Title plate banner for the SCGOP Debate. Image Credit: FOXNews
By: Edmund Jenks – West Coast Editor
That’s right, and then there were five … with Jon Huntsman “suspending his campaign” for president today and making a statement that he believes that Mitt Romney is the best candidate for the GOP to nominate. Huntsman believes he, Romney, could beat Barack Obama and has the resources to accomplish the task.
Many believe that if Huntsman stayed in, he would have held between 7%-10% of the vote making it possible for someone to make a run at Romney’s lead. Fact is, unless those groups that identify themselves as very conservative coalesce around one specific candidate, Mitt Romney will take all of the delegates and begin to establish the argument that there is no better alternative for the Republican run at the office of President!
Question: What the heck is Gov. Rick Perry doing here anyway?
The following presidential hopefuls are participating in the event: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.
The following audit trail of real-time postings are 140 character (or less) responses and reactions found on Twitter and this is a process of reporting termed “Tweet-By-Tweet”!
BEGIN
TPMTalking Points Memo – WATCH: Jon Huntsman’s greatest hits tpm.ly/zTGGAP
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FloridaJayhawkFloridaJayhawk – HOLY MOLY>>>>>>> DID MITT ROMNEY’S INSIDERS TRY TO STEAL THE IOWA PRIMARY? ******** RECOUNT = SANTORUM UP BY 80 VOTES**********
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prismsincRic – Hot Air: Huckabee: What a surprise to see free enterprise attacks on Romney from fellow Republicans! bit.ly/wxnm3M #tcot #ocra
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ProducerSusanSusan Cloud – Can’t argue with the content, but didn’t expect it. New #Santorum ad gets brutally honest about #Romney: therightscoop.com/new-santorum-a… — #GOP2012
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michellemalkinMichelle Malkin – Of course: Alan Colmes gets his facts WRONG on Bush DOJ/New Black Panther Party voter intimidation case. The FACTS: is.gd/uJFJhS
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toddstarnestoddstarnes – Newsweek: Why are Obama’s critics so dumb? bit.ly/yTQ3WY Todd: Why can’t Newsweek turn a profit?
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beulahggBeulah Garrett – RT @sigstarget: vid: Obama’s Hidden Past Unraveled bit.ly/z2EuH7 via @WestJournalism
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theblazeTheBlaze.com – VID – MSNBC Guest Suggests Romney is Racist for Giving Money to Struggling Black Woman theblaze.com/stories/msnbc-… via @theblaze TG
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AbieRubinThe Thinking Voter – @BretBaier Al Sharpton has done to african american community complete opposite of MLK’s dream. How does Newt defend friendship? #SCdebate
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DLoeschDana Loesch – I don’t know about you guys, but I’m looking forward to watching all the candidates coddle Romney, I mean debate, tonight. #scdebate
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JedediahBilaJedediah Bila – I still see no Winter Wonderland stage decorations. As I suspected, I’ve been ignored. #scdebate
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prismsincRic – #GameOn #GameOn #GameOn #GameOn #GameOn #GameOn #GameOn #GameOn #GameOn #GameOn #GameOn #GameOn #GameOn #GameOn #GameOn @RickSantorum
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theblazeTheBlaze.com – VID – Chat Live as GOP Candidates Square-Off at Fox News/Wall Street Journal Debate theblaze.com/stories/fox-ne… via @theblaze TG
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PolitisitePolitisite – And Then There Were Five – South Carolina GOP Debate Tweet-By-Tweet: By: Edmund Jenks… t.co/NlEJOiEv #tcot
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DEBATE START – Introductions – 90 sec./30 sec. are the rules – NO SOUND (conditional)
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FLPolPressFL Political Press – Is The Tea Party Really Diminishing? Trends in the media are not that difficult to pick up on.. bit.ly/xS6szc
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politicalmathPoliticalMath – RT @allahpundit: Tonight’s the night the Perry comeback begins, baby
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MLK Question – Where one stands during challenge – unemployment review – first Q, Gingrich
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ToadonaWireL – My twitter feed is starting to roll! I can tell it is debate time!
