I watched the debate tonight and really enjoyed it. I was impressed with the improvement in candidates' debating skills.
The main topic was the economy which focused more on candidate positions instead of personal history. All candidates predictably had strong and well prepared opinions on a subject that is traditionally a Republican strength.
Pretty much all of the moderators got spanked IMHO. You could see them look down, smile or make angry faces, change the topic or even the candidate they were addressing when they didn't get away with trying to put their stamp on the debate. The moderators weren't openly hostile or partisan towards the candidates and did manage to keep the debate moving along fairly well.
In the post-debate interviews, the candidates again out-shined the reporters in that the candidates had well thought out responses to questions and the reporters "analysis" of subjects was often short-sighted, wrong or in some cases just plain stupid.
I had the following observations/impressions about the candidates:
Santorum--He had some good points but also seemed to struggle a bit to connect his thoughts when making multiple points.
Paul--Dead on in some things and out to lunch in others. Pretty standard for him.
Huntsman--He had some good points also but seemed like he was a little too tightly scripted on some issues, kind of like he was parsing his thoughts for different demographic groups. Has good experience as governor though.
Bachman--Much better prepared and professional this time. Stopped the cheerleader style that was annoying. She actually has good ideas and experience.
Perry--Last time he got a mad-on for Romney. This time, he couldn't remember all of his stump speech talking points. He has style and substance, just not always at the same time. He forgot his 3rd department he wanted to abolish but was able to recover and even joke about it later--definitely an improvement.
Cain--He is a breath of fresh air and has a sense of humor. He also totally deconstructed the female reporter who tried to drill him on the sex allegations. He stays on his message and is outmaneuvering the press who are busily trying to destroy him.
Gingrich--Still the smartest guy up there and much more polished and even Presidential this time around. He knows his stuff, that's for sure.
Romney--Much smoother and more articulate this time. Also more Presidential. He was able to explain perceived flip-flops in a logical, cohesive and rational manner.
I don't think there was an outright winner but think that Cain, Gingrich and Romney are moving ahead with Perry and Bachman on the bubble of moving forward with them or falling behind.
Who do you guys think won the debate and why? Or why not?
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I watched it up to a point then went to bed. I liked some of the questions and the way the candidates answered. I thought Perry fumbled and Romney was his usual slick Mitt. I have to give Cain credit he is walking the walk regarding his professed innocence on the sex scandal. I am beginning to feel he might be for real. Gingrich has all the tools but has a funny way of answering almost every question. He appears to me to be trying to show everyone how quick witted he is and doesn’t really answer the question. Just a feeling I have and I wish he would get a bit more passion going and win this thing rather than to show how clever he can be. Bachman still leaves me out in the cold as well as Paul who just seems to be way out there in extreme land. Santorum and Huntsman just don’t seem like they are playing in the major leagues to me so I am down to just 3….Romney, Cain and Gingrich. Hopefully at some point a few of the stragglers poll and fund raising wise will drop out so the field can really debate against each other.
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Too busy with fishing to spend much time here.
Troubled over GOP prospects. Winning an election is as much about marketing (unfortunately) as it is about substance and issues. To me, the candidates who have it all together when it comes to issues are unmarketable.
IMO, the only really marketable one is Romney, and he's too liberal in my opinion. Best bet, I guess, is to run Romney, and give him a very conservative running mate. Maybe Bachman.
Who Won Tonight's Republican Debate??
