Being otherwise engaged earlier, I had to wait for the replay of tonight's GOP debate. In the meantime, Fred Thompson announced his candidacy on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Fred did well, but the enthusiasm of the spring was not there in the crowd. He did hit some good applause lines, but stepped on a couple of them, reinforcing the notion that his public speaking skill doesn't approach his acting ability.

Fred was trying to upstage the debate, and I don't think he necessarily succeeded. He did make the point about the insignificance of most of these debates, but ironically it came on the night of probably the closest thing to a real debate either party has seen this cycle.

On the debate: Keep reading below the fold for my take on the individual performances.

Rudy Giuliani ~ While he's the established frontrunner, he's not in the position Hillary Clinton holds on the other side. Rudy is still around 30% nationally; well ahead, but he isn't close to clinching. He doesn't therefore enjoy Hillary's debate advantage of "winning" any time she isn't seen to lose. That said, Giuliani didn't need the edge. He was on message and strong throughout, and I rated him the winner by a hair.

John McCain ~ The Senator's best performance yet, strong and thoughtful, and close to winning. McCain isn't out of this race yet - not due to his positions, although on Iraq and spending he scores well with the base, but to his character. With McCain, there is no political pretense. He says what he thinks, and is completely sincere. He's still a prohibitive long shot at this point, but he hasn't been scratched yet.

Mike Huckabee ~ I've joked about his effective campaign for Vice President, and this isn't an exception, but he has been consistently strong in the debates. Tonight was no exception. He can't win except by some byzantine scenario, but he won't embarrass any nominee as Veep, either.

Mitt Romney ~ He had his moments, but this was his weakest performance to date. He seemed to waver on Iraq, echoing recent statements on the stump, and stumbled to recover. Strong at times, but without any foreign policy credentials he needs to be unambiguous and clear, and he was neither tonight.

Duncan Hunter ~ Good performance, good guy, why are you here again?

Sam Brownback ~ Nice audition for Vice President - in 2016, maybe. Stick with the Senate, Senator.

Tom Tancredo ~ He's here just in case there are Hispanics we haven't already alienated.

Ron Paul ~ A genuine, foaming-at-the-mouth nut case. I prescribe a maximum dose of Thorazine, followed by a long walk off a short pier. Maybe he could play a flute and induce his weirdo supporters to follow him.

Bottom line: Fred wins with the bigger audience but ticks off New Hampshire. Rudy and McCain are clear winners, Huckabee for Veep, Romney was asleep, the rest are irrelevant.