[jpsb]

No one "won", Cain needed to show that he has the gravitas to be on the same stage as Newt. I suppose it is a matter of opinion if he did that. He was shaky and unsure of himself a number of times and had to rely on Newt to bail him out. But over all he did well, well enough? Maybe. Newt was just being Newt, his job was not to screw up and say something stupid. Give Newt enough time to talk and he will say something stupid.

I found two things interesting, first it seemed to me that the moderators were somewhat after Cain. Second the only standing O was when Newt said illegal should not be getting freebees. If Newt thought he could go soft on illegal immigration, last night surely changed his mind.

One last point, right now Cain is benefiting from the grass roots rallying to his side against a basely media smear job. That support is temporary so I expect Cain poll numbers to come down a little and Newt to continue to climb as he clearly demonstrates that he class of this field.

[who knows what evil?]

It would be very interesting to see Cain and Gingrich running neck and neck thru the primary season...

[jageorge72]

Newt *could* have really damaged Cain last night if he wanted to. When Cain had the deer-in-the-headlights look on some of those questions and told Newt to go first, Newt simply could have said: “No.... it’s your turn.” Cain’s response at that point.... if he had one.... would have been quite cringe-worthy. He was lucky he was on stage with a friend.

Obama will not bail Cain out like Newt did.