Taking Apart the Orlando Debate: Romney's Minor Win

Monday, September 26, 2011

This past Thursday the Republicans held a debate in Orlando.

I've tabulated out some letter grades for the candidates based on their performance. Although there was no outright "winner" last week, Romney, Gingrich, and Santorum did the best job meeting their present campaign needs.

• Romney       B+
• Johnson       B+
• Santorum    B+
• Cain              B
• Gingrich       B
• Perry            B
• Paul              B-
• Huntsman    C+
• Bachmann    C

Had I published these comments on Friday or over the weekend I would have felt compelled to focus on the predictable Perry/Romney tussle and its implications for their primary campaign showdown. But last Thursday's debate was more compelling than that, and involved a wider selection of candidates than the two governors.

Welcome Back to the Political Courier

2008 Election Highlights:

Event Commentary:

•  A NH GOP Primary Debate
•  Hillary and Barack in Unity, NH
•  Joe Biden Sticks Around to Chat
•  Dennis Kucinich Walks the Streets
•  John McCain in Iowa

Opinion:

•  John McCain
•  Hillary Clinton
•  Chris Dodd
•  John Edwards. One, Two, Three.
•  Barack Obama
•  Mike Huckabee

Two Men, Lost in the Crowd

 In late 2007 I wrote here that "I can't stand mitt."

At that time, Mr. Romney was engaged in what seemed like consistent emotional politicking, culminating in the candidate attempting to characterize the grief he would feel should he lose a son (hypothetically) fighting in Iraq. It was emotionless, stiff, and felt very much like an act of theatre.

This past week, the GOP candidates debated at the Reagan Library, and while many of Romney’s characteristics that I disliked in '08 are not gone, his tone has improved decidedly.

Where does the race stand now?

Rick Perry is a go-to guy for referencing. He's the most expressive candidate, sending thumbs-ups to Gingrich, nodding along with Huntsman, etc. I see Perry maintaining this status, as a candidate that others sound off on and sculpt their positions around, but I doubt he can steadily grow his campaign all the while.

Bachmann always hammers on the “repeal Obamacare immediately” urge. So too: "energy is too high, let's have a goal of bringing it down." Cheap gas and no more Obamacare? Agreed, now exit the race and let another candidate say that. Amid Perry’s entrance, and the media’s portrait of a ‘two horse race,’ I struggle to see a scenario in which even a strong showing in Iowa would persuade New Hampshire voters to give Bachmann a second pass.