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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I will never watch CNN or MSNBC again for what they have done to this election. They only give time to the candidates they like, not the candidates the PEOPLE like. I will never guy from any company that sponsors these biased new reporters either. Screw Cooper Anderson, someone needs to being him behind an ally at shoot him.
- Posted by TopherLast night, during the debate, CNN hosted a webpage on which viewers could ostensibly submit comments. I tried to submit the following, two thirds of the way into the debate, but for whatever reason it was never published:
CNN, the format that you are using to conduct this debate is journalistically shameful. As a commercial network, you have every right to engage in editorial discretion, but when you make the choice to invite a candidate, you have a concomitant ethical responsibility to allow the voice of that candidate to be heard.
The fact that you are conducting this debate using questions tailored to specific candidates rather than questions that give all candidates the opportunity to respond makes quite clear the blinders you are trying to place in front of the eyes of the American people.
When you give Ron Paul virtually no time and Mike Huckabee only partial time, you create the illusion to viewers that their contributions are not as valuable as those of other candidates.
Quit the Romney and McCain lovefest. Acknowledge that you have an important role in shaping the tenor of this election, and act accordingly.
- Posted by MattLook at CNN’s up to date report on election money:
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/money/g op.html
Notice CNN stops counting precisely when Ron Paul took over and destroyed them all. CNN, why do you HATE Ron Paul. Update your site!!! NOW!!!!
They updated, of course the drop-outs. But not yet another Ron Paul victory.
- Posted by LorenCNN is not real news, and Anderson Cooper is a puppet. They must cater to the ignorance and dumbing down of the American people. Most people don’t undrestand forgein policy or economics, and the only American history they know is what they learned in highschool.
Ron Paul never gets a chance to explain his policies in a way that ignorant American’s can understand. Most people don’t have the time to go back and learn about economics or foreign policy, so they just go with what apeals to their limited knowledge.
Dumbed down Americans are quite happy to listen to the meaningless polished words of stiff haired, overly tanned candidates. Just like deers in headlights. It really is sad.
I’ve heard many Republicans say that if McCain or Romney get the nomination that they will vote third party, or not at all. Then we’ll all be laughing at the GOP when a Dem wins the office!
Can someone say BACKFIRE !!!!!! Or as Ron Paul would say, BLOWBACK !!!!!!!!!
- Posted by GiniWhat a joke the debate was last night hosted by the CIA Agent Anderson Cooper.
The fast talking moderator did his very best to IGNORE Ron Paul. This censorship was so blatantly clear that it wasn’t even funny. It was actually pretty PATHETIC!!!
Ron Paul has EARNED his right on the stage. He has EARNED his right to be heard!!!
I could see this kind of Censorship from the FOX news network…but CNN?
In the Presidential Campaign, so far, DOCTOR RON PAUL
Has raised more money in one day than in the HISTORY OF ELECTIONS.
(the people support him)
He has the endorsement of Barry Goldwater Jr. (Conservative)
He has the endorsement of “Roe” of Roe vs Wade. (Pro Life)
His analysis of the Economy is supported by “Mad Money man Kramer”.
He wins ALL the Republican Debate (On line polls) (Young people support him 100%)
He took 2nd Place in Nevada and Louisiana. (Where is the media?)
He is a true “statesman” and has a solid Congressional voting record that proves it.
(No flip flopping on issues) 20 years worth!!!
A true Conservative that does not vote for higher taxes.
Thousands attend his rallies.
Despite the Media Blackout – he is still gaining support. The American people want our Congressional Leaders to FOLLOW THE CONSITUTION.
No war without a “Declaration”. (IAW U.S. Consitution)
All of these ARE WORTHY of reporting. But what to the American citizens get
John “Juan” McCain
Mitt, “which way today” Romney
Huckabee (Duh, which way did they go)
Your media gives “free” air time to these corporate elite puppets. You follow them around on their campaign stops and “air” their speeches. But where is RON PAUL?
Are you allowed to broadcast the real news or are you told who to report on.
You do a great injustice to America with this disregard of a truly great man. The Ronald Reagan of our times.
The people DEMAND equal time!
GO RON PAUL!
- Posted by TerryIn following the campaign, this is just one more example of the unprofessional nature of today’s “journalism” in the US. I think the worst examples of bias have been with FOX “NEWS”. But, CNN has their own set of “journalism” problems too. CNN hasn’t got me to the point where I find them to be a completely noncredible news source yet, (like FOX with their over-the-top propaganda). But, I have ended up switching my daily viewing of the CNN website after being completely overwhelmed by the absurdity of having a news site that looks like the Enquirer or People’s magazine. I want real news not back-fence gossip or entertainment! Britney Spears 24/7 is not real news!
After dumping the CNN website, I eventually ended up finding Reuters website as my favorite source of daily news after trying several others (the BBC international edition is good, but Reuters covers more business news which I’m very interested in.) I only wish there was a TV news channel with real journalists to replace the infotainment we get.
- Posted by JCIt’s seems real convenient to me, that NO ONE ever mentions Ron Paul’s second place finish in Nevada and his (quite possibly) FIRST PLACE finish in Louisiana. The media is so damn stupid, they refuse to understand that second place doesn’t mean “loser”… in fact, you can come in second place and win MORE delegates than the “winner”. You people need to go back to school.
- Posted by CedricI gave up watching MSNBC because they are so biased toward Ron Paul. I started watching CNN because at least Wolf Blitzer gave Ron Paul a few decent interviews; but after Anderson Cooper’s rude censorship of Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee I’m boycotting both.
