NPR: Republicans Calmly Debate Economy, Attack Clinton

Republicans Calmly Debate Economy, Attack Clinton

Considering how rough and tumble some of the previous encounters have been, last night's Republican debate in Boca Raton, Florida was downright peaceful. One almost expected tea and cucumber sandwiches to be served at some point, the candidates were so downright civil to each other.

The candidates talked about the economy, and why they felt the economic stimulus package created by Congress and the president needed to go farther (although Sen. John McCain said he would vote for the plan when it comes to the Senate). Rep. Ron Paul argued that "the government does have a responsibility, but it's supposed to lower taxes, get rid of regulations and devise a monetary policy that makes some sense."

The five Republican rivals spent part of the evening attacking Sen. Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton - almost nary a word was heard of Sen. Barack Obama and former Senator John Edwards. Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney, asked about running against the Clinton and her husband, replied "I frankly can't wait because the idea of Bill Clinton back in the White House with nothing to do is something I can't imagine,"

The most intriguing part of the evening was the blunt questions that Tim Russert and Brian Williams of NBC asked the candidates. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani was asked about why his poll numbers are going south in a state where he has campaigned so consistently, to which he replied that he was like the New York Giants - no one expected them to win, but they did, and so would he. Romney was asked about The New York Times article Thursday that said his rival candidates have almost "visceral disdain" for him. Romney said he was going to Washington to fix the country's problems, not to make friends. McCain was quizzed about his own mother's statement that he lacked support from certain elements of the Republican Party. He said he had won New Hampshire and South Carolina, states with two very different kinds of Republicans. And, he added, he had the support of independents as well.

The next Republican primary is next Tuesday in Florida. The winner will receive 57 Republican National Convention delegates. It's the first winner-take-all contest in terms of delegates and the final primary before Super Tuesday on Feb. 5.

7:00 AM ET | 01-25-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Republicans can't even stand the so called top four front runners.
(Rumy, McCon, Ghuliani and Huckleberry)

Their has been no mention of the Louisiana Primary's in which Paul is in 2nd place.

Their was little or no mention of his 2nd place finish in Nevada.

Has been virtually blacklisted in the corporate controlled media.

WE THE PEOPLE are waking up and talking about RON PAUL.

He is a True Statesman and not a Politician. He will give the power back to the people where it belongs.

Sooner or later the Ruling Elite better start listening or start running!

Peace

Sent by NWO HUNTER | 10:16 AM ET | 01-25-2008

I'm listening to your report on the SC GOP Primary as I write and waiting for a mention of more than 3 candidates. Just as expected. On the Dem side, the report on the poll is just vacuous horse race chatter with so many voters "undecided or refusing to answer." Worth 20 seconds of air time - no more.

Oh, yes. If you can't guess, I'm a Ron Paul supporter.

Sent by D. Frank Robinson | 4:17 PM ET | 01-25-2008

Thanks for including a quote from Dr. Paul, sir. That was fair.

Sent by JC | 5:36 PM ET | 01-27-2008

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Tom Regan

Blogger

About Us

This year's election cycle has been one of the most exciting in memory. At the NPR News Blog we'll do our best to bring you interesting, informative -- and controversial -- stories from our own reporters and bloggers, as well as the rest of the best of the Internet and blogosphere. And we hope you'll let us know what you think as well.

Want to learn more? Be sure to read our Frequently Asked Questions and our discussion guidelines.