Live blog of CNN's first-ever Tea Party Republican Debate
Eight Republican candidates participate in the first Tea Party Republican Debate Monday on CNN. Read the live blog below. Follow all the issues and campaign news about the debate on CNNPolitics.com and @cnnpolitics on Twitter. Watch the debate on CNN TV, CNN.com and mobile devices.
10:31 p.m. ET-@JenScogginsCNN Spin Room at #CNNTeaParty Debate yfrog.com/ntms4oj
10:17 p.m. ET-@CNNPR Photo: @TheHermanCain in the #CNNTeaParty spin room. yfrog.com/h0e62xzj
9:53 p.m. ET-@DanaPerino I'm with Cain – bring a sense of humor...PLEASE!
9:51 p.m.ET- Huntsman: I'd bring my Harley Davidson and my motorcross bike.
9:51 p.m. ET–Cain: A sense of humor, Americans are too uptight.
9:51 p.m. ET–Bachmann: Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution
9:51 p.m. ET–Romney: A bust of Winston Churchill.
9:50 p.m. ET–Perry: The most beautiful, most thoughtful, incredible first lady the nation has ever seen, my wife Anita.
9:50 p.m. ET–Paul: A bushel basketful of common sense. A course in economics.
9:50 p.m. ET-–Gingrich: Well, first of all, I would reduce the White House by kicking out all the White House czars the first day, creating a lot more space. And then, because of Callista's interest, we'd have a lot more music, because of my granddaughter, Maggie, we'd have ballet, and because of my grandson, Robert, we'd have a very large chess set. So it'll all come together.
9:50 p.m. ET –Santorum: We have 7 children. We'd add a bedroom, or bring some beds to the White House.
9:49 p.m. ET–Q: What would you bring to the White House if you were president?
9:46 p.m. ET-@DWStweets Hispanic voters were sent a pretty clear message tonight about how GOP field feels about their priorities. #notwelcomehere #CNNTeaParty
9:46 p.m. ET–Perry: We need to keep a presence there.
9:45 p.m. ET-@AriFleischer: Ron Paul meets deep end. Dives in. #CNNTeaParty
9:44 p.m. ET–Huntsman: We are 10 years into this war, Sahar. America has given its all in Afghanistan. The time has come for us to get out of Afghanistan. We don't need 100,000 troops there when this nation needs to be built. When we start shining again, it's going to help the women of Afghanistan, along with any other NGO work that can be done there and the collaborative efforts of great volunteer efforts here in the United States. We can get it done, but we have to make sure that the Afghan people increasingly take responsibility for their security going forward.
9:43 p.m. ET–Q from audience: I was brought here from Ronald Reagan. I am from Afghanistan.
What will you do to secure safety and protection of the women and the children of Afghanistan from the radicals?
9:42 p.m. ET–Paul: As long as this country follows that idea, we're going to be under a lot of danger. This whole idea that the whole Muslim world is responsible for this, and they're attacking us because we're free and prosperous, that is just not true.
9:41 p.m. ET–Santorum to Paul: On your Web site on 9/11, you had a blog post that basically blamed the United States for 9/11. On your Web site, yesterday, you said that it was our actions that brought about the actions of 9/11. That is irresponsible. Someone who is running for the president of the United States in the Republican Party should not be parroting what Osama bin Laden said on 9/11. We are not being attacked because of our actions.
9:40 p.m. ET–Paul: I'm tired of all the militarism we're involved in and wasting this money. There's a lot of room to cut on the military, but not on defense. We're under great threat because we occupy so many countries.
9:39 p.m.ET–Q from Twitter: Do you believe in cutting military spending to balance spending? Or do you believe high spending is essential to security?
9:37 p.m. ET–Cain: Remove barriers by the federal government. I would start with an EPA that's gone wild.
9:37 p.m. ET–Q from Phoenix, Arizona: What will you do to ensure that energy independence will finally become a reality?
