the Union, the former White House communications director said Cain’s tenure as a GOP star is over, but voters will ultimately determine the fallout. “I think Republican voters will have the final say on Herman Cain," she said. "But clearly, it’s hard to believe anybody could have had a rougher week.”