- Feb 10, 2000
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I am surprised there is not a thread on this, and frankly I wish there were because my own thoughts are simplistic. Unfortunately I missed the first 15 minutes or so (time which was apparently dedicated to 9-9-9). My observations:
- 2012 Romney is worlds better than 2008 Romney. He is playing it smart and acting like a front-runner. He did descend into snarkiness when he pointed out that Perry has had a bad couple of debates, but Perry was being SO obnoxious that I have a hard time blaming Romney, and I think most would agree. Other than that he did very well. He is obviously running toward the center - it sends the message that he views President Obama, rather than Perry or Cain, as his real opponent. He made interesting and well-thought-out comments about the role of faith in a candidate with which I totally agreed, but it struck me he was pushing the envelope of what the bread-and-butter GOP could possibly buy into.
- Perry looked punchy and exhausted toward the end of the debate. Can he succeed when this is his "thing"? I don't think so. Earlier on he tried to lock horns with Romney - the lack of civility was remarkable - but came off looking churlish and didn't really advance the ball.
- Cain was, as expected, glibly appealing but lacking in substance. His interview with Anderson Cooper after the debate was downright embarrassing. The only reason he is enjoying a bubble at the moment is the novelty of 9-9-9 (a tax reform whose unfair and harmful regressiveness is already being thoroughly discredited by both parties) and the fact that the GOP base so dislikes Romney.
- Santorum came off as thoroughly whiny and obnoxious, which was unfortunate in that he was the lone voice pointing out Perry's dishonesty in claiming to have opposed TARP (in fact Perry was a strong advocate for it).
- Bachmann seemed to have chosen her naval-themed white pantsuit as a last-gasp way to remind America she still exists. As a Minnesotan who has observed Bachmann for years, it seems that since her own status as a viable candidate (which crested with the Iowa straw poll, when she was reeling in her crazy-lady instincts) has retreated into insignificance, Michelle has chosen to go back to her wacky ways - she was certainly wacky tonight. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I don't see her running for House of Rep again in 2012 - look for her to have a prominent place on basic cable.
- Gingrich was, as usual, completely self-aggrandizing but strong on substance. Too bad for the GOP he is such a disagreeable man, with such a problematic personal background.
- Paul was himself. Stubborn on a number of issues, particularly defense and foreign aid to Israel, that make him a troubling candidate for the GOP's base. He's a bright guy but his unwillingness to pander, and his wholesale rejection of some GOP sacred-cow platform points, make him a nonstarter. This debate just cemented that.
I thought this was a win for Romney in that it just made it more clear that neither Cain nor Perry appears up to the task of beating President Obama (and yes, I saw the 38% approval ratings today). He is, in my view, a seriously strong candidate and would probably beat the President. Too bad his own party seems to so dislike him.
- 2012 Romney is worlds better than 2008 Romney. He is playing it smart and acting like a front-runner. He did descend into snarkiness when he pointed out that Perry has had a bad couple of debates, but Perry was being SO obnoxious that I have a hard time blaming Romney, and I think most would agree. Other than that he did very well. He is obviously running toward the center - it sends the message that he views President Obama, rather than Perry or Cain, as his real opponent. He made interesting and well-thought-out comments about the role of faith in a candidate with which I totally agreed, but it struck me he was pushing the envelope of what the bread-and-butter GOP could possibly buy into.
- Perry looked punchy and exhausted toward the end of the debate. Can he succeed when this is his "thing"? I don't think so. Earlier on he tried to lock horns with Romney - the lack of civility was remarkable - but came off looking churlish and didn't really advance the ball.
- Cain was, as expected, glibly appealing but lacking in substance. His interview with Anderson Cooper after the debate was downright embarrassing. The only reason he is enjoying a bubble at the moment is the novelty of 9-9-9 (a tax reform whose unfair and harmful regressiveness is already being thoroughly discredited by both parties) and the fact that the GOP base so dislikes Romney.
- Santorum came off as thoroughly whiny and obnoxious, which was unfortunate in that he was the lone voice pointing out Perry's dishonesty in claiming to have opposed TARP (in fact Perry was a strong advocate for it).
- Bachmann seemed to have chosen her naval-themed white pantsuit as a last-gasp way to remind America she still exists. As a Minnesotan who has observed Bachmann for years, it seems that since her own status as a viable candidate (which crested with the Iowa straw poll, when she was reeling in her crazy-lady instincts) has retreated into insignificance, Michelle has chosen to go back to her wacky ways - she was certainly wacky tonight. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I don't see her running for House of Rep again in 2012 - look for her to have a prominent place on basic cable.
- Gingrich was, as usual, completely self-aggrandizing but strong on substance. Too bad for the GOP he is such a disagreeable man, with such a problematic personal background.
- Paul was himself. Stubborn on a number of issues, particularly defense and foreign aid to Israel, that make him a troubling candidate for the GOP's base. He's a bright guy but his unwillingness to pander, and his wholesale rejection of some GOP sacred-cow platform points, make him a nonstarter. This debate just cemented that.
I thought this was a win for Romney in that it just made it more clear that neither Cain nor Perry appears up to the task of beating President Obama (and yes, I saw the 38% approval ratings today). He is, in my view, a seriously strong candidate and would probably beat the President. Too bad his own party seems to so dislike him.