What did I tell you just this morning. Mitt Romney needs to take on Newt face-to-face, mano a mano, to demonstrate that Mitt is not Tim Pawlenty, someone who can dish it out through surrogates or in television interviews, but not in person.
This is a sign that Romney doesn’t want to do it, at least not one on one, Romney Declines Lincoln-Douglas Debate Against Gingrich:
With the Republican presidential primary appearing to have narrowed into a two-man contest, Human Events and Red State moved quickly to lock down a date for a Lincoln-Douglas-style debate between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich.
The two organizations went so far this past Monday as to firm up the Annenberg Theater at the Newseum in Washington as the venue on Dec. 19 after another debate originally scheduled that day was canceled. For its part, the Newseum was excited to host the pre-primary forum.
There was just one problem. While Gingrich was ready to take his place on the stage, the Romney campaign politely declined in a series of mostly e-mail exchanges.
As Joe Guerriero, publisher of Human Events and Red State, put it to RCP: “Newt was all over it, and the Romney camp basically said no. It wasn’t a harsh no, but it was a no.”
Two highly influential publications offer the two leading contenders a chance to have a wide ranging debate on the issues, and to confront each other, and one takes the opportunity while the other one declines.
I understand why Romney declines. But it’s just another step on the road to Pawlentyville.
Update: This Is A Genius Move By Gingrich
Newt Gingrich has invited Jon Huntsman to engage in another long Lincoln-Douglas style debate on December 12, in Windham New Hampshire. Newt did a similar debate with Herman Cain earlier this year. Huntsman accepted.
It’s a genius move for Gingrich, and a good one by Huntsman. Romney has declined an invitation to engage Gingrich in this kind of debate.
Newt Gingrich gets to elevate Huntsman in New Hampshire, which could hurt Mitt Romney.
Gingrich believes that he can beat anyone in a debate and will look smarter than any of his opponents. The more air-time he gets, the better for him.
Mitt Romney looks like a chicken for not accepting a debate challenge with his chief rival.
DONATE
Donations tax deductible
to the full extent allowed by law.
Ron Coleman
Comments
When I was an L.A. Rams fan as a boy, I used to dread playoff games when Chuck Knox was the coach. He always played not to lose … which worked pretty well during the regular season. But in the playoffs when the players are pumped and playing over their heads … it never worked. The Rams won five straight NFC West titles and always lost in the playoffs. Playing not to lose always costs you. The other team is going to catch fire at some time … and if you’re trying not to catch fire … just eke out a victory … you lose in the playoffs.
Mitt Romney is the L.A. Rams under Coach Knox. Does pretty well during the season … nice and steady … and then when the real big game comes … always seems to lose.
LukeHandCool (who can’t watch more than a few minutes of football nowadays … that’s for childhood … life is too short to be a spectator).
I grew up in Detroit. ‘Nuff said about pro football. *sigh*
Never forget 1962 T’giving Lions/Packers.
That said, the memorable moments were few …
The Detroit Lions haven’t won the championship since the year I was born – and I’m nearing retirement. I know things look different this year, with the emergence of young Mr. Stafford, et al, but you can never underestimate the ability of William Clay Ford to do something to sabotage his own team. Again.
On the other hand, I went to school on an ice hockey scholarship and I always have my Red Wings.
As a Green Bay fan, the Lions are the team I fear the most. They’ve come a long way.
Haven’t seen “Paper Lion” since I saw it in the movie theater as a boy. Might just rent it. I believe Alex Karras was in it.
George Plimpton vehicle. Yes on Karras, plus Earl Morrall, Dick LeBeau, Night Train Lane, Wayne Walker… and that’s the extent of my memory.
Er, those players were with the Lions during Plimpton’s gig. Karras was in the movie though, and I think Lions QB Milt Plum was as well.
In all fairness, those Rams teams simply ran up against better teams in the Vikings and Cowboys.
thers probably a reason romne looks like a chicken. also huntsmans ideas aint that bad he just needs to lose the attitude
Seriously. If you were Mitt, would you want to debate Newt? Nothing to gain and everything to lose.
While he’s at, he should decline all long distance running challenges from Geoffrey Mutai*
*Geoffrey Mutai was the winner of the 2011 NYC marathon if you aren’t a running geek.
Thats a good analogy, If you’re going to be considered the best distance runner in the world, you’re going to have to show up and compete against those that think they are your superior. To refuse to compete on the same courses because you might loose shows you’re not ready to be the best.
I think the electorate gets the quality of leadership they deserve. If Romney fears any foe, he’s not for me. I like Romney, and would vote for him. But in the primary, he gets no consideration, if he refuses to advance his vision for America. If he doesn’t believe enough in his own vision, why would I buy in?
In 2006 Romney decided not to risk a run for a second term as governor, so I’m disappointed but not surprised that he’s dodging Gingrich.
Mitt ran for office three times and lost twice.
Despite the fact he’s been running since 2007, has an immense organization set up, has a huge campaign fund, name recognition as good as anyone in the field, and the establishment GOP and media referring him to him as the ‘inevitable’ nominee for months and months now, he still could not get above the 20-25% the establishment GOP represents, cannot gain traction, and in serial fashion finds himself behind the competition, currently way behind Gingrich. Check out the Hot Air poll results of voters who are essentially the same as LI readers/commenters. Now, a spinmeister might suggest this shows his resilience, but few would buy that. Basically, he’s an also-ran except for the brief time span between a frontrunner’s implosion and the voters’ glance around for a new candidate, soon after which Mitt slides back down the list.
It’s kind of like we need to travel from NYC to LA and are trying to find the best way to get there: private jet, airline, train, car, etc. In this analogy Romney is a Greyhound bus – serviceable, but far from the first or best choice, and basically our backup choice if nothing better can be found.
Leave a Comment