Posted on 10/18/2011 7:08:00 PM PDT by smoothsailing
Bryan Preston
October 18, 2011
There were two Ricks on debate stage tonight, and both came in loaded up and ready to hunt. Rick Santorum threw a blizzard of punches at Mitt Romney early over his claim that as president, Romney, the author of RomneyCare, would repeal ObamaCare. The punches landed and the damage showed on Romney’s face. Rick Perry came in loaded up to speak aggressively for his energy plan, and spoke with an energy and conviction that has not come through in previous debates. Romney came under the most intense fire he has faced in any of the 2011 debates and while he handled it well, the criticisms of his record are legitimate and will sting. Romney’s red face as he tried to to redirect the examination over to Newt Gingrich revealed that he knew the night wasn’t going well for him.
Herman Cain also faced the toughest questioning of any debate so far, regarding his 9-9-9 tax plan, and handled it mostly with his usual humor and wit. The former talk radio host can engage in an open debate with the best of them, but his lack of depth showed in spots. He didn’t seem to know the details of his 9-9-9 plan early on. Cain did do well when discussing his ideas for reforming health care: No mandates, but focus on market-based reforms like allowing purchase across state lines. Nothing new, but nothing wrong with any of it either.
Perry also hit Romney directly for “hypocrisy” for having hired illegal aliens. Romney laughed and denied, but the story has been out there since 2007 or thereabouts. Romney lost his cool, for the second time. Perry scored another direct hit, and Mitt turned red again. The ice man melted.
Perry also did well on the question of securing the border: It’s about a fence, plus other security measures including technology and boots on the ground. Bachmann got in a jab about the president’s illegal alien relatives who keep popping up in the news, before moving on to declare that she would build a fence along the entire border. There is actually less policy daylight between most of the candidates on the border than the stage arguments suggest, but the arguments drew out some personalities, and it’s hard to see Romney benefiting from the exchange.
Tonight’s was the most lively debate, and does have the potential to change the race a bit. Perry came to fight and from tax policy to spending to funding the UN, showed that his issue knowledge is broad. Romney wasn’t prepared to take hits from so many other candidates. Romney’s packed supporters in the audience and other blogs provided some soundtrack to back their man up but I doubt it did much good. Romney’s cool broke too many times for his own good. His whining about being talked over, when he isn’t shy about interrupting others, was entertaining but revealed a thin skin. Romney probably had his best moment during the religion debate, but that’s such tired ground now and Romney has so overreached on that issue that it’s unlikely to make any difference.
This was Perry’s best night. He took control when he needed to, threw the president’s and his competitors’ words against them at opportune moments, and showed a strong and knowledgeable presence going toe to toe with Romney. Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann also had good nights. Gingrich can speak brilliantly on any policy thrown at him. His brief closing statement showed that he is among the adults in the room. Santorum spoke very well on values. Cain and Romney took sustained fire and handled it unevenly. Cain was at his worst on the question of whether he would contemplate releasing terrorists held at Gitmo in exchange for an American hostage. There is simply no way to justify his answer to Wolf Blitzer, earlier today. Ron Paul was, infuriatingly, Ron Paul, capable of saying things at the edge of brilliance but coupling them with statements that make little sense or betray a hole in his moral thinking. While I admire his logical mind, I don’t admire some of the places it takes him.
The clear winner tonight was Rick Perry. He looked like a seasoned leader who has found his voice, at last. Newt Gingrich came in a strong second, Cain and Santorum follow him and Romney follows them. He was strong in spots but had trouble keeping his cool, an d had no good answers to explain his own policy history. Passion is one thing; all of the candidates brought that tonight. Edging close to revealing a Hulk moment is something else.
There was something else different about tonight’s debate. In past debates, Romney’s press team has easily outpaced all of the other campaigns combined in the number of press releases they sent out while the debate continued. Not so, tonight. The Perry press team must have rolled over the Romney team 8 to 1 or more. From the top on down, the Perry team is moving with a new energy.
I just read on NRO that Herman is gonna jettison the national sales tax. Steve Moore, who helped Cain develop the plan, says it’s not going over well so they are going to remove th NST and change it to a 9% payroll tax. Which is basically an 18% flat tax plus a 9 % corporate tax. He would eliminate the cap on payroll taxes so the reuction from about 15 to 9 would be revenue neutral and all workers would get a permanent reduction in taxes. What do you think of that?