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kerpenPhil Kerpen – Kudos to @BretBaier on the perfect opening question.
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secuppS.E. Cupp – Newt seems to have a frog in his throat. I’m guessing he thinks Mitt put it there.
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lesliecarbonelesliecarbone – Gingrich trying to set record for saying “Reagan” in opening statement. #scdebate
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politicalmathPoliticalMath – Reagan, Reagan and Reagan-like. #drink Need to keep 911 on speed-dial
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michellemalkinMichelle Malkin – Bret Baier once again presses Newt on his left-wing anti-captialism rhetoric. Once again, #dodge
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mattklewisMatt K. Lewis – First thre questions go to Newt. His answers are pretty solid.
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sanuzisSaul Anuzis – SC Debate: Newt serves – Romney calmly and specifically responds to attacks… a record folks can be proud of – crowd cheers! #scgop
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mattklewisMatt K. Lewis – Romney tonight says that 4 of the businesses Bain invested in added 100K jobs. (Different from saying the “net net” was 100K jobs.)
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DLoeschDana Loesch – Romney should answer for his government bailout as part of his private sector record. #SCdebate
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hughhewittHugh Hewitt – #hhrs #tcot “turning around tough situations” very strong opening by MR “I’m the guy who can best post up against President Obama”
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TPMTalking Points Memo – Perry, to loud applause, “Mitt, we need you to release your income tax.”
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CommentaryCommentary Magazine – RT @tobincommentary: Romney sounds relaxed confident. Gingrich tense, defensive. No mystery about who’s way ahead in the polls. #SCDebate.
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michellemalkinMichelle Malkin – RT @charliespiering: 9:10pm: The reply from Rick Perry was a #DODGE live.foxnews.com
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amandacarpenterAmanda Carpenter – Romney likes to ask questions that can be answered “Absolutely”
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lesliecarbonelesliecarbone – I really wish I could trust Romney to mean what he says.
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CommentaryCommentary Magazine – RT @bethanyshondark: I like hearing a defense of free enterprise more than an attack on it at GOP debates. #SCDebate
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hughhewittHugh Hewitt – I think Romney will sit here and talk Bain all night and win each time. Where is @RickSantorum #hhrs #tcot
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mattklewisMatt K. Lewis – So far during the debate, Romney hasn’t responded to questions about releasing his tax returns.
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freddosofreddoso – Romney hints that the Georgetown story was a union thing — nice move.
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daveweigeldaveweigel – RT @PeterHambyCNN: Ron Paul is running the most negative campaign so far, in terms of television and mail
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CommentaryCommentary Magazine – RT @tobincommentary: Ron Paul says nothing wrong with negative advertising as long as it’s true. Can’t argue with that. #SCDebate
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politicalmathPoliticalMath – Santorum: Romney’s Super PAC is a liar. Romney: Do you know what a Super PAC is? Santorum: F— you! Romney: No, f— you!
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michellemalkinMichelle Malkin – MT @jimmiebjr: Santorum’s problem is that he voted — & endorsed — the way Bush admin wanted him to. He’s not a leader.
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ToadonaWireL – Nice Santorum!
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jeff_poorJeff Poor – Romney sounds a little like Stephen Colbert on Sunday…
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EdMorrisseyEdMorrissey – This is a great issue to debate. Goes to the heart of crime, punishment, & civil rights. I think Santorum’s right on this.
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BREAK – May rethink the whole “BELL” thing
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CommentaryCommentary Magazine – RT @sethamandel: Well done, Santorum, but danger zone approaching. Don’t wear out your welcome yet. #SCdebate
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TheOregonianBooTheOregonian Boo – Romney #dodge
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LizMairLiz Mair – Romney getting flustered. Not pretty. Not sounding as coherent as normal. #scdebate
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hughhewittHugh Hewitt – In 11 years of conservative talk radio hosting, I have never discussed felons voting #tcot #hhrs
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lesliecarbonelesliecarbone – Perry’s claims to believe in 10th Amend would have more cred if he hadn’t sued VA in federal court over his own failure qual for ballot.
