Clinton, Economy At Center Of GOP Debate

Republican Candidates Square Off Five Days Before Crucial Jan. 29 Florida Primary

(CBS/AP)  Republican presidential contenders depicted Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as weak on Iraq and certain to raise taxes Thursday night, setting aside their own campaign debate squabbles long enough to agree that she is unworthy of the White House.

"She is so out of step with the American people," said former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, joined by Sen. John McCain and Rudy Giuliani in criticizing the former first lady.

The chorus of criticism came as Republicans strived to present their credentials as advocates of tax cuts, particularly to head off the threat of recession. They generally agreed that the newly minted, bipartisan economic stimulus package was a good start but did not go far enough.

"I will vote for it," said McCain, the only contender on stage with a Senate seat. He quickly added he wants the tax cuts Bush won from Congress in 2001 and 2003 to be made permanent.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Texas Rep. Ron Paul shared the debate stage, five days before the Florida primary that is the latest pivot point in the battle for the Republican presidential nomination.

The 90-minute debate featured a series of remarkably blunt questions to the five candidates on stage.

Giuliani was asked why his poll numbers are deteriorating in Florida, a state where he has devoted two weeks to campaigning. With a smile, he said he was like the New York Giants, the professional football team that made its way through a turbulent season and will play in the Super Bowl.

McCain was asked about his own mother's statement that he lacked support from certain elements of the Republican Party. He claimed he had won the Republican vote in the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries, then pivoted to add that he won the support of independents as well.

"They know I'll put my country ahead of my party every time," he added, attempting to portray himself as more electable than his rivals in the general election.

It wasn't the only moment where the focus turned away from the battle for the Republican presidential nomination, and toward the general election campaign with the Democrats.

Romney had a quick reply when asked how he would run against the team of Clinton and her husband, the former president.

"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," he said.

After saying Clinton wanted to retreat from Iraq, raise taxes and win government-run health care, Romney added, "She is exactly what's wrong in Washington. I said before, `Washington is broken. She is Washington to the core."'

McCain said the war was worth the cost in American lives because "we got rid of Saddam Hussein. He said we will be able to eventually draw down in Iraq, but not now. He said the U.S. should not "wave the white flag" as Sen. Clinton would do.

Giuliani said of the former first lady, "she used to be in favor of the war. Now she's against it.

The barrage of criticism was the equivalent of the flip side of Monday's Democratic debate, when McCain's name came up several times as though he would be the Republican nominee, the man to be beaten in the fall.

The economy dominated most of the debate, not surprising given the threat of recession and polls that show it is a top concern of voters.

The men vying to succeed Bush were careful not to criticize the agreement he made with House Democratic leaders, but several made plain they wanted something that would cut taxes further.

"It's something I support and I look forward to taking it further," said Romney, who backs permanent tax cuts along with the rebates that are at the heart of the bipartisan agreement.

Giuliani responded along similar lines in the debate's opening moments. "I think this package for what it does is OK and I would support it, but I think it does not go far enough," he said. "We should be very aggressive."

Huckabee offered qualified support for the stimulus package, saying he was concerned the tax rebates would be financed by borrowing from foreign lenders such as China, and that consumers would then turn around and spend the money on Chinese products.

"I have to wonder whose economy is going to be stimulated the most by the package," said the former Arkansas governor.

The fifth candidate, Paul, said, "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."

In recent days, several GOP presidential hopefuls had outlined stimulus packages of their own, most of which relied to a far greater degree on permanent tax cuts than the agreement between Bush and Democratic leaders announced earlier Thursday in Washington.

About two-thirds of the tax relief in the bipartisan plan would be delivered in rebate checks to 117 million families beginning in May. Individual taxpayers would get up to $600 in rebates, working couples $1,200 and those with children an additional $300 per child under the agreement.

"All the candidates did their best to separate themselves from President Bush, at least on the economy," said CBSNews.com Senior Political Editor Vaughn Ververs. "That there wasn't as much separation, or animosity, between the candidates themselves is a reflection of the very tight battle for Tuesday's Florida primary. The theme of the night was, play it safe."

