My rating so far...
1. Santorum. Clearly the best answers. Not afraid to attack Romney. Seems to be speaking from the heart. But I STILL won’t vote for him, STILL don’t like him, and STILL am not fooled for a second into thinking he has what it takes to be President.
2. Newt - Mildly hot, but not on fire tonight. WAY better than his sleep-walking through the last debate, but not nailing Romney the way I wish he would. Perhaps he doesn’t want to come off as “angry”... but he’s not the Professorial lecturer-in-chief that he’s been on his best debates.
3. Ron Paul - His usual self. A couple of refreshing answers, off-set by his usual wacky blathering.
4. Mitt Rommey - The more I see him, the more I dislike him. I won’t vote for him if he’s the candidate. I’ll join others here and write in Sarah’s name as a protest vote.
You aced it IMHO....
Any questions about Americans?
Media is going to proclaim Romney the winner because of all the “Romney energy” in the debate hall from the stacked audience. He may win the battle on paper, but he’ll lose the war because he’s coming across SO smarmy, nasty, etc. Newt is solid - not sparkling (as we all wish he would be EVERY time) .... and I think that is going to be OK if he comes out of this not losing ground. He’s had to deal with another 48 hours of attacks, a stacked audience & in-the-bag for Romney moderator so under those circumstances, I think he’s doing well. Rick - best debate & left Romney bleeding on Romneycare - Romney’s snarky ‘angry’ remark is going to come back & bite him in the @ss. Ron Paul - humorous & almost charming tonight - he’s a funny little guy sometimes.
OK, Full disclaimer. Did I want him to win because I happen to support him? YES.
Did I objectively, honestly think he won on the merit of delivery, content, sincerity, fire-in-the-belly, consistency, impact and my general knowledge of debate, as if I were scoring those in university? YES.
Oh and another one, as a side issue.
Am I a proud, contributing FReeper for the last 12 years. YES on that too. ;-)