Cain and TPaw hurt themselves, and since they were the most direct challengers—of those in the debate—to Bachmann and Romney, Bachmann and Romney won.
This is the first round of the presidential playoffs and Palin got a bye. But she’ll have to beat Bachmann in the conservative quarterfinals and Romney in the GOP semifinals in order to face Obama in the finals.
Romney’s got to flick away TPaw in the RINO quarterfinals before likewise moving on.
I’d say the chances are 80% that it comes down to Romney versus Palin, but last night Bachmann made Palin’s road a little tougher and TPaw made Romney’s a little easier. They now both probably have an equal chance of moving on.
(But Palin can’t dawdle. She needs to be in by the next debate n part to help her become seasoned in the format by the time the stakes are higher.)
Next January a convention of Conservatives will approach the one sure winner. And Paul Ryan will enter the race.
I don't think Cain hurt himself. He certainly didn't shine like he did in SC but he came out unscathed. In my mind Pawlenty was the big loser. He had a couple of opportunities to show us who he is and what he showed us was weak, uninspiring and evasive.