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CommentaryCommentary Magazine – RT @tobincommentary: At the first break, Rommey taking all the punches but he’s still standing. #SCDebate
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AriFleischerAri Fleischer – The tax issue 4Romney is 1) it looks like he’s hiding something; 2) O is going 2make it an issue; 3) press will make it issue
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politicalmathPoliticalMath – Thoughts: Mitt kicks ass on Bain, Santorum on felon voting rights , Perry yells “states rights” out of nowhere, audience claps at everything
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stix1972Doug Welch – Have they asked about condoms yet?
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ReutersPoliticsReuters Politics – Republicans look to slow Romney momentum at debate reut.rs/yRcepD
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DUHhhhhhhhh, ReutersPolitics … wow!
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CommentaryCommentary Magazine – RT @sethamandel: Surprised SuperPACs have gotten so much attention. Lots of “stop lying about my record” stuff here. #SCdebate
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FlapGregory Flap Cole – Mitt Romney continues to look rattled – Santorum caught him off guard and he is starting to sweat…
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CommentaryCommentary Magazine – RT @SethAMandel: @BretBaier cannot hide his disappointment that Huntsman isn’t here for flip-flop question. #SCdebate
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michellemalkinMichelle Malkin – RT @DanFosterNRO: Romney gives stump speech in response to question on his sincerity.
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PoliticsOfFearDr. Schadenfreude – RT @JedediahBila: It’s not just abortion, Mitt. You changed your mind on everything but oatmeal vs. cereal in the morning.
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jeff_poorJeff Poor – Well, Rick Perry. You’re throwing out the red meat for the GOP base, just 3-4 months too late… #SCDebate
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politicalmathPoliticalMath – RT @Utahopia: It sounds like Perry got his meds worked out for the debate tonight. #SCdebate
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CBSNewsHotSheetCBS News Hotsheet – Now over a half hour into #SCdebate, still haven’t heard from Gingrich since first question of night
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ToadonaWireL – 99 weeks is an associate degree! #newt
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michellemalkinMichelle Malkin – And working ppl paid for it. is.gd/7aLGyA RT @JoyVBehar: Unemployment insurance saved my ass when I was a single mother.
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ColorMeRedOpionionated - #Newt‘s #answer on “training program” for those on unemployment is a good one.
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hughhewittHugh Hewitt – #hhrs #tcot 99 weeks is an associates degree. Excellent for Newt. “we actually think work is good”. Scoring by knocking POTUS
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CommentaryCommentary Magazine – RT @tobincommentary: Gingrich talks about the GOP being for work. Always at his best when he’s attacking Dems, not Republicans. #SCdebate
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kerpenPhil Kerpen – This would be a good time for every GOP candidate to promise not to bail out Greece, Italy, or any other European country.
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STU_GBPSTU BURGUIERE – Newt needs the men in black memory eraser for every moment other than a debate in this election. Then he’d be awesome.
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grivnoBen Grivno – Romney would do anything to keep the financial system running – Bailouts, TARP, QE4, printing money, giving more power to the Fed. #scdebate
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TPMTalking Points Memo – Paul on military spending: “We’re supposed to be conservatives, let’s spend less money.”
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ToadonaWireL – “You call a billion dollar embassy defense” I call it waste. love him or hate him, Ron Paul is right about that. #scdebate @BretBaier
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STU_GBPSTU BURGUIERE – Ron Paul seems perpetually perplexed by everything everyone else says. #scdebate
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lesliecarbonelesliecarbone – What’s the unemployment rate among people w/ associates degrees?
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DonIrvineDonIrvine – Ron Paul- Zero percent income tax. I could live with that but Congress couldn’t. #scdebate
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mckaycoppinsMcKay Coppins – Oh boy, the tax records. This is a bad issue for Romney…
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MelindaDCMelinda Henneberger – The lower the taxes, the bigger the applause.
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jeff_poorJeff Poor – Hmm… Newt wants to reduce the role of government for lower taxes? Since when? #SCdebate
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stephenfhayesStephen Hayes – When Romney says he’ll “probably” release his taxes but “time will tell,” it means he will definitely release them but he’d rather not.
