Saturday, December 10, 2011

The Newt-Gingrich-Pile-On debate preview

The first Republican presidential debate with Newt Gingrich as a front-runner - Ed Morrissey/HotAir

Two candidates won’t appear in tonight’s debate. Herman Cain suspended his campaign and will likely announce an endorsement in the near future. Jon Huntsman will conduct a townhall in New Hampshire, having not met the threshold of polling support in Iowa to participate tonight.

Gingrich vs Romney rivalry in Iowa debate spotlight - Reuters

Eric Fehrnstrom, a senior adviser to Romney, said direct exchanges between the two candidates were inevitable and he expected Gingrich would feel the heat of the spotlight more in his first debate as a frontrunner.

"I think there will be some vetting," he said.

Gingrich's campaign organized a conference call on Friday to respond to Romney's most recent attacks, calling them a sign of panic and desperation and promising to fight back.

"No campaign just lays down and allows an opponent to stab you in the heart," said former Congressman Greg Ganske, a Gingrich supporter. "It deserves a response."


Gingrich Focus of Iowa Debate as Palestinian Comment Questioned - Bloomberg

Tonight’s Republican debate in Iowa presents a field narrowed by the absence of Jon Huntsman and Herman Cain and focused by the ascendancy of Newt Gingrich, who is shouldering criticism for comments he made to Jewish media about Palestinians and peace with Israel.

Calling the Mideast peace process “delusional,” Gingrich said in an interview with the Jewish Channel cable TV network that the Palestinians are “invented people.”