ganging up on the frontrunner until he or she falls and then ganging up on the new frontrunner will, most of the time, insure a weak candidate in the general election. The exception is when a strong candidate weathers the storm, such as when Reagan succeeded. I think W was elected because the Dims ran idiot losers. This cycle I hope whoever gets the nomination is strong enough to embarrass Obummer, not get trampled by him. We need a candidate strong enough to have long coattails to also insure lots of down ballot victories in Congress and in statehouses and city halls across the nation.
So, Erick, maybe you need a direct suggestion to Perry to beef up his campaign staff and to practice, practice, practice for the next debate. Even if he is not the eventual candidate we need him to be as strong as possible so that whoever bests him is also as strong as possible.

…was predominant last night.

The Bachmann attack on Perry/Merck [reinforced, sadly, by Sarah on Greta's show; watch her intro @ 5:30] was trumped by his deftly claiming he was “offended” that he only received a $5K campaign contribution.

http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/on-the-record/index.html#/v/1156448276001/palin-vs-obamas-jobs-plan/?playlist_id=86925

Thus, the two chicks join Cain [who flipped on auditing the Fed], Santorum [who shamelessly attacks Perry on everything, rarely acting as a discerning thinker], Mitt [who channels the D's on SS], the Newt [who always wins debates on points and who has all the correct answers, but who would forthrightly flip on any issue as he did on FNC when discussing Libya seriatim], Huntsman [the DIABLO = "Democrat In All But Label Only"] and Paul [whose foreign policy provoked so many boos that even his loyalists were silenced].

That Huntsman quote suggesting Perry’s stance on SS was “treasonous” was, perhaps, the most nauseating moment of the evening; Newt’s praise for Churchill @ the end was the best.

http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/RepublicansDebate-Immigration/2011/09/12/id/410717

WHO CARES about that stupid Gardasil thing? It was a bad judgment and quickly reversed – LET’S MOVE ON. What does it have to do with the real issues?

Bachmann sickens me. What a phony. About as electable as my pet chihuahua. Palin – same.

Romney – no thanks – I’ll stay home if he is the nominee. I think if Romney is the candiate, you can count on another 4 years of Obozo.

The rest of them – again, who cares?

I don’t know. I’ve been here in TX during the entire tenure of Perry’s governorship. We’ve done well here with him in charge. I don’t get the criticisms. Do you want Obama again? Then nominate Romney or some whacko like Bachman.

I am from Texas, where Rick Perry has been the governor for the last 10 years. He is a flawed candidate and not as clearly conservative as many here have been led to believe. He does not have a lock on the Republican nomination by any means, regardless of his current standing in the polls. I will certainly support Perry if he wins the nomination and with more enthusiasm than I supported John McCain in 2008. But I am not ready to turn off my mind and just mindlessly embrace Perry as some sort of new conservative messiah, similar to the way Barack Obama was treated in 2008. That is the wrong way to go here.

I know there are a lot of conservatives in this country who want to anoint a candidate quickly and then get on the bandwagon and aggressively support that candidate from now to election day and beyond. But let’s not make the same mistake with Perry that the Democrats made with Obama. Perry needs to be properly vetted first. And that process appears to have begun in earnest during the debate last night. As uncomfortable as it might be to watch, this is right and necessary. If he cannot withstand the fire from other Republicans in the primaries, he does not stand a chance against Obama and the DNC in the general election.

It is not time to go all in with Perry yet, people. Keep your powder dry. He may still turn out to be the Republicans best hope. But if he does not, everyone needs to be ready to be practical about that, and not just break down into an adolescent temper tantrum. There does not appear to be a clear successor to Ronald Reagan in the race this year. So we are just going to have to do the best we can.

I’ve seen this man in person many, many times and you could read his face so well and completely recognize that at a couple of times, he was really, really pissed. Agree he needs to practice not to let that emotion show on his face. On the HPV, his Tea Party public will understand that the State is going to pay for it either way and Texas has the highest incidence of teen pregnancy and teen HPV. It’s cheaper to pay for a vaccine than to treat cervical cancer so while the method may have been wrong, the intent was nothing but good for the health of young Texans and the State’s purse. He will weather this if he sticks to message. Bachman’s “Oh yeah, and I feel that way too and I’m offended” mantra was nauseating.

