Here Comes the Sun!

UPDATE: Latest poll, Romney up 9, closing in on McCain. RCP.

Back from my one day (thankfully I didn't get called) stint at jury duty down at the criminal courts at 26th and California. When I went in it was 2 above and windy. When I emerged, sunny and 20.

And while I was away from the net, the race had moved dramatically as well--here comes the Sun!!! Florida goes for Mitt! New polls all reflect the shift to Mitt Romney, with the RCP average now tied, and Romney leading in Intrade, 56-30 on the winning probability. And though he has lent his own campaign $17 million, Romney has also raised more campaign donations than any other candidate. (I would also point out McCain married into money, and if his campaign finance travesty has hamstrung his donations there is a certain irony in that.)

The debate last night further consolidated Mitt's commanding position. Presumably in reaction to the hammer and sickle, uh tongs Dem debate, the GOP candidates were gracious to each other and informative on the issues. And they let Mitt be Mitt. He was strong and persuasive on growing the economy, and went after Hillary on winning the war, drawing the first burst of applause of the night, from a crowd that had been instructed to silence. RCP Blog:

Romney said it was "audacious and arrogant" for Clinton to have asserted earlier in the week that progress in Iraq is due, at least in part, to the Democrats pressing to get US forces out as quickly as possible. Success in Iraq, Romney said, "due to the blood and the courage of our servicemen and women, and to General Petraeus and to President Bush. Not to General Hillary Clinton."

The Chicago Tribune called the debate Miami Nice. Mitt got a laugh and fired off the best line of the night:

Asked how they might run against Clinton, who is campaigning with the help of her husband, the former president, Romney said, "The idea of Bill Clinton back in the White House with nothing to do is something I just can't imagine."

(Even Chris Matthews was smiling afterwords--said he didn't know Mitt could be witty. Mitt tapped into that latent revulsion against the Clintons among even Dems.) Round-up of reaction here. And the NY Times, "At Debate, Candidates become the Kindest of Candidates". This quote was up front:

Economic issues dominated throughout the 90-minute debate. In one of the few direct engagements, Mitt Romney noted that Senator John McCain had voted against tax cuts sought by President Bush.

“Senator McCain voted against them originally,” Mr. Romney said. “He now believes they should be made permanent. I’m glad he agrees they should be made permanent. I think he should have voted for them the first time around.”

Mitt's move in the polls also owed something to Thompson supporters, of whom Mitt spoke well, and have come his way now that Fred has left us. Welcome Fredheads, come on in and get warm. Lawyers for Fred join Mitt, a very impressive group. And it's the first time any other GOP candidate beats the Ron Paul supporters in the text message vote--Romney wins the debate there, proof that his message is resonating, building the conservative coalition:

Romney 41%
Paul 40%
Huckabee 8%
McCain 7%
Rudy 4%

A good night for Mitt, a sunny morning for conservatives in Florida!

P.S. Latest Mitt ad up. Winning Combination:

UPDATE: McCain gets endorsement of ...The NY Times. Liberals for McCain!!! Hugh Hewitt with link and comment.

UPDATE: Jay Cost, RCP, What's Happening in the GOP Race.

UPDATE: More clips: Debate reaction:Best hit of the night, on supporting our troops, fighting to win, and "General Hillary": On Changing Washington:Stimulus to grow jobs (in response to Q on Bush plan):

UPDATE: In case you missed it, Brent Bozell on media bias for McCain, and Chris Cillizza, WaPo's The Fix, on McCain's Republicans only primary challenge.

Previous posts: Mitt's the Conservative Choice, GOP Illinois, Focus on the Race