Posted on 01/06/2008 11:02:03 AM PST by Scarchin
I thought Romney was the clear winner, most of all in demeanor and general impact. I've been critical of Mitt's television communication skills in the past, but last night he was Presidential and effective. A viewer who knew nothing about the status of the race would have assumed, I think, that Romney was the front-runner and perhaps the candidate with the most stature. Headlines suggest that the other candidates were ganging up on Romney. I think that is overblown; it happened on only a couple of occasions. On those occasions, I thought Romney came across as the candidate who is trying to rise above pettiness and focus on policy. McCain's anger toward Romney backfired, I thought. On a number of issues--health care and energy, and even national defense--Romney showed impressive command.
(Excerpt) Read more at powerlineblog.com ...
Heads up
“Fred Thompson won the debate.” (The Atlantic)
“[Fred Thompson] came to play tonight.” (ABC)
“[Thompson] and McCain sound like the adults on stage.” (The Atlantic)
“Fred Thompson talking some serious substance too — man, maybe I underestimated him.” (ABC)
“Every answer was thoughtful and well-crafted; his tone matched the tone of the question; he wisely refrained from interjecting in the back and forth squabbling. He very deftly reminded viewers that he served on key Senate national security panels and is bringing his experience to bear.” (The Atlantic)
“Still, it summed up what is likeable about Thompson - direct, clear, and logical.” (National Review)
“Thompson is excelling on policy and style.” (The Atlantic)
“Fred Thompson does get bonus points … for intellectually honesty.” (ABC)
“Fred Thompson does a great job of making the free market case for health care, in contrast to Romney’s statism.” (American Spectator)
“I think even the most ardent Romney supporters would agree that he didn’t handle the question on his MA health-care plan all that well. There was a bit of a deer-in-the-headlights look when Thompson challenged him on the plan.” (NBC)
“[Romney] was backed into a corner on mandates in health care by Fred Thompson.” (The Atlantic)
“How could [Mitt] have let Fred Thompson best him on a debate over healthcare? (ABC)
That’s very presidential - cutting off and laughing at another candidate. Mitt Romney is a sleazebag.
Ah - I see you’re back from your crypt.
Lame cut and paste rebuttal.
Why, because it shows not everyone bought Romney’s performance last night?
From the part of the debate I saw McCain looked like a jerk.
Oh c'mon. If Romney can get his head handed to him on a platter by Huckabee (the "which one?" comment followed by the incredibly weak Romney "I just got clobbered" smile), then Romney was neither strong, nor the winner, in the debate.
But Romney won the debate you see.....
(spin spin spin spin spin spin spin)
I did not see the debate but I say FT won.
Ouch. Burned on your own signature issue. That's gonna blister.
You know - the red-faced, spittle spurting rage of the Hunter/Thompson crowd is, as Mitt would say, “unbecoming.” I wonder if some of them also chanted “Sore-Loserman” a few years back because they’ve become the epitome of sore losers.
I thought Thompson had a strong performance. I thought Romney’s overall impression was defined primarily by having wound up seated in the middle of the group. All conversation had to go past him. In that format, with him seated in the middle, it was inevitable he would get most of the time.
And the moderator rightly allowed him time to rebut the many McCain attacks.
Thompson’s strongest moment was attacking Guilliani on not forcing illegals home. It’s too bad, really too bad, Thompson doesn’t have the work ethic to put in the full year of fund raising work that Romney did.
It’s not fire in the belly. It’s not laziness. It was just poor judgment. His problems with money stem from failures he had 9 months ago in the decision to not start the hard grinding work necessary to win.
Perfectly polished like a life sized "Ken" doll, saying most of the right things, or at least the things he believes we want to hear.
But I don't trust him as far as I could throw him and I work with several Mormans who will not even vote for the man due to his failure to live up to his own professed faith. That last part, I don't know about, but if LDS members don't believe him, I sure don't see why I should.
I'm with Rush on this one... there is only one true conservative remaining in this race
And a pathetic non reply on your part.
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