Because it’s been ages since we’ve done one of these (Election Night 2010?) our founding editor has decided to offer his thoughts on tonight’s big Republican presidential debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C. as it happens.
We know … this should be incredibly illuminating since this website is totally in the tank for U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, right?
Anyway, if you have a tweet you’d like us to post in this forum, just tag it with @FITSNews … and of course you can email us with any observations you may have as well.
Enjoy!
10:53 p.m. – Thanks to everybody who tuned into our live blog!
10:52 p.m. – So here’s a question …
Loading ...10:52 p.m. – The debate ends … and I cut off FOX News (whew!) … #SCDebate
10:51 p.m. – @NewtGingrich proposes “radically reducing” the SC Department of Education … and tells SC to “shrink its Department of Education …”
10:50 p.m. – @BuddyRoemer says “Mitt, you’re full of crap. Your campaign staffers left specifically to start your Super PAC. #SCDebate
10:49 p.m. – @MittRomney says it’s time to get rid of political action committees by abolishing the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law … calling it “a disaster.”
10:48 p.m. – @aburnspolitico says “Perry rebuked for Daniel Pearl reference http://politi.co/xbIBsY”
10:46 p.m. – @MittRomney fires back, calling a pro-Gingrich ad “the biggest hoax since Bigfoot ..” #SCDebate
10:45 p.m. – @NewtGingrich tells @MittRomney to “take falsehoods off the air …” #SCDebate
10:44 p.m. – @NewtGingrich really doesn’t like @MittRomney … too bad he doesn’t realize that the best way to show that is to drop out and endorse @RonPaul … #SCDebate
10:42 p.m. – I can see SC Superintendent of Education Mick Zais in the background on my TV … Hey there, Mick!
10:41 p.m. – @GreenTaterChips says “I’m losing my mind due to all these political ads. They’re all full of shit. Fuck it, I’m writing in Will Folks.”
10:39 p.m. – @MittRomney just flip-flopped on Moose … no Elk hunting … #SCDebate
10:38 p.m. – @MittRomney … that dude has an answer for anything … #SCDebate
10:37 p.m. – SC Sen. Kevin Bryant – one of three Republican Senators endorsing @RonPaul tomorrow – has a post up on his website with some interesting numbers …
10:35 p.m. – @KevinKibler says “This is a fantastic debate. Great responses by all! Good job …” #SCDebate
10:32 p.m. – @MittRomney talks about “cutting back …” but he wants to add $2 trillion on defense spending over the next decade even though defense spending has already doubled over the previous decade. Don’t get it … #SCDebate
10:31 p.m. – I wonder if any of these guys ever have to pee when they’re on the debate stage?
10:30 p.m. – @RickSantorum talking about American needing to get its fiscal house in order is like a whore saying she needs to clean up for church … #SCDebate
10:29 p.m. – @MrsSic has spoken … she thinks @RickSantorum’s voice is annoying. #SCDebate
10:28 p.m. – @GovMatt says “If (Newt Gingrich) says “as a historian” one more time, I’m totally throwing a history book at my television.” #SCDebate
10:26 p.m. – @MittRomney just pledged to repeal Obamacare … which his socialized medicine plan provided the blueprint for. That’s not a new revelation, obviously, it just cracks me up he gets to say stuff like that and nobody ever calls him on it … #SCDebate
10:25 p.m. – Amanda Loveday says “The @SCDP is getting online donations tonight … I would like to thank the 5 Republicans on the Myrtle Beach stage for the financial boost.” #SCDebate
10:23 p.m. – @MittRomney: “Democrats are going to be showing videos of old people being thrown off cliffs …”
10:21 p.m. – @GovernorPerry just slammed U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner for paying his taxes late … no similar criticism for @NikkiHaley? #SCDebate
10:20 p.m. – @RonPaul “we have a policy of preemptive war …” #SCDebate
10:18 p.m. – @KenJBarnes says “When Rick Perry speaks I feel bad for him. He’s like the remedial kid who accidentally enrolled in an AP class #SCDebate
10:16 p.m. – Gosh that Wall Street Journal reporter is wearing a beautiful pearl necklace … #SCDebate
10:15 p.m. – @GovernorPerry is once again getting the crowd excited … @MittRomney has to be pleased … #SCDebate
10:13 p.m. – I wonder if @NikkHaley is pissed her name has only been mentioned once during the #SCDebate …
10:12 p.m. – @StephenFHarris says “This really might be Newt Gingrich’s best debate — and he’s had many good ones. It’s only halfway done & hard to see how someone else wins.” #SCdebate
10:11 p.m. – @LarrySabato just tried to play “Are You Smarter Than A South Carolinian …” and lost. #SCDebate.
