The Last Word

Ron Paul gets the last word in the debate.

Why can't anyone get the name of Oakland's mascot right?  It's Golden Grizzlies, not just Grizzlies.

All told, not that much elucidation.  Here's my take on their performances (in stage order, from left to right):

Santorum:  He does well on every question.  They just won't ask him enough of them.  If he was in the middle of the stage and got 10 questions, the dynamics of this race would change instantly.

Bachmann:  Can't seem to find her voice.  She's got the facts and her instincts are good, but she needs polish.  Example:  "The Chinese army is the number one employer of the world," when she really means, "The Chinese army is the largest employer in the world."

Gingrich:  Helped himself tonight, although he needs to stop looking for opportunities to pick fights with the moderators.  He is the most knowledgeable, and he will be more formidable if he can stay in the race long enough to be one of the last 2 or 3 or 4 standing.

Romney:  Had the most questions, handled them well, no major gaffes.  Another plus night for Mitt.

Cain:  He did okay, but he is starting to sound like a broken record.  He relates everything to his 9-9-9 plan and doesn't stretch out beyond it.  We may look back at this night as the night when Cain's candidacy began to recede.

Perry:  Thanks for playing, Governor, we have some lovely parting gifts for you.  We could overlook an uneven performance if it varies within a fairly high range.  Perry fluctuated significantly; at times he was good and seemed to hit his stride, only to falter again.  Then, that enormous gaffe when he couldn't remember the name of the third agency he wanted to get rid of.  For him to recover now would be nothing short of miraculous.

Paul -- The usual stuff.  I don't really see him gaining any traction.

Huntsman -- A thoroughly mediocre performance.  And again, what's with the one raised eyebrow all the time?  He alsways looks half-suprised.

Winners tonight:  Romney, Gingrich

No significant damage:  Santorum, Bachmann, Cain, Paul.

Time to pack it in:  Perry, Huntsman.

My final unofficial question count:

Santorum:  4
Bachmann:  6
Gingrich:  7
Romney:  14
Cain:  8
Perry:  7
Paul:  5
Huntsman:  6

The Debate Ahead

Tonight, eight Republican presidential candidates square off again for two hours of highly structured questions and answers.  This time, the debate takes place on the campus of Oakland University and will be televised by CNBC. 

What to expect?

At a correspondents breakfast this morning, debate moderators Maria Bartiromo and John Harwood forecast that the debate would center primarily around jobs and the economy.  The Michigan setting lends itself to that discussion, since the Enchanted Mitten is home to a reawakening automobile industry and a burgeoning renaissance of its own, courtesy of a Republican governor and Republican-controlled legislature.

Still, we won't escape more questions on the Herman Cain sexual harassment allegations.  Should this be a topic during this precious time?  Good question, but here's why I think these questions will get asked:

1.  This is television, it's about viewers and ratings.  The prurient element is a big ratings-getter.

2.  It's the topic of the day, especially with Cain's press conference yesterday.

3.  The moderators will want to see whether the other seven will rise to the occasion (sorry about that) and try to take advantage of Cain's misfortune.

4.  Voters are certainly interested in whether a candidate can handle a crisis, especially since Obama has demonstrated he cannot.  These unconfirmed allegations may not be worthy of much, it's hard to say, but this is a situation where a nonsubstantive issue bumps up against the need to discern character, composure, and integrity.

We'll see how it goes.

Debate me? Debate you!

As the result of some extraordinary oversight, your faithful Wizard has snagged a media credential and will be blogging the GOP debate tonight.  Stationed in the media center, I may have the opportunity to ask some of the candidates or their surrogates questions during the post-debate spin-o-rama.

Panelists at the Correspondents Breakfast

this morning in Rochester, MI.

Have a question you would like asked?  Post it in the comments on RightMichigan or on The Wizard of Laws, and I'll see what I can do.  Don't want your suggestion public?  Email me at thelegalwiz@gmail.com

Here's a few I won't be asking:

To  Michele Bachmann:  If you had your life to live over again, would you live it as a blonde?

Again to MB:  Have you ever been harassed by Herman Cain?

To Mitt Romney (from my son):  So, Mitt, Mormonism -- what's that all about?

To all:  Your hair -- gel or mousse?

To all:  When you were on Oakland University's campus and saw the deer, was your first thought (a) How sweet; (b) Look, it's Bambi; or (c) Mmmm, venison?

As you can see, I could use a little help, so let me hear from you!