Republicans Gingrich and Huntsman to hold epic debate

[Angry Dragon]

I was not aware of this debate

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16054669

11 December 2011 Last updated at 01:06 ET

Republican presidential hopefuls Newt Gingrich and Jon Huntsman plan to hold a debate styled on the historic 1858 tussles between Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas.

Their campaigns say the debate, to be held on Monday 12 December at St Anselm College in New Hampshire, will provide a detailed exploration of their positions and views for the country.

But are they, the voters and the media capable of an intelligent, detailed debate akin to the 21 hours of speeches and argument Lincoln and Douglas made in 1858?

The 14 Republican debates held so far in 2011 have featured several game-changing moments. They have bolstered Mr Gingrich's candidacy, ended Tim Pawlenty's, and seriously diminished Rick Perry's chances (oops...)..

more at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16054669


In my opinion Huntsman will peel away the layers that hide the evil Newt........

[Duct Tape]

1. I find this quite interesting because this gives Huntsman a chance to

showcase himself and take down the GOP field leader at the same time. Huntsman is the only candidate who, if nominated, could truly challenge Obama. Fortunately he's polling extremely low, but with the SNL spot, the Colbert interview, and this debate, Huntsman may make a push. One thing's for sure, he's been given some great opportunities.

[MilesColtrane]

2. Yes, this is weird.

Gingrich has nothing to gain in agreeing to this debate.

Perhaps this decision is telling about just how big an ego he has. He can't decline an invitation to fight even if it's the smart thing to do.

[nobodyspecial]

5. It's definitely Newt's ego

He thinks he's the smartest person in the room. Huntsman is the smartest in the field, which is why he is gaining little traction in a field of idiots put there by idiots. I think Huntsman will hand him his ass.

[Old and In the Way]

10. +1

Couldn't agree more. Newt's a pompous gasbag who believes he's far more intelligent than the facts would support. He might think a Lincoln-Douglas debate will elevate his professorial persona, but I think it could just as likely expose him as the lightweight he really is.

[Angry Dragon]

6. Huntsman has nothing to lose

He has been polling below 5%
He is the most sane of the republicans
I believe he is the least conservative of the bunch
Newt thinks he is a historian and thinks of himself as a modern Lincoln or Douglass(not sure which one)
hard to go inside Newt's mind and come out sane

[Brother Buzz]

15. Newt may desire to channel Lincoln or Douglass, but he comes across like the failed John Frémont

Any historian should know how that pesky accumulated baggage comes home to roost, Newt.

[spanone]

18. ego, ego, ego

newt is all about his bloated ego

[demtenjeep]

20. Newt thinks he is so superior to others

he just has lost reality.

[grantcart]

3. This is the begining of the end of Romney

He may come in third in Iowa.

He then has to run in NH but its a no win primary for him.

If he wins it, its because he is a native son, living there.

If he loses in NH then he can win no where.

[Angry Dragon]

8. Just wondering where you came up with Romney....

The debate is The Newt and Huntsman

Not disagreeing with you, just wondering.........

[grantcart]

11. NH is a must win for Romney

If Huntsman starts to drink his milkshake in NH and Gingrich even gets close to winning then Romney is finished because if he can't win there he can't win anywhere.

These two are very clever by stagging this debate because they are trying to marginalize the other lower tier charachters making it a 3 way race.

[Angry Dragon]

14. I was not thinking that far ahead

I was just sitting back and watching them all
chase each other in circles

[maximusveritas]

4. Huntsman has been one of the toughest critics of Romney

who he sees as his main competitor for being the moderate alterative. This debate will give both an opportunity to stake out their desired position and take shots at Romney. So it works well for Gingrich, just like when he used Cain to appear more knowledgeable and intelligent in contrast..

[Orangepeel]

7. Wasn't Gingrich doing this with Cain until he dropped out?

[Angry Dragon]

9. You could be right ....... that would make sense

and they maybe asked Huntsman to fill in

Newt could have asked Huntsman, Romney or Paul
the rest would have gotten lost

[JoePhilly]

12. Newt / Huntsman?

[Angry Dragon]

16. Orangepeel above suggested that

this debate was set up before Cain dropped out
and they needed a replacement for Cain
Makes sense to me ........ but I am easy

[McCamy Taylor]

13. Confirms my suspicion Huntsman is being forced to run to take Mormon votes from

Romney. This is an attempt to increase his public profile. They hope he will split votes off from Romney. That is the only conceivable reason the currently designated front runner would debate the guy at the back of the pack---to bring that guy forward a bit.

Count on Huntsman to do and say nothing that will hurt Gingrich. He is either being bribed or blackmailed.

[dimbear]

17. US history goes Lincoln/Douglas, then the Civil War. Seems about right. n/t

[Angry Dragon]

19. LOL

war