Gingrich justifies debate performances
Port St. Lucie, Florida (CNN) – Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich blamed rival Mitt Romney Saturday for his two lackluster debate performances this week.
“You cannot debate somebody who is dishonest. You just can’t,” Gingrich said. “People say I’m a good debater. I can’t debate somebody who won’t tell the truth.”
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Gingrich did not like the last two debates, which took place in Florida on Monday and Thursday. He said there were moments during Thursday’s CNN/Republican Party of Florida debate when he was “staring in amazement” at Romney because “I know what he is saying is untrue."
Instead of confronting Romney on stage, a tactic he’s used successfully during previous debates, Gingrich hit back the following day with a television advertisement.
The ad, “What kind of man?”, paints the former Massachusetts governor as an untrustworthy, flip-flopping politician. The spot features clips from the debate when Romney attempted to explain why he voted in a Democratic primary and denied that he knew about a misleading ad against Gingrich put out by his campaign.
The former House speaker also conceded on Friday the debate audience was another reason why he didn’t challenge Romney.
“[T]hat particular audience, it would have not worked to take him head on, so I backed down,” Gingrich said.
Pouncing on the statement later in the day, Romney quickly compared Gingrich to the indecisive character Goldilocks, saying the former House speaker couldn't decide whether he wanted debates to have silent audiences or rowdy crowds.
Gingrich said the two-time presidential candidate’s consultants need to come up with better material. After making the argument that he can’t debate Romney because he’s so "dishonest" he said, “I’d be glad to debate him any time. I would request that he tell the truth the next time we debate. That’s all I’d ask of him.”
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Also see:
Romney: Gingrich debates complaints like 'Goldilocks'
Looks who is calling the FAT kettle black
President Obama will stomp this chump.
Really Newt? This coming from the man who quite forcefully claimed that there were numerous people ready to defend him regarding the accusations made by his 2nd wife to ABC news? Then finally admits that the only two people were his daughters from his 1st wife?
Right on, Larry L. To that Newt could also add "and I didn't raid companies to lay off workers and stick taxpayers with the pension obligations."
Aw, Newt, quit whining. He hit you with a tactic you didn't expect, got you off your game early, and kept up the pressure all night. You got over-confident and didn't prepare nearly as well. Quit making excuses and get out there pander!