9:37 p.m. ET-@AnnCoulter I didn't mind the vaccine, social security is a ponzi scheme, but the illegal immigration issue is killing Perry.
9:36 p.m. ET–Huntsman: Fix Homeland Security.
9:35 p.m. ET – @PaulBegala: Boos for Perry & his DREAM Act for children who came to TX w/undoc parents. I'm beginning to think this crowd is right-wing. #CNNTeaParty
9:35 p.m. ET–Perry: This is a states' rights issue. And that was to give people the opportunity to go on to college and not be a drag on the system. It worked well and it works for the state of Texas.
9:34p.m. ET–Romney: The question was how to we attract Hispanic votes. And the answer is tell them what they know in their heart and that's that they and their ancestors did not come here for a handout. Of course we build a fence. Of course we don't' give in-state tuition credits to people who come here illegally.
9:32 p.m. ET-@PeterHambyCNN Bachmann & Santorum doing what they needed to do tonight: Not let up on Perry, stay punchy, be as conservative as possible
9:32 p.m. ET–Huntsman: For Rick to say that you can't secure the border is I think pretty much a treasonous comment. We can secure the border through the use of fences...we can get it done.
9:31 p.m. ET–Bachmann: That's not the American way.
9:31 p.m. ET–Perry: In the state of Texas if you're working and pursuing citizenship, you pay in-state tuition and it doesn't matter how your last name sounds.
9:30 p.m. ET-@rolandsmartin: Santorum wants English as the official language on what to do to attract Latino voters. Yep, that'll do it, Rick! LOL #CNNTeaParty
9:30 p.m. ET–Santorum: What Perry's done is give illegal immigrants scholarships.
9:30 p.m. ET–Q from Twitter: What are the candidates doing to attract Latino voters?
9:29 p.m.ET–Perry says he has more experience than anyone else on the stage when dealing with immigration. Perry: 1200 miles of Texas and Mexico and our federal government has been an abject failure at securing our border. The idea that you're going to build a wall is just not reality. What you have to have is boots on the ground.
9:28 p.m. ET–Santorum: We need to build more fence, we need to secure the border using technology and more personnel. After the borders are secure, then we can deal with the problems that are in this country.
9:27 p.m. ET–Q from Cincinnati, Ohio: What would you do to remove illegal immigrants from this country?
9:20 p.m. ET -@David_Gergen: Debate losing steam? So interesting that people watching so divided in responses - some love, others horrified. Splintering.
9:20 p.m. ET–Bachmann: No state should be able to force anyone to buy anything. This is the election that's going to decide if we have socialized medicine in this country or not.
9:18 p.m. ET–Paul: That's what freedom is all about, taking your own risk. It's about individual responsibility. I've worked in hospitals, we've never turned anyone away. We should legalize alternative health care and allow people to do what they want.
9:18 p.m. ET–Q: If an uninsured 30-year-old has a serious accident, who would pay for treatment under your health plan?
9:17 p.m. ET-@murphymike: That screaming laughter you hear in the distant air is the POTUS doing a wild happy arm flapping super jig in WH while watching all this.
9:15 p.m. ET–Romney stands by his law in Massachusetts. Romney: I'm not running for governor, I'm running for president. On day one as president I'd repeal Obamacare. Says what he did and what the president did are very different.
9:14 p.m. ET- @PaulBegala: Perry stumbles and stammers on rebuttal to HPV attack. Seems hesitant. Does he sense he's vulnerable to cronyism attack? #CNNTeaParty
9:14 p.m. ET–Cain: Repeal Obamacare in its entirety. Pass loser-pay laws. Restructure Medicare.
9:14 p.m. ET–Q from Orange Park, Florida: What will you do to reduce the cost of health care?
9:12 p.m. ET–Santorum: What Gov. Perry is saying is he believes his policy was right. I believe it was wrong. This was bad policy and it should not have been done.
9:10p.m. ET–Perry: The company was Merck. The donation was $5,000. I've raised $30 million on my own. I can't be bought for $5,000. If you're suggesting I can, I'm offended.
