Okay, the Opening Day equivalent of the race for the Republican nomination has come and gone. You want to know how everyone did. I have the answers.
THE TOP TIER:
1) Mitt Romney – Romney was clearly the class of the field. I know, I’m biased, blah, blah, blah. But if you saw the debate, believe your own eyes. Romney has a command of the facts and an effective delivery that must be the envy of the field. As America gets to know him in forums like this (not that I’m hoping there will be other forums precisely like this hideous one – perish that thought), the country will come to understand why Romney has generated such excitement among insiders and people who know him.
2) John McCain – The debate was at the Reagan Library, so the natural inclination was to try to channel the Happy Warrior ethos that defined the Gipper. I think the memo to McCain somehow got garbled, and McCain thought he was supposed to be a Cranky Warrior. What was with all the finger jabbing? I don’t think McCain did well for himself, obviously overdoing the “I’m a vigorous guy even though I’m ancient” thing.
3) Rudy Giuliani – It was a rough night for Rudy. The comic highlight of the evening came when Rudy struggled to explain the difference between Sunnis and Shiites. This was honestly a terrible moment for America’s Mayor. Rudy’s whole appeal is based on his confidence and surefootedness. Seeing him look so clumsy may have done some serious damage to his image. A quick hint for next time, Rudy – mention the 12th Imam. Oh, and as regards Roe v. Wade, you might want to have a more clearly articulated position. For those of us who would like some reassurance that Rudy would appoint strict constructionists judges, this was a huge missed opportunity.
THE WANNABES:
4) Duncan Hunter – I like Hunter. He’s very authoritative and knows his stuff. He doesn’t have a prayer of being president, but I wouldn’t mind him on the ticket. Other than Romney, he was the most impressive guy on the stage tonight.
5) Sam Brownback – Sam Brownback may be a wonderful man and Lord knows we agree on a lot of issues, but as a presidential politician he is the very personification of lacklusterness.
6) Mike Huckabee – I look at this guy and wonder where he ever got the notion that he should be president. Even more than the Cranks (see below), his presence on the stage bothered me. Does this guy have anything interesting or original to say? Has he ever?
7) Some Guy Named Gilmour (sp.?) – What a wonderfully generic politician. It’s like someone brought Lamar Alexander back to life. Gilmohr obviously didn’t break through, but he definitely won the Lamar Alexander Memorial Award for Most References to One’s Resume. (Wait, Alexander’s still alive and in the Senate? Why doesn’t anyone tell me these things?!)
8) Tommy Thompson – Blech! He certainly squirmed when called on his Mormon baiting. I wish someone asked him about the time a couple of weeks ago he saluted the Jewish ability for making money.
THE CRANKS:
9) Tom Tancredo – Tancredo looked surprisingly uncomfortable. It was like he couldn’t believe he was actually in a presidential debate. But really, what does it matter? It’s not like there’s any kind of chance that Tom Tancredo will be the 44th president.
10) Ron Paul – At least he adds a certain “eccentric Uncle” quality to the proceedings. If this were “Survivor” or “American Idol” and we kicked off a contestant each week, I would keep Paul around long after I gave Huckabee and Gilmoar the boot.
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