10:10 p.m. – It’s Fort Sumter, dude … #SCDebate #GradeSchoolHistory
10:09 p.m. – @LarrySaboto says “I’d love to know more about this audience…I think they’re on the verge of rushing Ft. Sumpter.” #SCDebate
10:08 p.m. – @MittRomney “we go anywhere (our enemies) are and we kill them …” you mean like the South of France in the late 1960s? #SCDebate
10:07 p.m. – @RonPaul “We don’t need another war … we need to stop the ones we’re in …”
10:06 p.m. – Foreign policy really is @RonPaul’s achilles heel … it’s too bad he’s so right …
10:05 p.m. – @NewtGingrich says “Andrew Jackson had a
10:04 p.m. – No clue @Makobooks …
10:03 p.m. – @MakoBooks: “hey sic, is Haley wearing a whiplash turtleneck tonight at the debate? Bret Baier’s setup for foreign policy shows her clapping for Newt.” #SCDebate
10:02 p.m. – Okay @RonPaul finally gets to the point … don’t go to war unless you declare war … rambling answer, not good for Paul. #SCDebate
10:00 p.m. – @FOXNews just hates @RonPaul … or at least the haircut moderating this debate does …#SCDebate
9:58 p.m. – Exclusively on @FITSNews, here’s the DeMint radio ad on behalf of @RonPaul …
9:57 p.m. – In case you missed it, S.C. Sen. Jim DeMint has agreed to let @RonPaul use a quote from him in a new radio ad to SC voters … #SCDebate
9:56 p.m. – Here’s some info on Interstate 73, for those of you not from around here … #SCDebate
9:54 p.m. – @NewtGingrich just announced his support for Interstate 73 … the costliest ($2 billion) boondoggle in SC transportation history … #SCDebate
9:53 p.m. – SCGOP operative: “God @RickSantorum is a sanctimonious dick …” #SCDebate
9:52 p.m. – @Newt Gingrich says his “Black People Should Be Janitors Plan” isn’t racist … #SCDebate
9:51 p.m. – Or not … #SCDebate
9:50 p.m. – @RonPaul is about to go off on America’s failed “War on Drugs …” #SCDebate
9:49 p.m. – In a freak moment during the SCGOP presidential debate, West Virginia’s football team just scored on Clemson … #SCDebate #OrangeBowl
9:47 p.m. – Juan Williams sounds like friggin’ Randy Moss … damn man, you from West Virginia? #SCDebate
9:46 p.m. – @KatieTThompson (USC College Republicans Chairman) – “Romney just said we should legally pay our taxes. His no. 1 endorser didn’t do that. #awkward” #SCDebate
9:44 p.m. – @MittRomney says “I’m happy to do so …” as it relates to releasing his tax records … but then qualifies it by saying “probably.” #SCDebate
9:43 p.m. – @GovernorPerry says he would lower income taxes to 20 percent, @NewtGingrich says he would lower them to 15 percent … #SCDebate
9:42 p.m. – @MittRomney would lower income taxes to 25 percent … #SCDebate
9:41 p.m. – @RonPaul says America needs to understand the difference between military spending and defense spending … #SCDebate
9:40 p.m. – @RonPaul – “I get twice as much money from active duty military as the other candidates combined …” #SCDebate
9:39 p.m. – If anybody cares about food stamps, click here …
9:37 p.m. – @TheFix says: “Vice President Haley!”
9:37 p.m. – @NewtGingrich just called Barack Obama “the best food stamp president” in American history … the second best? George W. Bush … #SCDebate
9:35 p.m. – @RickSantorum – “We’re not doing anybody any favors by keeping them on unemployment …” I agree … #SCDebate
9:34 p.m. – South Carolina’s above-average unemployment rate gets another shout-out … woot woot! we got no jobs … #SCDebate
9:33 p.m. – Of course let’s be honest … an “unusually strong debate performance” for Rick Perry is not tripping on stage … #SCDebate
9:32 p.m. – @MittRomney has to be loving the fact that @GovernorPerry is having an unusually strong debate performance … #SCDebate
9:31 p.m. – @GovernorPerry – “South Carolina is at war with this federal government …” (@NikkiHaley clapping in approval) #SCDebate
9:30 p.m. – @MittRomney is slick, though … give the guy that. His last response said nothing … but sounded great!
