I didn’t know tonight would end with me watching video of President Obama singing Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’. But it did. Watch here.
I think Newt Gingrich did very well tonight. I think he knows it. He’s right. I’ve heard a number of people say that Rick Santorum had a really strong debate too and even that he ‘won’ the debate. Indeed, Santorum was basically more on his game than I think I’ve ever heard him. He had a really good debate. I think Newt did better. But here’s the key: Gingrich is in a position to capitalize in a big way on a strong debate performance. I don’t think Santorum is. So it all comes down to a very strong performance by Newt — one I think will likely clinch a win for him on Saturday night, notwithstanding the tell-all interview coming later tonight. Read More
9:02 PM: That was such a bad answer for Romney. Basically, Heck, I’m not going to release them now because then Obama’s going to totally go town on me.
9:04 PM: God, when did John King become an Aztec priest doing human ritual sacrifice. Live on TV.
9:05 PM: I feel like I need to read the transcript of what Mitt just said about his taxes but I think I’m going to need to get stoned first.
9:27 PM: I’m sort of amazed how on Gingrich has been in this debate. He’s made Romney look like a bystander. Except in the portion where Romney dominated the stage with his epic tax return release meltdown.
Here’s video of Newt’s opening fusillade which I think probably won him the debate. Worth watching it again.
8:54 PM: I gotta say Newt is more on his game tonight than maybe I’ve ever seen him. Undeniable. And then after I say that, Santorum comes out of an amazing retort. I mean, house banking scandal? Haven’t heard about that in like 20 years. They’re both on fire. Romney’s like a bystander.
8:57 PM: Did Mitt just have a Rick Perry moment there?
A quick read on where we are so far.
I think Newt basically won this debate and maybe the primary with the opening fusilade against John King about the Marianne tell-all interview. Shameless, hubris, chutzpah, whatever. It was pitch perfect for his intended audience. He took control of the debate and drew down all the tension about when the debate would turn to the open marriage stuff.
A short time later his campaign released his tax returns. Another little ambush set there for Newt.
Mitt’s done fine. But he’s felt like a bystander so far to me in this debate. That’s fine when he’s ahead. But he needs to shake things up, upset Newt’s momentum. And he hasn’t. Not even close.
8:06 PM: We’ll have moment by moment debate updates and video clips here.
8:07 PM: Smart of Santorum to stamp the word “victory” about Iowa. It really gets under Mitt’s skin.
8:09 PM: Standing O suggests more support for open marriage in South Carolina than I’d imagined.
8:10 PM: For Newt’s intended audience, he nailed this answer. Shameless. But bullseye. Classic Newt. Enemy is the media, the MSM.
8:18 PM: Listening to Romney right now. He doesn’t have the tenor for this debate. Newt’s set the tone which is fire-breathing and intense. That’s not Mitt.
8:22 PM: Not that he’s not trying: “Shove it down [Obama’s] throat”? Really? It ain’t him. “I know we’re going to get it hard from president obama but we’ll stuff it down his throat and find out it is capitalism and freedom that makes america strong.”
8:30 PM: Such a weak field they’re making Newt look brilliant.
8:31 PM: Here’s why it won’t be nearly as easy as Mitt claims to get rid of “Obamacare”. Really good piece. Give it a read.
8:36 PM: Santorum’s sort of attacking Newt too on personal mandates. But it kind of doesn’t matter. This hurts Mitt a lot more. Gingrich is off doing something else. This doesn’t let Mitt regroup and go on the offensive.
8:43 PM: Wow. Ron Paul thinks no one had trouble getting health care treatment in the early 60s before Medicare/Medicaid.