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Sunshine State showdown: Romney vs. Gingrich
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Focus group reacts to final debate before Florida primary
- Duration 11:08
- Date Jan 27, 2012
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Focus group reacts to final debate before Florida primary
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Well it's an all out slug fest in Republican presidential debate number.
Nineteen.
Front runners Newt Gingrich admit -- hitting each other hard as the crucial Florida primary draws near here's just a sample.
Speaker Gingrich was hired by Freddie Mac to promote them.
Two two influence other people throughout Washington encouraging them to a not to dismantle these two -- I think that was enormous mistake.
I think instead of the -- that we should have had a whistle blower and not -- horn -- He's just an up and said look these things are a disaster this is a crisis he -- been anxiously.
Telling the American people that these Kennedys were causing a housing bubble that would cause a collapse that we see here in Florida and around the country.
The governor has cheerfully the governor's -- -- and attacking me.
Inaccurately and he knows the contrast -- really -- -- -- I -- I would do no consulting wrote in no consuming no lobbying none.
But there's more ancient story we began digging in after Monday night is frankly -- I had about enough of us we discovered to our shot.
Governor Romney opens -- shares of both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Governor Romney made a million dollars also selling some of that.
Governor Romney on Sheridan has an investment in Goldman Sachs which is to date for closing on Floridians.
But it was Rick Santorum who may have had the best moment of the night when he suggested the political fist fights were not really helping anyone.
Take a look.
These two gentlemen who are out -- distracting from the most important issue we have nine point petty personal politics and we set aside that -- It was a member of congress and use the skills that he.
Developed as a member of congress to go out and buys companies and that's not the worst thing in the world and that Mitt Romney is a wealthy guy because he worked hard and he's gone out and working hard and you see guys leave that alone and focus.
What a moment let's bring our focus group now up panel up Republican voters.
-- trying to decide who they want to support in this election.
Did -- it was that Rick santorum's best moment of that debate David Celek.
Well I don't think we need to Rick Santorum to be an arbiter of what we can speak about.
I think what happened here was spirited discourse and we need more of that yeah -- not only and I would like to preface -- by saying I thought.
Newt Gingrich conducted himself with such distinction.
And presidential Kandahar that he really wiped the floor with Mitt Romney.
Well okay.
I mean it's not Tracy Davis well I -- disagree I think it just got very dirty and I think that will but the way that wolf.
Blitzer handled it from the very beginning I think his first question should then what the what's your reaction to the -- the union.
All of the questions in the beginning he made that happen did it encourage this bickering back and forth between the two of them and I and I think that -- -- -- that was -- -- And bulls defense but he picked up on bickering that we had been put -- they're gonna candidates mean he was quick to -- -- his hotel products and I what you put it up there isn't it ironic -- he still I mean why not really just goes for the big issues first -- he kept he kept pushing them -- I had time Gorelick.
The whole thing was staged like a boxing Mac pro football game first they introduce.
All the candidates I was just missing the cheerleaders and then the questions -- -- debate the infighting.
They should've asked about -- Obama's State of the Union Address.
If the question -- it's easy to be given a moderator now now you -- Newt.
If he didn't have a -- or is it the kid is because Rick Santorum was also encouraged to do that and you heard how he would respond to put her -- -- we have to remember.
-- probably a very small number of Americans -- watching and -- debate.
Not most of -- most -- I don't think watch every debate so a lot of Americans don't know about what's going back and forth with running -- these are not listening to it every time.
For me though it was like watching 213 year old girls fight over a boy I just I was decided not -- already -- in -- Santorum said that I was like finally Rick Santorum woke up yea.
I'm really applauded him for that -- we talk about something of substance.
And as Republicans and yes it does anybody feel upset when they see the blood -- you know going -- big candidate yeah it -- very well yeah.
I think our capital helping you make up your mind Tony saying -- look I think it.
We watch the past debates -- did not rise to the top of the pack being this dignified statesman now all of a sudden.
That's what he's trying to be it looks a little disingenuous.
And Romney's biggest criticism was that he wasn't offensive enough he wasn't vigorous and aggressive and now we showing that's I don't think we could criticize them because sometimes file especially against the -- -- -- Obama.
Is doesn't want my rock did you like I did wrong what I Rami I have to tell you -- that was the first time I gave Mitt Romney is standing on my living room really because I thought he finally settled a bit -- eight.
A little and I can't believe I admitted that.
-- -- it was about time for him to stand up for himself yeah he's been really I think.
Little bit more unfairly attacked -- with the Jay -- had you feel that.
-- taken as a whole.
These debates have been critically important to the process we've learned a lot about the candidates.
I -- far more about what these guys are going to do if they said in the Oval Office.
Than I do from our current president.
Who still is pretty shy about telling us where he intends to go.
So so what there's a little food fight here and there is anybody want to revisit the Obama Clinton contest -- four years ago which.
