If you were looking for substance across the board on issues, I think Romney was the clear winner in tonight's debate. McCain's well-known temperament problems lingered barely below the surface much of the evening, especially when someone dared disagree with him. Except of course, for his hugs for Hillary and slaps on the back for Fred. This is a change election and old hands from the Senate will not get it done.
First the Dems--I think Hillary is toast--John Edwards set her off, he and Barack are change and she's...(subtext) old. She ranted in her unpleasant voice. Bill Richardson followed up that he had been to hostage negotiations that were more civil. (Of course presumably they had a gun on him, so they didn't need to raise their voices.) Anyway, he drew a laugh. A painful question from the NH reporter on Hillary's lack of likability and Obama's popularity--she was supposed to persuade NH voters she's likable. She did the girl thing--hurt my feelings, but made a joke out of it. I almost felt sorry for her. Obama grudgingly said she was "likable enough". Strange.
I do think John Edwards won their debate, suggesting personal passion wins over "academic and political" motivations in actually getting things done.
As far as the GOP, well I'm a Romney fan. I think he did very well, he knows his stuff and was attacked on all sides. He really zinged McCain on immigration, and I think on healthcare as well. Thompson nailed Giuliani on immigration. I think Fred entered the fray in a commanding way. The Huckster got the first question, which was on foreign policy and his description of Bush's "bunker mentality". Huckabee criticized the Bush administration for not having a "humble" foreign policy, and also said when we went into Iraq we should have sent in more troops. Fred laid into him for that nonsensical inconsistency--we should be humble and send in more troops?
McCain made his national security leadership pitch well, though he was kind of dogged about it. I suppose they are all tired. He got some sniping against Mitt flipping positions, but I have to say McCain has changed positions as well after some thought. Immigration being one, the Bush tax cut being another. And I would certainly welcome it, as would most Republicans if he admitted campaign finance "reform" was a mistake.
So who knows? I don't know if Mitt did well enough to overtake McCain, but independents going for Obama may do the trick. Apparently they are 44% of NH voters. And Thompson certainly helped himself. Rudy did not have a good night I think. Donning the Reagan mantle at this stage of the game seems too obvious. Ron Paul was a great foil. We will miss him in tomorrow's debate. As for Huck? ----
UPDATE: Huck caught lying again. HT Jeff from MyManMitt. In the debate tonight he said he supported the surge when Romney didn't. (Romney actually supported the surge after talking with one of the architects of it, and came out in favor of it the same day the president did.) Huckabee video from one year ago.
UPDATE: This is my take too, but this is from a left-leaning commentator, so who knows. For what it's worth. Also, Romney was in the center between Ron Paul and Huckster, so he had a good position. Suggestions from Rich Lowry and Mark Steyn.
UPDATE: Hillary's rant:Romney Debate Highlights. I would just say that I thought Mitt was very authoritative on foreign policy, displaying a depth of knowledge and I think a more comprehensive view than even McCain. Huckabee was eating his dust.:
Related posts: Trojan Horse Huckabee, Romney Wins Wyoming Caucus, Fired Up Fred
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