Over at Time.com, Mark Halperin says Michele Bachmann, who has faded in the polls, had a better night than usual, perhaps her best since June, when she wowed Republicans in New Hampshire. I agree — she wasn’t a star, but she didn’t stumble. Here’s Halperin’s report:
Style: Forceful and passionate on every answer.
Substance: Showed off her knowledge of tax policy.
Her worst moment: Just when the Romney health care pile-on was heating up, she interrupted to take the conversation in a different direction.
Her best moment: Deft touch in knocking Cain’s 9-9-9 tax plan.
The main thing: Her best debate since the June New Hampshire face-off that made her the hottest candidate in the race for a time. Still not selling her own economic plan or claiming a signature issue, but carried a strong anti-Obama critique throughout.