9:10 p.m. ET-@rolandsmartin: Ooh! Bachmann went there! She is trying to tie the drug company with the vaccination in Texas to campaign contributions #CNNTeaParty
9:10 p.m. ET--Bachmann accuses Perry of benefiting from executive order in Texas
9:08 p.m. ET–Perry: If I had it to do over again (signing executive order requiring vaccine against cervical cancer in Texas), I would do it differently. But what was driving me was making a difference in young people's lives. I will use an executive order to get rid of as much of Obamacare as I can.
9:07 p.m. ET–Paul: They've been grossly abused by the administration for years. It should never be used to legislate. That's what is so bad.
9:06 p.m. ET–Q from Virginia: How frequently should executive order be signed?
9:05 p.m. ET–Romney: The idea of a national sales tax has a lot to go for it. It would make us more competitive globally and level the playing field in the country. But the way it's structured is a real problem, it lowers the burden on the very highest income folks and it hurts the middle class the most.
9:04 p.m. ET–Q from Cincinnati, Ohio: Would any of you be willing to support a fair tax?
9:04 p.m. ET–Gingrich: I'm cheerfully opposed to raising taxes.
9:03 p.m. ET – @ChristineOD: Newt is rockin' tonight
9:02 p.m. ET–Gingrich: If we make it possible for you to keep more of your own money, you will do more with it. I'm for energy independent America and that means I favor people who create energy.
9:02 p.m. ET–Q: Are oil subsidies fair?
9:01p.m. ET–Huntsman: Would flatten tax rate if elected president.
9:01 p.m. ET–Q from Napa, California: Of every dollar that I earn, how much do you think I deserve to keep?
9:00 p.m. ET–Romney: Of course we should see what the Fed is doing.
8:59 p.m. ET-@CNNSitRoom: Happening now: Send your comments and questions for the first-ever #CNNTeaParty Republican Presidential Debate.
8:58 p.m. ET–Perry stands by statements.
8:58 p.m. ET–Bachmann: That's up to Gov. Perry. I wouldn't keep him as chairman. The federal reserve has a lot to answer for. They've got to be put on a tight leash.
8:57 p.m. Q: Do you agree with Perry, who came close to accusing Fed chief Bernanke of treason?
8:56 p.m. ET–Cain: Yes it should be audited. And I believe it's focus needs to be narrowed. I don't believe in ending the fed, I believe in fixing the Fed.
8:55 p.m. ET- Santorum: Yes. With respect to the last segment, what we need to do is have a pro-growth plan that can pass the Congress with Democratic support.
8:54 p.m. ET–Q from Gastonia, North Carolina: What is your position on the Federal Reserve? Should it be audited?
8:50 p.m. ET–Cain: Absolutely.
8:49 p.m. ET–Q: Can you be pro-business and pro-worker at the same time?
8:49 p.m. ET – @EWErickson: My big question right now: will Perry fade into the 2nd hour? He did last time. If not, he's locking in his front runner status.
8:48 p.m.ET-Gingrich: Go to the American people. Turn up the light on the people and they'll turn the light up on Congress. I'd be glad to work with Democrats in any office but I'd do it on principle, not on compromising principle.
8:48 p.m. ET-Q: Would you compromise with Democrats?
8:47 p.m. ET– Perry: While I've been governor, I've cut taxes. There are people coming to Texas because they know there's still a land of freedom in America and it's called Texas.
8:46 p.m. ET-Paul: Not quite. I'm a taxpayer there, my taxes have gone up. I don't want to offend the governor, he might raise my taxes.
8:44 p.m. ET– Romney: Yes. But if you're dealt four aces you're not necessarily a good poker player.
8:43 p.m. ET-Q: Does Perry deserve credit for jobs created in Texas?
8:42 p.m. ET–Romney: The world has changed. We've gone from a pay phone world to a smartphone world and President Obama keeps jamming quarters into the payphone...its not going to work, it's not connected.