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LarrySabatoLarry Sabato – First mention of George Romney tonight. BTW, he might not have qualified to serve in White House had that been challenged in ’68.
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JohnJHarwoodJohn Harwood – Romney says 25 percent top tax rate is “where I’d like to go” but his campaign so far has only proposed maintaining Bush 35 percent race.
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LibertyLynxR – P.S. Understanding that Ron Paul is a fraud does not make me a neocon, warmonger, statist, fascist, Zionist, killer shark or an orange.
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lesliecarbonelesliecarbone – Williams: How will you especially coddle black Americans?
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TheFixThe Fix – To be clear on Romney: He PROBABLY will release tax returns around April. Very convoluted answer. #scprimary.
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foxnewspoliticsfoxnewspolitics – Santorum: Neutrality ends in poverty. This administration refrains from telling young girls about how to make good choices.
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Beaufort_TPartyBeaufort Tea Party – #scdebate Paul touts himself as the TEA Party Candidate, yet tday at the SC TP Convention he refuse to enter and speak to them. Why?
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yidwithlidJeff Dunetz – Ron Paul: “You Don’t Understand” what he wanted to say–its all the fault of the Blacks, Jews and Gays #SCDebate
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foxnewspoliticsfoxnewspolitics – Gingrich: Working for money is a good thing. “Only the elites despise earning money.” #scdebate
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hughhewittHugh Hewitt – #tcot #hhrs 30 kids for one janitor? Good illustration. “only the elites despise earning money”. Strong Newt
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mattklewisMatt K. Lewis – Newt has a newsletter? Is it called the Newt Gingrich Survival Report?
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BREAK
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pinkelephantpunTabitha Hale – And then destroys him. RT @TheRightDuff: Gingrich says “First of all, Juan” in most belittling tone he can muster. #scdebate
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JennyEriksonJenny Erikson – “I like that guy. He wants to help poor people get jobs!”-Thing 1 re: Newt #SCDebate
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ToadonaWireL – it looks like Newt’s answer just got a standing ovation at #scdebate @foxnewspolitics @BretBaier
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red_red_headRed – RT @MichaelBerrySho: We interrupt this broadcast to remind you only an hour left in the Sears MLK sales event!
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Ben_HoweBen Howe – One thing is clear: @newtgingrich would wipe the floor in a debate with @BarackObama. #scdebate
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FOREIGN POLICY – Paul up first
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PatDollardPatrick Dollard – Ron Paul’s “military donors” scandal is an explosive fraud. In fact, it’s a particularly odious version of stolen valor.
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ericfidoEric Bearse – Ron Paul drops john kerry tora bora talking point. Does he always source libs?
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pinkelephantpunTabitha Hale – Why do we even ask Ron Paul foreign policy questions anymore? Are we going to learn anything new about his stance?
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ToadonaWireL – He could go on forever! stop him @BretBaier
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Newt picks up a rebuttal on UBL retort on Ron Paul
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CommentaryCommentary Magazine – RT @tobincommentary: Paul thinks bin Laden should have been captured with help of Pakistanis? Not a serious position. #SCdebate
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hughhewittHugh Hewitt – #hhrs #tcot Ron Paul makes case why he cannot speak at GOP convention after 10 AM #hhrs #tcot
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pinkelephantpunTabitha Hale – Paul gets booed. Again.
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stephenfhayesStephen Hayes – That answer on OBL is why Ron Paul isn’t just wrong but crazy on foreign policy. He literally doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
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ColorMeRedOpionionated – Oh, please…get Ron Paul off the stage #SCdebate
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sanuzisSaul Anuzis – SC Debate: Romney – we hunt down our enemies and kill them. You don’t negotiate with the Taliban once we are in retreat! #scgop
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ArletteSaenzArlette Saenz – Perry hasn’t spoken in approx 27 minutes.