After a fierce month of primaries and caucuses, the roster of contenders has begun to thin, and Florida is likely to winnow the field further. Former Sen. Fred Thompson and Rep. Duncan Hunter both dropped out in the past week. Huckabee is out of money and campaigning only sporadically in Florida, while Giuliani has made the state virtual must-win territory.

Perhaps as a result, the five contenders shied away from attacking one another, and at times, seemed eager to curry favor with one another's supporters.

McCain made the most obvious play along those lines, leaping to Giuliani's defense after the former mayor was asked about a critical editorial appearing in Friday editions of The New York Times.

"I happen to know he's an American hero," McCain said of Giuliani, referring to his leadership in New York City after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The primary offers the winner 57 Republican National Convention delegates. It is the first big state to vote in the nominating campaign, the first winner-take-all contest in terms of delegates and the final election before a virtual national primary on Feb. 5.

NBC's Brian Williams, moderator of the 90-minute event, pointed out that in recent years, no Republican has won the party's presidential nomination without first winning the Florida primary.

[jon2012-2009]

Hillarys hate filled race taunting strategy has back-fired and exploded in her face. She has been revealed as a closet racist...
Posted by ApprovedCBS at 11:24 AM : Jan 26, 2008

It''s easy to throw mud but so hard to prove anything substantive. Maybe Approved should give it a break until he or she can get the facts. Unless Approved needs this job.

[jon2012-2009]

Mrs. Clinton''''s biggest false statement to date is "no matter what happens in this nominating process, the Democratic party will rally behind our candidate" If Mrs. Clinton is the candidate, there will be a HUGE defection from Democrats, Independents, and especially Republicans. There is such a hatred for Hillary out there, there is no way that this country after having voted W Bush into office TWICE, will vote in the even more hated Clinton.
Posted by davidheyburn at 09:33 PM : Jan 25, 2008

If Hillary''s "biggest false statement" is something that will not be decided till nine months from now, then you don''t know it''s false at this point. Maybe better stick to something that is not so big but false anyway.

The hatred thing sounds like a broken record, part of a chorus of broken records. That many Republicans do not like Hillary is a given so I wouldn''t call their votes in favor of someone other than Hillary a defection. There are Democrats who would never vote for a Republican so those are offsetting negatives.

[mpthomas32]

The "Listen" Whisper Came From Romney%u2019s In-ear Monitor?

Is this a second instance of Mitt Romney being prodded by a whispering voice of what he needs to say?

Listen and notice how he rephrased his "new legislation" comment from "believe" to "support" after you hear the word "support" whispered.

This would be evidence Romney indeed heard the word "support" whispered and after hearing it noticeably USED it in his response.

This would seem to bolster the argument that the first "he raised taxes" whisper was more than that of a random audience member.

This would be the second time Mitt noticeably responds to a whisper.

What is going on?

hmmmm...we have the dog whisperer, the horse whisperer, and now we have the Romney whisperer. Who is this person, I''d like to know.

Listen for yourself -

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zK408oqEyOU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjI90XPYsco&NR=1

[eddynewhope]

Davidheyburn - You are completely right. There will be a mass defection from the Democratic party if the Clintons sleaze their way to the nomination. It would cement the notion that the Dems have become just like the GOP - sleazy liars with no vision beyond war and holding power. It''s such a bummer though because had the Clintons backed Obama, the Dems would have been unstoppable in November.

[davidheyburn]

Mrs. Clinton''s biggest false statement to date is "no matter what happens in this nominating process, the Democratic party will rally behind our candidate" If Mrs. Clinton is the candidate, there will be a HUGE defection from Democrats, Independents, and especially Republicans. There is such a hatred for Hillary out there, there is no way that this country after having voted W Bush into office TWICE, will vote in the even more hated Clinton. The slimy word shaping and placing is whats gotten us where we are today. Barack NEEDS to be the Democratic Candidate and NEEDS to be our President, there is not "fairy tale" about it.

[eddynewhope]

Tibu987 - I''m with you and I agree, we are not the only ones. This is a watershed campaign for the Dems. If the Clintons sleaze their way to the nomination, the Democratic party has nothing further to offer me. Don''t fret though. Obama could very well win this as people ask themselves "do we really want more Clinton?". If not, there is a very promising Indi candidate waiting to see if the Dems are split by a Clinton nomination in which case, he''s going to enter the race and he is quite a contender - especially in a Clinton/McCain or Clinton/Romney race.