To Perry’s credit, he showed last night he’s not afraid to give it as good as he gets it. We need a President with some backbone and this man has it. On the in-state tuition issue, he’s absolutely right. Either we get these citizens educated and on the path to citizenship through this program where they can get jobs and begin being productive, OR they stay on the public dole WHICH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FORCES US TO PAY. These candidates who think we can just load up all these folks and put them on a southbound bus and build a fence which fixes the whole isue are as completely out of touch with the problem as Ron Paul is about foreign policy.

And did Bachman say, “….American countries overseas…”? Or did I not hear her correctly. And will someone please inform Mr. Huntsman there are FOUR border states with Mexico – not three.

I loved Newt’s response of bringing the bust of Winston Churchill back to the WH as well.

I watched that debate last night and was proud that we have the talent that was allowed to shine last night. Mr. Perry held his own so did Ms. Bachmann. But the debate was much more than that. Their were others that had many points that were worth stating. If this election is going to be only about, who you are rooting for winning and not about ideas, then as a free people, we are done.

This myth that all illegals are out in the fields harvesting crops doing work Americans won’t do is just that…a myth.We have over 20 million American unemployed…under employed or who just gave up looking for work.E-verify…no citizenship if children of illegals…no sanctuary city’s. ….secure borders..and more We need to help our citizens get the jobs here in America and do what every other country in the world does to people who enter their country illegally.Expel them one way or the other.

I heard Erick on CNN last night and read the comments this morning. I completely disagree with the political analysis.

In my opinion Perry was the only clear loser last night. He looked like a doofus up there, struggling to answer and sounding well, frankly dummer than everyone else on stage. He lost on both style and substance.

I agree with Erick that this was a very good debate and everyone else shined. Romney did not win clearly because this was the first debate where the format and the questioning and the electric audience really seemed to motivate the debaters. They were quite good and had me feeling this thing is still wide open.

Before the debate I thought this was a three person race – Perry, Romney, and Paul (who has the money and the following to stay in for as long as he wants). The conservative establishment, represented by Erik, talk radio, etc. is going all in for Perry – that is clear. But I believe Romney is carving out just as significant a base of support among independent conservatives who are tired of Texas blowharding and Christian conservatism generally. I thought Romney really nailed Perry on the Texas bombast. Despite what many Republicans are saying, I don’t think Perry plays well outside of the South and the Evangelical Midwest.

it was clear that Wolf Blitzer gave Huntsman a lot more attention and questions, trying to boost his appeal. Unfortunately for Jon boy, it had the opposite effect and the liberals will not get their favorite opponent next year.

Perry’s answer on the immigration questions was a dodge. People are not upset by the “sound of their last names” they are upset by the fact that they came into the country illegally, but are getting the same benefits as people who are citizens.

Romney conveniently forgot that Massachusetts has sanctuary cities where the police aren’t even allowed to ask a person about their immigration status.

Perry needs to deal with this issue or we will end up with Romney as our nominee.

is an understatement, How could Perry have been so reckless in his responses to these attacks? I was cheering at his attitude and confident responses during the first half, and horrified at his inept responses to the HPV attacks. He should have admitted it was a mistake, which he did, and then shown his delight that our system of government was able to strike it down. No excuses, just stick with admitting it was a mistake. I am heartened, Erick, by your point that many had probably quit watching. We will see if he maintains the lead, and how he answers the attacks in future debates. Bachmann was on with Greta Van Sustern and continued the attack about Perry’s connections to the phamaceutical company and donors who benefited for his EO. It is a heavy charge, but not one I think Obama could continue in a general election after his excessive and obvious cronyn capitalism. On the border fence, I have it from an agent on the front lines that the existing fences are constantly being breached by cutting torches and are expensive high maintenance. If they are built it is unrealistic to think you would not have to have enough agents to visually cover and address ongoing breaches. Why do both? And, what a great way to employ returning service members in the Border Patrol.

