I didn't identify a clear winner last night, primarily because the questions were horrible. FYI--before the debate started, an audience member asked, "How many questions has Hillary Clinton planted here tonight?" Cooper chuckled.
I believe Huckabee gained points last night for those who are mostly unfamiliar with him. That includes the couple sitting next to me. They had been McCain fans from 2000, but were having doubts this time around. They didn't know Huckabee was from Arkansas, had never heard of Tancredo, Hunter, or Paul.
Using them as a gauge, they found Romney to be arrogant last night, Tancredo and Paul off their rockers. They knew absolutely nothing about Duncan Hunter, but were impressed with a couple of his responses. Thompson was underwhelming, particularly when he didn't answer the question about three programs needing to be cut. However, they were pleased by his dry wit. Several of McCain's answers reminded them why they supported him in the past. They didn't like Giuliani to start with, and he did nothing last night to improve their outlook. Huckabee time and again made them applaud, laugh, and say, "He looks presidential." Huckabee is definitely connecting with viewers.
“Huckabee time and again made them applaud, laugh, and say, “He looks presidential.” Huckabee is definitely connecting with viewers.”
He definitely is connecting. He is Reagan-esque in his stage presence. He hits a home run, rhetorically speaking, every time he opens his mouth.
Romney looked like a deer caught in the headlights half the time. This was his least impressive performance. He came across very poorly in his exchange with McCain over torture. He got dinged by Giuliani on the “sancuary mansion” issue, and he didn’t really have a good comeback for that. Etc.
Giuliani is looking more liberal every time. Forget it. He had the best video though. At least it was funny.
Could Fred Thompson have any less charisma? It’s very annoying that he clears his throat every 3 seconds when he’s speaking. It gives away his anxiety, and he doesn’t come across well. I agree with him on the issues, but I don’t think he can win a general election against Hildebeast. Sorry.
This was McCain’s best performance so far. He looked Presidential. But he comes across as too serious, too pessimistic, and is lacking in the kind of hope and optimism that Americans like to see in their Presidential candidates.
Tancredo, Hunter, and Paul can pretty much pack it up and go home. Why are they even still around?