Newt Gingrich likely focus in tonight’s debate
DES MOINES – Newt Gingrich’s rise in the Republican presidential race has largely been guided by his steady performances in nationally-televised debates. But as six presidential hopefuls gather tonight in this crucial state, the former House speaker’s debate skills will be under a far greater test than ever before.
All of the candidates – particularly Mitt Romney, whose campaign has been shaken off course by the Gingrich surge – will be focused on trying to curb the momentum of the former House speaker.
Romney and Gingrich have been two of the strongest debaters during the previous 10 times they’ve met on the stage, and tonight marks the first time they will face off since Gingrich jumped to the top of the polls.
Romney’s campaign in recent days has sharpened its attacks on Gingrich, largely by relying on surrogates and supporters. But Romney can’t rely on surrogates tonight on the debate stage.
The two-hour debate, held on the campus of Drake University, will air nationally on ABC at 9 p.m. and will be moderated by Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos. The debate is also sponsored by the Des Moines Register, Yahoo, and the Iowa Republican Party.
With just over three weeks before Iowa voters make their selections, the debate will jumpstart a far more intense phase of the campaign. Romney plans to travel on Sunday to New Hampshire, before returning to Iowa for another debate next week.
One issue likely to come up tonight are comments Gingrich recently made about the Middle East, saying that the Palestinians were an “invented’’ people. The comments, made to a Jewish television station, seemed to indicate that Gingrich did not support a two-state solution for the Israelis and Palestinians.
His campaign issued a statement this afternoon to clarify his remarks.
“Newt Gingrich supports a negotiated peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, which will necessarily include agreement between Israel and the Palestinians over the borders of a Palestinian state,’’ campaign spokesman R.C. Hammond said in a statement. “However, to understand what is being proposed and negotiated you have to understand decades of complex history, which is exactly what Gingrich was referencing during the recent interview.’’
In addition to Gingrich and Romney, the debate will include Representative Michele Bachmann, Representative Ron Paul, Texas Governor Rick Perry, and former Senator Rick Santorum.
Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman did not meet polling requirements, and instead is spending the day campaigning in New Hampshire. It is also the first debate that won’t include Herman Cain, who dropped out of the race last week.
Romney made a surprise appearance at a rally this morning at his campaign headquarters in Des Moines, which is based out of a former Blockbuster video store. He was joined by his wife, Ann; their son Josh; and one of his top supporters, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and his wife, Mary.
Romney gave a brief address that included snippets from his stump speech, but he seemed to be in a light-hearted mood.
When Ann Romney was talking about what a great, laugh-filled breakfast she shared with former Iowa Governor Bob Ray, who is 83, Mitt Romney paused. “I’m getting a little nervous about this relationship,’’ he said.
He told the crowd he would sign autographs and, if they didn’t have something for them to sign, “Just undo your shirt and we’ll sign your arm.’’ As he walked around the room after, he stopped when he spied the boxes of Little Caesars Pizza. “Woah! Pizza! Free pizza!’’
He continued making his way through the crowd, autographing signs and pictures. No signed arms were spotted.
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