First thoughts on the GOP candidates' debate

Some quick thoughts on the GOP presidential primary debate tonight.

Jon Huntsman has less chance of winning the GOP nomination than Newt Gingrich, and he has all the appeal to the Republican base and conservatives of Harry Reid.  But there was one thing he did during tonight's debate that made an impact.  He threw out the "98% of scientists agree about global warming" line  - a fact that doesn't measure up to the word 'fact'.  It's something most conservatives would have asked him to back up because we know it's only 98% because that number has been repeated as often as 100% of scientists agree. So why was it impactful?  Because in response, Governor Perry provided a slow, unfocused and hesitant response that did not look good.  I'm not sure if that makes the headlines but Perry seemed unprepared for something he should have known was coming.

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MSNBC + Politico?  Next GOP Debate to be hosted by Chairman Mao...

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There's no way I want to come across as a Romney supporter (I'm not) by following a bad Perry comment with a positive Romney comment, but it is what it is.  Romney impressed me with his keen focus on slick delivery of his points on economic recovery and his plan.  He still got a boatload of negatives, but he looked prepared and comfortable.

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Also looking on point and focused was another candidate that isn't exactly a Tea Party standard bearer and a non-winner in the GOP primaries - Newt Gingrich.  You can tell who has debate experience and who doesn't.

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Speaking of Michele Bachmann, and a straw poll win obviously doesn't translate to sustainability.  She's in a difficult position of having somehow being perceived as probably dropping back to the second tier through no fault of her own.  She did herself no damage in the debate but also did herself no favors.  She needs to be doing herself favors to regain some momentum.

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Herman Cain really should have spent a few opportunities explaining what his 9/9/9 plan is.  On twitter I saw a few comments about people not knowing what it was but still thinking it sounded better than Obama's track record.

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Why was Huntsman the one to remind the debate moderators that they were spending too much time on non-economic matters?  This is the entire GOP's bailiwick.  Why is the most liberal guy on the stage pointing this out?

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Ron Paul - right on some stuff, downright kooky on others.  If he worked on his delivery and better expressed his reasons on things like the border fence,  might manage to be a credible candidate.  Wait  - scratch that.  He did say in the previous debate that Iranian nukes were A-OK.

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