Front-runner Gingrich on defense in debate
DES MOINES -- Attacked as a lifelong Washington insider, newly minted Republican front-runner Newt Gingrich parried criticism from Mitt Romney in a campaign debate Saturday, telling the former Massachusetts governor, "The only reason you didn't become a career politician is because you lost to Teddy Kennedy in 1994."
Gingrich also defended himself against attacks from Texas' Rep. Ron Paul and Minnesota's Rep. Michele Bachmann in the first debate since he soared to the lead in polls nationally and in Iowa. Caucuses on Jan. 3 in this state will kick off the competition for Republican National Convention delegates.
Under questioning from Paul, Gingrich said he had never lobbied for Freddie Mac, a quasi-government agency that paid him at least $1.6 million to provide strategic advice. Paul shot back, "It's the taxpayers' money, though. We were bailing them out."
The tone was generally respectful, with the stakes ever higher on a stage in the Iowa capital city. The debate was the 12th since the long campaign began and the first since Herman Cain's candidacy imploded amid a sex scandal.
The six rivals assailed President Barack Obama's handling of the economy but split on legislation making its way toward a year-end vote in Congress to extend a Social Security payroll tax into 2012. Romney, Gingrich and Paul said they favored the plan. Bachmann, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania said they opposed it.
For Gingrich, the debate brought new standing, a center position onstage that comes with being a leader in the polls, as well as the challenge of fielding criticism from his rivals.
His personal life has become a campaign issue, too, and it came up briefly last night.
Asked whether marital fidelity was a valid concern for voters choosing a candidate, Perry said, "If you cheat on your wife, you'll cheat on your business partner. It's a characteristic people look at." Gingrich, who has been divorced twice and has admitted past infidelity, said the issue was an important one, then added, "I've made mistakes at times and I've had to go to God for forgiveness."
Gingrich also defended his comment from a cable interview footage released Friday, he which he said Palestinians were an "invented" people. Several of his rivals said they generally agreed with his description, but Romney said Gingrich's remark may well have made it more complicated for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to move toward peace with Palestinians.
Gingrich sought to clarify his position earlier yesterday, saying he supports a negotiated peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, including a Palestinian state.