If Michelle Bachmann is really a great, take charge leader then why isn’t she in House leadership? Do we really believe all her fellow Congressmen can’t see her brilliance? Or do they see a different Bachmann in the day to day workload? Why is her workload in regard to sponsoring/proposing bills so light weight?

She may make good sound bites but can she be an effective leader? She’ll need more than the “outraged mother” routine to deal with world leaders. Since she has zip-zero-nada experience with the military ( granted, few do of either sex), then who will she go to as an advisor in this area?

Lastly, her outrage over the HPV vaccine comes across as contrived when it’s well known there was parental opt out. How is this requirement for a specific vaccine any worse than the required vaccine for measles, mumps, etc. that children of both sexes far young than 12 years are “forced” to take?

Bachmann’s rant on the HPV vaccine was as insipid as it was infantile. The CDC estimates that 60% of women will contract HPV in their college years and over 80% of women will contract it in their lifetimes. This is a potential cervical cancer epidemic of historic proportions. The Gardisil vaccine can potentially prevent up to 70% of cervical cancers. Furthermore, men can contract HPV and while penile cancer from HPV is far more rare than cervical, it does exist and men can be carriers. Tirades against Gardisil are every bit as socially irresponsibile as suggesting that children should not be vaccinated against MMR or Pertussis, or spreading the specious vaccination/autism link which has been debunked repeatedly, to the point the progenitor of this lie has since lost his license to practice medicine.

Romney’s disingeniousness on social security was every bit as abysmal. Nobel laureates Milton Friedman and Paul Samuelson called social security a ponzi scheme decades ago. In fact the only difference between a ponzi scheme and social security, is that a ponzi investment scheme is at least voluntary.

For their capitulation on issues of substance, Romney and Bachmann have utterly disqualified themselves in my eyes. Should either get the GOP nomination, I will support the libertarian candidate, voting my conscience in lieu of pragmatism..

Rick Perry is the only candidate with a chance to win that I can honestly support at this point.

a disease that is sexually transmitted–kind of like the state assuming that your preteen and teenage daughter is going to be sexually active. That is very offensive to parents who are teaching their children to remain abstinent until marriage.

I had been a Romney supporter since the last Presidential election cycle. I still like him and would support him whole-heartedly in the general election. But watching Perry stand up to these withering and sometimes unjust attacks, combined with Romney’s seeming burn-the-earth strategy to get the nomination has moved me now to the Perry side. Romney seizing on social security to attack Perry is one such annoyance.

Romney really looks and sounds presidential, to be honest, and has a great family, and my own wife and daughters really like him. He would do well against Obama. But Perry standing up to the relentless assault has won my heart. I just do not understand the piling on. Yes, you want to win the election. But do you also want to destroy the eventual nominee if it is not you?

Bachman had been another big favorite of mine, but now I am completely upset with her. She was unjust and not honest on her HPV attack on Perry, giving the strong impression that it was compulsory without an opt-out and after the debate bringing forth a supposed “victim.” Santorum at least was honest in his attacking, saying he preferred an opt-in to an opt-out and bringing forth the view that vaccines in schools are meant to prevent the spreading of disease, but not sexually transmitted ones. He is consistent in his positions, not just knee-jerk attacking. I don’t think this issue will be important in the general as the left likely supports what Perry had done anyway.

How did all those attacks on Obama’s abortion votes and view work out electorally? Oh yeah, he won.

The whole HPV stunt was embarrassing and Bachmann didn’t look “passionate”. She looked unhinged. Especially when she tried linking it to “drug company donations”. Ha. Did she have dinner with Ron Paul?

That type of nonsense may perhaps play well with a cross-section of the Tea Party crowd. But in the words of an Independent voting friend she looked a little “kooky”- and I have never really seen Bachmann as that.

Perry admitted his decision was a mistake. That was refreshing. How many times since the 2008 elections have we heard that? Romney on Romneycare? No, he just keeps flippin and floppin all over the place.

Headline?

Perry Admits he is Less than Perfect

or alternately;

Romney: Being Number One in Job Creation is So Yesterday.

