11:04 p.m.
 
Boston, MA – Romney for President Communications Director Gail Gitcho made the following statement on tonight’s debate:
 
“Mitt Romney was honored to share the stage with his fellow Republicans to debate the issues that are important to the people of Iowa and all Americans. Tonight, Mitt Romney clearly won the debate by remaining focused on his message of creating jobs and getting the economy back on track by reversing President Obama’s failed economic policies. Mitt Romney’s strong record of creating jobs in the private sector, and when he was Governor, makes him the best candidate to defeat President Obama and lead the country toward an economic recovery.”

---

11:06 p.m.

August 11, 2011, Santa Fe, NM – Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson released the following statement after the 2012 GOP Presidential Debate on Fox News on his strong record of cutting spending and dedication to balancing the budget.

“Everyone on the stage talked about cutting spending and balancing the budget.  But where is the commitment to actually get it done – and get it done now?  With some political courage, the budget could be balanced in 2013, but that courage wasn’t on the stage tonight. The Johnson administration would propose a balanced budget in January of 2013.

“I enjoyed the promises in the debate to not raise taxes. However, commitment and results are often different things. I never raised a single tax as Governor and I vetoed 750 bills and thousands of line items to prevent a tax increase.  I really doubt that anyone on the stage tonight has that same record.”

---

11:13 p.m.

Orlando - This evening, Huntsman campaign manager Matt David released the following statement regarding tonight's Fox News-Washington Examiner debate:

"This evening, the American people were introduced to Jon Huntsman and his vision for our nation.

"He offered serious solutions to rescue and revive our flailing economy, rid our country of its cancerous debt, and build a more prosperous and secure future for our children and grandchildren -solutions that, unlike his opponents, he has already led and delivered on.

"Gov. Huntsman distinguished himself as the only candidate with a proven record of creating jobs, in business and as governor; the only candidate with foreign policy acumen, who understands America can only project power abroad when we are strong at home; and the candidate with the experience and gravitas who is best-equipped to defeat President Obama.

"Jon Huntsman is running for president because for the first time in our nation's history, we are about to pass down to the next generation a country that is less powerful, less competitive and less good. These are serious times, and Jon Huntsman is the serious, principled leader that America needs."

---

Aug. 12 12:15 a.m.


Ames, Iowa – Just days before the 2011 Iowa Straw Poll, Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann shined at the GOP Presidential Debate in Ames, Iowa. Carrying the voices of countless of voters to the debate, Bachmann shared the importance of adhering to the conservative values in which our country was founded including fiscal responsibility, strong defense and family values.

First and foremost Bachmann honed in on the importance of getting the country's fiscal house in order by saying, "The premise that we need to continue to raise the debt ceiling and spend money we don't have is the wrong premise. The American people have been asking for a very different bold vision and I was one of the leading voices against raising the debt ceiling. That's what the American people want us to do – have a balanced budget and have our spending priorities in order. "

On the repeal of Obamacare, Bachmann declared, "I'm at the tip of the spear fighting against the implantation of Obamacare in the U.S. Congress. I fought - when others ran - I fought. "

On the topic of protecting the U.S. from Iran, Bachmann stated, "As President of the United States I will do everything to ensure Iran does not become a nuclear power."

When asked about her stance on marriage, Bachmann declared, "As a Senator in Minnesota, I was the chief author of a constitutional amendment that defined marriage between one man and one woman. I have an unblemished record when it comes to this issue. "

Bachmann closed the debate by inviting voters to come to the straw poll stating, "Two days from now, here in Ames, Iowa, all of us have a chance to send a message to Washington, D.C. about what we think about Barack Obama's presidency. He got started here in Iowa. Now Iowa can bring that presidency effectively to a close. I'm inviting everyone to come out to the straw poll and let's send a message to Washington that they can't miss."

---

Aug. 12 12:45 a.m.

Ames, IA - At tonight's Republican Presidential Debate, Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) clearly showed why he is the best equipped and prepared Republican presidential hopeful to take on President Obama.
 
Once we got down to the issues, past the nonsense of the he-said/she-said, it was clear Senator Santorum was the one candidate who shined on stage.  His depth of knowledge on everything from Iran's nuclear ambitions to the sanctity of human life was head and shoulders above the rest of the candidates on stage.  Senator Santorum stood out by clearly showing he's the only Republican who will not just fight for conservative values, but has the record of results to match his rhetoric.  The other candidates showed they could take direction and deliver their consultants' carefully crafted lines. Sadly this debate was geared toward the candidates long on promises but short on results.
 
Senator Santorum knew that the national media would try to ignore his record of backing up his rhetoric with accomplishment, which is why he has taken his message of freedom and conservative principles to the people of Iowa.  Unlike the other candidates, the people of candidates have the opportunity to see Rick Santorum in their living rooms, not just on their televisions.
 
National Communications Director Hogan Gidley said, "No other candidate on that stage possesses the knowledge and leadership record of Rick Santorum. His record of ending the federal entitlement of welfare at a time when our nation is facing a fiscal crisis, banning partial birth abortions at a time when our nation is facing a moral crisis, and standing tall to foreign dictators in Iran and Syria when we have a president who had abdicated our nation's role as the global leader sets him apart from his competitors."

---

Aug. 12 3:56 p.m.


