[Randy Larsen]

Who would YOU chose as a wnner?

[Dan Walsh]

Perry hit a gland slam on ever issue!
Social Security is a ponzi scheme, Dukakis created three times as many jobs as Romney did. skeptical on global warming! I’m developing a man crush!!!!!!!!!!!!

[justsaynomore]

If you look at the most substantiative answers packed in the shortest amount of time - Cain and probably Newt (even though I would never vote for him). I like Bachmann’s ideas, but I wish she’d cut her responses down.

The rest sounded like professionals at politic-speak.

I learned Paul can hit a very high pitch.

[Ron C.]

I don't care how liberal media scores this one (probably Perry or Romney will be rated tops here) - I listened to the audience and they seemed to applaud most for Romney, Perry and Gingrich.

What matters most will be how the hard-core involved conservative GOP/Tea Party voting-block viewed tonight. My bet is that they came to the evening largely supporting Perry - and because he didn't 'step in anything' will not change Perry's leading numbers by more than 1 or 2 percentage points.

Hard-core GOP conservatives don't like Romney one bit, and I know he didn't pick up more than a fraction of new followers with his performance tonight.

The contest is clearly between Romney and Perry (the others really have no chance) so the winner tonight is Perry, though not a resounding one.

[big'ol_freeper]

As much as I hate to say it, this debate, and the previous one, have been won by Newt Gingrich. He’s the only candidate not regurgitating a stump speech and addressing the issue presented to him.

Having said that, he will never be more than marginal.

As far as the two candidates I consider in play, Perry thumped Romney.

Sarah...you gonna play?

[Awgie]

I was expecting to favor Perry over Romney.

I had just the opposite reaction.

Perry was very under whelming.

Romney was articulate detailed and Presidential.

Bachman was wonderful, but I am afraid she leaves the door open for Obama if she is the nominee.

[ROTB]

Seems the candidates should agree to:

1) attack Obama and socialism
2) attack the LSM

Far more profitable than attacking each other, since doing #1 and #2 does much more to guarantee one of them will win, than attacking each other.

[Vendome]

just a scrimmage....

No one but the back benchers look pretty clear.

[Grams A]

Perry is my Governor and I think it is too early to decide whether I will vote for him or not. But I am prepared to give him a small break for tonight. We have a ton of problems here in Texas with our massive wildfires, lack of airplanes and resources to fight them, conflicts with the U.S. Forestry Service, etc. and he has spent the last two days here attending to business. I am sure that did interfere somewhat with his prep time and his inability to focus - none of the other candidates have quite as much on their plate as he does right now. The question relating to naming the scientists with whom you disagree was certainly a GOTCHA - kind of like some of the questions Sarah received in 2008. As a state the inability to function because of governmental regulations is always in our face - something else that none of the other candidates deal with on a day-to-day basis.

[abigailsmybaby]

I don't like Huntsman.

I tune Paul out. He stumbles around so much when he speaks that it's painful.

Perry was in that same boat a few times tonight. Other than that I don't know what to think of him yet.

I like Romney's voice.

Bachmann was OK but I cringe a little when she starts "I was the only one.....".

Santorum....I don't know. Just indifference at this point.

Gingrich sounds decisive when he speaks. He zinged the media hacks tonight which always causes me to clap my hands and cheer. I've liked him the best in both debates and if you'd have told me that a year ago I would have laughed in your face.

Cain speaks well too and I like his ideas.

[justice14]

Cain
Newt

Then the rest.

Romney-I know where he stands on most things so I can’t fall for him.
Perry-Just didn’t excite me to be honest. Maybe it was an off night

Cain and Newt excited me and really pleased me. Cain especially because he spoke with a plan. My wife (who doesn’t get into politics much) who was working on something on her computer perked up when she heard Cain and started to ask about him.

[bvw]

Who won? A tie. In alphabetical order the winners tonight are: Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich, Paul, Perry.

[Hugin]

In terms of winning s debate, Newt (again). But these aren’t really debates, their mass press conferences in an election campaign. So in terms of moving towards getting elected Perry. All he hsd to do was be OK and not blow it. He was, and he didn’t, so he won.

[pyx]

MSM : Who do you pick, Perry or Romney ?

American Public : Neither.

MSM : OK

MSM : Who do you pick Romney or Perry ?

American Public : Neither.

MSM : OK

MSM : Who do you pick Perry or Romney ?

And so it goes, on and on until the American Public gives the answer the MSM and the rest of the LEFT, is waiting to hear.

[panaxanax]

As much as I hate to say it I think Romney and Newt tied for first place.

[jerseyrocks]

Perry was the target tonight and did a great job at taking each shot. America is looking for someone to say it like it is with Obama and Perry was strongest on calling him out. I think Perry retained his lead tonight, that makes him the WINNER. Cain was definitely in second, best line with “If 10% good enough for GOD, 9% surely good enough for government”. Newt has a better shot that he will wake up with a head of dark hair tomorrow then becoming President, so I really don’t consider him a serious candidate. Romney is just not tough enough, he is missing something. Bachmann, not a good night. Santorum and Huntsman quit while your ahead. Ron Paul is starting to sound like the ice cream truck, annoying.

[risen_feenix]

In the end, y’all need to accept that there is only going to be ONE Republican nominee. Most of us who have a preferred candidate have to accept that there’s a better chance that our candidate will lose than win.

We, as Republicans, have to ditch the scorched earth/take the ball and go home attitude that seems to crop up. You want your guy/gal to win, but be prepared that your guy/gal won’t, and be prepared to accept someone else.

[cookcounty]

They all did pretty well. The big losers were Brian Williams and his assistant.

[CynicalBear]

I think Sarah Palin won the debate tonight. Every candidate up there got hurt in one way or another other the Newt and he isn’t going anywhere anyway.

[ecomcon]

Hate to say it, but Romney did best. Newt had the best answers. I was pretty impressed with all of them, though Paul is too old and too odd, and Huntsman is... a little creepy or something, wouldn’t want him on my side in a fight.

[ConservativeStatement]

I tuned in for the last 15-to-20 minutes. It seemed that Huntsman got more time than others (Santorum, Paul, Gingrich and Cain especially). Was the time spread near equally or was there an imbalance the entire debate?