First GOP debate of season tackles bin Laden raid


GREENVILLE, S.C. — The death of Osama bin Laden did not stop Republican presidential contenders from hammering President Obama's foreign policy during the first Republican debate of the 2012 cycle.

Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty fielded the first question from Fox News' Bret Baier, who asked if Pawlenty believed Obama was "weak" on foreign policy matters.

... The debate spent surprisingly little time on the economy and jobs — the issues that Americans put at the top of their list of concerns.

... Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus called the Republican field a work in progress. "A lot of candidates are measuring the field right now but the reality is there's going to be a lot of candidates that jump in the race because we have a president that hasn't delivered," he said.

... "It's a little frustrating that people aren't declaring their intentions and getting in the race, this time four years ago they had been going at it a long time," said Dean Allen, a member of the Greenville Tea Party who helped organize the rally. "I'd like to see Michele Bachmann down here, Speaker (Newt) Gingrich has been in town seven or eight times … but he didn't come down to this."

... more: First GOP debate of season tackles bin Laden raid - USATODAY.com

Doesn't sound like I missed anything by skipping this debate.