GOP debate: candidates more restrained in tackling Obama than Hillary

I am not a supporter of either candidate, so this is just an observation - take it as you will: the same nutjobs who "would send Hillary on Mars" were quite measured in answering "what if you'd have to run against Obama" last night.
The same people who thought they score points with their supporters by yelling stupid Hillary jokes every chance they got were not so sure - at least on TV - how to attack Obama. They all started their answer with the obligatory compliment "but" - then pimp themselves - typical politician reaction.
I am not saying underground racism wouldn't be tapped, but on the face of it they stayed civilized.
What say you?

That there is a portion of their own party who is interested in Obama.. and they don't want to ailienate those folks further by throwing him under the bus so early.

Plus, quite frankly very few people "HATE" Obama.. they may totally disagree with his policies, but the man comes across as quite genuine. So, that makes it very difficult to attack his character.

Hillary on the other hand is a VERY easy target. Hell.. 1/3 or more of OUR party doesn't like her.. so a Repub shooting bullets at her only gets them praise.

They were wisely playing to their audiance.. rallying them up, and playing safe at the same time. They need to do damage control early.. the party is splitting down 3 sides.. and doesn't want to lose more then neccessary to the Obama camp.

Go Obama 08!

if he is the Dem candidate. I imagine there'll be whisper campaigns - like the McCain's black baby Bush engineered in South Carolina...Plus the usual pable we already know from Faux - madrasa, Osama and some other...
Do not expect kid gloves from this bunch - no candidate should.

Except for experience (which can be solved by a good VP pick, IMO), there's no good angle of attack.

Do not underestimate these people.They made Bush into a war hero and Kerry a coward, they'll find something to attack Obama with - who says it has to be true?

a candidate. Bill Clinton had MUCH better political instincts. Obama will garner much more respect from the Pubs than Gore ever could.