The Democrats believe helped their cause and the Republicans appeared to -- since that's why they structured this year's primary contest.
As long as it is it has -- -- they like deadlock.
This is -- planted a lot of the paid ads.
In in terms of importance were learned more from the debates than we have the -- How is your argument is their argument that this debate process is going to help the Republican candidate because you mentioned Mitt Romney who has gotten better he's gotten a lot more you know.
What I didn't at least in his response.
Would you feel more comfortable having -- of the -- the Republican candidate go out against Barack Obama after watching them in this process to -- -- -- -- and they definitely make and we have so much of -- we cannot afford four more years of Obama.
So we need somebody who's very strong and that's what this debate is gonna do I mean Obama is a very skilled politician.
He speaks well so we need to get the weakness is out now for the GOP we need to get the strength going.
Is there are -- that that that you know all these attacks the even the ugly ones right nude on Romney would Spain and Rodney now on -- Freddie Mac that that will wind up helping the Republican candidate because it's been out there it's less it's old news.
It's -- -- The process is tedious at this point and I'm sure the candidates are tired.
But in the long run they're being vetted right now all the the controversial topics we talked about -- their problems personal finances or the speakers marriages.
And this is something that we want to talk about now it's late January get out of the -- out of the way I won't have a nominee by the summer and we get it to some more substantive issues with the president.
In October.
Does it make you feel uncomfortable when you hear them getting ugly like last night CD we -- thank you decided it the exchange about Romney and that it is the anti immigrant he really went after -- on that a person he really -- afternoon on that.
And they had a spirited back and what does it make you uncomfortable.
Now I'm glad that it and that Romney had a great debate is his best ever he took it and people want to fighter and that's when it Gingrich has been doing so well but last night it Gingrich.
Lots of having Mitt Romney at one he was spirited he was strong gain in light it up and I -- now not -- -- -- Mitt Romney definitely one in people want.
Him to be strong I didn't say hey I'm capitalist on the success story and that is what America is all about and Rick Santorum is a nice guy but we're not playing high school tennis where the Olympics weren't there to win the big game and believe me.
Barack Obama's gonna bring him in my -- I had top conservatives.
Going want to beat Obama they want to pummel him and that's why they like people were spirited and firing.
This is because they know bombs destroying the country and -- around links.
And I do Larry budget but when he gets personal and we side before then -- Iowa vote you called -- -- liar and then run the desert called -- some veins and you know last night was really sure what it was his -- that was going afternoon manual which -- Purdue with his dad.
Yeah.
An -- -- that the Republican candidates are suffering before they go up against from a -- well I.
Think that it's good only I mean it's it's an uncomfortable I think for Republicans to watch but it is important because you know.
Actually the money issue now that it's out it's going to be harder for Obama let's say it was net.
But also when I was on and you know the campaign on bush bush sort of reminds me a little bit of Romney and he was not a good debater when bush 41 yeah he was.
Pretty bad about it and ended so -- night so I liked the fact that they're getting batter I I don't like the little fights but that's gonna happen and the general that's.
Yeah so I think Romney improved -- is a name coach who we got from Michelle got any any any.
The difference as ridiculous -- it doesn't really not been getting personal and it's kind of like to -- we don't get -- let me just like your opinion about something but we never make -- personal -- -- think they have to be very -- -- -- yeah.
Yeah.
It -- a lot -- sleazy yeah.
I think Gingrich he has brought -- he is a wants a strong military he's -- good loyal friend to Israel and he wants to abolish capital gains tax that's what American.
-- -- is why I began in nineteen debate to say we haven't talked about excuses is a little silly because we have -- with the exception of Ron Paul they all generally believe the same things on foreign policy defense policy.
Economic policy and of course your point Tom something drastically different than Obama is what all these guys represented at these points of that -- -- Obama is going to be so much more aggressive much yes finance stronger better organized and beat these guys can't handle this.
I -- debate now in in January.
They're not going to be able hold up against my class Tyler and I -- -- -- -- is an un orthodox Republican candidate has anybody after watching him all these debates very fassel with facts.
Seems like it's sincere you know any answers these questions it and anybody been moved yes to that -- -- at all yes -- yeah it's crazy I.
Primarily came in and -- better understand -- -- the women will then I don't feel like I'm dating him.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I'm hoping even that guy who'll look you any -- and tell you what you wanna here and there to get what he wants and that's running Gingrich to get my vote they're gonna tell me what I like yeah.
Well I am.
Yeah.
-- my eyes yeah I did that.
I'm not around he stands for capitalism and I think for us to say he's gonna -- also want know he's gonna create the jobs that we need.
People losing their homes and we don't know what Gingrich for the relationship Gingrich.
And I believe as I didn't really debate last night when he asked Wolf Blitzer effort rob -- would -- he was on the above the Castro play that well I'd ask him why company.
The politicians to the -- Great great job great job panel thank you so much we're taking your emails -- -- Kelly of foxnews.com.
What's.