Friday, May 4, 2007
Romney Won Debate
Political pundits have been weighing in on Thursday night’s Republican debate, and there appears to be heavy sentiment favoring Mitt Romney’s performance.
In an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, Peggy Noonan writes: "If we view the proceedings in vulgar and reductive Who Won, Who Lost terms, and let’s, Mitt Romney won, Rudy Giuliani lost, and John McCain is still in.”
McCain "seemed alert, and full of effort,” Noonan observed, but "somehow he seemed both high-energy and creaky . . .
"Giuliani seemed unsure at first . . . He did not make a strong impression until he spoke on abortion, and then it was a bad one.”
But former Massachusetts Gov. Romney "had a certain good-natured command, a presidential voice, and a surprising wiliness. He seemed happy to be there, and in the mysterious way that some people seem to dominate, he dominated.”
Pundit Roger Simon wrote on politico.com: "It would be terribly irresponsible to pick a winner of Thursday night’s Republican debate, so I will.
"I think Mitt Romney won. And I think John McCain came in second and Rudy Giuliani came in third.”
According to Simon, "Giuliani seemed to lack a plan of attack and a plan of defense.”
McCain projected optimism and enthusiasm, but he had a "nervous start,” said Simon.
Romney, on the other hand, "achieved almost everything he wanted to achieve,” Simon opined.
"He looked and sounded presidential. He hit the talking points. And voters who knew nothing about him before the debate except that he was a Mormon, came away knowing a lot more . . .
"Romney was a man with a plan. He knew what points he wanted to make and he made them.”
Another politico.com pundit, Jonathan Martin, wrote: "For the thousands (millions?) watching at home who were getting their first taste of Mitt, they had to come away impressed.”
And the NewsBusters blog noted, referring to debate moderator Chris Matthews: "Romney won, Rudy lost. Chris Matthews has left no doubt that is his take on the GOP presidential debate.”
Appearing on the "Today” show Friday morning, Matthews told Meredith Vieira: "I think [Romney] will go up in the polls . . . So it’s probably a lucky night for Romney, altogether.”
Political pundits have been weighing in on Thursday night’s Republican debate, and there appears to be heavy sentiment favoring Mitt Romney’s performance.
In an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, Peggy Noonan writes: "If we view the proceedings in vulgar and reductive Who Won, Who Lost terms, and let’s, Mitt Romney won, Rudy Giuliani lost, and John McCain is still in.”
McCain "seemed alert, and full of effort,” Noonan observed, but "somehow he seemed both high-energy and creaky . . .
"Giuliani seemed unsure at first . . . He did not make a strong impression until he spoke on abortion, and then it was a bad one.”
But former Massachusetts Gov. Romney "had a certain good-natured command, a presidential voice, and a surprising wiliness. He seemed happy to be there, and in the mysterious way that some people seem to dominate, he dominated.”
Pundit Roger Simon wrote on politico.com: "It would be terribly irresponsible to pick a winner of Thursday night’s Republican debate, so I will.
"I think Mitt Romney won. And I think John McCain came in second and Rudy Giuliani came in third.”
According to Simon, "Giuliani seemed to lack a plan of attack and a plan of defense.”
McCain projected optimism and enthusiasm, but he had a "nervous start,” said Simon.
Romney, on the other hand, "achieved almost everything he wanted to achieve,” Simon opined.
"He looked and sounded presidential. He hit the talking points. And voters who knew nothing about him before the debate except that he was a Mormon, came away knowing a lot more . . .
"Romney was a man with a plan. He knew what points he wanted to make and he made them.”
Another politico.com pundit, Jonathan Martin, wrote: "For the thousands (millions?) watching at home who were getting their first taste of Mitt, they had to come away impressed.”
And the NewsBusters blog noted, referring to debate moderator Chris Matthews: "Romney won, Rudy lost. Chris Matthews has left no doubt that is his take on the GOP presidential debate.”
Appearing on the "Today” show Friday morning, Matthews told Meredith Vieira: "I think [Romney] will go up in the polls . . . So it’s probably a lucky night for Romney, altogether.”
