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.
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.”