9:29 p.m. – @MittRomney says that Barack Obama is trying to turn America into a European welfare state … you mean one with socialized medicine, dude? #SCDebate
9:26 p.m. – NumbersUSA.org just ran an ad asking whether the GOP candidates wanted to give jobs to 1 million immigrants … um, don’t they know they’re in Myrtle Beach? That town runs on illegal immigrants … #SCDebate
9:25 p.m. – Man I bet Michael Haley is pissed he had to leave the strip club to watch this nonsense … #SCDebate
9:25 p.m. – @JoeKennedyIII says – “@fitsnews keep tweeting! Love it! Just found your website recently, keep up the good work!” Thanks man … #SCDebate
9:24 p.m. – @BretBair wants you to send him your question suggestions … #SCDebate
9:23 p.m. – How long does this thing last? Sheesh … I’m bored already … #SCDebate
9:21 p.m. – @RickSantorum is claiming that @MittRomney’s political action ad is inaccurate … #SCDebate
9:19 p.m. – I have no idea what @RickSantorum and @MittRomney are arguing about … violent offenders voting? Who cares … let’s get to the deficit … #SCDebate
9:18 p.m. – Okay … @Kelly_Evans is pretty hot … #SCDebate
9:16 p.m. – @RonPaul’s basic point, though, was that there’s nothing wrong with negative ads if they stay focused on a candidate’s record … #SCDebate
9:16 p.m. – @RonPaul just ripped the hell out of @RickSantorum … saying “my only regret is I couldn’t fit everything in the one minute I had …”
9:15 p.m. – Kelly Evans of The Wall Street Journal is now questioning @RonPaul about negative ads … #SCDebate
9:14 p.m. – @MittRomney – “you never want to see an enterprise go bankrupt …” dude … what about the country? #SCDebtate
9:12 p.m. – Two status quo GOP candidates (@GovernorPerry and @MittRomney) generically oppose government regulations … what a shocker … #SCDebate
9:11 p.m. – @GovernorPerry: “We need to know if we have a flawed candidate or not …” #SCDebate
9:10 p.m. – @GovernorPerry challenges @MittRomney to release his income tax records … #SCDebate
9:09 p.m. – @MittRomney says he has worked in “the real economy.” I guess the rest of us are working in a fake one? #SCDebate
9:08 p.m. – @LaurenFitzhugh says: Hey @fitsnews I’m live tweeting from #MyrtleBeach tonight with a bunch of @RonPaul supporters. Yay! #SCDebate
9:07 p.m. – @NewtGingrich is basically saying he’s going negative because he’s preparing Romney for the general election??? Huh? #SCDebate
9:06 p.m. – @NewtGingrich is hoarse … #SCDebate
9:05 p.m. – First question to Newt Gingrich … “why you so mean to Mitt Romney?” #SCDebate
9:05 p.m. – South Carolina’s unemployment rate gets a shout out! Oh wait … not a good one … #SCDebate
9:03 p.m. – This is the fifteenth GOP debate? Sheesh … #SCDebate
9:01 p.m. – How cute … everybody tries to cheer the loudest for their candidate … #SCDebate
9:00 p.m. – Wow … never seen a room with so many white people … #SCDebate
8:59 p.m. – Jeez … Bill O’Reilly has gotten old … It’s been awhile since I’ve been on this channel … #SCDebate
8:57 p.m. – Lauren has also informed me that the debate is on FOX News, not regular FOX … #SCDebate
8:56 p.m. – The lovely Lauren Luxenburg has asked that I “keep her entertained tonight.” I will do my best babe! #SCdebate
8:55 p.m. – BTW … if you missed The State newspaper’s editorial page editor responding to the kiss of death it gave Jon Huntsman’s campaign, click here … #SCDebate
8:53 p.m. @WiselyCracking says: “Thankful for the American political system…flaws and all.” Um … really? #SCDebate
8:51 p.m. – @LeftJabs says: “I know I hate Fox, but they do have a fun game going on. check it out. http://live.foxnews.com/”
8:50 p.m. – So is this thing on real FOX? Or FOX News? #SCDebate
8:48 p.m. – If you’re looking for @MittRomney love … here is Chris Cillizza’s live blog for tonight’s #SCDebate
8:46 p.m. – Sonic ice is the bomb, btw … #SCDebate
8:45 p.m. – Meanwhile, I expect SC Sen. Larry Grooms will endorse @RickSantorum tomorrow … #SCDebate
8:44 p.m. – BTW three S.C. Senators – Lee Bright, Kevin Bryant and Danny Verdin – will be endorsing @RonPaul tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. in the lower lobby of the S.C. State House. All three are fiscal conservative standouts … (and social conservatives from the SC Upstate) #SCDebate
8:42 p.m. – My expectations for tonight. @MittRomney will prove you CAN polish a turd … #SCDebate
8:40 p.m. – Awaiting the “why didn’t you tell me you were doing this? I would have promoted it!” text message from @NancyMace … #SCDebate
8:38 p.m. – Ah, its on FOX … #SCDebate
8:34 p.m. – First step to a good live blog … figure out what channel is televising the debate. #SCDebate
***
By rob January 16, 2012 at 8:54 pm
I’m Michael Haley and I approved this message!!! COME ON DOWN TO THE MASTERS WITH ME AFTER THE DEBATES, FIRST ROUND OF STRIPPERS AND BLOW JOBS IS ON THE TAX PAYERS….UHMM I MEAN ME BITCHES.
