Hugh Weighs in on the Debate

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Hugh already laid out his thoughts:

But it was the series of questions directed at Romney 70 minutes into the debate --on his personal spending and on the Mormon issue-- that allowed Romney to dominated a long stretch without a stumble and to display his passion and convictions, as well as to again confront the Mormon issue in a very persuasive fashion.

This was an intense stretch. Yet, Mitt was solid.

Romney's slam of "General Hillary Clinton" and subsequent attacks on Hillary's "old Europe" beliefs was a memorable and effective display of the sort of energy and tactics the GOP candidate must make every day for the next eight months. Romney and Giuliani both displayed the ability to take on both Clintons as well as a command of every issue that came their way. Romney's question to Rudy about China was a superb use of the moment to underscore the complexity of the issue and to display a graciousness and seriousness that was attractive, one that was also effectively noted by Rudy. I was less impressed with McCain's softball about the fair tax to Huck, and Huck's Second Amendment "gotcha" attempt to Romney. Rudy's question on the National Cat Fund was another excellent question and helped both Romney and Rudy with Florida voters.

If Rudy can gain on McCain, that'll only help Mitt!

The debate demonstrated that with November in mind, the GOP would be extraordinarily well served by either Romney or Giuliani at the top of the ticket, and made Huck a very tempting choice for Veep given his abilities to communicate.

I didn't think Rudy or Huck did so well. That's just my opinion.

But Romney won the night, and perhaps the nomination as well.