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HDNet’s Dan Rather breaks down the campaign tactics of the current GOP presidential hopefuls.
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Dan rather reports -- seeing a lot of campaigns.
But -- I have to ask have you ever seen one is nasty as this one within that the same party.
I'm not in my lifetime I wouldn't say never in American history.
But particularly.
Since this -- and there's so far has been confined primarily within the Republican Party.
No longer receiving like it then to have like to think of my agents -- very few things surprised me but this has surprised me.
Where you have the promise saying that things he said about Gingrich Gingrich saying of things you said about Romney.
This is.
The people around president of law and Obama himself must feel like they're hummingbirds and honey circle with us.
Because each of these quotes can be used during the general election campaign coming in -- Poland showed would be -- question on the receiving like well.
I remember 1980 very well and and George Bush at that time was was not only not convinced that that supply side economics who's worked.
Would work but he eat the little bit he.
So what I'm -- is that.
That it's it's just ended a war.
And it's very interesting that the man who invested in this type of what I call a voodoo economic policy.
Now obviously it's nowhere near that kind of personal tax we have but for 1980 that was pretty strong stuff.
Well and that's a very good point for ninety -- that was strong stuff but what's the measure what's happening in Florida what happens -- before.
That's -- these Sunday school stuff.
And -- keep in -- in 1980 that also all that Ted Kennedy was trying to unseat.
As the nominee of his own party and incumbent president -- and that got rough.
But everything it has gotten so much nastier.
And when Dick Armey said sits on the really important which is.
People of the United States whether they're Democrat Republican or somewhere in between don't know what -- they want politicians to speak sense of them about problems inherent in Florida housing -- real problems of -- here from all over the country.
But instead you get this invective each candidate trying to damage the other candidate.
The other wouldn't -- who have Mitt Romney who's who has run it -- brilliant.
Television advertising campaign here in Florida this has been a masterpiece of his -- in negative campaigning.
And they really.
It and I don't even armament is not a -- correct.
Well it it and on each side some of the things it -- some of there's not true that's correct but it doesn't matter when you -- this much television time however.
As the campaign goes along a particularly it would -- and -- Mitt Romney is a candidate against Barack Obama people are going to be looking for authenticity.
And passion.
And so far with Mitt -- those -- question marks.
His speech that he gave after the victory in New Hampshire -- all was.
Four but I think if he'd been repeating that in South Carolina and I -- in South Carolina and there's a kind of kind of thing people -- aching to hear.
But since then he's reverted to the negative campaigns and -- and they have been effective.
Well that's the problem is it some -- times these things do work I don't think Newt Gingrich is attacks personal attacks on Bain Capital on.
I'm Romney's affiliation would that work felt the -- No I I don't think they've worked I do think in South Carolina that might work for a little bit but by -- no I don't think they've worked.
Now to be fair.
Candidate Gingrich can't complain too much because in the past.
You know he's used a lot of negative campaign tactics against his political opponent.
But these in the big leagues this is hardball this is the place -- candidates have to Wear a moment.
And it Gingrich was unprepared coming to Florida thank you may have been -- competent.
And what's hurting the most or -- Mitt -- television advertising.
And the two debates just before there's Florida primary in which by his own acknowledgment movement -- quote flat right right Dan -- final question what about a brokered.
Convention is it conceivable that we go all the way to convention for Republicans.
Well I do think is conceivable and I think that is even that something beyond conceivable it's something we should keep in mind.
Because Mitt Romney even if he wins Florida and -- -- he will not have a nomination sewed up he will be the clear favorite.
What we know that there in number in the people -- people in the party who were not satisfied.
With any of the present candidates sort.
If you're going to better you have to bet no they won't be -- brokered convention but I would not rooted out.
All because there's still a long way to go and people such as Jeb Bush and other powers.
Well within the party or keeping their island other situation develop -- kept about it you bet -- and nominate.
Brokered convention -- as possible.
Dan rather good to see -- -- thanks for coming -- again appreciate -- -- you.
