The Official CNN/AEI/Heritage Foundation GOP Debate Thread

[Alcon]

Mitt Romney awkwardly mouths The Star-Spangled Banner

[Alcon]

Who else hates Wulf Blitzer?

[Alcon]

Huntsman had the most applause.

I think that was mostly because he was last and they were clapping for the whole segment

[Alcon]

Bachmann:  Wiretapping has changed because we have cell phones now.

uh

[Alcon]

wtf?! We don't read Miranda warnings to people who aren't citizens?!

Didn't we semi-recently have a SC ruling that says you have to advise a foreign citizen of their rights to contact their consulate, or something like that?  It was a national security case.

[Alcon]

haha "targeted identification"

[Alcon]

haha

WHY IS NO ONE ELSE TALKING ABOUT THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN

[Alcon]

Santorum: "Africa was a country on the brink."

[Alcon]

Herman Cain: "I'm going to repeat the question in the form of a statement and mix in a few buzzwords that I'll repeat several times."

Also, it is important that we do things that work, and make sure that the things we're doing are working!

Herman Cain is like the kid who never does his readings for class but tries to salvage his participation grade.

[Alcon]

Why are you all thinking Romney is doing bad? If anyone the worst one on stage it's Cain right now.

My perception: Cain is looking irrelevant and silly, and probably helping his gradual Perry-style bleeding.  Romney is making a mistake by poking at Huntsman especially, but in general keeps starting fights where he ends up looking weak.  The people he's fighting for are demonstrating his appeals (moderation, calmness, certainty, cogency) better than he is.

That said, Perry's strong performance tonight makes for a pretty weird dynamic, and might be the best thing Romney has going tonight, in terms of polling repercussions.

[Alcon]

I got a little confused when Romney paused on "This is a party."  The...America party?

[Alcon]

Jon Huntsman should host a lecture series.

I don't really expect more than a handful of the candidates to be specifically familiar with Al-Shabab.  Looks like Ron Paul is the first to fall on his face.