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Losers: For one major candidate, this may just be a blip in the radar. For the 2nd-tier folks, this is a nail in the coffin.
Rudy Giuliani - I really think he’s having delusions that he’s been possessed by the spirit of Ronald Reagan. Most responses either referenced Reagan or how he “saved” New York. When abortion came around, he hemmed and hawed and made no sense. When the question of how the candidates are different from Bush came around he stepped right in line with Bush. He seems willing to decide issues when he’s conservative enough for the Republicans and push issues to the courts when he’s not (i.e. abortion, Schiavo). Overall, I think he created some questions about himself that will erode his support. He’s got enough juice to turn it around if he can play it right, but this certainly showed some big cracks in his armor. I think this might be the first sign to true conservatives that he’s not one of them.
Winners & Losers Of The GOP Debate
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National Review's Rich Lowry put it best: "This might be ... the night when Rudy stopped being solely the hero of 9/11 and started being a presidential candidate like everyone else. It was inevitable at some point."
BTW: he's going to get some heat for his Terri Schiavo answer. Tonight, Giuliani said the matter should have been left to the courts. But in '04, he supported the federal government's intervention.
The Debate: Post-Spin Analysis
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