Fred’s ad just ran.

They’re touting this debate as “First in the Fall.” Does one in December get to tout itself as “First in the Winter”?

Audience sounds a bit loud so far. I wonder if that means we’ll get a lot of interruptions for applause tonight.

Brit mentions Fred, asks, “who has made the smart move here?” and goes to Huckabee.

Huckabee said he gave up his slot on Jay Leno to be with the fine people of New Hampshire. Groan.

Ron Paul says he will diliute the pro-war vote. Oooooookay.

Brit is asking each candidate to react to Fred’s absence.

McCain: “Maybe we’re up past his bedtime.” Jeez, dip the shiv in lemon juice, will ya, McCain?

Romney: “Why the hurry? Why not take more time off? How about January or February?” See, with each joke, it gets less funny. He’s not here. We get it. Burn him at the stake for the insult of failing to kiss the ring of the great state of New Hampshire, yadda yadda yadda…

Rudy says “he’s done a pretty good job of playing my part on Law & Order.” Segways to the next president can’t have on-the-job training, and then points out Hillary, Obama and Edwards have never run anything.

Ow. Chris Wallace hits Romney on illegals working on his front lawn. Romney points out people don’t inspect the residency IDs of their contractors. Romney goes back to that great training for state troopers that never went into effect.

Freddoso and others are also live-blogging in the Corner, so I’ll just focus on the highlights.

Wallace hits Rudy on a 1994 quote appearing to welcome illegal immigrants. Rudy emphasizes he wanted police to report to INS, but INS wouldn’t do anything. “I didn’t have the luxury of political rhetoric. I had the safety and security of New York citizens on my shoulders.”

When Wallace brings up McCain’s line about Romney chasing “illegal immigrants out of his yard with a varmint gun,” McCain responds, “I thought that was a pretty good line.” John McCain: The crusty, sharp-tongued cranky old man.

Huckabee is asked why he said some opponents of illegal immigration is based in racism. “I’ve listened to them. I agree we ought to have sealed borders. People are angry over a government that has completely ignored borders. We track every package with UPS and Fedex when we order from Amazon, but we have a government that can’t keep track of any people.” Laments “mean spirit” of some people. Pretty good answer.

I can’t wait until President Huckabee tattoos a barcode on each of our foreheads.

Tancredo calls his opponents opportunists, say they’re offering only rhetoric. “It’s got everything to do with the rule of law. Does anybody understand that?” Gets applause.

Hunter gets asked about one of his favorite topic, the border fence. “We’re not going to have that scrawny fence you keep seeing on CNN with people jumping over it. If you can jump over my fence, we sign you up for the Olympic team.”