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sanuzisSaul Anuzis – SC Debate: Romney – wants a miltary so strong that nobody considers testing it -we should not negotiate with the Taliban we should defeat it
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politicalmathPoliticalMath -#TweetsFromTheFuture “Despite Romney’s middling performance in the last debate, he secured the GOP nomination”
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hughhewittHugh Hewitt – #hhrs #tcot. These are the questions that matter, not contraception. Bravo Brett B
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chucktoddChuck Todd – What Romney said about the Taliban and the issue of whether to negotiate with them is going to be a BIG debate topic in the general
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prismsincRic – RT @katyabram: @RickSantorum always on point w foreign policy #answer @FoxNewsLive #scdebate
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CommentaryCommentary Magazine – RT @alanagoodman: Perry says Turkey run by Islamic terrorists. #SCDebate
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secuppS.E. Cupp – Perry: “Our president has a foreign policy that makes our allies nervous and our enemies emboldened.”
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lesliecarbonelesliecarbone – Yes, urinating on a corpse is despicable.
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Perry: Despicable is cutting off Danial Pearls head and broadcasting it on YouTube
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AndyWendtAndy Wendt – RT @AnnCoulter: Joe Biden is watching The Simpsons on Fox. Thinks Homer is kicking ass in the debate.
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politicalmathPoliticalMath – RT @danavachon: “Governor Romney, Do you find my use of periwinkle coy or coquettish?”
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SwiftRead☜✪☞ P.S. Read – #SCdebate Paul was ACTIVE #USAF 1963-65. As #MARINES were being deployed, he signed Guard & avoided deploymnt. He WASN’T in Nam #scgop #tcot—-
TPMTalking Points Memo – Perry: Urinating on Taliban corpses isn’t as despicable as what our foes do tpm.ly/w3CxNb
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kerpenPhil Kerpen – I think Santorum was saying he wouldn’t have signed NDAA, but he didn’t exactly say.
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mattklewisMatt K. Lewis – Just realized Ron Paul reminds me sometimes of Sheldon from “Big Bang Theory.”
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kerpenPhil Kerpen – This is a #dodge from Perry. We DO need housing reform. Scott Garrett has a great plan.
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ToadonaWireL – Perry’s got some good one-liners! Even Giethner can get his taxes in on time #scdebate
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hughhewittHugh Hewitt – General election answer from Romney on entitlements #tcot #hhrs nails Obamacare and Medicare cuts
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guypbensonGuy Benson – Debate moderators: Bond girl, Bond villain, Juan and Bret.
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DickMorrisTweetDick Morris – #myrdebate #hannity #tcot #gop #talkmaster Newt is doing sooo well. He got off Bain and attacks on Romney and stressed his own ideas!
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secuppS.E. Cupp – WSJ moderator just asked Santorum what my friend @ willcain did last week about govt picking winners and losers with tax rate.
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KennethDurdenKenneth Durden – #gopdebate Too many people are too stupid and fearful to choose liberty for retirement. #tcot—-
prismsincRic – Mittens has likely wounded himself tonight on NDAA, morbidly I might add…
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CommentaryCommentary Magazine – RT @tobincommentary: Santorum says Gingrich’s idea about gntd private accts won’t work in a down econ. Calls it fiscal insanity. #SCdebate
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IngrahamAngleLaura Ingraham – Rick S hitting Newt…thus helps Mitt…
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BREAK
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SteveDeaceShowSteve Deace – 3rd break: Newt in total control now, Perry having a strong night, Romney overshadowed, Paul hurting himself, Santorum starting to fade.
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guypbensonGuy Benson – Can’t complain about a spirited and substantive exchange on entitlement reform. Thanks, Fox! Take notes, Diane & George. #SCdebate
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hughhewittHugh Hewitt – #hhrs #tcot. Romney gets the great exit question, which is the best q to pull when the answer is strong, as that one was
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justin_hartJustin Hart – Wonkety Wonk WONK! #SCDebate
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TheFixThe Fix – Newt to Santorum: I am smarter than you are. On this answer. And on everything. #scdebate
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michellemalkinMichelle Malkin – RT @philipaklein: Romney right now trying to explain his signing an assault weapons ban in Massachusetts
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kathrynlopezKathryn Jean Lopez – perry wins the hunting primary, without saying a word.
