Nuke's

Pollster Frank Lunz told us in the pre-debate talk that the public would be looking at each candidate with respects to their electability, appearance, and passion.

If passion alone were the determining factor, Ron Paul would win going away.

If appearance were the determining factor, Mitt Romney would be the winner. Romney was his usual polished and professional self. Watching the frontrunners go at each other in the early part of the debate, I was reminded of “Rudy McRomney” and the fact that Republican voters like parts of each, but embrace none of them individually.

Tonight, Rudy distinguished himself from McRomney by taking on and completely fisking Hillary Clinton. When asked about their similarities of positions on gun control, gay rights, and abortion, Rudy separated himself from the pack with the statement, “You’ve got to be kidding.” He went on to speak about her lack of experience and her plans to increase taxes and spending, much to the delight of the crowd.

Milke Huckabee again showed Republican voters why he is the most effective speaker in the field. His sincerity and authenticity come through each time I see him. “There’s nothing funny about Hillary Clinton being president.” Great line. Mike Huckabee belongs in the top tier. He’s earned it.

John McCain had a good night. He had an early zinger for Mitt Romney, and had a good line referring to Woodstock, “I was tiedup”. He did make a slight gaffe when he compared his reconciling with the Viet Cong to reconciling with Jerry Falwell and the religious right. I’m sure that he didn’t mean it the way it sounded, but, on an emotional level, the statement hit me like a gut punch.

Fred Thompson continues to disappoint. I’m sorry Fred-heads. He did finish on a strong note, but his performance was underwhelming.

I like Duncan Hunter. He makes a strong impression, but this is just not his year.

Tom Tancredo needs to go ahead and drop out of the race.

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By my unofficial count, the number of questions fielded by each candidate were as follows—–
Mitt: 9, Fred: 8, Rudy: 8, McCain: 6, Huckabee: 5, Paul: 6, Hunter: 4, Tancredo: 4

See also NYT, Caucus:This debate makes it official: It’s open season on Hillary Clinton.

And this piece from Cliff Kincaid at National Ledger:

“Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has seized on an issue, U.S. sovereignty, that could not only win him the Republican nomination for president but propel him into the White House. The conventional wisdom is that the former Arkansas governor is starting to get traction because of his views on social issues. “

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Comment posted by Nuke
at 10/22/2007 9:40:28 AM

Mom is a smart cookie!

Comment posted by Nuke
at 10/22/2007 9:39:45 AM

Hehee. No he doesn’t. That’s OK. He still has a legitimate shot at the nomination. I wonder if he really wants it, or if he thinks he was going to be swept into office by a giant Fred-wave. He’s got a lot of work to do, mostly, I think, refining his position statements to manageable sound-bites. It is a media campaign, sad but true.

Comment posted by SwampWoman
at 10/22/2007 9:39:26 AM

He is a likeable candidate, and that is something that Hillary will never achieve. The like factor, that is.

Mom finally got to see Huckabee, and she is very impressed.

Comment posted by SwampWoman
at 10/22/2007 9:35:59 AM

Fred as The Great Savior of the Conservatives? He doesn’t look all that saintly to me.

Comment posted by Nuke
at 10/22/2007 9:13:06 AM

No, I think you are right about Fred. I was too harsh on him. I think my expectations for Fred were unreasonably high.

Comment posted by SwampWoman
at 10/22/2007 8:59:51 AM

Or maybe that’s just the sleep deprivation talking.

Comment posted by SwampWoman
at 10/22/2007 8:59:33 AM

I didn’t think Fred was bad at all, and I think he still has a chance.

Comment posted by SwampWoman
at 10/22/2007 3:46:25 AM

And I’m having one of those sleepless nights caught in the grip of amorphous anxiety. Probably shouldn’t have watched the debates.

Comment posted by Robert_D
at 10/21/2007 11:44:13 PM

I’m up way past my bedtime. G’nite Nuke…

Comment posted by Robert_D
at 10/21/2007 11:40:34 PM

I like Huck best from tonight. Romney is real good. But only Giuliani Rudy can win the election. He appeals to most people, and that is the only way HRT can be defeated. It sucks to vote for a lesser candidate, but we must defeat the donks this round.

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