Once again the Newtster stood apart from the group by means of intellect and a grasp of where the country needs to go. All for naught becuause he will not be the nominee to the detriment of both the party and the country.
Both “frontrunners” leave a lot to be desired and although both will beat OBama then they will need to govern and the thought of a RINO in the White House is not pleasant

Let me start by saying, I did not watch the debate. I have only heard or read about the last two debates. It seems to me based on the information that I have, that the field of nominees is circling the wagon around Mitt Romney. For all intents and purposes, the party seems to have called all debts due and they have chosen Mitt, because it is his turn. Didn’t they try this last time and we got McCain out of the deal? Maybe I’m wrong, but we don’t want or need Mitt to be the nominee unless we want to lose.
I started thinking this way when I read that the former candidate, who was supposed to be so conservative, has now endorsed, that’s right, endorsed, Mitt Romney. Tim Pawlenty, whose lack of a personality on stage, kept himself from doing better, has now endorsed, arguably, the most left leaning candidate of the group. Am I off base here? Time will tell I guess.

After listening and mulling these good men over, I have come to the point that only Herman Cain can do the job correctly. He makes points that only a business man can make, and we need a business man. I always try and think how the left will view election. Herman can win this if we all get behind him. Mitt and Rick will get chewed up and spit out.

As Bachman was my second choice.

had the opportunity to take Romney out on the fact that MA has a mandate for its healthcare, and if it violates the US constitution, a state will have no right to impose it on citizens, it isn’t a states rights issue.

Bachmann picked that up, but few seemed to hear her after Perry fumbled the response. Perry just didn’t seem to be well prepared for that one.

Samuel

How anyone could watch this debate and think that Perry solidified his top spot is beyond me.

Erickson’s analysis seems to get more unreliable throughout the debate season, being overly soft on candidates he likes and dismissive of those he doesn’t, regardless of the quality of their debate performance.

At first I was all for her because of her performance as a congresswoman. As she became a candidate, she morphed almost overnight into a primadonna diva. She was late taking the stage at the Fox debate. Her hair looks artificial. She has headaches. She squels like a stuck pig at the mention of a vacine that was never law and had an opt out. As a professional woman myself, I avoided all organizations with “woman” in their title. I acted as a man in the workplace and traveled when told, worked late when needed and took almost no sick days. The fact that I was also a mother of three was never obvious because I made arrangements for their care as necessary. Bachman’s problem for me is that she shows female weakness in a job that will call for more than principle, it also calls for undiluted leadership, with no time outs and I don’t think she has the disposition to endure.

Bachmann came across as a mommy speaker at a local PTA meeting. “Save the little girls! Save the little girls!

Yep, save them from measles, mumps, chickenpox, smallpox, tetanus, polio and a few other fatal diseases while you’re at it, sweetie.

For ANY politician to imply that another politician gets bought by campaign contributions is both dishonest and ludicrous at the same time.

What Perry should have said is that “Yes, I made a mistake signing that executive order but, I have signed dozens and you have never signed a single one, Congresswoman.

her child becoming mentally retarted because of the vaccine. She said that in the debate. Then she goes on Greta’s show, and I just heard her comments on Greta, she said- After the debate a woman came up to het to tell her about her daughter becoming menatlly retarted etc. So, the Obama admin. keeps coming up with these poor people who have come to them with their woes, and almost every time, the people are found out to be plants. So now, Bachmann apparently isn’t doing the same phony victim lying. Was it before or after the debate Michelle, or did it never actually happen?

Huntsman – He grates on my last nerve. He actually reminds me of Obama with the way he plays to your emotions first then beats around the bush to finally make a point. His Traitor comment was soooo out of place and flat wrong it was just plain stupid.

Cain – I love him but he won’t win. I would make sure to keep him around for a cabinet post (NOT Sec of State John Bolten is the man)

Bachmann – sigh, I love most of what she says but last night she actually showed why the left thinks she is unhinged and way to emotional. History is againt her and with no Executive experience which I think is one of the driving points she is done. If she was in a leadership position she might have a shot of getting passed the lack of exec experience.