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freddosofreddoso – Bullwinkle lobby upset at Romney’s moose-hunting comments.
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politicalmathPoliticalMath – RT @daveweigel: Mitt Romney enjoys activities that humans frequently engage in.
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CommentaryCommentary Magazine – RT @sethamandel: Santorum worked very hard to avoid saying the word “lobbyist.” He observed Romney’s answer carefully & learned. #SCdebate
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hughhewittHugh Hewitt – Biggest and only loser tonight is Ron Paul. #tcot #hhrs. @RickSantorum exactly right on liability for gun manufacturing
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CommentaryCommentary Magazine – RT @tobincommentary: Santorum: Ron Paul’s vote on liability would have wiped out 2nd amendment. #SCdebate
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michaelemlongmichaelemlong – bit.ly/AEMETD Democrats Desecrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy #tcot #tcot_talk #teaparty #sgp #right #gop #con—-
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pinkelephantpunTabitha Hale – RT @DeanClancy: Mitt: McCain-Feingold was a disaster. Well, the Feingold part, anyway.
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lesliecarbonelesliecarbone – Yes, it would be nice if people could give what they want to campaigns. It’s called freedom.
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CommentaryCommentary Magazine – RT @sethamandel: Romney wins the round, repeal McCainFeingold and “this campaign’s about issues, not ads.” #SCdebate
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JennyEriksonJenny Erikson – RT @ProducerSusan: How convenient that, after destroying #Newt in Iowa, Romney wants SuperPAC reform. #SCDebate
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michellemalkinMichelle Malkin – Perry promises border will be “locked down and secure” within 1 yr of him taking office. How about signing TX sanctuary city ban 1st?
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lesliecarbonelesliecarbone – The claim that any of these candidates is a conservative is what’s a bigger hoax than bigfoot. #scdebate
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michaelemlongmichaelemlong – bit.ly/wNe1KB Jim DeMint Is Right: It’s Time for a Debate Between Conservatives and Libertarians #tcot #tcot_talk #teaparty #sgp #gop
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brooksbaynebrooks bayne – strategic fencing, perry? en garde!
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philipakleinPhilip Klein – Reminder: In 1994, Mitt supported banning PACs and having campaign spending limits.
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END OF DEBATE
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MarkhalperinMark Halperin – My debate grades: Gingrich A-, Perry B, Romney B, Santorum C+, Paul C. Full report cards on all the candidates coming soon.
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hughhewittHugh Hewitt – Romney wins because no one broke out and he delivered enough strong answers to offset some weak ones #tcot #hhrs
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philipakleinPhilip Klein – Great debate for Newt, terrible one for Romney. But will it matter? Or is con vote too split? Perry was also strong.
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OldHossRadbournOld Hoss Radbourn – The education system was much better in the days of No Student Left Unwhipped.
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scottsbostonThe Boston Gazette – RT @DLoesch: Gingrich won this debate and Perry finished second. His debate lessons have paid off. #SCdebate
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jsnbrowningJason Browning -@RickSantorum took it to @MittRomney right from the start. Great job Senator! One of your best performances! #SCDebate
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EdMorrisseyEdMorrissey – I thought this was a pretty good debate for Romney. Not because he was especially strong, but because Gingrich and Santorum both were.
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FlapGregory Flap Cole – The only way Romney will be stopped is if two of the 3 conservatives : Perry, Newt or Santorum quit after SC and one on one race n Florida
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nansenNansen Malin – just wait for CPAC straw poll RT @alexashrugged: Supposedly Ron Paul won the debate on Twitter
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theblazeTheBlaze.com – VID – Gingrich Defends ‘Food Stamp President’ Comment, Explains How He’d Handle Unemployment Benefits theblaze.com/stories/gingri… via @theblaze TG
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ericearlingEric Earling – Dumbest debate feature ever: what does the aggregate Twitter answers of manufactured #dodge #answer construct? Who cares
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PSThornberryScott Thornberry – RT @EdMorrissey: I did think this was Jon Huntsman’s finest debate yet, though.
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END Of Tweet-By-Tweet