I don’t trust Romey and the mess Romeycare is in Massachusetts. Its eventually going to go bankrupt. Cost keep skyrocketing, and people are gaming the system to get medical coverage only when they need it. This years cost to the state 1.5 billion.
In a word, no. Perry and Romney scratched, bit and pulled each others pigtails. They both came off badly. I'd have no problem voting for Perry if he was the nominee, but he didn't come close to winning the debate.
‘Perry looked at best, mean spirited, but mostly just dumb.
Debating is not his strong suit. ‘
Ya think? What a small person to be so petty and silly. He acted really angry. The audience saw right through it.
I really liked Michelle Bachmann tonight! She was great.
The winner of the “values summit” - Ron Paul - is such a whiner. Sheeeesh already. Although once in a while he makes a really good point.
Gingrich was great!
They all spoke out against the religious bigotry issue - although Perry really didn’t repudiate the pastor’s horrible comments. However, Perry did appear to flip flop and say he did not agree with the pastor’s creepy comments.
We’re not allowed to say anything positive about Romney on this FREE Republic site so i won’t.
Gingrich did very well as he always does. He has been very impressive in these debates.
Unfortunately, I think he has too much baggage to successfully go up against the Obama machine.
The defining moment was the question about the 14th amendment. EVERYONE sidestepped the obvious and correct answer. WE ARE SCREWED!
That can't be overemphasized! The only adult I saw on the stage this evening was Newt and he doesn't stand a snow balls chance of getting the nomination. The Republic is in very dire straights.
Perhaps you should judge a man not by the color of his skin. His comment on releasing terrorists in exchange for prisoners may cost him the military vote.
By the way - Yo Vick! Go Eagles!
Adults don't support the Global Warming Nonsense. Newt is very smart, but Newt is on the wrong team. He is only in it for Newt. It is TIME to save the nation not promote a POL.
Well I have to say Mitt showed his true colors when he stated that he went to his yard care service and said he couldn’t have any illegal aliens “because I’m running for office”...ipso if I wasn’t running for office..”trim a little bit closer Julio”.
Perry for the win? Not.
From the moment he walked out on stage, obviously puffing his chest out and his shoulders pushed back, I saw a man trying desperately to prove he can handle the pressure. Sorry, I just don’t think he came through tonight, especially on the immigration issue. He didn’t have enough specifics on job creation, with the exception of drilling (which he hammered us over the head with until we were bloody).
Mitt “Ken Doll” Romney, fell apart on healthcare and immigration. He’s too much the elitist for me. Looks it and acts it.
Bachman? She’s out.
Newt? Brilliant, as usual. Lots of brains, with a witty tongue. He can tell it like it is like no other. Only reason he is down in the polls is because he’s an establishment republican.
Santorum? Not ready for prime time.
Uncle Ron? Strictly by the book (Constitution). Something this country desperately needs. Too old and too eccentric for prime time.
Cain? He did falter on his own economics plan. The plan needs a lot more time to explain, all the little details about it, etc. It’s a good plan, but, without repealing the 16th amendment (which was not brought up) it can too easily be manipulated.
All in all I believe Cain is still going to come out on top in the morning. He is the non-politician. And I believe he would be astute enough to surround himself with all the right people.
IF THAT WAS PERRY’S BEST, HE’s SCREWED!
I wish I could agree, but I can’t. My guy ran out of gas again and ended up sounding tired and confused. He has no “legs.”
I don’t think he does. As we get closer the need to debate Obama will come clearer. Make no mistake, Obama is a good speaker.
I think the article is has some spin on it, but all in all, Perry did very well. I wish tonights Perry had shown up at the earlier debates, that’s how much improved he was, IMO.
Did he win? No, Gingrich always wins. But no one beat Perry, so in that regard it was a good night for him.
We will be defeated by Obama unless we gel on a viable candidate. Romney is a John McCain redux. Newt is damaged goods. Herman is awesome but he will be shredded by Obama. Perry is weak at best. Santorum and Bachmann....who? Obama is an incumbent with buttloads of money. Crappin away the chance to depose the worst president ever. Thank you GOP and main stream mediacrats.
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