Romney – Look silly with his SS attacks, got slapped down with them but no real damage as he still lives in ADT protected glass dog house. But he should learn not to throw rocks inside his glass dog house. Romeny care is/was and forever shall be a BAD policy period!

Perry – I loved that he owned up to a bad policy but he really needs to work on his response. One issue that was brought up was crony capitilism. I think he needs to nip this in the bud now before he loses any Palin supporters. I don’t think anyone else makes this drug so it really should be a non issue. I understand his reasoning and what he was trying to do with his Exec Order, just with our Current President pretty much ruling with Exec Orders it looks bad. Immigration is hard topic and he needs to clean it up and thinking how the Nation wants to deal with it not just Texas.

Ru Paul – DESPICABLE and a DISGRACE. While he might have somewhat of a point 9/12 is the worse time and the debates are the worse forumn (not enough time to expand on the topic ect) to have this discussion and his constant attack on spending on the wars just keeps the WACKO meter pegged.

Newt – Great ideas but not trustworthy when it comes to leading.

Santorium – Should once again run for State Senate in PA. He isn’t going to gain traction with the country. He does make the debate more interesting and I thank him for getting Ru Paul to make an ass of himself on national TV.

I am a Palin supporter but I am more inclined to vote for Perry over Palin unless she gets in and starts participating in the debates. I think Perry needs to keep up with the making the Federal Gov’t inconsequential pledge.

is that for most conservatives there is nothing to debate. Romney passed something that looks almost exactly like Obamacare, albeit at the state level. That is unacceptable. Stick a fork in him, he’s done. The only thing keeping him in the race is the establishment machine that recycles last season’s loser to this season’s candidate. In a normal election cycle that might have been enough, and therefore warrant more attacks on Romneycare. But this isn’t a normal election cycle, and Romney can’t win it.

There is one major concern with Mr. Perry, his stand on illegal immigration.
How Texas has chose to deal with the issue of college tuition can remain in Texas and NOT go nationwide. The problem even with that proposition is that college students travel, they won’t remain within the borders of the state that chooses to offer incentives or “opportunities”. Why should we subsidize Texas in this matter?
Having been a Republican most likely longer than yourselfErik, I cannot and will not support a repeat of “The Architect’s” approach to the Latino vote block – this position would seem to imply that a majority of an entire race of people is incapable of following the law. This position is NOT held by the majority of LEGAL Latino immigrants or resident aliens and should be discarded sooner than later so Republicans generally quit coming across as bigots who don’t understand the very demographic they claim a desire to build a relationship with. Gov. Perry can frame his current position as necessary for his state to address the utter failure of the Federal Government to enforce its own laws in regard to immigration; after all in 1986 Reagan had a two step plan amnesty first, then tougher enforcement. A Democratic Senate and Congress never followed though on the enforcement component – so here we are suing states that attempt to protect their citizens.
We have been spent billions to secure Iraq and Afghanistan, only to allow our current Homeland Security team to train them on border security, irony of the worst kind, we will NEVER be able to leave if these countries follow the lead of our government chieftains in regard to borders. Our borders are as fouled up now as they were on 9/10/2001; this is NOT how to remember and honor our fallen or to continue running OUR country.

Erik, I know that you’ve been tied to Perry since you introduced his campaign, but come on.
The HPV issue is not just the vaccine, but the abuse of executive orders usurping the role of the legislature, on the advice of a former adviser who is now a lobbyist for the manufacturer of a vaccine. It is abuse of power and crony capitalism.

On immigration, the issue was not just his stances, but his language. He basically said that Texas has a responsibility to Mexico, not the rest of the US. He basically holds that illegal aliens in Texas and are Texans and legislates accordingly. And he uses leftist racial language like “last names” to try to silence opposition. If this were a democrat, you’d be screaming bloody murder.

But as Perry, you carry his water.

that the most knowledgable and deep thinking individual hasn’t a chance of winning the Repub nomination.I speak of Newt—–too bad he has such a large cache of baggage which uniniated lemmings won’t be able to get past.

Keep them coming Rick.