My thoughts on tonight's GOP debate

I hasten to note at the outset that I'm not commenting here on the candidates positions or political philosophy in general, but merely on how I think they conducted themselves in tonight's debate.

In no particular order....

I thought Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo, while admirable in their participation, are simply all-but-out of the race and not really worth extended comment.

Huckabee's strategy appeared to be "don't mess up." He's had good poll gains in the recent weeks and doesn't want to upset his winning strategy. Fair enough. He was clearly more at home with some of the rather odd questions (e.g., literal biblical inerrancy).

I thought Thompson came across very poorly. He showcased the first (and only) negative ad spot of the evening. He doesn't know how to criticize the opposition without doing so baldly. Furthermore, he lacks specifics and a cohesive vision. Just one hand-me-down response after another. Sorry, I'm just not impressed.

I was rather angry at McCain. He came off as alternately condescending and plain insulting, and I don't think he's winning many converts. His reputation and respect, even among the candidates, has degenerated into an annoying "holier-than-thou-ism." I don't care for it much. His overblown promises, even among a field of over-promisers, is especially uncredible.

I thought Ron Paul handled himself well, though he waffled a bit on the abortion question given to him. It's really "his question", considering he did practice medicine for a long period, and he could have done much better with it. I'm consistently frustrated to see how negative he comes across in these debates, considering how overwhelmingly positive his platform and message is, when it is presented accurately and given time.

The more I see and hear about Giuliani, the more he cements himself in my mind as a one-issue candidate, which comes out in his repetitive recitation of statistics about his tenure as mayor in New York. Really, he can't seem to do anything else. And frankly, that makes sense. His early scuffle with Romney on immigration was juvenile, low and left him even more open to criticism, considering today's news that he billed obscure agencies for his extra-marital philandering. There is a country outside of New York, and I don't think he's ready for it. I did feel sorry for him when he was asked the question about literal biblical inerrancy. He tried so very hard to respond to the question in a way that wouldn't alienate his intended demographic, and could barely make any headway. I at least have to give him credit for trying.

Again, within the specific circumstances of tonight's debate, and not taking into consideration Romney's record .... I have to say I think he carried the evening. He was professional, "presidential", and even in the various scuffles, came across as above the fray and already conducting himself as if he had been given the party's nomination. If the others had tried this tactic, they couldn't have pulled it off. But I think Romney did. Commentators, of course, will accuse him of dodging certain questions (waterboarding chief among them), but I think he was prudent in his responses. He might not be genuine, but his reservations were at least defensible.

Finally, regarding his "flip-flop" on the abortion issue. I just don't see what good it does pro-life figures to criticize him changing his mind. Isn't that exactly what we wish to see happen among our politicians? Maybe he changed with a view towards political expediency, but the fact of the matter is that he was one of the most vocal "pro-life" figures on the stage tonight. It's hard for me to envision him flipping again on this issue now that it is part of his presidential platform, as much as some pro-choice republic groups may harbor hopes to the contrary. Remember, we want to support any candidate who adopts a pro-life position, not amass criticism that might cause other pro-abortion candidates to rest in their (mistaken) pro-choice views.

Alright, those are my first reactions. What are your thoughts, for those of you who watched it?