Ron Paul 2008! It’s winter in Valley Forge for Ron Paul and his supporters with the MSM; but we’ll come out fighting and win.
- Posted by MegI watched last night’s “debate” and was appalled by AC’s blantant attempt to shut out Huck and Paul. A complete joke and CNN should be ashamed!
- Posted by K. BuchyBy CNN almost excluding two of the candidates in last night’s debate, everyone got a good look at Socialism at work. How is that working for you?
- Posted by David - Oregon CityI made a comment on one of CNN’s debate blogs about Anderson Cooper’s CIA past. It was very innocent, basically saying: ‘I find it interesting that Mr. Cooper has a past in the CIA and thought it would be good for readers to know about it.’ I also emphasized that I’m not accusing CNN or Mr. Cooper of anything, because it’s merely an association and we shouldn’t jump to conclusions based solely on that.
Out of over 1000 comments that got through, mine was deleted. I could understand if I swore or was very offensive, but that wasn’t the case. I was merely pointing out something in Mr. Cooper’s past that readers should be aware of. Also, according to other blogs I’ve read I am not the only one this has happened to.
If CNN wants to delete those kinds of comments, then they should go right ahead. They risk losing whatever credibility they have left, however.
Finally, a quick comment on Huckabee. I think he knows what it’s like to be Ron Paul now. He was the media darling of the ‘dark horses’ for months before he finally gained traction. Now that he’s not an ‘appointed frontrunner’ anymore he’s starting to see this for what it is. He should’ve cut down his whining, though… he’s probably gonna get VP anyway.
- Posted by MattI didn’t realize how similar McCain and Romney were until last night. I didn’t even know who Ron Paul was, so I Googled Ron Paul. I didn’t know he was on the House Services Financial Committee as an economist. It took me a little bit to understand what he was talking about, but I think I found my President. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4kxTkhwR _Q
- Posted by ThomasUnbelievable. I actually enjoy Anderson Cooper when I see him on TV. Now I see he is just like the rest of them. I can’t believe he blatantly lied to Ron Paul’s face - in front of a national audience!
- Posted by Kelly OAnderson Cooper is part of the problem rather than the solution. If he has any integrity he’d resign. I sure hope the American people see this for what it is and wakes up to what’s going on around them. I am spreading the word…….Ron Paul for truth and honesty.
- Posted by jasonI can’t believe how Anderson Cooper cut-off Ron Paul in the debates last night. In fact, he received less than a third of time to even speak. I agree with the above posts. This is an intentional ploy to have establishment guide us into choosing the politician they deem fit to run. Is it fear? Is it control? I think it’s both. Wake up America!!! This is wrong.
- Posted by Tom Hurstcooper more suited to moderating discussion of product excellences on the Home Shopping Network. Bring back Blitzer! By now we KNOW McCain is PROUD of his record for subverting the First Amendment, for promoting war throughout the Middle East (with his Best Bud Jerusalem Joe Lieberman), for giving permanent residence to border violators laboring illegally, and for cutting one million dollar projects from a THREE TRILLION DOLLAR BUDGET. He refused to answer the twice-asked question would he vote for the amnesty bill he supported last summer. That’s because, my friends (meaning, you idiots), he would. We also KNOW Romney is proud of his sterling record as ONE TERM governor of MASSACHUSETTS, a state which elected Mike Dukakis twice. Dukakis was shellacked by GWH Bush in 1988.Romney would add three hundred billion to the trillion dollars already malinvested in the War and Homeland Repression Departments. War Dept can’t account for money it blew for any year in the 21st Century, and more than a few years in the 20th. Romney was allowed to gabble on defending his undistinguished record in an ultraliberal state. Sound-gobbling is his specialty. No sound-biter he. Less skillfully garrulous, McCain simply repeated himself over and over, while Cooper toyed with his Blackberry, I suppose. The few intelligent questions asked by the lady were sidestepped. What we didn’t learn was what M & R would do about the nation’s economic decline. “Tax cuts”, always unspecified, aren’t an answer. The dollar verges on collapse, down 40% since 2003, near an all-time low. Our manufacturing base was outsourced to Mexico, then China. Inflation is running at 10%+, systematically underestimated in order to cheat Social Security recipients, government retirees,disabled veterans, and others whose income is tied to the CPI. McCain isn’t even a tax-cutter.No warmonger can be. He’s on record wanting to “BOMB,BOMB,BOMB IRAN” and occupy Iraq, Hucj permanently. Romney promises to fix “broken” Washington. How about fixing broken Iraq and Afghanistan? Huckabee and Paul distinguished themselves by long-suffering patience and intelligent discourse when permitted, very occasionally, to participate. BY far, this was the most boring of all Republican non-debates–quite an accomplishment in tedium–because McCain and Romney are vain, self-satisfied, uninteresting men, natural companions for Anderson Cooper.
- Posted by tom r“We The People” should decide who will be our President, not the biased MSM. Boycott those MSM.
Let’s turn to internet for information.
Check out: http://knowbeforeyouvote.com/
The “Know before you vote” website is a side-by-side comparison of all the 2008 presidential candidates with well documented sources. It makes researching & comparing candidates extremely simple.
- Posted by LiJuan McCain; a great thought! Moreover, it is the truth. This Senate legislator did his job placing our grandchildren in a position of paying billions of dollars in the decades to come.
Close the border!
- Posted by Dr. Ray[...] Reuters [...]
- Posted by Blog Ron PaulI think I’ll be making my first ever political donation thanks to CNN’s snubbing of Paul and Huckabee. Dr. Paul, what few words you got in last night resonated deeply with me. I will help however I can.
- Posted by Peter