Huntsman Wins, Bachmann Disappears, Is Rick Perry’s Campaign Over?

COMMENTARY | Republican presidential hopefuls gathered at the Reagan Library Wednesday night, providing an entertaining and lively political discussion. NBC’s Brian Williams masterfully moderated the event, beginning the debate with an opportunity for frontrunners Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to lock horns over each candidate’s gubernatorial experience. The rest of the contenders had to fight for attention.

Bachmann Disappears

While most of the rest of the field came out with a strong performance, Michele Bachmann seemed to disappear from the stage.

Bachmann reiterated her speaking points, looked lifeless, and provided no fireworks. Even when the debate addressed her claim of bringing gas back down to $2, she seemed to avoid the attention, saying “it’s entirely possible for us to get back to inexpensive energy.” Her performance was so dull, she received only one mention in the New York Times recap.

Is Perry’s Campaign Over?

Not only did Perry fail to deliver some of his trademark Texas swagger, he looked nervous. One of his biggest applause moments came when moderators noted the 234 inmates executed during his tenure — an accomplishment that doesn’t play well nationwide.

However, Perry’s comments on Social Security are what will damage his presidential aspirations. Instead of changing or adapting his controversial comments about Social Security, Perry doubled down. He called Social Security a “Ponzi scheme” and a “monstrous lie to our kids.” These comments will haunt his campaign.

Not only are a large percentage of registered GOP voters elderly, but Perry’s characterization is difficult to defend. Social Security has a $2.5 trillion revenue surplus and the independent Congressional Budget Office projects the program’s solvency through 2037.

Romney capitalized on Perry’s statements, saying “our nominee has to be someone who isn’t committed to abolishing Social Security, but who is committed to saving Social Security.”

Huntsman Wins

It is somewhat deceptive to state that Huntsman won. However, he did advance himself more than other candidates. He promoted himself as a moderate–and as an increasingly attractive vice presidential candidate–attacking Tea Party talking points, particularly on climate change and evolution.

“When you make comments that fly in the face of what 98 out of 100 climate scientists have said, when you call to question evolution, all I’m saying is that in order for the Republican Party to win, we can’t run from science,” Huntsman said.

However, Huntsman didn’t abandon conservative politics. He criticized healthcare reform, but instead of employing vitriol he noted it will be overturned by law–not pitchforks. “I believe that once Obamacare is repealed–and it will be–the question will then be, what do we do now?” he said. “And I’m here to tell you that what we did in Utah is going to be a perfect example of what we do now.”

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