Reagan Library debate wrap

Ohio, IL

Here's my brief summation of tonight's Republican presidential candidate at the Reagan Presidential Library.

Perry was the winner, mainly because he didn't make any gaffes--no one did--and he answered some tough questions. He refused to back down from calling Social Security a "Ponzi scheme." However, if he wins the GOP nomination, he just wrote his own attack ad and supplied the video. Granny-scaring is what the Dems do best. The other top-tier candidate, Mitt Romney, was well-spoken and on top of the issues, as he always is.

Michele Bachmann: Held her own but didn't gain ground. But she needed to move up tonight.

Rick Santorum: Inspired, articulate, and passionate. He won't be going away.

Jon Huntsman: I like his jobs plan, but he muffed the global warming question.

Newt Gingrich: The best performance tonight. But I fear he has dug himself to big a hole for him to even contend for the nomination.

Ron Paul: I'm not a supporter, but he stood firm with his Libertarian beliefs.

Herman Cain: What happened? The biggest washout tonight. He came across unsure, and his 9-9-9 program sounds like he's marketing toothpaste, but he's selling it without confidence.

As for the questions from the moderators, NBC's Brian Williams and Politico's Jonathan Martin, I have this to say: Man, do I miss Tim Russert. And why do you think a question about evolution is relevant?

Related posts:

Report from Tampico, Illinois on Reagan's 100th birthday
Reagan centennial: Tampico's churches
Reagan centennial: Ronald Reagan Park in Tampico, IL
Marathon Pundit's Ronald Reagan Trail

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