COMMENTARY | Texas Gov. Rick Perry clearly is the anointed frontrunner of the Republican candidates after Wednesday night’s debate, and he hardly had to do a single thing to achieve that status.
I was amazed at how quickly he became the “pinata” for all the other candidates on stage, especially Mitt Romney. I was even more amused when Perry pointed that out at the end of the debate.
Probably the most significant non-event of the debate was the fall of U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. She was her smiley self throughout the debate, but didn’t even get a question until nearly 20 minutes into the process. That’s not exactly how the Iowa Straw Poll frontrunner was expecting to be treated, but it does reflect how her ideas play well on television and in sound bites, but they will not draw the mainstream Republicans into her campaign. America has serious issues and the country need a serious candidate capable of tackling them. Bachmann is not that candidate; last night’s debate proved that beyond all doubt.
Political pundits certainly lowered expectations for Perry’s initial debate performance, but he clearly was ready from the start. His sparring session with Romney was a clear tit-for-tat of tongue-in-cheek one-liners.
I was surprised by Romney’s references to Michael Dukakis — no Republican should ever compare another Republican to such a non-performing Democrat. The references were vague and childish too. Romney’s retort of “Yes, that is correct,” seemed so empty — but that’s politics.
Former U.S. ambassador Jon Huntsman was a disappointment. I was hoping to hear more of his ideas, but he never seemed to get quite the attention in such a crowded field of candidates. I’m concerned the public will never get to hear from him if he cannot survive through the weeding out months ahead.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich had little substance for the debate. He focused his comments on the moderators and, with one exception, left his fellow Republicans free of attack. He is a non-candidate at this point and really should drop out of the race.
These primary debates are amusing more than educational. With eight candidates on stage, no one candidate will ever have enough camera time to share their ideas in any useful fashion. Future debates are sure to have fewer left standing – and that will be a good thing.