The morning after, assesments of the debate are all over the map, but we must concur with David Yepsen's straight-on view:
"John McCain was his old self in Thursday night’s Republican presidential debate: Feisty, pointed and a straight-talker who wasn’t afraid to tell Republican activists things they didn’t want to hear. It made him the big winner of the night."
McCain also looked vigorous, energetic and confident -- which had been lacking on the campaign trail. He even smiled throughout much of the debate, a small thing but a big thing.
It's surprising to see how many thought Mitt Romney did well. Frankly, he appeared plastic and Ken Doll-like, and had a lightweight aura about him.
Rudy Giuliani leaves worse off than when he arrived -- mostly because he was forced to spend so much time answering abortion questions and twisting around in the wind on this contentious defensive issue for him. And Judi Nathan is downright odd -- preening about, and it seems as though she's auditioning for First Lady.
Jim Gilmore was the big second tier winner -- his message of being a consistent conservative got through the clutter of a very difficult format, and he had an earnest, pleasant, professional demeanor. Gilmore's stint at the RNC provides him with a level of comfort performing in these cattle shows, and he understands message delivery.
Big loser? tough to say. Probably none of them.
Big winners? McCain and Gilmore.
