[goldstategop]

My take is Arnold walked away with the leadership trophy tonight, Tom won the ideas consolation prize, and the three socialists fought for the loser's corner. I think two things stand out after the debate tonight: 1) In all likelihood Arnold will be our next Governor and 2) Large Breasts lost the election right then and there when he said he thought the recall was a terrible idea and tied his fortunes in to the most loathed Governor in California history. You don't do that if you want to win an election. And the bottom line no one on the panel defended Gray Davis or thought California was in good shape. When even the Lefties concede on points one and two of the bottom line, every one knows the game is over. As much as I adore Tom McClintock, let's face it, he's not going to win but he has set himself up brilliantly for a run for a future office. If he can rid of that accountant/college prof manner when he's in front of an audience, I don't see how he can not do well. In all other respects, he's the dream conservative candidate who can deliver an unvarnished conservative message without looking extreme to the middle. But from here out on for the rest of this recall election campaign, its Arnold's to lose.

[kingu]

The only reason why Arnold may have seemed statesman like is because Tom helped him. Even the crowd of Democrats I was with saw that clearly. (I'm slowly weaning them off their 'victim' party.)

Cruz's performance scares me. Completely. The wild rumor posted a few comments back about his perhaps dropping out rings rather true, when you combine it with his lackluster performance.

Anyway, I believe that Arnold will win the second part. I'm now fearful about the first part.