8:41 p.m. ET–Cain: Do something bold. Repeal the entire tax code and replace it with my 9-9-9 plan.
8:40 p.m. ET–Bachmann: I was one of the only people in the country that said "Do not raise the debt ceiling." Repeal Dodd-Frank, repeal Obamacare, it's really not that hard to try, you just have to have the backbone to do it.
8:39 p.m. ET–Perry: People are tired of us spending money on programs we don't want.
8:37 p.m. ET–Huntsman: Reform the tax code. Second is regulatory reform. Businesses are saying there's no predictability. Third, energy independence.
8:36 p.m. ET– Q from Portsmouth, Virginia : what would you do to get the economy moving forward?
8:32 p.m. ET – @DWStweets: Don't be fooled:"personal accounts"=privatization of Social Security-will leave Florida & America's seniors twisting in wind. #CNNTeaParty
8:32 p.m. ET--Bachmann: Principles needs to change. For years politicians have run on the idea that government takes care of these things...we've been paying for the freight of all these things. We have to be an ownership society with individual responsibility.
8:31 p.m. ET–Paul: No. Cut the Dept. of Education, the Dept of Energy.
8:29 p.m. ET–Perry: No. Romney: No. Stop the growth of federal government, start the growth of private sector.
8:29 p.m. ET–Q: Would you work to repeal the Medicare prescription drug benefit?
8:26 p.m. ET–Gingrich: We need to cut government waste.
8:25 p.m. ET–Q from Pleasanton: What is your plan to balance the budget and get spending under control?
8:24 p.m. ET – EWErickson: I think having a #CNNTeaParty debate helps the candidates. Tonight they know who their audience is.
8:22 p.m. ET–Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum: Well, the question is who is with me? Because I've been out here talking about - you want to talk about courage to tell the truth, Governor? I was out in 1994 running against a Democratic incumbent in a campaign managed by James Carville, and I went out and talked about Social Security reform.
8:22 p.m. ET–Q:Senator Santorum, when it comes to Social Security, are you with Governor Romney or Governor Perry?
8:21 p.m. ET–Gingrich: I just want to make two simple points about Social Security and how you save it. The first is, you get back to a full employment economy, and at four percent unemployment you have such a huge increase in funding, that you change every single out year of projection in a positive way. The second is if you are younger - everybody who is older and wants to be totally protected, fine, no change. If you're younger and you would like a personal account, you would control instead of the politicians.
8:21 p.m. ET–Huntsman: I don't think anything should be off the table except the drama. To hear these two go at it...all I know is we're frightening the American people...the fixes are there.
8:21 p.m. ET–Businessman Herman Cain: I don't care what they call it, it's broken.
8:20 p.m .ET–Texas Rep. Ron Paul: I agree that Social Security is broke.
8:20 p.m. ET- Romney: Governor, the term Ponzi scheme is what scared seniors.
8:19 p.m. ET Perry: The issue is are there ways to move the states into Social Security for employees or retirees. Rather than scare seniors, it's time to have a legitimate conversation in this country about how to fix the program.
8:17 p.m. ET Perry: If you're asking if they did the right thing 70 or 80 years ago, I'm not going to agree with that. But the question is do you believe it should be ended as a federal program?
8:16 p.m .ET–Romney: The term Ponzi scheme is over the top, unnecessary, and frightens people. He criticizes Perry's view on Social Security.
8:15 p.m. ET–Romney: The real question is does Gov. Perry continue to believe that Social Security should not be a federal program, is unconstitutional, and should be returned to the states?
8:15 p.m. ET–Texas Gov. Rick Perry: People who are on Social Security need to understand that program will be there for them. But the idea is we've not had the courage to look Americans in the face...look them in the eye and say this is a broken system...it's been called a Ponzi scheme by those long before me...but it needs to be fixed.
8:15 p.m. ET- @TeamBachmann: #Michele: “For those seniors who are currently on Social Security, we made a promise and we will keep it.” #CNNTeaParty
8:13 p.m. ET-@TeamRickPerry: @GovernorPerry I simply want to get America working again and make Washington, DC as inconsequential in your life as I can.
