Manchester, New Hampshire (CNN) - Two men who would like to unseat long-time New Hampshire front-runner Mitt Romney will sit down for a one-on-one debate in the state later this month.
Jon Huntsman and Newt Gingrich have agreed to a Lincoln-Douglas style match-up, with both participants going head-to-head on a range of issues.
The event is designed to give undecided voters a close look at candidates who are not Mitt Romney - a known quantity in New Hampshire who has deep ties to the state and has made winning here a priority.
The debate is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 12.
Gingrich previously debated Herman Cain in a similar event. Gingrich has repeatedly stated that if he becomes the Republican nominee he would challenge President Obama to a series of similarly structured debates.
I’d be interested in watching that. I am confused as to why Huntsman is polling so relatively low. I would think in some respects, Huntsman and not Gingrich is more of a threat to the President – esp. with educated independents (ie: BA and Graduate Degree).
BHO2012
Not a good move by Gingrich.
He's able to come across as the smart candidate in the GOP field when he's up against the rest of the clown posse, but he hasn't been challenged yet by anyone of Huntsman's calibre. In a one on one debate, Huntsman will mop the floor with Gingrich. He's going to end up elevating Huntsman at his own expense.
Jon Hunstman looks like a President, talks like a President and is charming as hell! And the GOP pays him no mind!? perplexing!
This debate I will watch from beginning to end.
Huntsman should shred Gingrich.
Extremely smart move by Huntsman, going for the jugular in the hopes of dethroning Gingrich's climb up the polls which he obtained only through attrition.
I am also amazed Huntsman isn't doing well in the polls. I'm looking forward to watching this one. I agree with Ray...get rid of the clowns and have a "real" debate!
This is going to go a long way toward increasing Huntsman's traction in this race.
Gingrich... not so much.
Small fry newty. its salivating to see newt taking chunks out of, thrashing or even shredding the 'no dramas' political ideologies and policies; during the up coming presidential debates. The fear of the liberals for newt can be seen in the hate they spew about him. He is right on the economy and the social issues. The liberal propagandists do not intimidate conservatives. Conservatives are energized and spoiling for a political smack down and who better warrior to lead the team than the newt.
Newt looked up the definition in Websters' of" Narcissistic sociopath" and it said NEWT GINGRICH.
It will be a refreshing change from all of the soundbites and slogans. The two most qualified candidates going into detail about their positions. I am not sure how Gingrich thinks he can attract independents and disaffected Democrats in the general election.
Is there any possibility of a real time fact check ?
Newt will channel Winston Churchill with a bad cigar !
I would consider voting for Huntsman any day compared to the rest of the clowns in the race. Huntsman is the Republican candidate who would capture the independent vote. Unfortunately fo him the GOP base will not give him an opportunity given their recent uncompromising stance on everything including their own ideas. I would have enjoyed watching a debate between a great Republican like Huntsman and Obama instead of watching this circus. By the way, Huntsman will probably gain traction after that debate. This however makes me wonder if Newt is really serious about running or just wanting to elevate his name and sell more books.
Why do liberals spew so much hate for the gop field? Why can't they open their mouth unless something hateful spills from it. They are so arrogant that they cannot take it for granted that the american voter is thoughtful and that obama alone is to be blamed for losing blocks of his most ardent supporters.
If I were a Republican, that would be a very interesting debate. It could be any way. I hope Huntsman shreds Gingrich. But he's probably too polite.
It'll be pretty interesting to see if Huntsman can't leapfrog off of Newt's current popularity.
AlaskaPalin
Small fry newty. its salivating to see newt taking chunks out of, thrashing or even shredding the 'no dramas' political ideologies and policies; during the up coming presidential debates. The fear of the liberals for newt can be seen in the hate they spew about him. He is right on the economy and the social issues. The liberal propagandists do not intimidate conservatives. Conservatives are energized and spoiling for a political smack down and who better warrior to lead the team than the newt.
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HA! The new flavor of the GOP would get SLAUGHTERED in the general election. We welcome the philanderer as the GOP candidate. Go Newt Go. I am going to watch this one as I hope Huntsman shreds the arrogant little toad to pieces in a real debate. As noted above, he may be able to outdo the other nitwits but one on one, let's see how intelligent and how good a debator he is
these guys use very little facts they just repeat their failed supplyside economics ideology. it would appear they don't use websters dictionary either. democracy and capitalism are words that they have been trying to make have the same meaning for years ! someone told them back in the 1980s that greed is good and greed built america , really just look around at what happened? here is a clue for them democracy is a form of goverment and capitalsm is a way of doing business within a democracy that can cotrol the blind greed for greed sake. you guys can't fool an old babby boomer like me and i think i am not alone in fact i think you finally pi__ed off the boomers enough that the next election is our!
Huntsman is the one that makes me nervous. He has the ability to pull voters from the left, right, and middle with his rational mindset, middleground conservatism, and presidential qualities. However, I have confidence in President Obama and I'm confident that conservatives will not see past their religious hangups.
Should be a good even debate. Both are very intelligent and have good qualifications. Huntsman hasn't impressed me with some of his liberal social statements and his close ties with Obama.
This debate will surely be a Kennedy
v Nixon so Newt don't do it.
They might as well agree to play patty-cake on national TV, as that's what the Republican debates have turned into.
I want Palin, Backman, Perry or Cain for the GOP. It would be more fun and comical.
Did they also agree to talk without using focus group tested Luntzian talking point blather or will this just be another episode of "Who Can Talk the Most without Saying Anything"?
My money is on Huntsman. Newt talks big, but once you get past the obfuscation and bluster – what he has to say is generally inaccurate and pretty juvenile.
Newt started by answering every tough questions with a sort of, Why are you liberal media people always trying gotcha gonzo journalism on me? Now he simply ignores the real questions, and starts lecturing like he's talking to a high school civics class. The ignorant GOP base buys it and says 'this guy must really know what he's talking about. He quoted some numbers and used a lot of big words'. That's the only reason he's doing as well as he is. And one thinkg about Jon Huntsman – if you're serving up BS, he'll call you on it, no matter how convincing you sound.
No Ron Paul? No Debate.
Huntsman is like Ron Paul lite. Like all politicians (other than Paul) he speaks in riddles and has no firm commitments on any issue.
More of the same, I'll pass.