[candide777]

yep, republicans are talking about the issues, and democrats are caught up in some surreal racial drama -- leave it to the democrats to get beat by their own strengths . . .

[ioweign]

I am an example, 71, white, a long time Democrat, now independent, who has voted for many women in local and State politics, will NOT vote for Hillary if she should win the nomination.
I wonder how many like me are out there.

Posted by tibu987 at 03:47 PM : Jan 25, 2008

Looks like your DNA ends here..........Thank god !!

[tibu987]

Precisely why the Republicans want Hillary to be the Democratic candidate.
She is unelectable.
I am an example, 71, white, a long time Democrat, now independent, who has voted for many women in local and State politics, will NOT vote for Hillary if she should win the nomination.
I wonder how many like me are out there.

[mpthomas32]

The Romney Whisper - Was He Miked for Debate?

In yesterday''s MSNBC Florida debates, when Romney is asked a question about Ronald Reagan - "will you do for social security what Ronald Reagan did in 1983"- you can hear a voice whisper "he raised taxes" and then Romney says "I''m not going to raise taxes, what I''m going to do ..."

This is spreading across the internet, click the YouTube link to hear the exchange. I heard this too, and thought what was that and figured it was John or someone else, But why would they help Romney. Russert is known for these types of questions, and it would make sense to see if Romney knew what his hero really did on Social Security. My guess is a frequency picked up on the signal going to Mitt''s miked ear piece.

Anyway, see for yourselves...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x_KIpTVmC8
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NlIMQ31EjY

[infidel_us]

Twitt Romney trails both Hillary and Barack rather badly in the latest Rasmussen polls.
Posted by Iceman_1960 at 01:26 PM : Jan 25, 2008

Rather badly?!?!?! You call 47% to 42% ''rather badly''!?!?!!?! That''s almost within the margin of error.

ANd given the leftleaning press'' love fest with democrat candidates, I cansider it rather remarkable that he''s as close as he is. Read it and WEEP!

[iceman_1960]

Twitt Romney trails both Hillary and Barack rather badly in the latest Rasmussen polls.

The GOP should nominate McCain if they want a respectable loss.

With Romney or Giuliani it will be embarrassing.

[pepperp1]

How pathetic, Romeny McCain ohhhh Bill had a blower nod nod wink wink, she wants to raise taxes, this from the party that has built a deferred tax debt of 32,000 per person in the last 7 years, a 60% increase in debt and deficit. The last thing Senator Clinton would need to do is raise taxes but I can imagine they are petrified that she is going to reroute those trillions of discretionary giveaways to the Corporations and republican donors like Halliburton and Backwater and put that money back in our pot the non discretionary part of the US budget, for our People our communities our infrastructure and putting America back to work for our selves not their cronies. It is going to be a fight and Congress is not going to like it either but she is tough enough for the fight and America needs to stay with our leaders and not be divided by the pitiful wedgie like Bill got a blower, gay people should not marry, that wont move monies back into our country and our pride they are trying to con America and we reject them.

Of that I am confident; Hillary Clintons Special Interest is the American People.

Quote for Davos Summit

Our failed economic and political policies have caused us to become increasingly IRRELEVANT%u2026%u2026

[pepperp1]

How pathetic, Romeny McCain ohhhh Bill had a blower nod nod wink wink, she wants to raise taxes, this from the party that has built a deferred tax debt of 32,000 per person in the last 7 years, a 60% increase in debt and deficit. The last thing Senator Clinton would need to do is raise taxes but I can imagine they are petrified that she is going to reroute those trillions of discretionary giveaways to the Corporations and republican donors like Halliburton and Backwater and put that money back in our pot the non discretionary part of the US budget, for our People our communities our infrastructure and putting America back to work for our selves not their cronies. It is going to be a fight and Congress is not going to like it either but she is tough enough for the fight and America needs to stay with our leaders and not be divided by the pitiful wedgie like Bill got a blower, gay people should not marry, that wont move monies back into our country and our pride they are trying to con America and we reject them.

Of that I am confident; Hillary Clintons Special Interest is the American People.

