I watched the debate last night - it is Romney no doubt

[underpants]

Romney did very well even explaining his inconsistency to the GOP crowd. He is clearly the front runner. Christie endorsing him not only sews it up but it shows who the establishment wants.

Perry might as well have not been there. He disappeared into his suit.

Cain said something about a 9-9-9 plan :eyes: but his real role is to give them some cover on race but more importantly to take the wind out of Perry's sails so that Romney can trounce him, Cain, in the primaries. This has been obvious for a while. Even Rush got that clue yesterday. Cain has little money and no operation. Romney has both in.... he has a lot of both.

Bachmann simply refuses to look into the camera. This must be a strategy because screenshots of her dead into the camera would be frightening. She has no idea what she is talking about and you simply can't sell anything not making eye contact with the buyer.

Santorum actually did well. He tried to connect with the audience and raised his voice to make the most of out the little time he got. Still, there was no reason for him to be there. Newt either, he played the "wise old owl" role by utterly generalities like a stoned freshman talking to upperclass seminary students.

Ron Paul was treated like the doddering old weird uncle. I don't agree with him much but it is nice to hear something other than stale politi-speech. They ignored him out of the race months ago.

Charlie Rose clearly tried to make it between Romeney-Cain-Perry. Perry looked like Romney's younger brother bending around Cain to see what Mitt had to say and having almost no actual response. Perry and Romney will throw other people's money at each other for a while but Romney will get the nomination....IF the deep south protestants can be brought into line which they probably will.

Once again the only person on that stage who has any real chance of beating Obama is Huntsman. The problem for him is that he isn't whacked loony for Fox News and if Romney does get the nomination a two headed Mormon attack is out of the question.

[Sherman A1]

1. Agreed

Most of them are really running for a number 2 slot.

[Syrinx]

2. I think Romney can beat Obama

As could Huntsman. As could Perry. Maybe Gingrich.

Cain, Bachmann, Santorum, Paul, not so much.

But I still think Romney is the favorite to win the nomination.

So-called Evangelicals will not be thrilled with voting for a Mormon, but they will come out in droves to vote for him against Obama.

[underpants]

5. ..skipping to the last point - IF Romney can win the primaries

I think the holiday season is going to be key for him to sell himself to the protestants and rightwing Catholics. I imagine he will host a 70's-ish Holiday special complete with a red sweater, a roaring fire, and his wife sitting on the arm of his chair.

[Syrinx]

9. that would be awesome

I hope he smokes a pipe. Paul Shaffer and I will certainly set our dvr's. :)

[SpiralHawk]

11. "Jingle Hells, Jingle Hells, Jingle all the WAY (R)." - Mitty (R - Central Casting)

[elocs]

14. The actual religiously conservative will NOT vote for a Mormon.

They won't vote for Obama either, but Republicans need each and every one of their votes.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

15. The Only Pugs,IMHO, Who Can Beat Obama Are Huntsman And Romney

The others could be easily demonized.

[the other one]

3. And Huckabee will be his running mate

Throw a bone to the TPers

[underpants]

7. That is a very good pick

Romney would have to take a governor or ex-governor (no not her) as a running mate. They can't spare a drone in the Senate (Thune). Of course there could be someone else out there who those in the inner workings of the party want.

[Vinca]

4. I think Romney will split the party which is good for Obama.

The evangelical cult won't vote for him and I wouldn't put it past the baggers to run an Indie candidate.

[Syrinx]

6. maybe I'm in the minority on this...

But I think the evangelicals will vote in massive turnouts for the guy with the magic underwear against the n-word man.

[Cosmocat]

8. The evil liberal

trumps all, and is the joining factor with the entire republican coalition.

They hate Obama to no end, and have something to vote AGAINST, which will be stronger than anything else.

I might have been wrong about Perry, but part of it was HOPING it was Perry vs Romney.

Romney is the toughest go here.

[Gman]

10. Romney always has been the one to beat and the biggest threat to Obama

When all was to be said and done

[JBoy]

12. Thanks for the recap!

I think Perry will get re-energized a bit once some of the other whackos drop out. I'm hoping he stays in long enough to keep dragging Romney to the right.

[Whisp]

13. *applause.

That was a great read, thanks :D

and I agree.

[jefferson_dem]

16. They all suck.

But Romney is truly head and shoulders above the other freaks.

Let's hope the GOP is as stupid as we think ... and choose someone else.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

17. At the moment I agree

He has turned in some strong debate performances from the limited amount I have cared to expose myself to and he is picking up endorsements, which is a sign that the "establishment" is starting to coalesce around him. I suppose that, aside from Huntsman, he has a fairly decent chance against President Obama but the issue of "Obamacare" will largely be off the table unless he's able to figure out some clever way to disassociate Romneycare from it. His one glaring weakness that I hope that Team Obama exploits is that, like with McCain, nobody really knows where he stands on the issues because he's had so many stands on so many issues. I would think that that the fact that he once tried to run to the LEFT of TED KENNEDY in a Senate race on the issues of abortion and gay rights would make even the teabaggers a little hesitant (if the mormonism doesn't first). :shrug: