Posted on 01/07/2008 2:05:43 AM PST by americanophile
It’s the kind of performance that all candidates hope for. The chance to go toe to toe with your opponents and demonstrate clearly why you are the best choice to be your party’s standard bearer. Though the other candidates turned in respectable, even good performances, at this critical juncture, the weekend and the moment clearly belonged to Romney.
In a series of debates held Saturday and Sunday, the five major GOP contenders Mitt Romney, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee traded barbs and pushed their campaign messages to Granite State voters. Saturday’s debate moderated by ABC’s preening Charlie Gibson was something of a Romney ambush, with each of the Governor’s opponents - most especially John McCain and Mike Huckabee - taking shots at his record, his positions, and his alleged negative campaigning. Though each landed some notable zingers, the aggressive move by the candidates to try and knock Romney, appears to have backfired. The normally statesmanlike McCain, sitting on the far end of the stage looked tired and mean-spirited, and delivered a performance that led Fox News anchor Brit Hume to exclaim, ”I think what they saw was John McCain perhaps at his least attractive. He was scornful. He seemed almost on occasional moment even petty.”
Huckabee faired better, but the Mr. Nice Guy image that he has sought to cultivate began to fray at the edges, and his sarcastic interjections during Romney’s explanations of his policies was unflattering and gave the impression of discourtesy.
Though Romney was the focus of his opponents’ attacks, rather than looking beleaguered or overwhelmed, Romney rose to the occasion. Indeed, the fortuitously centrally-seated Romney looked every bit the president - a man calm, cool, decisive and in control under fire.
Sunday night featured a Fox News debate moderated by Chris Wallace, whose hard-hitting questions zeroed in on the candidates’ respective weaknesses. Though Thompson was largely given a pass, Giuliani, McCain and Huckabee were each given tough questions. Undoubtedly however, the focus of the evening was once again on Governor Romney. The toughest questions were directed at the Governor, and no other candidate was forced to defend his campaign advertising or had the disadvantage of having his own words quoted on screen in conjunction with his opponents attack.
Nevetheless, the evening clearly belonged to Romney. In what may have been his best debate performance, Romney again looked like the man in charge… and the man to beat. His answers were clear, concise and articulate and his manner was pleasant and respectful, if competitive. Giuliani’s performance was solid, and McCain faired well, but Huckabee clearly was the evening’s loser. Though his energy outshone Thompson, he was tripped up by Romney’s probing questions and gave evasive answers that contrasted meekly with Romney’s command performance.
Focus group debate analysis performed by veteran pollster Frank Luntz immediately following the debate showed that Romney was judged by viewers to have been the clear and decisive winner. By contrast Huckabee received overwhelmingly negative reaction, and McCain’s performance registered little.
Whether the debates will have a significant impact on Tuesday’s election remains unclear, but given the high number of undecided voters, Romney’s performance over the weekend is sure to give the Governor some momentum and in all likelihood will push many fence sitters into the Romney camp. Though McCain’s lead still holds in the polls, one senses that there is significant fluidity to the race and with many independents attracted to the dogfight between Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama, the atmosphere may just be ripe for a Romney victory.
Consistent with our earlier prediction, GOPublius believes that Romney will edge out McCain in Tuesday’s contest.
NRO
Scoring Sunday’s GOP Debate
Winner: Arthur Branch. Okay, I know he goes by the stage name, “Fred Thompson,” but don’t tell me that just as “Law and Order” comes back to the airwaves with new episodes, we just happen to see a deep rumbling baritone from a big guy sitting behind a desk, using a combination of homespun aphorisms and legal arguments to put some wet-behind-the-ears young feller in his place.
I have to go back and check the transcript, but it appears that he just took Huckabee to school on the legal rules regarding captured al-Qaeda at Guanatanamo Bay.
Over in the Corner, Rich described him as “the cranky conservative one-man truth squad,” and that’s a role that fits him. He doesn’t overpromise, he doesn’t seem too much like an overeager car salesman. Whether that will sell in New Hampshire is another question...
The focus group on Fox hates him. Ah, what do they know?
Saturday Nights Debate:
“I think Fred Thompson had a terrific night.” (George Stephanopoulos, ABC)
“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)
I thought FDT did pretty well actually. Many of his answers were right on, but Romney did steal the show.
This is going to be a Romney v. McCain race. When Rudy drops out his supporters will split between these two. The Huckster will turn into gadfly status pulling in maybe 10 to 15% max of the delegates.
Rich Lowry, National Review:
“Politics is a game of adjustments, and Romney adjusted to the debate from last night, realizing that he’d be under constant attack tonight and he’d better gird himself and go on offense. He spoke forcefully and put the case for himself as the reformist businessman in the best possible light. I think he basically dominated the first hour, and fell off a tab after that, but otherwise was truly excellent. His best performance yet, in very high pressure circumstances. His answers on taxes, job creation, and immigration were top notch … [I]f he somehow wins NH, tonight will be a big reason why.”
Disclaimer: I’m for Fred, and I will definitely vote for him in the primary if given a chance. In the primaries, I vote for principle—not appearance or “electability”, and Fred is far and above the best conservative candidate. Also, I think Fox News was reprehensible for not inviting Duncan Hunter or Ron Paul to tonight’s debate. Ron Paul, whether I like him or not, is polling better than Fred (and I think Rudy) in NH!
That said, I think Romney did very good in the debates. He talks a real good talk. It’s unfortunate that many voters will not take the time to educate themselves on his time as governor and his recent change of heart on key issues. Does anyone truly believe 50+ year old men are that easily swayed? Seriously, normal people are usually very well set in the core beliefs by then. AND, if his beliefs are so fluid, what’s to prevent him from changing again? Think about that!
Absolutely. Mitt has what it takes to be our next President and with class, courage, experience, and intelligence.
GOP Poet: “Mitt has what it takes to be our next President and with class, courage, experience, and intelligence.”
So what?
Absolutely none of the strengths you mentioned have anything to do with conservatism. There are plenty of people on the left who have class, courage (?), experience, and intelligence.
What particular Romney policies do you support and why? Of the top five candidates, Romney is the one I’m most unsure of. Is he conservative? Is he liberal? I really don’t know. One thing’s for sure, I’m not swayed by slick hair or talk.
After all, this is the #1 conservative web site and we conservatives are supposed to be thoughtful voters, so please, list the conservative policies that set Mitt Romney apart from the other candidates. I’m not kidding. I’d really love to see a Mitt supporter come up with some solid reasons (other than well-groomed hair) that make Mitt so great.
Where do you suppose Romney’s supporters are going to go when HE drops out?
Romney bump
Though Romney was the focus of his opponents’ attacks, rather than looking beleaguered or overwhelmed, Romney rose to the occasion. Indeed, the fortuitously centrally-seated Romney looked every bit the president - a man calm, cool, decisive and in control under fire.
I have to agree.
Ping!
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