Official Discussion Thread for Tonight's GOP Presidential Debate

[M]

Still a very solid first answer. Perry already sounds stumbly and he's letting Cain frame the debate with "I think is a bold plan".

[M]

Romney's running for the general. That's why he still wins the electability argument, which even ideologues pay attention to.

[M]

They've lobotomized the audience!

Sadly yes.

[M]

Perry continues to sounds completely incoherent. It's not even what he's saying sometimes, it's just how he talks.

The audience is dead silent. I hope they show a little enthusiasm tonight...

The audience being quiet is a good thing. Debates shouldn't be exciting.

The audience is a barometer of the base.

Agreed about Perry. It's how he says things - "he-hey guys, go easy on me, it's just been eight weeks."

[M]

Paul's fake eyebrows are scary.

[M]

Question to Huntsman sounded like the intro to an Epcot ride.

[M]

Gotta admit, so far, everyone's doing a pretty good job.

If it stays that way, cui bono?

[M]

Huntsman and Santorum have now both used the "doable" line. An effective move against Cain.

Even as I type this he brilliantly regains the spotlight. Good move, Hermanator.

[M]

Credit where its due, VERY good answer by Romney.

[M]

Credit where its due, VERY good answer by Romney.

Okay I take this back.

Funny thing - this year he's been very consistent.

If I'd never heard of Mitt Romney until 2011 I'd be very impressed.

[M]

Finally a substantive debate, I'm actually interested in what the candidates are saying for once. I like that they're holding all of the candidates' feet to the fire. I firmly expect Cain to make a big gaffe tonight.

IDK. He's fast on his feet and clearly much better briefed now. Could be, though.

[M]

This is Rick Perry's best debate yet.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

[M]

This is supposed to be a "family style discussion"...

Cain, Romney and Newt are the arguing uncles.

Bachmann is the phsyco aunt.

Perry is the drunken husband of Aunt Michelle who is reffered to as "Michelles husband" instead of Uncle..

Huntsman is the stoned cousin; Santorum is the closeted gay cousin. They are Rick and Michelles kid.

And Paul is the kind grandad who still makes sense.

Gary Johnson's dogs are out in the yard creating shovel ready jobs.

[M]

Perry is playing dodgeball.

[M]

I have to admit. Romney has become a very good candidate, and just keeps getting better.

[M]

Karen Tumulty is ugly as sh**t.

But Julianna is gorgeous.

[M]

Perry is done as done can be

If you can't answer a Reagan question, you're in big trouble!

To be fair, that's hardly the average Reagan question.

[M]

BTW, Bachmann's hair. Not digging it. What do y'all think?

[M]

"The problem with that analysis is that it is incorrect."

Very smart, very quick.

I really hope we get a Cain v. Romney one-on-one at the end of the cycle.

[M]

She kicked Cain in the nads with that question. 999 is not perfect.

No, but he's chained to it and she let him address it head on, on his own terms.

[M]

Is Rick Santorum still there?

Do we care?

[M]

Someone should do a TL where Romney wins and he nukes China.

Err... ASB.

[M]

This is the toughest attack on Cain yet, but I'm not sure how much it hurts. Santorum has needs to take a chill pill.

[M]

Please please please please remove Frothy. Please please please

I think Santorum is frothy this time.

(Archer would probably call me on phrasing.)

[M]

You know, an interesting part of this next segment is that participation is a function of how energetic a candidate is, not just who the moderators feel like asking questions.

Ugh. So Santorum and Paul dominate, then.