SIMI VALLEY, Calif. - Much of the attention in the race for the Republican presidential nomination has narrowed to Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, apparently irking rivals former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Texas Rep. Ron Paul.
As McCain and Romney stressed their conservative credentials at a debate Wednesday night at the Ronald Reagan presidential library, Huckabee tried to get a word in — and Paul interjected, too, both with little success.
“There are a number of pieces of legislation where his views are out of the mainstream, at least in my view, of conservative Republican thought,” Romney said, chastizing McCain for his initial support for giving amnesty to illegal immigrants and opposing drilling for oil in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge.
McCain shot back that Romney raised taxes as governor and the state saw large manufacturing jobs disappear. “I’m proud of my conservative record. It’s one of reaching across the aisle to get things done for Americans,” McCain said.
When Huckabee was asked a different question, he tried to steer the conversation back to highlight his conservative credentials.
“You want to talk conservative credentials? Let me get in on that,” Huckabee said, and then described his opposition to abortion and gay rights. After McCain and Romney clashed bitterly over the Iraq war, Huckabee said: “I didn’t come here to umpire a ballgame between these two.”
“Governor Huckabee, we’re going to shower you with questions now,” moderator Janet Hook of the Los Angeles Times said.
It didn’t make much difference, and he was soon complaining he had not been showered with questions. “I’m going to make sure I get a little time here.”
Paul, who has not won any of the early primary contests but still has raised millions of dollars from supporters, was not able to detail his credentials. “I would like to take one minute, since I didn’t get a chance to answer this discussion on conservative versus liberal,” he said.
Moderator Anderson Cooper promised him he would have an opportunity later. But it never came.
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
- Additional reporting by Claudia Parsons
- Photo credit: Reuters/Danny Moloshok
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Anderson Cooper is CIA trained, and he won’t be fired from CNN for destroying the democratic process. Do I have to spell it out for you? They don’t want the people to have a choice in who governs them. Got it? Capice? Now just shut up or revolt already.
- Posted by GregThe media is attempting to choose our next president…they totally ignored Tancredo, Hunter, Thompson and now are trying to rid the GOP of the only two other true conservatives in the race Huckabee and Ron Paul. We as citizens and voters are going to have to do our homework on these two candidates as the news is ignoring them….I have and I like Ron Paul…I think Ron Paul supporters and Huckabee supporters need to unite and push for a Paul Huckabee ticket, these others cant beat a democrat and thats what the news is pushing on us, two liberals who wont stand a chance of winning against Obama or Hillary.
- Posted by Tracimy comments to andersen cooper:
Mr. Cooper-
Shame on you for a completely deplorable performance in last night’s “debate”. This was not a debate, this was the McCain/Romney show! There were 4 people at the table last night, not 2. And even now, as I write this, at 6:02 am PST on Thursday, January 31, 2008, you still have only 3 people’s pictures on your web page advertising last night’s debate! Why are you so groosly disrespectful to Dr. Paul? Please, for once, an honest answer! Why was he not allowed to speak? Why was he promised that you’d allow him to speak on the issue of conservative credentials “later”, and then you never did? Honestly, why? Do you think it’s up to you who deserves to speak? I even feel sorry for Gov. Huckabee. You let these two glory hounds bluster and blow, to your own discredit and dishonor. You, sir, are no true journalist; at the very least you’re a weak-kneed political junkie who bows in the presence of “celebrity”; at the worst, you’re a propagandist and the worst that the so called mainstream media has to offer…Shame on you. I know the fact that this comment is negative means it will get absolutely NO response or play, but come on. If you can defend yourself, do so sir. Try. Can you?
sent it to every cnn email i could…
- Posted by Staceythis guy needs to go!
RP08!
It is joke with the kind of points these morons are discussing in a debate when the country is headed to a recession!!!
Mike Huckleberry is harping the same dumb tune of anti abortion and gay rights..Doesn’t he have anything better to say? He will convert the white house into a ministry!
Ron Paul is the only sensible candidate who can speak about policies and econmics…People should definetly look into his past voting patterns and will know that he is the best candidate..
- Posted by JohnAnd btw, I have voted only democrats in the past but this election It is going to be RON PAUL!
McCain and Romney looked like jackasses squabbling over their ‘records’ and who said what when. The moderators promised Paul and Huckabee more questions and time at least three times, apparently in order to shut them up so they could proceed to give time for their two favorites to run their mouths (and not say anything of substance). That they never meant to give Ron Paul an opportunity to respond in two questions or to shower Huckabee with questions is evident in the fact that they never did and didn’t even mention their promises (or, rather, lies). Shameful.
- Posted by Milton Q. MudburnIn the few minutes that Ron Paul was “allowed” to speak, he said more than all three of these other slick talkers put together. I really think this Ron Paul guy is getting his long overdue attention! I was supporting Fred Thompson from the beginning and only started looking at Paul after Fred dropped out. My wife and I are disappointed that we did not take the time to really take a look at Paul earlier in the game! We have now joined his campaign and have already donated a sizeable contribution and will again on Feb 1st. The Ron Paul Forums folks have welcomed us with open arms and respect (I’m XF4RP on the forums guys). I urge my other American friends to take a second look at Ron Paul and his message, you’ll be like me and wish you had looked sooner! The time has come and our leader is here. Wake up and smell the liberty!
