Republican Presidential Candidates Debate: Key Takeaways and Statistics

In a pivotal moment before the Iowa caucus, six Republican presidential candidates gathered at Drake University to debate their vision for job creation in America. Moderated by Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos, the debate highlighted the candidates' plans to stimulate job growth, reduce unemployment, and improve the economy. The evening's discussion was centered around the candidates' distinguishing ideas, time frames, and numbers for creating jobs, as well as their policies to combat rising unemployment.

Key Takeaways:

• Speaker Gingrich emphasized the importance of taxes, lower taxes, less regulation, an American energy plan, and a positive attitude towards job creators. He cited his experience working with Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton to create 25 million new jobs in a seven-year period and 11 million new jobs in a four-year period, respectively.
• Governor Romney stressed the need for competitive employer tax rates, regulatory reforms, trade policies that benefit America, and energy policies that leverage the country's resources. He pledged to create 11.5 million jobs in four years and achieve a 6% unemployment rate at the end of the first term.
• Representative Bachmann, Governor Perry, and Senator Santorum each presented their own plans for job creation, although details were not as focused on specifics as those presented by Gingrich and Romney.
• The candidates generally agreed on the importance of cutting taxes, reducing regulations, and promoting American energy production to stimulate job growth.
• Each candidate also emphasized their experience and commitment to creating jobs, with many referencing their past achievements in business and government.

Statistics:

• Speaker Gingrich claims to have worked on a plan that would create 25 million new jobs in a seven-year period.
• As Speaker of the House, Gingrich helped create 11 million new jobs in a four-year period and reduced the unemployment rate to 4.2%.
• Governor Romney promises to create 11.5 million jobs in a four-year period and reduce the unemployment rate to 6% by the end of the first term.

Sources:

• Federal News Service, Inc. (transcript of the Republican Presidential Candidates Debate, Copyright 2011)