I thought Thompson was very disappointing again. He was the most generalized of all candidates and did nothing to generate interest in his campaign. I thought that was his purpose in this debate. He did nothing to help himself, will finish at the bottom in NH, very low in Michigan and will have little momentum in SC which is his last stand.

I believe you are missing a big point about Romney... he is not likeable. Likeability may seem trivial, but good grief, Barack Obama may be our next president and it sure isn't his substance that is carrying him. NH voters will likely hold their noses and select McCain again because Romney is simply irritating. His fall in the polls is occuring because Republicans are beginning to realize he would be destroyed by a candidate like Obama. So, yes, Romney was strong on issues like taxes and immigration, but his overall approach is killing him.

McCain was the winner, not because he actually outdebated anyone, but by the fact that he has the lead in the 4th quarter and held onto the ball. He's gotten where he is in the polls by default, of course, but his liberal positions fly in NH. This will end in SC and Florida.

Huckabee was FOXed again as Wallace's questions were tantamount to a cumulative attack ad. But this actually worked to his benefit as he was able to correct common misperceptions of his policies, most notably, on immigration. I have read countless times, including on Wizbang, how he supports amnesty. His plan is not even close to amnesty. I hope this was clarified yesterday. Huckabee was again most engaging and this has been critical to his success. I strongly agree that his lack of specificity is allowing others to define his positions, but for now, I think he will still achieve his goal of finishing third on Tuesday.

Giuliani is simply wrong on so many issues that his debate performances are irrelevent.

I thought this was Paul's best performance of his entire campaign.

Dept. of Viral Video presents

______Fox focus groups use actors_________

http://www.roguegovernment.com/news.php?id=5888

The second Republican debate in as many days was hosted Sunday by Fox News, featuring the top five contenders. Ron Paul was not invited to participate.

Jim, with just your first sentence, you have crossed the WizBang party line. Kim Priestap definitively reported on December 30th that in the article "Ron Paul Has Not Been Excluded from Fox News Debate" that "There is NO NH DEBATE on January 6th. Ron Paul was NOT EXCLUDED. That event was canceled three weeks ago." (from linked article) How dare you contradict Kim's fine story by reporting on a Fox debate on the 6th where Ron Paul was excluded.

Romney did excellent. I was very impressed. I find him intelligent, strong, and yes, likable. Thompson wasn't flashy but he told it like it was, didn't back down, etc. I liked that and liked what he said. McCain showed a softer side and did well but I don't think he did well enough. Huck crashed and burned.... Rudy really didn't step up like he should have. Mitt def. was the winner.

No, I didn't see the debate because Fox didn't provide a video stream on their site, but it's becoming clear that Romney and the Ghoul are being written off now by yesterday's "friends"(as I always predicted they must be for good election viability in these United States).

The establishment now sees a happy reversion to their default open-borders program ahead should McCain win the general. Which he won't against Obama. Wartime collaboration, senate MIA hearings accessory to cover-up, Keating 5, McCain-Feingold, amnesty, he's toast.

Huckabee is the sleeper candidate. Could win it all. Richard Haas-approved, though. Kristol signalling the neocons by secret wireless. I see the strategy as Diss the Chimp, keep the policies. Whither FAIR Tax, if?

It seems extreme pressure will be put on Fred to drop out soon for the benefit of presenting a slightly less sloppy GOP front. I hope he stays in, of course. Who's he more afraid of? The neocon girly men or The Little Lady?

So it's Mitt's Money, McCain, Huckster, and Paul ahead. Fred is even now being browbeaten privately by midgets working in shifts. Can he resist?

Ghouliani: *sad trombones*

Off-topic: Is Glenn Beck a drama queen, or what? I thought a Mexican nurse stole a kidney from him. Turns out he has hemorrhoids from never learning how not to sit directly on his anus. And he didn't enjoy his hospital stay. And his wife finally saw him naked.(?)

I wouldn't mention it, but he was doing a blubbering tease on Drudge for days. I'm helping Glenn's healing process maybe.

*the preceding factoid was brought to you by...
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-Raisin Bran-
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Just sit
And let it.
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Yes, Mitt did win the 'sharing' last night but the MSM wants ole John and the Huck to go the distance. Of course, they will dump them in Nov. to support the CHANGE naif, Obama. The GOP seems hell bent on not giving Rudy a shot at actually winning the race since he could pick up some Blue states while neither of the others could. Well, maybe Mitt could if the BASE didn't seem to distrust him too. Since Reagan is dead and the GOP still thinks that one of these guys must be like him, the mob may very well take the inexperienced guy over a guy who will actually protect our borders, defeat the Islamofascists, and appoint Scalia-like jurists. Oh well, another generation of socialist pacifism led by the Dems and my grandkids will be living in a Third World nation.

Glenn,

I agree with you that Giuliani could pick up some significant blue states, most notably, New Jersey. I'm concerned, however, that his socially liberal stances could cost him a few red ones. I've grown to support Huckabee on the contention that he would play very strongly in moderately liberal states such as Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin and STILL retain the south.

Romney is not likable because he is arrogant. At the very least I hope he is nice to his wife. I think it was on CNN the reporters commented that the other candidates "do not like Romney". I don't think it is because they see him as competition, I think they have seen him for what he is.