Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul challenge electability questions

AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich on Thursday night brushed off concerns about his electability by comparing himself to former President Ronald Reagan.

Ahead of the 1980 election, Republicans had concerns about Reagan's electability, Gingrich said in Republican presidential debate Thursday, hosted by Fox News in Sioux City, Iowa. But he ended up defeating President Jimmy Carter because people saw "he believes what he's talking about, he has big solutions," Gingrich said.

"I believe I can debate Barack Obama, and I think in seven three-hour debates, Barack Obama will not have a leg to stand on" to defend his record, Gingrich said.

As the latest frontrunner in the race, Gingrich has taken hits from his GOP rivals (former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has called him an "unreliable" conservative) and other influential Republicans (Republican Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said Thursday he isn't sure Gingrich has the discipline to be president).

Gingrich defended himself against both charges by pointing to his record in the House, where he led a new GOP majority and brought about welfare reform and balanced the budget. He pointed out the American Conservative Union has given him a 90 percent rating for his 20 years of congressional votes. Gingrich called it "laughable" to think his conservative credentials would be questioned.

Meanwhile, Rep. Ron Paul also brushed off concerns about his electability. Because of his staunchly libertarian views, many consider Paul a fringe candidate, in spite of his relatively strong standing in some polls.

Paul said, "Fortunately for the Republican party this year, probably anybody up here could beat Obama."

The congressman acknowledged his views differ from his GOP rivals' on issues like foreign policy, but he says his views resonates with voters because "the philosophy I'm taking about is independence and freedom. I see this philosophy as being very electable."

More from the debate:

GOP candidates: Oust Holder for Fast and Furious
Newt Gingrich hammered for Freddie Mac ties
Romney praises Medicare overhaul proposal
Rick Perry hopes to be the Tim Tebow of Iowa caucuses

[tsigili]

Gingrich is very electable......Ron Paul really isn't, and it amazes me that he still is a congressman, actually, with some of his wacky viewpoints.

[Moebedda]

You believe this because this is what the corporate media told you to believe. Do your own research and you might be surprised. Any man who will repeatedly lie to his wife doesn't have a problem lieing to everyone else, which is why Obama will win if Newt get's the nomination. Besides, Newt is owned by the Zionists and the corporate war machine. It will be more wars with you and me paying for it all. We would start bombing Iran within his first year and some of his ideas are simply dangerous to our liberties.

[Renegade.Rivers]

While the mainstream media at all levels has done everything to discredit Dr. Paul, the people continue to back him in every increasing numbers, and why is that. Could it be because that he has continually advocated the American people over foreign and corporate interest since he began his political career? Could it be because he believes the Constitution and Bill of Rights trump all other special interest? Could it be because that he believes that state and local governments should be doing their jobs, and not depending on the federal government for rules and regulations, and monies that should be collected at the state and local level?

Ron Paul is the only candidate that is willing to make the hard choices that it will take to get America back on solid ground, and stop all of the frivolous spending along with bring our troops home and putting the tax payers money back where it belongs, in the hands of Americans to rebuild America.

[caryash]

Ron Paul to Gingrich: "He supports all the wars in the Middle East a thousand times more than I would. But you know in the nineteen-sixties when I was drafted in the military, he got several deferments. He chose not to go. Now he'll send our kids to war."

[Richard_Haydn]

Seems like much of the polling only reflects the name most people have heard on TV a lot. Except of cours Ron Paul. While either being ignored or constantly bashed, often in suble ways, he is in a tie for first in IA. We are all so sick of the lying bags of poop that will pander to anyone to get a vote. It was disgusting watching Cain and Santorum cry their eyes out at the Christian forum. They will do or say anything to get a vote. If elected, they will blow it all off. What I truly cannot understand is how much Obama has blown off. But he will be the winner if they put the Newt or Romney up against him. Newt has no character. Casual watchers and hicks are impessed that he sounds so smart. He is a money grubbing liar. Rommey? No one but the GOP establishment even cares. Listen to the callers on Bennet's show about Romney: "He is one handsome man and such a handsome family, I would love to see him in the White House". And on Cain: "So he's a ladies man, that don't bother me none". God help us all.

[msfreedomwatch]

Right Ruteger. And we wonder why the TROOPS support Ron Paul since he is "ignorant and a lunatic".

[TeaParty4RonPaul]

The time has come to put your money where your mouth is! If you support Ron Paul please go to ronpaul2012 . com and donate as much as you can. It is now officially December 16 on the east coast and we have a Tea Party MONEY BOMB to donate to so GIVE HUGE!!!

We're all in this together... Happy holidays to you all!

[revkrazy]

Great debate tonight. Who do you feel won?

Poll: Who won the 12/15 Fox News Debate in Sioux City, Iowa?

Vote: http://www.wepolls.com/p/6488640/

Also, Wepolls.com is hosting a live GOP presidential debate starting at 9pm eastern tonight 12/15 with Fred Karger, Gov. Gary Johnson and Gov. Buddy Roemer. The candates responses will remain online to be viewed after the debate. More details can be found at http://www.wepolls.com/debate.

[p_zitty]

Occupy Build A Bear Workshop. Stop Newt Gingrich! http://youtu.be/Y70X8OZaXIw

[Bapins]

Although I am a RP supporter, i don't think Ron paul did not really do that great. It is because obviously they set up Newt to win the debate and pull down RP.

In the beginning, Fox allowed almost 5 or 6 min for Newt to explain his position. If Newt rises, RP will fall. They had allowed all other candidate to come out with the right answer except RP.

I am not incrementing conspircy theory here but i bet fox had given all other candidate the questions to answer except RP because if any increment of Michelle or Rick Perry or Newt will lower RP's poll

They are totally scared of RP, and i think they again used a dirty trick on ron paul like Chris Wallace said they will disregard IOWA if RP wins.

[4d7711]

"Condon" is Jewish, right? That explains who the "many" are in the "many [that] consider Paul a fringe candidate". It's not a coincidence that the one candidate that speaks out against more wars for Israel is same candidate consistently defamed by Jewish writers in the press.

The mainstream media is psyops for Israel.

[democracy8]

Actually, Condon is Irish. But please don't let that get in the wy of your all-too-eager anti-semitism.

[democracy8]

"way of..."