TIME: Grading the GOP debate (Fred Thompson earns a C+)

Grading the Republican Debate

Rudy Giuliani
Grade: A-

Stood toe-to-toe with Mitt Romney on fights over taxes and spending in the debate's hottest moment, and seemed to get the best of the exchange. Pounded the tax cutting theme. Went after Hillary Clinton (again). Talked about the Yankees (again). Closed strong (again). As we always say, every single day he survives on top, he grows stronger and gets closer to the nomination.

Mitt Romney
Grade: B+

Frequent references to Michigan — where he grew up and where the debate was held — were clever and well received in the hall. Failed to take down Giuliani on the line-item veto or anything else, but was comfortable and fluid discussing trade and economic growth. Stumbled a bit over presidential prerogatives on going to war, but smartly shifted to bashing Iran. Still appears challenged on humor and feel-your-pain connection — too much robotic 0's-and-1's rhetoric, although his rehearsed dig at Fred "Law & Order" Thompson's late entrance into the race was by acclamation the line of the night.

John McCain
Grade: B

Peppery on signature issue of spending cuts, salty on Iraq and Rumsfeld, but bland over all — he didn't dominate as in the last debate. More goosey than loosey (that is to say, he was spirited, but a little stiff). Because of poor acoustics, he requested that several questions be repeated, drawing unwelcome — and unfair — attention to the age issue. Proud, impatient, and looking forward to January.

Fred Thompson
Grade: C+

Initial breaking voice and long pauses in early answers eventually smoothed out. Seemed a bit uncertain, and appeared to rely more on crammed notes and stock phrases than his famous confidence and big brain. As he got his sea legs, did a good job of talking about serious economic issues in his folksy, semi-populist manner, and he aced a pop quiz at the end by knowing the name of the prime minister of Canada (even if it appeared he had to think hard about it). Off-camera, his campaign demonstrated a heretofore-unseen ferocious mode in sending out opposition research on Giuliani and Romney. As for the candidate: Adequate for his first time out, given the pressure, but no great shakes....

(NOTE: The remaining candidates and their grades are Huckabee, C; Paul, C; Brownback, C; Tancredo, C-; Hunter, F.)

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/0,28757,1669812,00.html

:puke: :puke:

Totally obliviously to the American economic condition.

"Off-camera, his campaign demonstrated a heretofore-unseen ferocious mode in sending out opposition research on Giuliani and Romney. As for the candidate: Adequate for his first time out, given the pressure, but no great shakes...."


I despise Giuliani but if Thompson messes with him Rudy will "cut his balls off"


In a street fight my money's on the guy from Brooklyn, New York over the guy from Sheffield, Alabama...

Would have received a higher grade (D-) if he'd stayed home.

"Show of hands: who thinks the Honorable Congressman Duncan Hunter of California is positioned to be the next President of the United States, and who thinks that every minute he speaks he is taking time away from candidates with a real chance to win? The fat lady has been back in her dressing room, taking off her make-up, for several weeks."

I'm in Australia and I know who the Prime Minister of Canada is. Have we come to expect so little of the candidates for the Presidency of the United States that it's a big deal when they know who the leader of their chief ally, resting right above them, is? What a disgrace.

coming soon - who would you want to have a beer with poll

forget bubba-vote, soccer-moms and nascar-dads - this time it's the BEER-BELLY VOTE!