EXCLUSIVE: Political Insiders Give NH Debate Nod to Romney, Bachmann

National Journal ^ | 06/14/2011 | James Barnes

[The Bronze Titan]

-"I wonder if Sarah’s staff took notes..."

You betcha!

PALIN 'is' running. PALIN's not going through the trouble of what she's doing (buying a house in the desert, taking a 'national tour', flying around the world, approving a docu film) if she were not intent on running.

PALIN is just calculating the 'entry' point into the campaign.

A runner does not make their final move until the 'final lap'. Mark my words.

[Longbow1969]

Interesting that Michele gave purely conservative responses, yet impressed both Repubs and Dems.

Um, I think these political insiders are rating the candidates on debate performance, not whether or not they agree with them on the issues.

She can win both the primary AND the general.

Yes, I agree with this, but none of these Democratic insiders are going to vote for Bachmann (or probably any other Republican). In fact, they are likely to do everything they can do to defeat her.

[Tex-Con-Man]

I get the feeling Bachmann will be on the ticket somewhere.

[texsean]

Did these people watch the same debate I did? Romney was barely better than Ron Paul. I had the score card (strictly based on this debate)as:

Pawlenty
Santorum
Newt (yes Newt)
Cain
Bachmann
Romney
Ron Paul

[The Bronze Titan]

-"Bachmann has every right to run. And she is excellent. I doubt Palin is interested in running."

1. Comparing PALIN to Bachmann is like comparing a WW-II Normandy vet to a state-side Fort Dix recruit.

2. Bachmann is not yet 'seriously' being taken seriously by anyone in the media. 'If' and 'when' she's ever taken seriously, they will train their guns on her. There's no record of how she will be able to 'handle it'. We know how PALIN's handled it.

3. Bachmann has NO TRACK RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT like PALIN!

4. Bachmann has not ENGAGED and DISHED OUT, nor earned any 'war medals' in state-wide or national political warfare like PALIN has.

Need I keep going...?

[jobim]

The primaries are the play-offs. Fact is, we don't know who is our best candidate. These debates are critical cauldrons wherein one's mettle is tested.

To me, last night's debate revealed most of all the rich, juicy meat of Obama's record. 2008 we ran against a spectre, a Chauncey Gardner. But this time, as we witnessed last night, our adversary is weighted down with failure on every front.

All candidates made solid points last night. We shall see in the rest of the play-offs who has what it takes to bring this battle to the World Series. Let us patiently assess our field of candidates, and may God help us choose wisely.

[bray]

Did they vote before or after the debate?

Pray for America

[NH_Repub]

You know what really bugs me? Romney was not held accountable for his flip-flops on cap and trade, abortion, timetable for withdrawal..nothing! In fact, at one point John King asked anyone if they had an issue with Romney’s stand on abortion, and no one had the courage to say “YES”...

[gov_bean_ counter]

I agree.

This isn't a beauty contest and Bachmann isn't running for Miss Sweet Corn of Whogivesacrap, Iowa. There is absolutely nothing in Mrs. Bachmann's bio to indicate she is prepared to be the President of the United States. There is absolutely nothing Mrs. Bachmann can say that can convince me of same.

Hey, vote for me. I fostered 23 children and introduced a bill. Give me a flipping break. She had not demonstrated any ability to lead and produce results in an executive setting. All the regurgitated shallow talking points in the world will not change that fact.

If by some cruel, twist of fate she would happen to be the last person standing, I would hold my nose and vote for her; with the expectation that her presidency will be an unmitigated disaster.

[Sir Napsalot]

>>> Political Insiders Give NH Debate Nod to Romney, Bachmann

The reason to boost Bachmann (this early) by the establishment is to keep her in the race, by declaring her the co-winnah.

Otherwise, Bachmann won’t have money and name recognition to continue past Iowa/NH.

[plain talk]

I agree. All of them did ok and no one prevailed over the pack really. Newt sounded good at the beginning but started in with sharp ugly tone and made some weird statements and sort of imploded. Romney wasn’t as good as his usual BS self but didn’t do badly. Unfortunately romney can play it safe and possibly win the nomination unless he is taken out.

While I like cain’s substance his delivery is uninspiring and he will go nowhere. He was basically invisible on that stage and almost irrelevant. Hate to say that is how it is. I didn’t see any of them as really losing or winning. Even nutjob Paul made good points on economic matters and said some things that needed to be said.

Bachmann probably advanced the most. I thought she started slow but built up. I was impressed and think with some practice she might break out. But pawlenty and romney are grabbing the spotlight and she will need to work hard to get some media hype which would certaiinly help.

Palin ain’t running. If Perry jumps in I think he will gather some steam.

[Tanniker Smith]

Romney did not win every question, but he did present himself as the front-runner in the nature of Walter Mondale.

Is that supposed to be praise?

[bwc2221]

“Interesting that Michele gave purely conservative responses, yet impressed both Repubs and Dems.

“She can win both the primary AND the general.”

What planet do you live on? Bachmann is in it - and getting support from Democrats and RINOs for one reason: to stop Palin.

[Lancey Howard]

Don't forget to add the "Pro-Obamaneycare" and "Anti-Obamaneycare" podiums to this cartoon:

[Forward the Light Brigade]

I agree—Romney did well when he countered the argument that Obama used his plan as a template for obamacare. He said—why didn’t he call me? I could have told him what works and what doesn’t—it is a sound argument. Newt did well on his answer to having a muslim working for him. Palin needs to be in the next debate or go back to Alaska—same for Texan, Perry—time to cut bait or get off the pot.