Who Won Tonight's Debate?
We had a blast over on the Member Feed with a live discussion of the debate. I suspect some of the contributors may have been drinking.
But the 2-hour debate is over and the big question is: Who won?
I'm going to go ahead and say that Michele Bachmann could not have exceeded my expectations more. I know a bunch of people who have been telling me that she couldn't string three words together. And yet there she was with undeniable command.
And since she did well, I assume that means Mitt Romney is happy.
What did you think? We can all agree that CNN host John King was awful, right? There was only about 10-minutes' worth of discussion on all of the wars we're engaged in but multiple questions about extremely rare cases of abortion and other social issues.
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Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
What on earth gave you this impression?
And I agree with you about Bachmann. Loved her.
Sep '10
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
I was stone sober. Bachmann did well, though given the ludicrious format, I'm not sure exactly what that means.
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
Diane Ellis, Ed.
What on earth gave you this impression?
Perhaps it was the suspiciously vigorous Mr. Pibb vs. Dr Pepper discussion?
Aug '10
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
Well, stone something.
Hubby and I didn't watch the whole thing. A few minutes was painful enough.
I'd say the moderator won, except he's obviously a loser.
Oh, and Newt's hands are incredibly small.
Oct '10
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
I think the person who profited most from tonight was Paul Ryan, if he chooses to run. I was ready to be inspired by Bachman, but I was not.
Jul '10
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
Diane Ellis, Ed.
What on earth gave you this impression?
Perhaps it was the suspiciously vigorous Mr. Pibb vs. Dr Pepper discussion? · Jun 13 at 7:13pm
Darn it all Mollie. If we learned anything tonight, anything at all, wasn't it that they're all cokes?
I thought Bachmann did pretty well. But I think that Romney won by dodging a loss.
Others were better, but not dramatically better.
Sep '10
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
It wasn't just that John King was so bad, the entire format of audience questions drive me crazy. Who really picks those questions? And why in the world, in a GOP debate, was so much time spent on abortion? Do we really need to beat that dead horse every 4 years?
I haven't paid much attention to Bachmann, but tonight I was impressed. As someone having a little hope in Pawlenty, I was disappointed. And Romney, well, he was Romney. Had some solid answers, but there were some where he was just too political - trying too hard to please everyone instead of speaking from principle.
Ron Paul needs to stay in all the debates (even after the primary) just for the comedic effect. He's the GOP's favorite crazy uncle, the one who every once in a while makes sense, but the rest of the time is borderline nuts.
Cain went backwards tonight. I'd like to see a breakdown, but it just didn't seem like he had as many opportunities tonight. And those he had, he underwhelmed. It's too bad, because I really like the guy.
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
I'm asking around (family members, et. al) and everyone seems to say that they think everyone won (give or take a couple). The general GOP voter seems to think the field is good.
May '10
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
Troy Senik won the debate. He was able to take down all the other members with slanted headlines, leaving himself as the last man standing.
May '10
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
Romney won; Bachmann benefited most. TPaw? Wilted (not that I dont like him!)
May '11
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
The thirty second format for answers made it almost unwatchable. I don't think many who have been paying attention thus far in the campaign will think that any of the candidates established a position of a legitimate front runner. Even Ron Paul seemed fairly reasonable and statesman like to me tonight. I am not sure that the Republican nominee will emerge from this particular group, but I would vote for any of them.
Sep '10
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
Well, stone something.
Hubby and I didn't watch the whole thing. A few minutes was painful enough.
I'd say the moderator won, except he's obviously a loser.
Oh, and Newt's hands are incredibly small. · Jun 13 at 7:17pm
You're just a tad envious that I worked "Raving Papist" into the conversation which I try to do at least once in every live chat, regardless of topic. And the Amish Inquisition.
Jul '10
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
Santorum looked good, but has no chance. Bachmann is a smarter Palin. Romney's hair isn't perfect anymore and it looks like he's wearing suits off the rack this time instead of those $3500 jobs. Pawlenty will grow on us. Ron Paul looked like he just broke free of his restraints in the attic. Cain's a smart guy but too honest for his own good. Give him time. Newt was the best talker, always has been. John King is a strutting posterior, worse even than Blitz.
Dec '10
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
I missed the Member Feed, as I was busy drinking.
My game was, everytime Romney turned a question around to a series of centrist talking points for open-primary states, I had to chug an entire beer. I just woke up, covered in moths attracted to the light from the computer screen and dogs, lapping up spilled beer.
Cain lost, because he had had some momentum, but lapsed into old standby cliches from his radio show. I don't think he has looked at the City of Galveston pension program numbers in years, nor those from Chile. They might deserve a look, old friend.
Gingrich was fun, because he took pains to agree with, then expand on others points.
Santorum sucked swamp water.
Pawlenty and Bachman had plenty of good and mostly the same competence and earnestness.
Paul was just predictably firing in all directions and, had the debate gone on longer, would have told us he used to carry an onion from his belt.
In my opinion, Bachman won, barely. It was clunky and overplayed, but she stood out.
King lost, by not turning his microphone off. He grunted and hmphed at every utterance like this.
Dec '10
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
Nobody scored a big hit. Romney didn't stumble, Bachmann looked good, even Cain got in a few good lines. Newt gave some good answers but didn't stand out, Ron Paul only went overboard a few times, and T-Paw and Santorum didn't stand out even from each other.
Aug '10
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
Pseudodionysius
You're just a tad envious that I worked "Raving Papist" into the conversation which I try to do at least once in every live chat, regardless of topic. And the Amish Inquisition. · Jun 13 at 7:40pm
Well, more like a tad envious of those who were with the live chat from the get-go. I only found out about the live chat after hubby and I had turned off the TV in disgust -- at least the opportunity to make snide remarks would've made it more bearable.
Basically, that's why I think John King won.
May '10
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
Yawn. I'd say no one won, no one really lost. They all had some good moments, but none really stood out. I got the impression that there was a gentleman's agreement before the event to focus on attacking Obama and ignore each other. Every time a candidate was set up to attack another they dodged the opportunity. What's the point of having these 'voters' ask questions when the candidates never even answer them?
Jan '11
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
Palin was the gray eminence in the debate. The difference I see between Bachmann and Palin, is that Bachmann is a more-or-less polished politician while Palin comes across as a citizen in politics. Regrettably, Palin also comes across to some folks as "not as smart as..." Not as polished, maybe, but her emails have shown her to be unambiguously honest, engaged, and an able fighter for her cause. She's done well for her state under difficult circumstances, and after living with the disasters of polished politicians, I'm ready to give Palin a chance.
Apr '11
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
King asks all the social questions during the debate. Then Gergen concludes on Anderson Cooper that the candidates all did well for their base, but asks how they'll play with independents. They're all so conservative you know! What a joke. CNN did this not to help GOP voters make an informed decision, but to deride these candidates to everyone else.
Aug '10
Re: Who Won Tonight's Debate?
I thought T-Paw looked great. Bachman did exceed my expectations. Everyone looked ok to me except for Cain. I thought he looked really terrible in his answer re Muslims in his administration.