Romney Center Piece of ABC NH GOP Debate

Bill Smith, ARRA News Service: Different campaigns last night were posturing as to won last nights ABC New Hampshire GOP debate. Today, over 90% of the press stories focused on the debate being a series of attacks on Mitt Romney. John Dickerson at Slate maybe should get the award for the best title for the debate - "The "Mitt Mall":

It was not the behavior of pygmies trying to tear down Goliath but of hyenas trying to finish off a wounded wildebeest. Many of the barbs were on the topic of Romney's many position changes, his central liability with voters. When Romney said to Mike Huckabee "Don't try to characterize my position," Huckabee shot back: "which one." McCain cracked wise several times most effectively (because it'll be replayed on cable a lot) after Romney gave his pitch that he was the change candidate, McCain smiled and said "Governor Romney, we disagree on a lot of issues, but I agree you are the candidate of change."

Forgetting winners, Ron Paul lost the last night debate. Listeners noticed his comments sounded like a series of prerecorded statements that skipped a track or two on a CD. He has a lot to say and much of his message is of worth hearing. However, his explanations skipped past the viewers. For example, when discussing a question about health care his comments skipped on to a litany about the US involvement in the Middle East and the inflationary effects of paper money. Ron Paul has most likely consider the details of a myriad of issues far most of us. But, last night he needed some Ross Perot charts to keep both himself and viewer on tract. Some claim Paul lives on another planet. No, Ron Paul just wishes to return to a historical period when Americans was less entangled in world affairs and we more individual freedoms. However, that was also before we experience two World Wars.

Numerous sources (to many to list) commented favorably on Fred Thompson:

"I think Fred Thompson had a terrific night." (George Stephanopoulos, ABC)

"Every answer was thoughtful and well-crafted; his tone matched the tone of the question; he wisely refrained from interjecting in the back and forth squabbling. He very deftly reminded viewers that he served on key Senate national security panels and is bringing his experience to bear." (The Atlantic)

"Still, it summed up what is likable about Thompson - direct, clear, and logical." (National Review)

Byron York, NR White House Correspondent best summed up Fred Thompson at the NH Debates:

. . . other noteworthy aspects of the debate. The first was the solid performance of Fred Thompson. He was sharp and focused, making his own points effectively as well as sometimes picking apart his opponents’ positions. But Thompson, at one percent in the new poll, wasn’t trying to win over New Hampshire voters. He’s only in New Hampshire because that is where the national press is, and that is where back-to-back Republican debates are being held this weekend. “Forget about New Hampshire,” Thompson aide Karen Hanretty said after the debate. “We’ll get two or three percent in New Hampshire. We have no illusions about that. And a debate, I don’t think, is going to change that.” Indeed, Thompson has no plans to campaign in New Hampshire while he is here, and on Monday, before the voting in New Hampshire, he will head to South Carolina, where he will make the stand that will either make or break his candidacy.

Others have reported that Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani and John McCain had solid performances. Huckabee's usual charm did not do quite as well while sitting at a table. He is much more experienced standing at a podium, in control of his audience and seeking to reveal his position without interruption. If were to win the GOP nomination, his podium experience will do him well. Also, if Barack Obama and Huckabee were to win their respective party's nominations - the final National debates could be very lively.

In summary, Romney received the most focus and time to share or defend his message and thus became the center piece of the New Hampshire ABC GOP debate. Dick Morris, no friend of Mitt Romney, may therefore be right when he said, “I thought that Mitt Romney won the debate.” (Fox News’ “Live,” 1/5/08)

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Tags: debate, Election 2008, Fred Thompson, GOP, John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, New Hampshire, Ron Paul To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!