By Wolf Blitzer, CNN
Mesa, Arizona (CNN) – It’s been a difficult few days for Rick Santorum. Fairly or unfairly, you always know you have a campaign problem when media outlets are asking you about statements you’ve made about Satan and Hitler.
To his credit, he’s not ducking and weaving. He’s not shying away from answering these questions and others involving his stance on the most sensitive social issues out there, including gay rights, abortion, contraception, religion and a woman’s role in the military.
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Post by: Filed under: 2012 election • Arizona • Debates • Republicans • Wolf Blitzer |
By Wolf Blitzer, CNN
(CNN) – Because I’ve now moderated three of them, I know it will sound self-serving when I say I’ve really enjoyed watching all the Republican presidential debates. There have been about 20 so far, and they have been informative. Like the millions of Americans who’ve watched them on television, I’ve learned a great deal about the candidates. They’ve been really instrumental in shaping public attitudes.
Millions and millions of Americans who’ve watched the debates are now better-informed voters.
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Post by: Filed under: 2012 election • Debates |
Ron Paul broke debate tension with amusing one-liners. CNN contributors James Carville & Alex Castellanos discuss.
RELATED STORY: Florida debate's most buzz-worthy moments
Wolf Blitzer talks with Anderson Cooper about his interaction with Newt Gingrich during the CNN Debate.
By Wolf Blitzer, CNN
Jacksonville, Florida (CNN) – I am blessed with a great team of producers and researchers who have helped me craft a lot of strong questions for tonight’s Republican presidential debate here on the campus of the University of North Florida. First of all, let me thank them. Hopefully, I won’t disappoint our viewers tonight.
This will be my third Republican debate in this presidential cycle. The ones I moderated at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa and at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., I thought, were solid and informative. We focused on some of the most important issues impacting Americans. I will try to do that once again tonight.
The earlier debates had eight candidates on the stage. Four finalists remain tonight. That means each candidate will get some more time. And that is good.
My goal is that the voters in Florida and across the country will have a better appreciation of these candidates following the debate. I want the voters to know where the candidates agree and where they disagree. Undecided Republicans certainly need to know how each candidate would operate as president.
Four years ago, I moderated five presidential debates. Each was important, especially that final debate I moderated at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. At that time, only Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were left on the stage. The debate was substantive and important and no doubt shaped Democratic voters.
Having said that, I believe all these Republican debates in this current election cycle may in fact be even more important. Tonight’s debate will be the 19th. Millions of people are watching and learning and making final voting decisions. And that’s the way it should be.
One final personal note: I feel honored that I have this opportunity to moderate the debate. No matter how many times I do it, I feel blessed.
CNN LIVE: Tune in Thursday at 8 p.m. ET for the CNN/Republican Party of Florida Debate hosted by Wolf Blitzer and follow it on Twitter at #CNNDebate. For real-time coverage of the Florida primary, go to CNNPolitics.com or to the CNN apps or CNN mobile web site.
By Wolf Blitzer, CNN
(CNN) - A week ago, the Gallup daily tracking poll of registered Republicans around the country had Mitt Romney at 37% with Newt Gingrich at only 14%. Guess what? That 23-point spread has now disappeared. The new nationwide Gallup numbers: Romney 29% to Gingrich’s 28%. That’s a statistical tie well within the 3-point sampling error.
It only goes to show you how quickly political fortunes can change. Fresh from his double-digit victory over Romney in South Carolina, Gingrich now certainly has the political momentum going with him into Florida’s January 31 primary. He seems to be on a roll.
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Post by: Filed under: 2012 election • Debates • Mitt Romney • Newt Gingtich • Republicans • Wolf Blitzer |
By Wolf Blitzer, CNN
(CNN) - And now there are four Republican presidential candidates left in the contest.
They were all on the stage Thursday night at the tough CNN debate in South Carolina.
One of them will almost certainly face President Barack Obama in November. There is still a tiny chance no one will emerge with enough delegates to wrap things up. I suppose, at least theoretically, there could be a brokered convention in Tampa, Florida, at the end of August.
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Post by: Filed under: 2012 election • Debates • Republicans • Wolf Blitzer |
By Wolf Blitzer, CNN
Charleston, South Carolina (CNN) – Here are a few things I will be looking for in Thursday night’s CNN Southern Republican Presidential Debate:
The four remaining candidates have been beating up on each other in recent days. Will they have the guts to blast their opponents when they are standing right next to them?
Rick Santorum, whom I interviewed Thursday in Charleston, has had an ad running that says Mitt Romney is “just like Obama.” He refers to Romney’s support for health care mandates in Massachusetts. Will Santorum look Romney in the eyes and repeat that line Thursday night?
Newt Gingrich told me in Iowa that he doesn’t think he could vote for Ron Paul if the Texas congressman were to win the GOP nomination. He cites Paul’s national security policies. Will Gingrich be prepared to go that far in the debate?
Is Romney going to announce that he’s ready to release his income tax returns now - as opposed to in April, as he suggested earlier this week? Even strong supporter New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he should be completely transparent.
Will the issue of Gingrich’s three marriages be a major issue? The reported comments by his second wife that he once wanted an “open marriage” have certainly generated a lot of commotion. Let’s see how the former House speaker handles that controversy and what his rivals say.
The many debates during this election cycle have been so important in this contest. Gingrich is surging in South Carolina now in part because of his strong performance in Monday night’s debate. Thursday night’s CNN debate will be must-see TV.
Tune in Thursday at 8 p.m. ET for the CNN/Southern Republican Presidential Debate hosted by John King and follow it on Twitter at #CNNDebate. For real-time coverage of the South Carolina primary, go to CNNPolitics.com or to the CNN apps or CNN mobile web site.
Follow Wolf Blitzer on Twitter: @WolfBlitzerCNN
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Post by: Filed under: 2012 election • Debates • Republicans • Wolf Blitzer |
(CNN) - Help shape the debate in the race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.
Use the form below to submit your brief question to CNN’s Republican National Security Debate, co-sponsored by the American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation. Or tweet your questions to #CNNDebate.
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Take a look at some of the most memorable GOP debate moments this year, including Perry's "oops."
The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer is the command center for breaking news, politics and extraordinary reports from around the world. Tune in weeknights from 5-7pm ET and Saturdays from 6-7pm ET on CNN.
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