[Marcella]

At the beginning of this election cycle, I wanted Thompson to enter and be a great candidate. He isn’t. He can’t talk fluently and his words are disjointed too much. He can find fault with the others’ plans but can’t present a different plan in a coherant manner. Those of you who are fervently for him are overlooking these inabilities. Plus, he still seems aloof, like he is condecending to be there and it’s boring for him.

Romney was defending his various programs and didn’t hurt himself doing that.

I think Giuliani helped himself. He was articulate and sharp.

Unlike most of you, I thought Huckabee also didn’t hurt himself.

McCain, it seems to me, is always trying to hold back his temper. I can’t repeat what he called our Texas Senator John Cornyn in a committee meeting; it was a long string of filthy words. That is the true McCain. Tonight, it seemed like he would have liked to call Romney some of those names; instead he shot off some pointed verbal barbs toward Romney. I think McCain hurt himself tonight and I absolutely do not want him to be president.

[Jim Robinson]

Romney is a big government nanny stater. Giuliani is a baby murdering social liberal. McCain is insane. Huckabee is a likable guy, but also a big government nanny stater. FRed is the only conservative in the bunch.

[Reagan Man]

From a conservative perspective, there was only one conservative on that stage tonight.

That was Fred Thompson.

[imdref]

I agree with your assessment, I thought Romney appeared far more in command of the issues and far more prepared than anyone else on stage tonight - with McCain a close second. Huckabee and Paul were too general (I understand what Paul is saying with regard to monetary policy, and he’s right, but he’s not explaining it very well). Rudy came off pretty good as well tonight but lacked specifics in the health care debate. Thompson just doesn’t seem to be all that excited about running for President and really doesn’t have any concrete answers or plans. I like his views more than anyone else, but I don’t get the feeling he’s going to fight very hard for anything if he wins.

If tonight was my first exposure to any of the candidates I would have thought Romney was the most articulate, most knowledgeable, and most prepared to be President.

[roses of sharon]

I think FT should stay in, he could do very well, as a President he has the right ideology, but as President my only worry is if he has the personality to push things thru, I didn’t see much of that as Senator, ie, when illegals were coming in.

Also, he has yet to receive his examination of his life and record, like the others have.

[grey_whiskers]

Most of Thompson's supporters are considering which of his qualities make him a good match for occupying the Oval Office.

Many of his detractors are considering which of the candidates' qualities make them good campaigners.

Unfortunately for Thompson fans, and then for the country, a candidate must succeed in the campaign in order to get into the Oval Office.

Cheers!

[Andy'smom]

McCain is very mean, I think that was part of the Romney strategy - to get him to explode.

[underbyte]

I believe Fred would make the best Conservative president I will send him some money and support him.

But for me tonight it was kind of an El Cid moment with Fred, Sit him up and Duct Tape him to the Chair and ride off to debate.

Fred did well, but lacked the energy I would have liked to have seen.

I can not stand Romney to liberal for my taste but I think he won won this one and is looking to me the stronger canidate. (silent despair)

[SuziQ]

He can find fault with the others’ plans but can’t present a different plan in a coherant manner. Those of you who are fervently for him are overlooking these inabilities.

You obviously haven't been paying much attention to Fred. You can go to his website, Fred08.com , and find his stands on every issue.