And the winners were (IMO) in order:
Romney
Tancredo
Paul
I liked Romney for his articulate candor. I liked Tancredo for his stand on illegal immigration. I liked Paul for his stand on freedom for Americans.
Whatever JullieAnnie says is not relevent. Huckabee, Thompson, Gilmore, all good guys but not all that impressive. Brownback and Hunter were impressive, but not as impressive as my first three choices. McCain is a has been.
Again, just my initial impression from this poorly constructed “debate.”
Opinion subject to change with time and research.
What about a Fred Thompson/ Tommy Thompson ticket?
Thompson/Thompson in 08?
Reading many of the posts on this thread proves that these TV debates are nothing more than a giant Rorschach inkblot test.
Was one NRA question asked?
The format of 10 candidates in 90 minutes doesn't give much time for detailed responses. Should get better as candidates withdraw. A better moderator and format is needed.
Fred was smart not to get involved in this circus. The questions from 'the politico' were pathetic and they should be ashamed of themselves.
sw
Rudy was the big loser. Romney looked very, very slick, like a well done ad for Viagra or something. McCain was scary. Ron Paul should not ever actually appear in public. Gilmore seemed quite solid. Hunter would make a good VP.
Question How number of the candidates if asked tonight would they try to over turn Roe vs wade would answer yes?
A total circus, IMHO.
Pat answers.
Wishy washy.
Squishy.
Waste of time.
I like ALL of them even less than I did before the debate.
They spoke soundbites from their standard stump speeches.
NO ONE had any fresh ideas. Same old crap.
“I cut taxes.”
“When I was a prosecutor.”
VOMIT!!
Mitt Romney - Mitt Romney did what he needed to do in this debate. He looked good. He spoke well. He seemed to have a good grasp of the issues. He didn't do as good a job highlighting his executive experience, but he came across as smart and competent.
Mike Huckabee - Mike Huckabee seemed the most comfortable of the "hard" religious conservative candidates. He came across as confident and spoke well. If anyone is paying attention, he'll get the biggest bounce in the "second tier" of candidates. His answer on global warming bothered me a great deal.
John McCain - John McCain looked funny in the way he gestured, but he helped his cause by showing the people that he is still alive. His comment about following bin Laden to the "Gates of Hell" helped him. His answering the "Democrat in the cabinet" question by mentioning a businessman rather than a moonbat politician will help him.
Jim Gilmore - I thought Jim Gilmore came across as the most qualified man to be president. I think he'd do the best job. His nuanced position on abortion doesn't bother me, but he'll lose huge pro-life support because of that answer. The debate does help him tremendously because he was an unknown and his presence on the stage gives him credibility.
Tommy Thompson - Tommy Thompson came across as a great conservative politician, but he also came across as someone who is a little too old and a little too "nerdy" to be strong on the campaign trail.
Duncan Hunter - Duncan Hunter is a great candidate, and the debate helps him by giving him the credibility of sharing the same stage as the "top tier" candidates. He knows a great deal and is unique in his military experience and willingness to confront trade issues. His global warming answer won't play well with conservatives. The best thing that the debate could have done for him would have been showing that he is far and above better than Mr. Tancredo on the issues where they hold views in common. If he could have shown that difference and taken the Tancredo supporters, he would have gotten the most from the debate.
Tom Tancredo - Tom Tancredo did well on a few points, but he needed to show some reason why Duncan Hunter supporters should abandon Mr. Hunter. He held his own support, but he didn't gain anything.
Rudy Giuliani - Rudy Giuliani didn't do too badly, but he didn't look presidential. Ambivalence about whether Roe versus Wade should be overturned won't help him. He ducked things on abortion, and his ducking won't help him. He looked good knowing the difference between Shia and Sunni. He looked okay on a few other points, but he didn't come across as being stronger than any other candidate on any issue.
Sam Brownback - Sam Brownback didn't do badly, but he came across as being the least of the "hard" religious conservatives.
Ron Paul - Ron Paul is a good man, but he's wrong about the war against Muslim jihadist terrorists. His statements will knock him out of any chance that he would have had.
Bill
Missed most of it....heard Rudy didn’t do well.
Huckabee surprised in a positive way. Too bad the spotlight is on the Three Amigos all the time.
What a difference between the Gop responces on terrorism and defense and that of the Dems. Good Grief! We’re staying on the attack and the dems are worried about rolling out ambulances and trailers. Talk about offense and defense.
I did not watch the debate live but saw a replay. I have to say the whole thing sounded like a wound up version of Chrissy’s Hardball. The questions for the most part could have come from DNC central. That said I think most of the candidates performed OK.
I find it ironic that the GOP will have their "debate" on PMSNBC and the democrats pulled theirs from Foxnews. GOP appealing to the libs and possibly moving left? Were there enough liberals on the stage last night to appeal to the left?
Hi, kiddo. I’m up early. Gotta finish my paper that’s due tomorrow - for school. Writing about Mitt Romney and all the crap dumped on him by religious bigots on the right. TTFN. For victory & freedom!!!
Peggy Noonan seems to have a reasonable take on the debate.
Mitt Romney won, but mainly because he’s a polished career climber. Rudy Giuliani lost because he’s still unbelievably clueless about abortion. McCain stayed alive.
The questions were stupid and Chris Matthews was predictably hostile. Apparently the DNC gets to organize both the Democrat and the Republican debates.
And Fred Thompson dominated by his absence.