Posted on 09/06/2007 2:53:02 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
There were three clear winners tonight: Giuliani, Huckabee and Thompson. And there was one big loser tonight: Romney.
Lets start with the winners: Thompson came out a winner within the first five minutes thanks to the moderators opening question about the candidate-to-bes decision to go on Jay Leno instead of showing up for this debate. The fact that every candidate (including Giuliani, Romney, Huckabee and even McCain) took potshots (a few of which were even a bit cheap) reinforced the idea that the entire Republican field views Thompson as a major candidate, a major threat and one of the frontrunners. The Thompson folks could not have asked for a better setup.
As for the two winners of the debate who actually participated, Giulianis performance was particularly strong, perhaps his best debate to date. Hes clearly comfortable being the frontrunner; he absorbs the attacks from opponents without looking as if that opponent matters. His strongest answers were in defense of NOT signing the no-tax pledge and on guns. Judging by how Giuliani treated his opponents on stage, one gets the sense the only candidate Giuliani fears is Thompson since hes the only candidate Rudy truly engaged.
--snip--
The big loser tonight (of the top tier candidates) was Romney. He certainly didnt have any friends among the debate questioners and the diner patrons and that kept Romney on the defensive all night. (Will his campaign question how much theyve been sucking up to Fox, btw?) In all seriousness, Romneys got to figure out how to turn all these attacks into a positive; Wednesday night was not a great night for the candidate purported to be ahead in the early states.
(Excerpt) Read more at firstread.msnbc.msn.com ...
Just wondering if Ron Paul keeps winning these internet “polls”....what is with the other candidates supporters?
And, hasnt the Vicente Fox News Channel and the others figured out how to keep people from voting more than once?
Also, seems the Ron Paul bashing comes mainly from the supporters of the Liberal Globalist fringe of GOP candidates.
If Tancredo or Hunter are not the GOP candidates, the GOP might as well dress the elephant in donkey clothes.
Probably true, but I saw a strong field of candidates, regardless. Lots of potential for VEEP candidates, too. Although I didn't necessarily agree with some of what the others said, I thought each candidate did a good job articulating their positions, even Paul, although he was a bit radical at times.
If I were her Thyness or Osama Obama I'd be a bit worried this AM.....with the exception of McCain and Paul, I think any of the rest will give the Dims a serious run for their money....
Bump! Go Fred Go!
Atleast I wasn't the only one who noticed that Mitt got all the "so when did you stop beating your wife questions"....
“The big loser tonight (of the top tier candidates) was Romney.”
I would agree. Mitt had been my second choice behind Fred Thompson, and I was hoping he would stand out last night, but he didn’t.
I agree. Rudy bored me with all his NYC stats.
I also thought McCain was excellent and Huckabee was pretty darn good.
I’ll be seeing Fred this aft. in Des Moines. We saw him at the State Fair and he was impressive.
It;s not just them, all the democrats vote for Ron Paul, just like all of us republicans vote for Dennis Kucinich after the democrat debates.
When you are chosen as the “candidate to pick to screw up the other party”, that pretty much sums up your chances.
Seriously, look at that picture. It looks like a family with their grandfather. And Leno isn’t the grandfather.
It’s no reason not to vote for a candidate, but the american people aren’t known for using rationality in choosing their candidates.
-with grace? He SMIRKED and it looked odd and not presidential.
Mitt Romney keeps reminding me of the kind of presidents that always pop up in political thriller novels: they spend their whole lives wanting to be president, they look like an ideal president, but as soon as the pressure is on they turn out to be shells- no back bone.
As an opinion, I admit it’s shallow, but it’s the vibe I keep getting from him, and it makes me uncomfortable with him as a candidate.
I could like Huckabee if he would change his immigration stance. He is very personable and a good speaker.
McCain is good on a couple issues and actually came off friendly last night... However, what lies beneath the surface is what worries me. I would think McCain worked very hard prior to this debate to present a less grouchy and combative nature.
As to Rooty...well, he just can't stop trying to be mayor of New York City. Very telling, because I believe that is how he would try to run the country. Okay for NYC...but not for the rest of the country.
PMS-NBC is admitting here that the debate was rigged against a candidate. Notice the word "questioners"
One thing about Rudy and McCain is they will take it to you and they handle the heat fairly well themselves.
Mitt should have confronted McCain instead of grinning like an idiot.
Mitt benefited greatly from the first debate but when he got some heat he melted.
All those flip-flops for nothing.
I will not vote for an anti-tobacco zealot, so Huckabee’s out.
Did anyone think Romneys answer to bugging mosques a little nuts. He even mentioned churches. Thats dangerous.
i did not vote and we still won for Ron Paul. New hampshire is Ron Paul country- “give me Liberty or Death”
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