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Newt Gingrich Leads Charge Vs. Romney

GOP hopefuls again face off in New Hampshire debate on 'Meet the Press'

By Polly Davis Doig, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 8, 2012 8:29 AM CST

(Newser) – A scant 12 hours after last night's debate in which Mitt Romney emerged largely unscathed, the Republicans who would be president are again facing off in New Hampshire, this time on Meet the Press with David Gregory moderating. Newt Gingrich answered the overriding question of whether the pack would again let Romney skate, Politico reports, drawing first blood by calling the frontrunner a "relatively timid Massachusetts moderate who even the Wall Street Journal said had an economic plan so timid it resembled Obama.”

“I just think there’s a huge difference between a Reagan conservative and somebody who comes out of the Massachusetts culture,” Gingrich continued, adding that Republicans must ask themselves "who's most likely to survive in the long run." Responded Romney, “One thing you can’t fool the people of New Hampshire about is the record of the governor next door." For live-blog coverage of the debate, check out Politico or the Washington Post. MSNBC has live video here.

Mitt Romney points to the audience as Rick Santorum looks on before a Republican debate at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, NH, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Jon Huntsman, Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry before a debate at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, NH, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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"As expected, Mr. Romney has become the focus of the questions from his rivals. But so far, they have had little luck knocking the Massachusetts governor off his stride." Michael D. Shear, New York Times .
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Writing at Hot Air , AllahPundit agrees, citing Gingrich's bold responses to Juan Williams and Ron Paul among his shining moments. "I’m thinking he might have turned South Carolina from a solid Romney lead into a nailbiter. Has any candidate at any debate had the crowd more riled up than this?" (Watch videos at left.)

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Newt Gingrich Leads Charge Vs. Romney

GOP hopefuls again face off in New Hampshire debate on 'Meet the Press'

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presidential debate • GOP Debate • New Hampshire primary • Meet the Press • Election 2012 • Newt Gingrich 2012 • Mitt Romney 2012 • Jon Huntsman 2012 • Ron Paul 2012 • Rick Santorum 2012 • Rick Perry 2012 • GOP presidential debate

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More Newser Stories

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Republican candidates stage new assault on front-runner

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Herman Cain gets plenty of attention

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Santorum's on the hot seat, Romney's back is to the wall, Gingrich needs a comeback

Romney, Gingrich Tussle Over Immigration, Money

Comparing our investments is like comparing mouse, elephant, says Newt

Solid Night for Romney, as Gingrich Emerges

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