GOP hopefuls target Obama at first big debate "For two hours, GOP hopefuls vied to introduce themselves to voters, break out of the pack and score points in a kinetic forum that careened from one topic to another. There were relatively few differences on issues and limited shots at one another as the candidates joined in bashing the Obama administration."
Expect this: Thin-skinned Mr. Obama will chafe at any criticisms and schedule a follow-up lecture in front of smiling admirers in some big room. There he will rebut any points made against him with sarcasm and phrases like, "think about it" and "let me be clear", along with his other Obamisms. Look for this to happen after any attacks on him by candidates and consider the logistics of planning security, aircraft and travel arrangements for his entourage so he can make these appearances.
The strong conservative field solidifies. "King also failed when he insisted the candidates engage in a lengthy discussion of same sex marriage and how each of the candidates would deal with the repeal of the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy." ....
"Indeed, raising the issue in a GOP debate only makes sense if the objective is to derail a campaign or produce a “Gotcha” moment, hardly the job of a non-partisan, neutral moderator. In fact, it makes about as much sense as asking candidates in a Democratic presidential debate to discuss their position on abortion."
As usual, Republicans will be grilled as suspects by liberals in the press, so they can get attaboys from fellow libs at their cocktail parties. This headline will tell you all you need to know about those who will be interviewing Republicans.
"Yeah, “wingnut” is such an objective, descriptive term, isn’t it? It’s not incendiary in the least."
Who was the night’s biggest winner? "Frankly, none of them turned in an inspiring or inspired performance, although all of them did at least a competent job. I spent two hours looking for a breakout candidate or a charismatic performance that would stand out and frame the rest of the primary race."
Ed Morrissey
Several columnists commented on interviewer CNN's John King and his moderating of the debates.
Mark Steyn weighs in on the debates "Hmm. What I learned is that John King makes Tim Pawlenty look like Lady Gaga. Other than that, I also got the distimct impression that this season’s debates seem unlikely to be effective forums even for acknowledging the profound and existential crises facing the nation, never mind addressing them."
Debate thoughts: Bachmann and Romney win... "The reality of modern politics is that it takes a large personality and presence to win the Presidency. Merely being right won’t do it. Last night, Romney and Bachmann showed they had the personality and presence to beat Obama, while the others mostly did not."
Bloomberg: Republicans Hammer Obama on Economy, Jostle for Edge at Candidate Debate
"Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney stressed his opposition to the federal health-care law even as he defended a similar state measure he helped to enact. Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty defended his economic plan, which presumes a high U.S. economic growth rate. Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, who at the debate’s start was the only participant yet to announce a presidential bid, used the occasion to say that she would run."
At last night's debate, one audience member raised the issue of energy infrastructure: "...while eminent domain is appropriate when the government needs land for roads and highways, eminent domain should not be used to condemn land "for purposes of a private enterprise." And then he pivoted to the question of American energy security more broadly, calling on the nation to produce more oil, natural gas, and clean coal."
