9:04 PM … Mitt fields it a question that it’s challenge to pander on.
9:05 PM … I think I’d forgotten what a hypocrite McCain’s become on fiscal policy.
9:06 PM … Wondering why it’s taking so long for Russert to ask a preening question.
9:08 PM … Rudy seems oddly restrained for the last debate of his political life.
9:09 PM … Mystery quote? I can only imagine the glee in finding that Russert used a phony quote. But probably too much to hope for.
9:15 PM … Eerie lack of whackjob attacks. Actually, there was something a look weird about the intensity and amazement McCain expressed about the GOP losing a single election. That can still happen, right?
9:17 PM … Appreciate the vague whiff of contempt Ron Paul used in referring to Tim Russert.
9:19 PM … Rudy hijacks international finance question to relive his 9/11 nostalgia glory days. Brief segue for Japan bashing for no particular reason — about the Japanese who are now our best friends.
9:22 PM … Did you notice how McCain threw in an errant “Let me give you some Straight Talk” tag line when it didn’t seem connected to anything?
9:26 PM … In the context of phony presentations and the general ridiculousness of the Republican primaries, I think Mitt’s actually doing pretty well.
9:28 PM … I guess this local dude isn’t up to Russert’s stature so he has to stand out in the crowd to ask his questions.
