Tonight was a really fun debate to watch. It was well paced, energetic, and structured. It may have been one of the best debates yet. The candidates were not hurling assaults at one another, unless you count that killer assault by Fred Thompson on Mike Huckabee which was absolutely hilarious. Overall I think that this should help SC voters decide which way they should vote if they are still undecided this late in the process. Most SC voters seem to be favoring Mike Huckabee with recent polls showing him leading in the state. Now for the debate wrap up.

Huckabee - He pretty was exposed even further tonight. He was not able to rebut the points made by Fred. He just seems to be getting weaker, although he has one strong point, he supports the FairTax. He took a major hit during the Fred Thompson rip on him. He was a bit arrogant with the religion is off limits unless the questions are directed to him.
What about the months of attacks on Mitt Romney about his faith?

Rudy - He kind of kept the status quo. He is not focusing on SC so that really takes care of that. Although he was stronger here than in the two debates in NH.

Mitt Romney - Romney came off strong (I think he is the strongest candidate just look around this post) He has a proven record to lead this country out of the economic turmoil that could be ahead.

Ron Paul - He had a good night. He just has to realize that his ideas are fantastic....if it were 1800. He just doesn't realize that we live in a world that require an assertive foreign policy. Good showing tonight, he just is not electable.

John McCain - He had a good night also. He was able to show his foreign policy expertise. That is a big plus for him.

Fred Thompson - He made by far the best showing of his campaign. He has put all his eggs in one basket (SC) and it was obvious tonight. The unrelenting list of facts he used against Mike Huckabee was another method of trying to mobilize SC. Huckabee is the front runner in SC and Fred is out to dethrone him. The only question is whether there is enough time left.

Winner : Fred Thompson - Best showing yet.
2. (tie) Mitt Romney - Came off strong as usual.
2. (tie) John McCain - Was able to focus on his foreign policy.
4. Rudy - Same old Rudy
5. Huckabee - See above on why he is so low.
6. Ron Paul - Just a random thought...Why are you still here? Isn't it time to gear up your independent run?

All and all it was a good night.

That is all.

Tonight's GOP debate has been less aggressive than last night. Gov. Romney has obviously decided that he has to be on the offensive tonight to avoid another fiasco like last night. I think that Senator McCain has decided to tone it down also. I hope they realize that throwing around insults and rhetoric like last night did nothing but harm to the party and the process. Romney is the only one that has gotten under the skin of Mike Huckabee it seems.

Mitt Romney - Obviously on the attack. He has made a lot of good points. He put over his leadership and that he knows how to deal with the economic woes of the country. He may have been hurt by the running of his attack ads. It was a nice job declaring the difference between attack ads and giving the facts. Nice touch on the flip-flopping tag. He truly understands the problems we face and I believe he is the one that knows how to fix them.

Fred Thompson - He was there. That's all I really got to say.

Rudy Guiliani - He seemed kind of non-significant. I understand that he is not a major factor in NH so maybe that is why he is kind of irrelevant. He did do a good job of getting his message across.

Mike Huckabee - It was a nice touch trying to stay out of the attack ad discussion. He said that he took the high road here and he did. I think he came off as a bit weak on...well everything.

John McCain - He still doesn't understand the difference between his amnesty plan and actual immigration reform. One more time: IF THEY GET TO CONTINUE THEIR ILLEGAL ACTIVITY (STAY) THAT IS AMNESTY!!! If nothing else he achieved his plan of not making a mistake.

The focus group at the end may be a preview of Tuesday's primary. The focus group overwhelmingly pro-Romney. I think that the debate played out as follows:
1. Mitt Romney
2. John McCain
3. Rudy
4. Mike Huckabee
5.Fred Thompson

Also, I think that the NH primary results will be in the same order with possible flip of Rudy and Huckabee.

That is all.