Quote for Davos Summit

Our failed economic and political policies have caused us to become increasingly IRRELEVANT%u2026%u2026

[infidel_us]

which I must add is costing you and I a ton of money EVERY SINGLE DAY!!
Posted by MCVet at 11:36 AM : Jan 25, 2008

What a moron. Did Clinton inherit 9-11? Ah, NO. Did Clinton inherit the war in Iraq? Ah, no. Does all that cost money? Ah, YES!

Have you been a blithering idiot all your life, or was your brain damaged from too much drug abuse? I''ll bet you''re one of those losers sucking disability off Uncle Sugar, aren''t you?

[infidel_us]

Well, well, well.....

''I DON''T REMEMBER MEETING REZKO''
Fri Jan 25 2008 07:40:02

**INTERNET EXCLUSIVE**

Photo surfaces of smiling Clintons with Tony Rezko.

[mcvet]

Leave it to the Republicans to BLOW UP the deficit spending, while giving out free money to everyone!! Yes, Democrats agreed to this one, but I don''''t! Oneof these years the deficit is going to blow up in our faces! Let''''s hope we get a Democrat for President so he/she can balance the budget like President Clinton did.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Theroo4 at 10:52 AM : Jan 25, 2008
+ report abuse

Let''s not blame Politician''s going into an election year for trying to help people out. I don''t really agree with it either but the Democrats are not the blame here. The Republican''s have NO ONE to blame! They took over a great Economy, Balanced Budget and Surplus, they had complete control of ALL three Branches of Government and THEY ran up the debt, which I must add is costing you and I a ton of money EVERY SINGLE DAY!!

[mcvet]

dgermenis, if nobody wants Hillary as President, why has she won primaries in New Hampshire & Nevada? Why do polls show her beating or tied with the major Republican Candidates? The November Presidential election will be close, like the last 2 elections were, and Hillary may not win, but you can''''t say ''''nobody wants Hillary as President'''' unless you have your head in the sand!


Posted by nolalou at 10:30 AM : Jan 25, 2008
+ report abuse


It''s a very old tactic used by Fascist for as long as anyone can remember. They want to make you feel like there''s no use resisting their "Superior" knowledge so why try. LOL Fascist tried it against Kennedy... didn''t work there either.

[mcvet]

The Social Security Preservation Act will do this by making it illegal for the government to use the trust funds for any purpose except administering the Social Security system.





Posted by t_barr at 11:06 AM : Jan 25, 2008
+ report abuse

How many Fascist Republican''s have presented Congress with a Balanced Budget Sparky! It''s always something.. It''s always someone else''s fault... it''s always a reason the facist can''t keep the promises they make... all the while we continue to fall farther and farther behind the rest of the Industrialized Nation in our standard of living and more and more like a Third World Nation. I''m fed up with "Trickle Down" and I''m fed up with the constant LIES... you know we''re going to cut taxes to the rich and we''re going to cut spending... IT NEVER HAS HAPPENED and if you are so hung up on your party that you continue to buy the same tired old trash you deserve the results. We are going to face a the social security situation that''s just a fact. This garbage of just trashing the program is a NON Starter and that''s obvious to anyone. The Lame Brained Idea of turning it over to sleazy CEO''s is also a non starter. Now we need to focus on someone who WILL follow the will of the people and FIX the problem Sieg Heil Mein Fuhrer!!!

[pepperp1]

How pathetic, Romeny McCain ohhhh Bill had a blower nod nod wink wink, she wants to raise taxes, this from the party that has built a deferred tax debt of 32,000 per person in the last 7 years, a 60% increase in debt and deficit. The last thing Senator Clinton would need to do is raise taxes but I can imagine they are petrified that she is going to reroute those trillions of discretionary giveaways to the Corporations and republican donors like Halliburton and Backwater and put that money back in our pot the non discretionary part of the US budget, for our People our communities our infrastructure and putting America back to work for our selves not their cronies. It is going to be a fight and Congress is not going to like it either but she is tough enough for the fight and America needs to stay with our leaders and not be divided by the pitiful wedgie like Bill got a blower, gay people should not marry, that wont move monies back into our country and our pride they are trying to con America and we reject them.

Of that I am confident; Hillary Clintons Special Interest is the American People.