Tampa Bay Area Residents React to Republican Presidential Debate
Local viewers have mixed opinions about the winner of tonight's GOP debate.
As political pundits scramble to determine the winner of tonight’s Republican Presidential Candidates Debate, viewers from the Tampa Bay area have their own opinions.
“To me, it comes across as quite a bit of a draw,” said Josh Burgin, treasurer for the Hillsborough County Republican Party. After Newt Gingrich’s win in the South Carolina Primary, “Romney is trying to get in there and he’s definitely on the full attack.”
Burgin said he didn’t have a clear favorite for a winner of tonight’s debate, which took place on the University of South Florida campus.
“I’ll be tuning in again … it’s by no means finished business.”
Central Pasco Republican Club vice president Sandy Graves did have a favorite going into tonight’s debate – and her mind wasn’t changed by what was said.
“Still a Romney supporter,” she wrote in an email following the debate. “Romney is the only one with private business experience ... more than the rest combined."
Graves questions Gingrich's experience and stand on the issues, as well.
"Newt has always worked for the government, as a professor and then as a congressman," she wrote. "He didn't go home to Georgia after being ousted by his party, but stayed in Virginia as a lobbyist and fought sometimes for non-conservative issues such as global warming with Nancy Pelosi. His association with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are a problem also.”
Ron Paul had his share of supporters on the USF campus.
“I think Ron Paul held his own," said Chris Haag of Maryland. "That’s who I am here to support.”
USF student Brandon Ladia was disappointed in the amount of air time Paul was given.
“I would have liked more from Ron Paul," Ladia said. "He wasn’t given enough screen time.”
Ladia says he supports Paul for his “pro-Constitution ideals.”
Norman Shafer of Wesley Chapel holds firm in his support of Paul.
“I still believe in Ron Paul," he said. "He is the most sensible.”
Largo resident Ed Brabant didn't say which candidate he favored, but he had a few opinions to share.
“There was not much substance to the questions. Why didn’t they talk about real issues?”
Carolyn Hankins of Thonotosassa was a little turned off by Romney's performance.
“I didn’t like how it seemed that Romney was on the attack," she said. "Why doesn’t he promote what he would do rather than put people down? ... Gingrich takes me back to the good old days of (Ronald) Reagan.”
Matt Voscinar, a USF student, had his own spin on the night, as well.
Voscinar was unable to get inside the tent to view the debate on television. However, “it was pandemonium” just outside of the tent where opposing groups gathered. “It was nice to see different groups of people argue — that meant they were active.”
Which candidate do you think won the debate?
ONE TIME
2:27 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
ROMNEY,ROMNEY,ROMNEY!!!!!! ALL THE WAY HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO STANDS A CHANCE AGAINST OBAMA.NEWT HAS DONE NOTHING BUT LIE WHEN I GOT MARRIED I STOOD BEFORE GOD AND PROMISED TO HIM AND HER THAT I WOULD HONOR HER AND BE FAITHFUL TO HER THREW SICKNESS AND HEALTH TELL DEATH DO US PART AND I TAKE A PROMISE TO GOD VERY SERIOUSLY AND NEWT LIED TO 2 WIVES AS FOR HIS NEW WIFE WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT A WOMAN WHO SLEEPS WITH A MARRIED MAN KNOWING HE IS MARRIED...ILL GIVE YOU A HINT IT STARTS WITH A "W" NOT ONLY DID HE LIE TO HIS FIRST 2 WIVES BUT HE LIED TO CONGRESS AND HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CURRUPT POLITICIAN WHY WOULD HE CHANGE NOW HE ALSO TALKS ABOUT ALL THE GOOD STUFF HE HAS DONE WITH OLD RONALD ALL I HEAR IS HIM TALK ABOUT HOW HE JUST ROAD RONNYS COAT TAILS.....HE ALSO TALKS OF BEING ANTI ESTABLISHMENT A MAN WHO HAS SPENT THIRTY YEARS IN THE ESTABLISHMENT HELPING TO BUILD IT AND SIX YEARS LOBBYING FOR A COMPANY THAT WAS A LARGE PART OF THE FININCIAL CRISIS WE ARE IN TODAY I SAY IM TIRED OF WASHINGTON INSIDERS RUNNING WASHINGTON ILL VOTE FOR ROMNEY.......
Mimi
4:36 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
I am still waiting for one of them to stand up and explain seperation of state and church. I am still waiting for one of them to stand up and protect Medicare, the working class, the middle class and the poor. I am still waiting for them to explain religous freedom in our constitution. I am still waiting for one of them to step up and claim responsiblity for the damage that has been caused by their party to this country under the failed Republican policies over the last decade. I am still waiting for them to denounce their parties obstructionism and explain what they would do to work together for the good of all the people, instead of just the mushroom tea drinkers. I guess I will be left waiting for Obama to arrive.
hmj
9:24 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Newt is full of hot air. Why replace one failed leader (Obama) with another failed leader (Newt)? Romney is the best all around candidate for the GOP. He does not have all the personal baggage that Newt has ---- and there are more ugly items to come out
Glen
8:51 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Everyone seems to forget that our economy is inextricably tied to the global economy. Consequently, one won't improve until the other does. It doesn't matter who is in the White House - the state of the economy would be just as dreary. The current crop of Republican snake oil salesmen and charlatans know this. The fact that they can convince so many of their followers otherwise is just plain scary to me.
Tonto
9:33 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
If European socialism is a miserable failure and collapsing why would we want a man who dreams of and is trying to model the country just like that?
Temple Terrace resident
10:45 am on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Why are we WRITING IN ALL CAPS here? Romney may be the best you got, but he will be taken apart by Obama.
Tonto
9:28 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Obama doesn't seem to be able to take apart a paper bag. The liberal media armies seem to take down, smear, degrade, chop up & demonize everyone FOR HIM.
Temple Terrace resident
1:44 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Tonto, not sure if we're talking about the same person. Obama is a great thinker and a gifted orator. The same can not be said of his competition who seemingly, can barely think, much less express their thoughts cogently. "Dryll babi dryll" still rings in my ears.
Temple Terrace resident
3:01 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Hogwash, that is merely one occasion. You folks are fooling yourselves.