Reactions to the CNN Arizona Republican Presidential Debate, Mesa, AZ Feb. 22, 2012

Romney for President 10:03 p.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Romney Press Office
February 22, 2012

REP. JEFF FLAKE: MITT ROMNEY HAS A BOLD VISION TO GET OUR COUNTRY BACK ON TRACK

Boston, MA – Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake made the following statement following tonight’s debate in Mesa, Arizona:

“Mitt Romney was the winner in tonight’s debate because he clearly articulated a bold conservative vision to restore fiscal sanity to our country. America has had enough of high taxes, out-of-control spending, and ignoring the need for entitlement reform. Mitt Romney has shown that he is not afraid of bold solutions to restore America’s promise. I’m proud to stand with Mitt. He is the conservative leader we need to reform Washington.”

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Romney for President 10:10 p.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Romney Press Office
February 22, 2012

MICHIGAN LEADERS AGREE: MITT ROMNEY WON TONIGHT’S DEBATE

Boston, MA – Michigan leaders tonight made the following statements on Mitt Romney’s strong debate performance and his vision for creating jobs in Michigan:

Governor Rick Snyder: “Mitt Romney is not a career politician. He’s a businessman who knows how to balance the budget and he has a credible plan to put our country on a sustainable path. That’s the kind of leadership we need in Washington. Mitt Romney understands the economy and what it takes to create jobs.”

Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley: “Mitt Romney is gaining support among conservative voters in Michigan because it’s clear from his track record that he is not afraid to make the tough decisions needed to reduce our nation’s debt.”

Former Attorney General Mike Cox: “Mitt Romney is gaining support and strength in this primary because of performances like the one he delivered tonight. Michiganders can feel confident that they will have a president who is looking out for them by creating jobs and lessening the crushing debt that we face. The bold economic plan that he laid out today will unleash the entrepreneurial spirit that has been held back by President Obama’s anti-growth policies. I look forward to spreading this message to Michigan voters over the next week.”

Attorney General Bill Schuette: “Mitt Romney speaks Michigan's language – jobs. He knows Michigan needs jobs and tonight showed he not only has the experience but also the plan to turn Michigan around and create more jobs.”

Congressman Bill Huizenga: “Mitt Romney easily won tonight’s debate by clearly explaining how he will address the most important issue facing our country: bringing back jobs and expanding the economy. His economic plan is evidence he is ready to tackle the challenges facing our nation. I am confident that his business background coupled with his executive experience has made Mitt Romney the leader we need to turn around our country.”

Gary Wolfram, William E. Simon Professor in Economics and Public Policy at Hillsdale College: “Pro-growth conservatives across Michigan are supporting Mitt Romney because of his record, bold economic plan, and performances tonight that display his true understanding of our economy and how to create jobs. Mitt Romney knows that low taxes, less spending, and fair regulatory structure encourage job growth. And Mitt Romney knows this because he has lived in the real economy and knows that Washington doesn’t create jobs – entrepreneurs, innovators, and hardworking Americans are the backbone of our economic engine.”

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson: “Mitt Romney showed us again why he will defeat President Obama in November. We need a proven leader who can take a conservative economic message up against President Obama – I can’t think of anyone more qualified or better able to do that than Mitt Romney. With Mitt as the nominee, conservatives can be confident that we will have both the right messenger and the leader with the experience to implement pro-growth economic policies.”

Republican National Committeeman Saul Anuzis: “Throughout this rollercoaster campaign, one thing has remained true: Mitt Romney is the only candidate with the real world economic experience, pro-growth plan, and record of success that will be needed to go to Washington and enact real change. Today, Mitt Romney laid out the basis for an economic plan that will jumpstart the economy. Tonight, he showcased his ability to take that message to voters and again showed why he will defeat President Obama in November.”

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Romney for President 10:15 p.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Romney Press Office
February 22, 2012

BOB DOLE: ROMNEY HAS LEADERSHIP ABILITY AND RIGHT EXPERIENCE TO BE A GREAT PRESIDENT

Boston, MA – Former Kansas Senator Bob Dole made the following statement on tonight’s debate:

“I've watched a lot of debates in my years. I've seldom seen a candidate shine like Mitt Romney shined tonight. Finally, we have a conservative who has the leadership abilities and the right kind of experience to make a great president. Governor Romney's tax-reform plan puts conservative ideas into practice, cutting rates while putting the country on the path to a balanced budget.

“Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, both Washington insiders, are pushing proposals that would add billions if not trillions to the deficit, making it impossible to distinguish from the Democrat proposals. This is not their only flaw as candidates but it would bring the Republican Party to a resounding defeat in November. In recent weeks, they have made Governor Romney a punching bag in their lust for the nomination but nearly every poll indicates that Governor Romney is electable in the Fall and will still be standing when it's all over. Governor Romney's performance tonight should demonstrate that he is the strongest candidate by far. I have no quarrel with Santorum or Gingrich except I don't want to lose the presidency, the House and lose seats in the Senate if either of them were the candidate which I believe would be the result.”

