important GOP presidential debate is in the books and there seems to be close to consensus about who came off properly (Michele Bachmann) and who did not (Tim Pawlenty). On Monday, we posed ten concerns that we hoped the debate would answer. For the most aspect, they have been. Here's a look in the outcomes:
1. Can Mitt Romney explain away Romneycare?
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In possibly the debate's largest surprise, Romney did not genuinely must. If this debate is remembered in any way, it's going to be the Sergio Leone-tinged episode when Tim Pawlenty was directly challenged to slam Romney working with the sobriquet "Obamneycare" and backed down. All that was missing was the close-up on Pawlenty's nervous eyes.
Romney then supplied his now-standard response that the program worked for his state and not for America--and basically got a free of charge pass from then on.
Romney's association together with the Democratic healthcare bill will come up again--and again--but a sizable opportunity was missed clean.
Pictures: Possible 2012 GOP candidates
two. Can Tim Pawlenty quicken anyone’s pulse?
Nicely, he did, but not in the way the former Minnesota governor needed. You may make the argument that no one came out worse Monday evening than the man they call "T-Paw." On Twitter, comparisons have been produced to LeBron James wilting inside the NBA Finals, for heaven's sake.
The bottom line: Pawlenty was given a probability to dent his biggest rival and in the exact same time define himself as a fierce competitor inside the course of action. To borrow language from the just-completed playoffs, it was an Alpha Dog moment.
Pawlenty seemed off his game the whole night. Just after Romney pandered towards the crowd by announcing the score in the Stanley Cup game, Pawlenty tried the identical tactic later. Romney, a new Englander, could only barely get away with one thing so shameless; Pawlenty, a hockey fan, had no this kind of luck.
Can he recover? Naturally. It really is early. But Pawlenty, who has had difficulty finding traction in national polls, has been counting on the goodwill of advocates inside the Beltway and elsewhere to assist propel his campaign. If a few of these backers start off jumping ship, then the climb grows that a lot steeper.
3. Can Michele Bachmann appear presidential?
Bachmann surprised all of us by suddenly declaring her candidacy for the White Property inside the early minutes of the debate, but in retrospect, it looks like a canny move. In an evening that provided small with regards to drama, Bachmann's largely symbolic announcement became important news.
The Minnesota congresswoman's overall performance general came as no surprise to those who have observed her win above crowds at conservative events. And when she still came off as perhaps less than polished at instances, her power compensated. Most critically, she displayed an ability to weave individual narrative (raised inside a broken residence, mother to foster kids) with policy pronouncements (unapologetically anti-abortion). And while she has been inside the Property of Representatives for only 4 years, she telegraphed her knowledge like a veteran, specifically in answering a question regarding the Libyan conflict.
Fair or not, Bachmann, pretty much overnight, will now be viewed as a critical threat to win the Iowa caucuses. Her profile is blossoming--and at this stage with the game, buzz may well be the single finest currency to have.
four. Can Newt Gingrich rise from the dead?
Effectively, he was there. The former House speaker, reeling from the defection of essential aides, pressed onward. Gingrich was in complete Professor Newt mode, at one particular point interrupting Pawlenty and browbeating/lecturing moderator John King about his position on the space program. Gingrich can be a sensible man who cannot aid notifying every person within the space of that fact--something that inside a debate format can come off as pedantic.
Gingrich again tried to explain away his criticism in the Paul Ryan Medicare strategy as well as the outcome was but a further iteration from the now-infamous "Meet the Press" interview, a single where Gingrich now says he was quoted "out of context." (That created eye rolls.) But nearly within the identical breath, he repeated his original assertion that House leaders had been reckless in moving forward with all the Ryan strategy as quickly because it did, a fair point that runs counter towards the present GOP orthodoxy.
If Gingrich includes a track to hew within the race as it moves forward, it might well be obtaining the courage to become the candidate inside the room who breaks with an establishment that, for all intents and purposes, has abandoned him currently.
five. Can Ron Paul look like something far more than a fringe candidate?
If there is a word to describe the Texas libertarian Monday night, it had been, very well, cranky. Paul had a cantankerous answer for pretty much each question place to him, from America's military involvement overseas (he's against it) to the government's role in certifying legal marriage (he's against it).
Paul was who he is. He is not going to transform. And he showed but once again that he is not going to varnish his brand of truth-telling inside a bid to chase supporters. If he is to carry out well in primaries, the voters may have to come to him, not the other way about.
six. CanRick Santorum get noticed?
The ex-Pennsylvania senator largely avoided employing his brand of razor-wired rhetoric--except for contending that the president has "turned his back on American allies and he has embraced our enemies"--in favor of a warmer method constructed close to conservative values and national exceptionalism. But in the end with the day, it did not appear to generate considerably difference. And the boyish-looking Santorum came off as edgy, as under relaxed, specifically when moderator King asked him no matter if he favored Jay Leno or Conan O'Brien. "I don't watch either," he stammered.
Like Pawlenty, he was offered a chance to slam Romney and punted. King brought up a treasured Santorum subject, abortion, and asked no matter if Romney had flip-flopped on the subject. Santorum supplied a discursive on a candidate's "authenticity" but avoided invoking Romney straight.
7. Is Hermanentum for genuine?
Those expecting an electrifying overall performance from the former conservative talk-radio host came away disappointed. Herman Cain looked ill at ease and unprepared and--as frequently could be the situation with fringe candidates--came off as smaller than the event. At times he seemed out of his element, especially when asked about foreign affairs, mixing homespun wisdom with fact-based assertions in a manner that came out, at times, incoherent.
Asked concerning the U.S. role in Libya, as an example, Cain responded: "If it really is not within the crucial interest of America, to paraphrase my grandmother, together with the situation in Libya and several of those other situations, they are not very simple scenarios. It's a mess. It's just an absolute mess."
Really should Bachmann surge in conservative circles, a single significant loser could be the ex-Godfather's Pizza chief executive's outsider candidacy.
8. Will Jon Huntsman see an opening?
The former Utah governor's camp could have viewed the evening two different techniques: Either the debate illustrated just how hard it is going to be for any candidate to displace the polished Romney as the front-runner, or it uncovered a space, possibly someplace in among Romney and Bachmann, where a new face could alter the dynamic.
Here's suggesting that they'll see it as the latter--and that if Huntsman had any doubts about finding in just before Monday, several of them have been erased.
9. Will any individual else?
See previous question. Are Rick Perry's boots made for running? We could find out quickly.
10. Will Sarah Palin be there in spirit?
The doable candidate was talked about only as soon as, in a softball question to Pawlenty about whether or not she made a superior vice presidential pick than Joe Biden. Pawlenty had little to shed in praising Palin in that context. But if Palin is contemplating jumping within the race, Bachmann's efficiency Monday may have to offer her some pause.
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