Not going to be “live blogging” it, but will make some observations.
Your comments are welcome.
Update 8:40 p.m. – at the first break, I can’t say there are any clear winners or losers. Romney is doing well, dealing with his “issues” without any real problem. Perry is, as someone who has never really seen him before, okay; I can’t say great, but adequate. Newt had the lines of the night so far, refusing to take Politico’s attempt to play Republican against Republican and declaring universal solidarity in the goal of removing Obama. John Huntsman is a positive surprise, but it doesn’t matter. Herman Cain is good as usual. The moderators are not focusing on Bachmann, so she’s not getting the airtime and prominence of prior appearances. Santorum, Perry didn’t appear to know his name, referred to him as “the prior individual.” Did I leave anyone out?
Update 9:18: Rick Perry stood fast on social security being a Ponzi scheme; that’s his position, and he’s sticking to it. The context he said was promises made to young people that cannot be met unless there is reform. Perry also took a shot (back) at Karl Rove, saying he’s not responsible for Rove anymore. He was blunt throughout the night: ““For Obama to come to TX and say border is more secure than ever, either he has worst intel in history or he’s an abject liar.” Newt was good, a glimpse of what he can be. Romney was less of a presence, but no damage done. The others were non-events. BUT – Ron Paul fell off the rails saying a border fence may be used to keep people in.
Added: How liberal. MSNBC brought in a Hispanic journalist to ask quesitons about immigration, leading to what is the likely Tweet of the Night:
Final Update: Final segment was a bit tired. So were the candidates.
All in all I think it was a good night for Romney, he came across as presidential, poised and conservative. He was good on the Tea Party refusing to play the game of whether he was a Tea Party “member,” he said there is no card carrying involved but that he supports the goals of the Tea Party, smaller government and fiscal responsibility.
I don’t think it was a stellar night for Perry. He was okay, but expectations were high, and I don’t think he met them. I can see Romney decimating Obama in a debate; based on tonight’s performance Perry has a ways to go. And just as I wrote those lines, he came in with a forceful defense of capital punishment — if you come into our state and kill our children or citizens, you will pay the ultimate price; his best of the night.
Newt was very good. Forceful, on point, commanding. Could he be the comeback kid?
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Comments
Perry needs to warm up and get a bit smoother, and also out of Texas mode. He needs to keep aware that it’s not all about Texas and he’s not talking to Texans, and he can be cut to shreds (and will be) with the wrong soundbites. Romney is slick and practiced. It is unfortunate that so much rides on acting ability. That’s how mediocre narcissists with little to offer get into office.
Thanks for the synopsis of the question and answer session at the Reagan Library. I just can’t sit and watch those events any longer. Also, it was nice to learn that only Hispanics are allowed to ask questions on immigration. I once heard that one should wish to live in interesting times, however, I fear we are now living in very perilous times and half of the country seems to be oblivious to this fact.
P.S. I love your Petula Clark theme this week! It brings back memories of listening to her music with my mother in the morning waiting on the school bus. NICE!
Interesting. I missed the first 20 minutes, but I found Romney surprisingly good and I think he will be very appealing to independents. The base knows too much about his record to be interested. I didn’t know what to expect from Perry and I think lackluster covers it. I found his entire global warming “science” defense a bit thin and wish he had pulled a Newt and turned it on the moderator “how can you accept as fact unproven theory and expect principled leaders to demolish our economic engine over calculations and assumptions?”
The audience response to the question about executions in Texas certainly took Brian Williams aback and demonstrated how out of touch media figures are with average Americans.
Michelle Bachman is very good in a debate and I would prefer to see her use her skills in the senate rather than as president. She makes good points and draws good parallels in an educational fashion. She has a lot to offer, just not from the Oval Office.
Herman Cain is terrific, but I wish he had told us what his 9,9,9 plan is. Doesn’t help the casual viewer.
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