Gingrich defends Bain criticisms in SC GOP forum

CHARLES BABINGTON, Associated Press

Sunday, January 15, 2012

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich said Saturday that Republicans will err if they don’t scrutinize Mitt Romney’s role in a private equity firm called Bain Capital.

Gingrich, the former House speaker, said President Barack Obama will hammer away at Bain if Romney is the nominee this fall.

“I don’t see how you can expect us to have a presidential campaign in which an entire sector is avoided,” Gingrich said on a Fox News program that included five of the six Republican candidates. Each fielded South Carolina voters’ questions for almost 20 minutes.

Many Republican and conservative leaders have rebuked Gingrich for criticizing Romney’s role at Bain. The private equity firm had a mixed record of job-creation at the companies it restructured in the 1980s and ‘90s.

Program host Mike Huckabee, who ran for president in 2008, gently reprimanded Gingrich for citing Romney by name. The candidates appeared separately, never confronting each other. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas did not participate.

The South Carolina GOP primary is Jan. 21.

Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, said he wants the federal government “out of the housing business” so the free market can work. Mortgage interest payments should remain tax-deductible, he said.

When a woman said expressions of Christian faith are under attack, Romney, a Mormon, said, “I will stand up for the ability of Americans to worship the god they choose.” That would include public displays of manger scenes, menorahs and other religious symbols, he said.

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman was asked why he supports legalized abortion in cases of rape and incest if he believes life begins at conception.

“I am pro-life,” Huntsman said. “I have stipulations.” Exceptions for rape and incest represent “where I am. I always have been, and I hope it’s good enough for you,” he said.

Former Sen. Rick Santorum noted that he does not support legalized abortions in cases of rape or incest. But he supports the death penalty, he said, because it does not involve “innocent life.”

Santorum acknowledged voting to raise the federal debt ceiling at least five times while in Congress. But he said he consistently worked to reduce federal spending and to make the government more efficient.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry touted his call for a 20 percent flat tax, which would eliminate many existing loopholes. He would keep the deductibility of charitable gifts, local taxes and mortgage interest payments, he said.

Perry said he would dramatically reduce federal intervention in state actions regarding labor, the environment, voting laws and other matters.

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wow 1 year, 4 months ago

Ya make the curent President of the United States show his birth certficate...not once but several times, yet people say he's still not American. Ya try making the President's wife out to be "the angry black woman", simpy because she is strong, don't take no mess and could slam dunk on any of the previous First Ladies. Soooooo let's not go kid glove during this political next process. Newt...has gotta come clean about his very cloudy past. And I think it's kinda funny that he's turning on his own party just to make Romney look bad. Also Romney has got to come clean about if the Mormen's accept people of color as equals. Also what's does the deal with the multple wives say about family values? Ya know the sanctatity of marriage being between one man and one woman? Obviously Daddy Romney and the four or five wives didn't think like that. He also has to come clean on this Bain/Job Creation thing as well as why he changes his mind so much. It's one thing have a change of heart....but this guy changes positions more than a mom changes the diaper of a new born baby during a bought with losse bowls.

Yeaaaahhh, I'd say there are gonna be some interesting moments ahead as the political process heats up. I say open the books on them all...Obama included, so when it's over an Obama is re-elected we can get doing some things to fix this country's problems.

wow 1 year, 4 months ago

Balck Liberation Theology sisnlt religion nor is it preeched and followed by the Obama family. However Mormonism is the religionwhich Romeny and his family cheerish so dear. All I'm asking is why does this religion look ill towrsd people of color? All I'm asking is how ccan Roment feel the marriage is between one man and one woman at ther asme time he is servng a religion and a God that says it's alright for a man to have more than one wife at the same time? Ya gotta admit that is a bit contradictory.

As for Michelle being proud of her country. Well me and a lot of other people understood and agree with her assesment. Anyone that has personally experienced or have relatives or friends that have experienced the other America which few like to talk about or admit exists. Well Mrs. Obama was saying that despite that evil part of this nation...enough Americans had finally come together and did something which could've happened centuries earlier had the American system of inequality not been so strongly defended by the power brookers within. She was proud just as many other's were, that enough American's for once looked beyond the issue of race and choose the best man to lead this nation!

Now I can get a bit deeper into the explaination if ya want, but I'm hopin that will hold ya over for now:)

I hate to say it...but the Repulicans are imploding....Perry, Cain, Huntzman, Genrich, Bauchman, Paul, Santorium...I know tere is sombody out there......and not that slug Gov from New Jersey either..

wow 1 year, 4 months ago

Meant to say:

Black Liberation Theology isn't religion nor is it preeched and followed by the Obama family. However Mormonism is the religion which Romeny and his family cheerish so dear. All I'm asking is why does this religion look ill towards people of color? All I'm asking is how can Romeny feel that marriage is between one man and one woman at the same time he is servng a religion and a God that says it's alright for a man to have more than one wife at the same time? Ya gotta admit that is a bit contradictory.

Now I can get a bit deeper into the explaination if ya want, but I'm hopin that will hold ya over for now:)

I hate to say it...but the Repulicans are imploding....Perry, Cain, Huntzman, Genrich, Bauchman, Paul, Santorium...I know there is sombody out there......and not that slug Gov from New Jersey.

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