Haaaaaa. They aren't over, but the first Election Day will come before the next one. Whoa. That is intense.
So my thoughts on the debate last night are not great. I will say it seemed like the most substantial debate thus far. Good job Fox for covering all the important topics, giving all the candidates questions, and not letting it turn into a circus.
I really thought everyone would take this chance to really go after Newt knowing he wouldn't have a similar setting to respond or take revenge before Iowa. That did not happen. There were some attacks but it wasn't ugly. I'll stick with my player by player breakdown:
Newt- The clear frontrunner. He talks a lot. And this is good for him and bad for his opponents. Why? Because the moments when he defends big government and things like Freddie Mae and Freddie Mac get lost in his history lessons and I know more than you tones. It's obviously working and he stuck with that approach last night.
Romney- He is really showing his true colors I think. He had a few shining moments because, duh, he's been at this for like 5 years now, but overall he's weak. The questions were sharp and he had to defend more than anything last night. It's not good to constantly play defense; you can't ever score. Although I still think he has one of the best shots at the nomination. Grr.
Perry- He had a good night. It wasn't a great night, but he held his own. He also had a few really bright moments too. The whole bit about a part-time Congress was well received and his judicial answers were spot on. I still think this is the man for the job. If he can pull off a strong finish in Iowa and just hang around through New Hampshire, it will be off to the races in Florida and the South....where by the way, people love him. Perry 2012. Oh side note: I did not love the Tim Tebow analogy...mostly because I don't love Tim Tebow, but whatever...
Huntsman- I think it is funny he pretended to give a shit about Iowa last night when all along he has ignored the state and their caucuses completely. He surges a little bit in New Hampshire and suddenly thinks he's in it to win it. But winning it means competing everywhere, (remember Giuliani's Florida only strategy in '08, yah frontrunner to out in January) so he runs out to Iowa for a minute and tries to jump in. It ain't going to work buddy. He did have some good answers but his jokes are awkward at best and his love for China is borderline scary.
Bachmann- She looked like a beauty pageant contestant last night with her hair up and dressed in white. I'm not saying she looked bad, obviously very pretty, but out of place for sure. She too had good answers occasionally. She did go after Newt at one point, but opposite of Newt she loses ground as she continues to talk, where Newt gains as he rambles.
Santorum- He sounded about good as he can last night. He was less like the little kid getting bullied on the playground and more presidential. However his chances are down there with Bachmann and that is not in contention. Though I will say he has literally covered the most ground in Iowa, and those people take that into serious consideration.
Paul- I hate to say it, but he too sounded more legit than usual. Until he goes off on Austrian Economics and allowing Iran to have nukes, he doesn't sound that crazy. Then he rants like a bitter grandpa and loses all creditability. Bachmann went after him on the Iran stuff and made him look flat stupid. If he ran as a Third party his numbers would go up, but then we would FOR SURE lose to Obama, so pray that does not happen.
So that is my run down. It is not that different than the previous debates. In Iowa something like 60% of voters are willing to change their mind the night of the caucuses so although there is a clear front runner, I'll stand by my "it’s anyone's game" theory.
As for Nikki Haley, it was not a huge surprise as Romney endorsed her before anyone in her own race. It is a good grab for the grassroots folks and obviously for South Carolina, but I think the timing of the announcement, right after the debate, shows they know his performance was not great.
18 days to Iowa.
xoxo Sara Marie
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