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Newt 2012 Feb. 23 12:41 a.m.

What They're Saying About Newt After Tonight's Debate

Post debate reactions were in agreement that Newt Gingrich was right on the issues. See what they were saying:

“Newt's message on energy development was spot-on. Drill now and stop bowing to foreign regimes begging them to do it for us. Then we'll all be "cheerful."
Sarah Palin

“On points, Newt wins.”
Guy Benson

“My verdict: 1) Gingrich”
Piers Morgan

“We have arrived back at where we began – Newt Gingrich as the adult in the room.”
Erick Erickson

“Newt Gingrich has a solid night.”
Bret Baier

“Newt Gingrich is the statesman of the party.” and
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Newt found his way back to be the frontrunner.”
Donna Brazil

“Do not underestimate the very real possibility of Newt coming back from the dead one more time.”
Joe Trippi

“I really like what Newt Gingrich said, that he will work with the governors. ”
Governor Jan Brewer

“Sure like Newt’s ideas!”
Neal Boortz

“Newt’s right about tyranny.”
Jonah Goldberg

“Newt came out and was affable, thoughtful, and deep.”
Ari Fleischer

“Newt is right to focus on gas and energy policies. The real answer to terrorism.”
Dick Morris

“Newt is doing the best job taking jabs at Obama tonight.”
Erick Erickson

“Gingrich nails it on Israel and Iran.”
Neal Boortz

“Newt’s having a good night, again.”
Stephen Hayes

“Newt completely aces the women in combat question.”
Jim Geraghty

“Great Newt answer.”
Matt Lewis

“Debate analysis so far – Newt: A”
John Hawkins

“Newt is impressive tonight and he keeps making thoughtful points.”
Ari Fleischer

“Gingrich is winning this debate handily.”
Ed Morrissey

“Newt is so knowledgeable.”
Dick Morris

“Newt’s right about tyranny.”
Jonah Goldberg

“Rock on new Gingrich!”
Kathryn Lopez

“SOUTH CAROLINA NEWT IS BACK”
Jamie Dupree

“Newt is NAILING it on the auto bailout.”
Neal Boortz

“That was the best Newt moment in weeks.”
Ben Smith

“Fantastic answer from Gingrich on UAW and bankruptcy.”
Dana Loesch

“Newt hit out of park on infanticide & Barack Obama.”
Laura Ingraham

“Newt is going to get a bounce again, isn't he?”
Kathryn Lopez

“Newt is brilliant in his education school critique with self esteem.”
Dick Morris

Newt was "intellectually superior" to the others on stage.
Governor Rick Perry

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R.C. Hammond
Press Secretary

Democratic National Committee
For Immediate Release
February 22, 2012

Contact: DNC Press

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s Statement on GOP Debate in Arizona

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on tonight’s Republican presidential debate in Arizona:

“At a time when the American people have made it clear they need real solutions from their leaders that will help working and middle-class families get ahead and put our country back on track, all the Republican candidates had to offer during tonight’s debate were more shameless attempts to woo the extreme right wing of the Republican Party. Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, the current frontrunners of the GOP field, have spent their entire candidacy throwing every attack they can possibly muster at President Obama and each other. This type of discourse though doesn’t come as much of a surprise – Mitt Romney has shown time and time again that he’ll say anything to get elected, and Rick Santorum has consistently demonstrated he cares more about dividing America than restoring economic security for the middle class. Tonight, instead of talking about jobs or how to provide a secure future for the middle class, Republicans attacked a woman’s right to contraception, spouted more extreme anti-immigrant rhetoric and leveled more false and defamatory attacks against the President’s faith and support for religious liberty. It was an unfortunate display of one-upmanship from candidates who are tripping over one another to appeal to the far right wing extreme of their party. And the only discussion of jobs in this debate revolved around the unanimous position of Republicans on stage that they would have let Detroit go bankrupt; would have turned their backs on American workers; and would have allowed an iconic American industry and over one million jobs to go down the tubes.

“The fact is hardworking Americans across the country don’t want more tired distractions from the issues that matter most—they want to have the basic security of knowing that if they work hard and play by the rules, they can do well enough to raise a family, own a home and have some savings when they retire. That’s what President Obama has been fighting for since day one of his presidency, and we’re seeing the results: 23 straight months of private sector job growth for a total 3.7 million jobs, with American manufacturing creating jobs for the first time since the 1990s. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum have proposed economic plans that would explode the deficit by over a trillion dollars and drag our country back to the same failed policies of the past. The choice facing voters in November is clear – the President will continue to move America forward, while the leading GOP candidates would be bad news for the future of our country.”

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