Perry’s Voice Heard Most During Past Two GOP Debates

Texas Gov. Rick Perry — the perceived frontrunner and one of the most watched candidates vying for the Republican presidential nomination — had his mouth open the most, between answering questions, making rebuttals and giving responses during the past two debates in Simi Valley, Calif., and Tampa, Fla.

Perry spoke just over 13.5 minutes during the Tea Party debate broadcast Sept. 12 on CNN. He also led the other candidates in talk time a week earlier at his first debate, hosted by NBC/Politico in Simi Valley on Sept. 7. His talking accounted for a little less than 15 minutes of the show.

The Texas governor gained a lot of time from making responses to moderators and the other candidates. The Associated Press reports he tangoed with Ron Paul over executive mandates and state taxes, with Mitt Romney over Social Security and with Michele Bachmann over a 2007 mandate he favored requiring girls in his state to be vaccinated against HPV.

The other candidates’ records and actions are not commanding the same attention Perry is receiving. Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who enjoyed a strong lead before Perry entered the race, was among the top talkers during both debates — but talked about three minutes less than the Texas governor during both shows.

Whether candidates answer questions to tout an accomplishment or defend themselves, any opportunity to talk is a chance to make a point. Every second counts during a presidential debate. Candidates use every moment to answer the question they are asked while trying to squeeze in points on similar or related topics.

Some candidates had more or less time than others to do that. Here is a look at how much time each person talked during both debates in Tampa and Simi Valley.

Tampa — Sept. 12

* Perry: 13:34

* Romney:10:46

* Bachmann: 8:34

* Huntsman: 7:39

* Gingrich: 7:31

* Paul: 7:21

* Santorum: 7:18

* Cain: 5:31

Bachmann, Jon Huntsman, Newt Gingrich and Paul talked around seven to eight minutes. Herman Cain talked the least, coming in about two minutes behind that group and roughly eight minutes behind Rick Perry.

Simi Valley — Sept. 7

* Perry: 14:45

* Romney: 11:46

* Paul/Huntsman: 9:21

* Bachmann: 8:59

* Gingrich: 6:45

* Santorum: 6:03

* Cain: 5:40

The numbers show Perry surpassed all of the other candidates, even with this being his first debate. Paul, Huntsman and Bachmann all spoke for about the same amount of time. Then there is a bit of a gap before reaching Gingrich, Santorum and Cain’s talk times.

Whether the trend will continue remains to be seen. All candidates will square off in another televised debate hosted by Fox News and Google Thursday, Sept. 22, beginning at 9 p.m. from Orlando.


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