American Political Idol Episode 4- Florida Debate Highlights Part Two

David Horsey/Los Angeles Times

The Following are highlights from tonight's Second Florida Debate.  This is a recap of some of the statements made by the Republican candidates. I am not endorsing either statement made by the candidates.

The heat was on in tonight's debate as Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney spars over immigration and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Apparently, Newt feels that a grandmother for instance, who is here with her family, should not be separated from them. She should be allowed some sort of residency status, whether she has been here illegally or legally. Splitting families up, especially elderly folks from their families, just did not seem like a humane approach to resolving our immigration problem, according to Newt. But Mitt Romney simply felt that there are 11 million grandmothers here. And that is the problem. If they are here illegally, then they should be deported.

The moderator asked Mitt Romney about his recent attack-ad against Newt, that specifically stated that Newt says that the Spanish language is a language of the ghetto. But Romney said that there were many ads out there, produced by citizens. But the moderator addressed the ad again, and said that this particular ad was endorsed by him. It appeared that Mitt Romney was not aware of this advertisement that he endorsed. Nor did Romney appear aware of the alleged statement that was made by Newt. He asked Newt was it true? Newt stated that he was referring to all languages.

Romney had attacked Newt again in tonight's debate and referred to Newt's past with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Romney insisted that Newt was paid 1.7 million dollars to lobby on behalf of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Newt denied this again. But then redirected the remark by stating that Romney has had investments in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But Romney came back and stated that Newt had investments in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as well.

Romney simply stated that the investments in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were mutual funds, invested by a trustee, who created a blind trust, so there would be no conflict of interest. And he could not speak on behalf of his money that was invested in blind trusts. Newt criticized Romney about his money being in offshore accounts. Romney responded by stating again, that his money was  in blind trusts. 

Romney's overall net-worth is approximately $250 million and he appears to justify his investments in offshore accounts and in companies that have contributed to our economic crisis in 2008, by saying that they were in blind trusts. Romney seems comfortable with telling the American people that he isn't aware of how his money was invested. And this is a guy running for the presidency in the midst of an economic crisis.  Romney did not appear to be aware of an ad that's out there with his name on it. I will give him a pass for that. But I am surprised no candidate has called him out on turning his back on his investments. And at least, that is what he telling the American people.

Santorum chimed in, in the midst of all the bickering between Newt and Romney, and stated that these were unimportant issues to spend the debate on. And of course again, Rick wanted to separate himself from Mitt and Newt. But it was the same old spill. But Rick also changed his tune by coming to both Mitt's and Newt's defense. He stated that Mitt Romney was wealthy because he worked hard and there was nothing wrong with that. He said that Newt used his knowledge to start his consulting firm, and there was nothing wrong with that either. Rick Santorum brought up an issue that should irritate the hell out of Middle Class America. He stated that America should not go up in taxes on the wealthy because "they" invest in our economy. But what does Rick Santorum think the middle class  Americans are doing with their paychecks?

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Things that may interest you about these candidates, taken from tonight's debate.


Newt Gingrich

• Legal immigrants that have been here a long time, should obtain some sort of residency but to gain citizenship, they have to wait on their soil.

• Everyone should learn English; no one should be trapped in a linguistic situation where they can't get a job.

• He proposes an alternative flat tax.

• Americas should have different options in insurance.

Ron Paul

• We should divert those resources that we are using in Afghanistan and Pakistan and tackle our borders.

• The Community Reinvestment Act was much like affirmative action, telling banks that they have to make risky loans to people.

• He wants to get rid of the 16th amendment.

• He wants to stop transfer of wealth to the wealthy, but the solution is not to tax wealthy.

• He would be the oldest president if elected. He is 76.

Mitt Romney

• There are three groups of immigrants. 1) those who are flat out here illegally, 2)  those that have been abused, abducted, enslaved and brought here and 3) those that are still waiting in their very own country

• We should start out teaching children in English, so they learn English.

• We should have friendship and trade with Cuba.

• People should own their own insurance, if this was so, rates would be lower.

• He feels Obama has ignored Latin America.

• He  feels that he is an outsider. And those that have been in politics a long time, will do business as usual. He feels that he reflects change, so therefore, he makes a perfect candidate for president.

Rick Santorum

• He feels that illegal immigrants break all sorts of laws just to live here. i.e, if they get jobs here, they have to use someone else's social security number.

• We should stand up for nations like Honduras and Nicaragua; Obama sides with Chavez and Castro. And they go against the people.

• He says young people are not getting involved in math and science. They are mot dreaming big dreams.

Source: CNN

Revised: 1/31/2012 7:32pm