“The former House speaker was fired up and had a terrific debate.  Substance on the issues has always been his forte and Newt showed that.  He was also combative with the moderators, demanding they ask substantive questions.  The audience responded very strongly to that.  Gingrich showed a fire and passion that conservatives are longing for.  He would utterly dismantle Barack Obama in a one-on-one debate.  It was a terrific performance.”
-Kevin Hall, IowaRepublican.com
 
“…his grasp of history and his ability to reference it in some of his answers is incredible…The best moment of the debate came when Gingrich took Fox News Anchor Chris Wallace to task.  Doing so was risky, but Gingrich came off as the most serious candidate on the stage last night.”
-Craig Robinson, IowaRepublican.com
 
“[Newt Gingrich] was forceful without looking undistinguished, aggressive without losing his self-dignity, informed, informative, and put leadership ahead of policy. This was the Gingrich of the 1994 Republican Revolution.” 
-Steve Deace, Host, Steve Deace Show in Iowa
 
“BEST PERFORMANCES: Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Both were humorous and forceful, Yepsen said.”
-David Yepsen, former Des Moines Register columnist
 
"Newt Gingrich won the battle...most applause lines of any of the candidates.  He said what Republicans feel....Bottom line: Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich were the winners."  
-Frank Luntz, Pollster, (on Fox and Friends)
 
“Gingrich was simply head and shoulders above the rest. This is the Newt people have been waiting for; an articulate and forceful conservative who knows the world he lives in.”
-Craig Shirley, Reagan biographer
 
“Newt Gingrich was the biggest surprise…his attacks on the media put distance between his campaign’s disastrous start – which the press has used to shape the narrative of his bid – and the experienced, shrewd politician we saw last night. His answers proved he understands how to get things done in Washington; Something voters might be more open to following the dysfunction around the debt crisis.” 
-Joe Trippi, Democratic Strategist
 
“I do think actually that Newt had a good night, and I'm really tough on Newt. He actually had the audience at one point booing Fox News in his favor.”
-Joe Scarborough, Host, Morning Joe
 
“Gingrich looked in total command. He was authoritative and forceful, and he took on the media and President Obama. He appeared the real adult on the stage; the father figure or wise uncle.”
-Mark McKinnon, The Daily Beast
 
"Newt Gingrich really drove that home in the Iowa debate, catching the fire of the tea party’s fierce urgency of now.”
-Kathryn Lopez, National Review Online
 
“Newt Gingrich was the best and..Rick Santorum was a runner-up. They had a command of the issues as they saw them, and they made their arguments well for the most part.”
-Jonah Goldberg, National Review Online (Goldberg File)
 
“Gingrich: The winner. Wasn't even close. Showed why Obama would pee in his pants having to debate this man.”
-Brent Bozell, President, Media Research Institute
 
“Oh how many times in the many years of these debates have I been waiting for a presidential candidate to do this. Thanks Newt!”
-Greg Henler, Townhall.com (on “gotcha” questions)
 
“Audience coming out of debate overwhelmingly say Gingrich came away winner. #gopdebate”
-Jo Ling Ken, NBC News, @JoNBCNews
 
“Gingrich & Romney did very well tonight. Both sounded presidential. Pawlenty diminished himself w/the Bachmann attacks.
 
“Gingrich's plain-talk ("that's just a dumb idea") and attacks on the media (which have merit) will earn him points. He did well."
-Paul Brandus, West Wing Report, @WestWingReport
 
“There’s a difference between what you hear from the professional political class and the people out there on Twitter and so forth who thought that Newt Gingrich did phenomenally well. He planted a flag last night. I think he acquitted himself well in many respects.”
-Michael Steele, Former RNC Chair on Morning Joe

Contact: R.C. Hammond

---

PRESS RELEASE from Iowa Democratic Party

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 11, 2011
CONTACT: Megan Jacobs

DES MOINES – In response to tonight’s Republican debate in Ames, Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky released the following statement:
“In tonight’s debate, the GOP agenda was crystal clear – extreme plans and no willingness to compromise.  When asked if they would take a 10 to 1 deal on spending cuts and taxes every candidate on stage said no.
"Instead of pledging to fight for the middle class, every candidate on stage raised their hand to pledge their alliance to the tea party and tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
“Every candidate on the stage tonight reaffirmed their commitment to fight for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires at the expense of seniors and middle class Americans.  None of these candidates offered any real leadership, but more of the same failed ideas that sent our country to the brink of a second Great Depression.
“If any of these candidates really wants to be the next leader of the United States of America, they need to stop pandering to their right wing, tea party base and start offering real ideas to create jobs and strengthen the middle class.”

---

PRESS RELEASE from Democratic National Committee

For Immediate Release
August 11, 2011

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz Says There Is Only One Takeaway From Tonight's Debate: The GOP Field's Unanimous Allegiance to Extreme Tea Party Doctrine

 
Washington, DC—DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement after tonight’s Fox News Republican Presidential Debate in Ames, Iowa, where the Republican candidates all showed their unbridled allegiance to the Tea Party and their extreme ideas:
 
Click here to see the Republican Candidates Pledge their Allegiance to the Tea Party: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKzGZj32LYc
 
“Tonight we learned without a doubt that these Republican candidates represent the single most extreme GOP Presidential field in the history of Presidential politics.  It wasn't enough for those Republicans who aspire to be President to simply pander to the Tea Party, tonight they raised their hands and pledged allegiance to the Tea Party and swore an oath to stand by their extreme agenda without yielding.
 
"Every candidate raised their hand tonight and pledged to not require millionaires, billionaires or the special interests to pay an additional dime to address our nation's problems - this in a debate where they didn't mention the middle class one time and continued to stand by plans like Cut, Cap and Balance, which would end Medicare as we know it.
 
"If Americans were looking for a debate where the Republican Presidential candidates' true colors shone through - they got it tonight.  Slashing Medicare, privatizing Social Security, placing additional burdens on the middle class, all while protecting corporate CEO's and Big Oil, might be the agenda of the Tea Party, but it's not the direction that the vast majority of Americans want to see the country go."