Romney was on his game — smooth, relaxed, and unflappable. He did well in the debates in 2008, but benefited tonight from his increased stature in the context of the rest of field. In 2008, he was up against John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, strong personalities with real gravity, and Mike Huckabee, a fellow first-time candidate who is a natural performer. He was also helped by the unwillingness of anyone to take him on, most notably Tim Pawlenty on the “Obamneycare” charge. If Pawlenty wasn’t willing to back up that line in person, he shouldn’t have said it on TV Sunday. In general, Pawlenty was fine, but faded into the background and sometimes seemed much too canned. He had to be chagrined watching how well Michelle Bachmann did — the average viewer just tuning in wouldn’t have any idea she’s not considered a “top tier” candidate. At this rate, Pawlenty’s going to have a big problem in Iowa, which is another reason why Team Romney had to be pleased with the night. Herman Cain, meanwhile, was unbelievably vague (tonight, it was hard to believe Pawlenty lost the first debate to him). Newt Gingrich didn’t stand out, especially given how much he’s banking on his performance in the debates. Maybe he needs longer-form answers? A friend also got the impression he was kind of ticked all night; for whatever reason, he was sort of off-putting. Rick Santorum was solid, but has a version of the Pawlenty problem — how is he going to break through? Ron Paul was Ron Paul.
Rich, your assessment of Romney's performance seems about right. How would he do with Perry in the race? Not nearly as well, I'd guess. Perry would be the alpha male in that group.
Perry/Bachmann 2012 is becoming my dream ticket.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRepubs won't nominate another female vice-presidential candidate.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt is pretty clear that National Review has found its candidate. Pawlenty was the better tonight. Romney was good too. Gingrich helped himself, some. Bachman was great, but I think she is the longest shot of them all. Cain's momentum is going to cease (and I was pulling for him). Santorum did not stand out enough to create any buzz going forward. Ron Paul was great, and I think Americans could get behind 70% of his foreign policy at this point in the game; but, he is still Ron Paul.
Loved the hand shake agreement to attack Obama and not each other. Kudos. That needs to be the strategy until November of 2012.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe night also belonged to the Boston Bruins.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYep, it's almost time to dust off that Romney endorsement isn't it? Won't be long now. Any minute.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMy tea-party pals complain that I'm a relentless Romney cheerleader. I blame NRO partly with their generally enthusiastic but fair Romney coverage. It stuck. (Thanks, KLo!) Performances such as tonight make it much easier to be the seemingly only person in America besides Mrs. Romney to be really enthusiastic about turning the Guv into the Prez.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRomney rose in my estimation, but I wouldn't be so quick to dub him the winner. He has a very, very, very long way to go to shake the Romneycare baggage.
The real message of this debate is that most of the chattering class has misunderestimated the entire field.
Not much remarked is Romney's statement that the people of Massachusetts can repeal Romneycare. It is not much, as backtracks go, but at least it concedes the possibility that it's not so great. What he really needs to do is admit he was wrong about it. That won't affect any of his other Federalism arguments.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAh, what a surprise Lowry would be smitten with Mitten. Richie Rich has been waiting to swoon over his true political love for sometime and by golly he got the chance tonight!
Hey Rich, one more tidbit for you: Just because you in-the-beltway types don't consider a candidate "top tier" doesn't mean the rest of the country agrees with you. The establishment's been pushing Pawlenty and he has yet to step up in two debates and his fellow Minnesotan overshadowed him tonight.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusehey!
more fashionable nonsense...
the gibberish of this is really not conservative at all.
"swoon" ?
seems you have a problem with analysis which doesn't support your emotional fashionable embrace.
that is a bad - weak sign.
conservatism is strong, the complete opposite. able to handle all forms of opinions, views, offerings, etc., and competent enough to find the real substance.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"conservatism is strong, the complete opposite. able to handle all forms of opinions, views, offerings, etc., and competent enough to find the real substance."
Joe Biden, I don't know how long you've been on NRO, but you need to talk to Richie Rich instead of me. He's the guy that's known to stray off the conservative reservation due to his allegiance is to the Republican establishment.
It's a pattern that's difficult to miss.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNational Review has become a major embarrassment under Lowry's leadership.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIn the fairly near future, I think NR/NRO will show an amazing ability to adjust to the realities of today's conservative movement. It might take Romney being eliminated from the race, though.
I can't blame them for going down kicking and screaming.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI can.
I thought their stated mission was to stand athwart history yelling "Stop!"----not thwarting conservatism.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBilly R... Soooo Wrong!!!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLowry's right and here's why.
Romney gets 22 Mass. electorals, Pawlenty gets 18 electorals MN. with Pres and VP.
Pawlenty's not going to push Romney too much and will take the VP, besides, that is the best pair to beat the big "o". Time to think "win".
Care to elaborate, as the reasons do not seem obvious to me?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRomney and Bachmann were the clear winners. Solid performances by Santorum and Newt, too. All in spite of the awful moderator and debate format.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRomney didn't make my top three. He didn't look confident and sound like he was in control. Cain sounded much more confident than Mitt but floundered on some FP questions. Pawlenty did OK, despite having the charisma of Pee Wee Herman. Gingrich had some good responses but is dead in the water. Bachmann was doing a fair imitation of Sarah Palin, but failed to capture her passion, despite overcoming Sarah's fractured syntax. Ron Paul was who he was, and got in some good points. Santorum simply doesn't have what it takes, despite a sound policy position.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Bachmann was doing a fair imitation of Sarah Palin"
How so, beyond their both being women?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThere is one "l" in Michele.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMitch Baker,
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOne l in Michele and two n's in Bachmann.