8:13 p.m. ET Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann: The system has to be reformed in order for it to work. Programs need to be saved to serve the people. In their current form, they can't.
8:13 p.m. ET- Q from Jacksonville Florida: How do you change and reform Social Security and Medicare and ensure that you get votes from senior citizens?
8:10 p.m. ET--Beginning with Huntsman, candidates introduce themselves.
8:05 p.m. ET-@rolandsmartin: I wonder how many African American, Hispanic & Asians Tea Partiers are at the #CNNTeaParty debate. Is ethnic diversity their cup of tea?
8:04 p.m. ET–Candidates enter stage.
7:55 p.m. ET-@BarackObama: You know the drill–the GOP debate starts at 7pm CT, and we'll be keeping score at http://t.co/oxxx8fm. Follow live. #debatewatch
7:44 p.m. ET -@GovernorPerry: Getting ready for debate... Thanks to Gov. Jindal for being here. yfrog.com/h62wxjnj
7:22 p.m. ET-@RonPaul: (PICTURE) Congressman Ron Paul in his green room prior to the #CNNTeaParty debate: ow.ly/i/hdyW ... #RonPaul #GOP2012 #tcot #tlot
7:09 p.m ET -@GovernorPerry: At the Florida State fair getting ready for the CNN Tea Party Debate. Looking forward to it!
7:03 p.m. ET–Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman arrives at the debate site, accompanied by his wife, Mary Kaye.
6:45 p.m. ET–Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty arrive at the debate site in Tampa located at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
Criteria for the debate can be found here.
soundoff (2,499 Responses)
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Ron Paul has clearly out classed his opponents.
WEll of course they make jabs at Obama. That's politics. Really a waste of bandwidth to tell us the obvious.
Jeff: There are few simple questions when you are talking about millions of people and circumstances.
What kind of nonsense is it about "30 years of intensive care." This is not about extremes; you need keep your mind within the boundaries of what's likely; there are enough issues with that. If someday a majority of the population starts living 30 years beyond their productive year....talk about it then......
Some logic-free zoning out going on on this thread.
Please someone just ask them the only question that seems relevant to their answers. Just this. Will it take you 4 years or 8 years to dismantle the United States Government in totality? This seems to be exactly what they are saying they want to do. They want us to pay them to eliminate the Federal Government so that we can be what? Nothing. These people are all fibbing and I hope that we as citizens understand that they just want to become President, period. They are human and they just want the BIG JOB! They want control and power, period. The constitution does not give a president the power to do what they claim they will do. Get Real. These folks aren't capable to fix anything. just a lot of spin to get the job.
These people are really REALLY scaring me! (Forget Obama telling the truth about not being able to send out checks while Republican Congress refuses to raise debt ceiling - it is THESE people who terrify me because they are SO shallow and SO out of touch with the reality of 96% of Americans.)
How about Basic Rights back for Felons?
-Legal Citizen
-Show a consistent working history
-No crimes comitted in 8 years
This is the American Way – what do you think?
None of you answered the question; "30year old needs emergency care for 6months. Has no insurance." Who pays for it? Michele Bachmann.... talked about everything but answering the question. Answer the question please?
Talking about education....Im 22 and applied for A federal grant, and i got denied because i dont have children and because im not married, they say i make to much because they add my parents to mine but i am a self-supporting person, i cant get a good future/job without an education, so i cant go to school because i dont make alot....if you became president how would you/or would you change the system were HARD-working americans can go to college instead of just the minority getting accepted?
CNN has always been a channel I've watched. I won't watch FOX but CNN is becoming FOX. Why would a channel that has been very comfortable for Democrats and Independents want to hype so badly the Tea Party Debate? For one, I remember Wolfe being jubilant when the 1st Black President won the election, to see him hmm haw over topics he knows the answer to and doesn't directly say it but sugar coats it for Bachmann and the rest. Ask the questions Wolfe, I'm very happily turning the channel to MSNBC. Mind you I've watched this channel for years and I won't watch a FOX program.