By ? January 16, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Will Nikki be there?
By rob January 16, 2012 at 8:57 pm
TELL WIL FOLKS TO STAY THE FUCK OUR OF MYRTLE BEACH AND THE MASTERS OR I WILL SIC MY SLED SQUAD ON HIS BLOGGING ASS. I’M MICHAEL HALEY AND I APPROVED THIS MESSAGE MOTHER FUCKERS. NOW POUR ME ANOTHER DRING BITCH. MICHAEL THE GOVERNOR IS ON THE PHONE? TELL THAT MITT LOVING BITCH TO GO FUCK HERSELF!!
By ? January 16, 2012 at 8:56 pm
How many times will Paul be asked if he’s electable or running third party tonight? I’d love to see those two questions asked in the same sentence.
It’ll be interesting to see who drops the “Who wrote your newsletters?” on MLK day and under what context.
By ? January 16, 2012 at 8:57 pm
I think Fox news is more hostile to Paul than CNN & MSNBC combined.
By Bob January 16, 2012 at 9:01 pm
I’m at the fox website and there is no debate video or audio, only a progress circle that spins around without end. This after I’ve logged in with my Facebook account. What a pity. Well, I’ve got better things to do tonight than watch these five liars anyway.
By ? January 16, 2012 at 9:22 pm
wow….the moderation in the debate is horrible….we’re listening to 10 mins of convict voting issues….what a joke
By oldman January 16, 2012 at 9:46 pm
I’m Darla Moore and I approved this message.
Fuck Nikki Haley. Her face is like our roadways filled with pot holes.
By ? January 16, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Wow, GOP is the bloodlust party. The flash pan to the crowd cheering on killing people was…shocking.
By Smirks January 17, 2012 at 11:13 am
Shocked? It’s par for the course. They get just as excited over someone mentioning a person having to be refused medical treatment and/or go bankrupt from treatment they do get due to lack of insurance.
By Senator Claghorn January 16, 2012 at 11:07 pm
I wonder how long it will be before Henry McMaster will elbow his way on to the stage with Loftis and Haley now that his candidate(Huntsman) has bailed. Pathetic….
By Alabaster II January 16, 2012 at 11:32 pm
Who was Mark Sanford’s guest tonite?
By anon January 17, 2012 at 12:03 am
Enjoyed the commentary Sic. Ron Paul 2012!
By Jeffy01 January 17, 2012 at 1:22 am
Boz???!!!
By Robert January 17, 2012 at 6:52 am
Ron Paul had a terrible performance. At times he couldn’t put complete sentences together. Gingrich made strides; Santorum did also. Perry has nothing but the same old Texas stories.
Romney didn’t help nor hurt himself. He remains calm and consistent in his responses. Although last night he tried to be Mr. Tough politician a time or two, and frankly looked out of place doing so.
The audience was the biggest joke. Whooping it up; jeering and booing; interupting answers and disrupting the flow. Has anyone been to a high school graduation in last few years? Well, what you heard last night was an elevated example of the graduations. SC crowd came off as loud, ill-mannered idiots.
By ChrisjIII January 17, 2012 at 9:47 am
You are so right. Those ignorant inbreds acted like a pack of wild drunken klansmen.They just helped to solidify the stereotype of white S.C’ians as ignorant, racist bigots.
By dirtbogger January 17, 2012 at 9:01 am
I think the so called Christian conservitives really showed their true colors when Paul said we should obey the golden rule, and yet cheer for more war against a country who has not attacked us. What they fail to understand us is both China and Russia have stated that they would concider an attack on Iran to be an attack on themselves.
By ? January 17, 2012 at 11:13 am
It’s probably just rhetoric from China and Russia, but your point is duly noted on the GOP, most of which claim to be Christians.
I felt like I was watching a modern day version of “bread & circuses” with the Roman Coliseum crowd calling for more blood…like a gladiator contest. It made SC look really bad too.
I just realized how lost our country is between both parties.(I just suspected it before, now it’s confirmed in my mind). I think I’m totally in the bag for a third party run now by Paul now.(which he probably isn’t gonna do anyway)