Perry ‘Taken Aback’ by Romney Bet
Like most Sunday morning pundits, Rick Perry thinks Mitt Romney’s $10,000 bet at Saturday’s debate was a bad gamble. The GOP presidential hopeful told Fox News Sunday that Romney’s proposition was an indicator of his detachment from voters. “I was driving out to the station this morning and I’m pretty sure I didn’t drive by a house where anyone in Iowa would even think that a $10,000 bet was possible,” Perry said. “So a little out of touch with the normal Iowa citizen.”
Bachmann: The ‘Man’ for the Job
Newt Romney is the newest GOP candidate for president–that’s according to Michele Bachmann. On Face the Nation, Bachmann referred to frontrunners New Gingrich and Mitt Romney as one unit saying, “There’s not a dime’s worth of difference between them.” Bachmann went on to claim that neither man could successfully debate President Obama because each has sided with him on issues in the past. “People say this is a two man race and I would agree,” Bachmann said. “But the one man is Newt Romney and the other man is Michele Bachmann. The only proven consistent constitutional conservative.”
Ron Paul: ‘Gingrich Morally Obligated’
At last night’s debate, Congressman Ron Paul accused Newt Gingrich of taking taxpayer money when he accepted 1.6 million dollars from Freddie Mac. Gingrich’s answer didn’t pacify Paul, and when asked on Meet the Press if he thought Gingrich should return the money, Paul boiled it down to an issue of character. “Well legally he doesn’t have to, but I would think morally having received this money, um yes, I wouldn’t have taken their money,” Paul said. The candidate also said that he didn’t like the idea of Gingrich influencing Freddie Mac, comparing it to a “pseudo government agency.”
Santorum Not Pleased with Appeasement
That’s his story and he’s sticking to it. After saying that President Obama had appeased terrorists, Rick Santorum appeared on State of the Union to defend his comments. When host Candy Crowley challenged him, a red-faced Rick appeared to get angry as he expressed his feelings on Obama’s inability to handle foreign policy. “I was talking about the new threats that have come up during his administration. And at every single turn, the president has appeased those who would do us wrong.” Santorum also commented on a possible endorsement from Sarah Palin saying, “I would appreciate any help she could give us.”
Huntsman on Campaign: ‘Nowhere But Up’
Jon Huntsman is going from zero to hero–or so he hopes. On This Week, the presidential candidate said he’s no longer polling in the margin of error and believes his campaign is gaining momentum. “We’ve moved from zero to now double digits. And in the weeks ahead, I do believe we are gonna move right up toward the front of the pack,” Huntsman said. He also rejected Christiane Amanpour’s allegations that he had flip-flopped on climate change saying, “ I think this is a discussion that needs to be taken out of the political lane and kept in the science lane.”
Dick Durbin’s ‘Highest Priority’
As the Republicans duked it out in Des Moines, the Democrats continue their own battle–trying to pass the payroll tax cut extension in the senate. On Meet the Press, Asst. Majority Leader Senator Dick Durbin said passing the extension is a priority. “We’re talking about a payroll tax cut for almost 160 million Americans,” Dubin said. “If Congress fails to extend the payroll tax cut, it’s a new tax—an added tax next year for average working people.” Agreeing with President Obama’s statement in Kansas, Durbin went on to say “this is a make or break moment for the middle class.”
Reliable Sources: Too Many Debates?
Last night’s GOP debate was the candidates’ 12th, this time in Des Moines, Iowa. On Reliable Sources the panel discussed this year’s slugfest overload and the effect it’s having on voters. “It’s so debate driven,” said columnist Margaret Carlson. “When you talk to people in Iowa—the leaders of the three big Christian groups—they are just horrified that the candidates haven’t come calling more.”