Is it me, or are these debates looking more and more like an episode of The Weakest Link or Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Why doesn't one of these candidates just come out and say, "let's cut the s#!t, enough with these lasers and lights, let's get down to a serious and thought provoking debate". It seems like a testament to the breadth of the average american's attention span. Unless we have dazzling lights and intense graphics we don't stay tuned long enough to have a steady stream of commercials crammed down our throats. There's no business like show business I guess...
I also just reviewed the PresidentMike.com website and I agree you should ask the candidates which ones agree with the principles in that site!
H1B Visas are displacing U.S. citizens.........did I just hear some crazy up there say they need to bring in more foreigners and displace more U.S.citizens???
First the U.S. citizen trains the foreigner, then the U.S. citizens collects unemployment! Are these guys running for prez of INDIA or the U.S.??????
Send them back they have broke the law , if I break the law I get punished why are we afraid to stand up to the Mexicans and Quats.If we do not stop this invasion of American I think the leadersshould be brought up on treason charges.This invasion is ruining my quality of life they are bringing neighborhoods down to slum levels and nobody wants to stand up and say NOT IN MY COUNTRY GO HOME or prision them and make them work.
Stop paying for "friends" overseas, savings there close all overseas bases,open the ones here that Reagan and Clinton closed, what a boost to those states having our GI's spend their money here End the drug war, more saved money
Question:
Should US troops continue to be based in multiple countries? What do we gain from troops is N. Korea, Okinawa, Germany, Italy, etc.? How do we allow our over-extended military services to recover from an 11 year war?
Education should be the most important on thing on the politician's plate, because through education all things are possible.
How could we let 19 men with box cutters ruin our economy but not the Soviet Union who had thousands of missiles pointed at us? If they have tanked our economy have they already won?
Ron Paul's solution to all – I'll fire the govt and then fire myself.
My wife and I barely get by on a pair of teachers salaries, yet a professional baseball player making $15 million per year pays no more tax than we do. How do you as a Republican for President reconcile your party's sacred cow, anti-tax platform (one that clearly favors the wealthiest Americans and Corporations) with the level of sacrifice that the poorest of Americans and the middle-class are being asked to make through proposed spending cuts alone? Doesn't it seem horribly un-American to try and balance the budget and eliminate deficits by not asking EVERY American to make equal sacrifice? Do you seriously believe we can afford to give a pass to greed when the tax code already favors the wealthy? They've prospered and done well; fine, shouldn't they be asked to pay their fair share too?
Would you cut Foreign Aid to our enemies?
Seems that one has real ideas – it's easy to say what you are going to do when you are in office until you get in office. It seems to me they don't want to fix anything because if they did they would fix it now and not wait for 2012
When faced with Texas-specific problems, Perry's response is "do whatever it takes to meet a perceived specific need"- that is his only philosophy. He is not driven by Republican philosophy or beliefs. His solutions always revert to the government as the answer (mandated inoculations, more government to solve immigration, etc. etc.) Is Perry truly Republican in philosophy, or in name only?
Why are we discussing providing benefits to ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. By virtue of the fact that they evaded our border crossings puts them in the realm of being a criminal. It doesn't matter why they are here, they violated our county's sovereignty. If we determine that someone is here illegally they should be deported. They can apply through normal channels to enter legally.
Oh great – now Newt is on his fear campaign. EXCELLENT RESPONSE BY RON PAUL. YOU ROCK, RON.
it's so nice when perry is shut!!! Let others speak!
These people are really REALLY scaring me! (Forget Obama telling the truth about not being able to send out checks while Republican Congress refuses to raise debt ceiling - it is THESE people who terrify me because they are SO shallow and SO out of touch with the reality of 96% of Americans.)
And WHY isn't Wolf asking the FOLLOW UP questions???? Why does nobody ever ask the FOLLOW UP?