COMMENTARY | During the Republican presidential debate in Tampa, Fla., Mitt Romney went on the attack against his main rival, Newt Gingrich. Romney has been knocked off his perch as front-runner thanks to his defeat in the South Carolina primary.
The Ticket reports Romney attacked Gingrich on a number of fronts. He suggested the former speaker was forced to resign in disgrace from Congress thanks to his erratic leadership during his four-year speakership. Romney accused Gingrich of being an influence peddler thanks to his work for Freddie Mac.
Then, is a weird twist, Romney said Gingrich's tax proposal would be too easy on millionaires who make their money from returns on investment and not earned income. Romney has published his tax returns showing that he was able to take the 15 percent rate on investment income rather than the higher rate on earned income on salaries or corporate income.
The reason this is weird is Romney has accused Gingrich of running down capitalism because of the latter's attack on his career of CEO of Bain Capital. Suggesting that, in effect, Gingrich was in favor of "tax cuts for the rich" sounded an awful lot like something President Obama would say.
Gingrich was having none of the attacks, particularly about his work for Freddie Mac. Romney and his surrogates have been accusing Gingrich of being a lobbyist for Freddie Mac. This is a devastating accusation since the near collapse of Freddie Mac has been blamed partly for the economic slowdown that still afflicts the United States.
Gingrich countered by producing the contract he signed with Freddie Mac, pointing out that his role was listed as that of "consultant" and not lobbyist. Romney and Gingrich then engaged in a wrangle whether a consultant was just a lobbyist by any other name. At times the argument became mind numbing.
Fortunately, the debate also touched on issues, great and obscure. A question was even asked about the space program, with Romney and Gingrich giving detailed answers. Other questions included Cuba, the death of Terri Schiavo, and the meaning of conservatism in the current election cycle.
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