- Posted by MichaelEver wonder what manipulation of an election might look like,? Well, CNN being first in breaking news, managed to put it on screen for all to see last night. Wake up folks, your election is being rigged. Your thoughts are being managed by a group bent on controlling the way you think and vote. But, why? Well, could it be that numerous trillions of dollars flowing around outside the normal control of the constitution could be a motivation? YOU BET! The only candidate warning us about these dangers is Ron Paul. He is being totally blacked out in the election by the main stream media. It is ironic, that its the guy talking about the constitution, which is being silenced. The vote is the single power that We The People have to change things. Please consider your vote wisely. We may have one more shot, before becoming a fascist state (Ref: Naomi Wolf, The End Of America, 2007). Go RP 2008!
- Posted by Guesswhotoo6Ron Paul beat McCain in Nevada. Ron Paul beat Romney in Louisiana and is looking very strong in many states.
- Posted by MikeAnderson reached new lows in the media racket to control our election. I’ve been boycotting Faux news for a while now, do I need to boycott CNN now too?
- Posted by Jeffreyyeah.. i used to be for mcCain, but after hearing Mr. Paul last night, and seeing how they jeered at him and how he didn’t get any time.. he still said more than all the others combined.. im finally proud to say Mr. Paul 08!
- Posted by druOk Reuters, you talk about bias and when you bring up Paul’s success you don’t talk about his success coming in 2nd place in 2 states. He is said to win the majority of the delegates in those states as well.
- Posted by RichardThe republican debate was a disappointing indictment of the campaign’s media coverage and US democracy, as the talk time was absolutely dominated by McCain and Romney. The other two candidates, particularly Paul, were effectively suppressed and consistently undermined. When Paul did get a turn it would only be the briefest window and he’d be cut off by the moderator before he could make any meaningful contribution. During his comments the camera would invariably pan back to show Romney, McCain, or governor Swarzzenegger (in the audience) pulling a face - as if to say, this guy is way off. It was totally disrespectful and I think both Huckabee and Paul actually showed remarkable patience, perhaps too much. They are clearly not going to be allowed to muster more support. Role on a Democrat win and the change the US - and world - so desparately needs…
- Posted by Dan AldersonIf 4 men are invited, 4 men should be included. If CNN decides they only want to hear from 2 men, they should have the courage to tell the other 2 to stay home.
- Posted by GeneAnderson Cooper was an absolute disgrace as moderator of a presidential debate. He cut Ron Paul off at every opportunity and never allowed Huckabee to get a word in. Prime example of the media trying to manipulate the political landscape ofthe country.
- Posted by milton majorsThanks OK. We all know about the media and their biases. When Gov. Huckabee did speak, he spoke for me and millions of others whose voices want to be heard. He is the true conservative in this presidential race, and the only candidate if your principles stand with protection of life and unborn children, traditional marriage, lower taxes, and freedom of speech and the right to bear arms, judges who won’t legislate their personal beliefs over the rest of us without being elected to office by the people…the list goes on. mikehuckabee.com for more info
- Posted by holly bushThe establishment must be really afraid of Ron Paul winning. It might just tilt this country back towards being run for the benefit of the people instead of the benefit of the corporations. Why else would the media insist on blacking out Ron Paul and trivializing his participation in debate after debate. Are we going to let the media decide who our next president is? It sure seems like it. If you want real change, you need to vote for Ron Paul. Check him out at http://www.ronpaul2008.com
- Posted by TammyRE: Republican Debate January 30 2008 - Simi Valley, CA. - Reagan Library
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! Ron Paul is fighting for us. Now we have to fight for him! Anderson Cooper’s conduct at tonight’s debate is inexcusable! If CNN has any journalistic integrity at all; THEY MUST TAKE ACTION AGAINST ANDERSON COOPER! Anderson Cooper MUST BE FIRED!!! This cannot go unanswered. Our nation’s media must be held accountable. The Soviet era “Pravda” would have been more fair!
- Posted by MattI’m glad someone else noticed that Anderson Cooper and the other moderators wouldn’t let Ron Paul speak about his credentials. They aired a few questions about people who thought the Q&A session was unfair for Ron Paul, probably to make it seems as if they were being fair. Unbelievable. And then they give him an interview about the issues AFTER the debate is over, when they know most viewers will turn off the tv. Ridiculous. Who wanted to hear Mitt Romney and John McCain squabble about intricacies of how long they would stay in Iraq, when the real point is that they both want to be in there indefinitely?
- Posted by S KimThe real enemies of freedom are the US poloticians.
- Posted by DaveI am for Mitt Romney, but Anderson you blew it last night there were four people in the debate last night and you only allowed for two debaters last night. You lost my favor and you should not be allowed to ever conduct another debate. You screwed my country last night. I was totally disgusted with your performance. I see how many people are saying you and your colleages are trying to controll who our president is. stick anderson cooper.
- Posted by Fred Bridges