[parksstp]

Tonight’s Winners and Losers

Winners (Nobody) Several Candidates battled to a draw but based on weaknesses kept them from claiming victory. In the best order I can think of:

1. Gingrich - Best Debater, but as been mentioned before he’s got the baggage.

2. Romney (Tie) - Came out slightly ahead in the Romney/Perry scuffles. That doesn’t mean people will vote for him, I just see this as the performance tonight.

2. Cain (Tie) - Was good as Gingrich, but Cain didn’t get a lot of speaking time.

4. Perry - He was hurt on his two weakest issues. However, if he comes out of tonight unhurt, he is well poised to carry on to the nomination because this is about the worst they can take at him. I don’t think he’s a great debater though.

5. Bachmann - Well, she tried to take swipes at Perry because that’s where her voters went. It’s not what she said anything bad, some people will accuse her of being shrill, but what alternative was there? Repeat talking points and go quietly?

6. Santorum - He was OK, but is getting no traction.

7. Paul (Tie) - This dude just won’t go away.

7. Huntsman (Tie) - Oh my God, this guy has no base. Get him off the stage now.

Like I said, if Perry survives tonight, he is in the driver’s seat because these issues (HPV and Immigration) will have come out in the open. If he falters from tonight, then Palin’s window may be time to jump in. If she waits to long and allows him to recover, her time will past.

[SomeCallMeTim]

Huntsman should change parties and challenge Obama in the primary. He MIGHT actually win there.

[DRey]

4. Perry - He was hurt on his two weakest issues. However, if he comes out of tonight unhurt, he is well poised to carry on to the nomination because this is about the worst they can take at him. I don’t think he’s a great debater though.

I agree. But you have to remember he doesn't have to be a "great" debater to do fine in debates against Obama. He'll thump him.

[Meet the New Boss]

I don’t see Gingrich having much chance, but I am glad he is participating in the process — it helps to rehabilitate his persona, helping to move him past his baggage and will therefore make him a more effective voice on the issues in the future which makes it harder for the national media to ignore or marginalize him.

[crusty old prospector]

I concur with your observations.

[kara2008]

I agree with your assessment. Newt is a fantastic debater. But, I’ll never be able to get that image of him sitting on the couch with Pelosi pushing the fraud of GlobullWarming. Oh well. He was really good in the debate tonight.