9:47 P.M. ET:  The debate abruptly ends.  On balance, a reasonably good debate.  Again, the number of candidates minimizes our ability to focus on specific answers.  As the months go on, I assume we'll get dropouts, possibly Herman Cain and Rick Santorum.  (Possibly.)  If I had to choose a winner, I'd say again...Mitt Romney.  He was forceful, more forceful than he's been, and he came prepared.  Rick Perry, who was the object of most of the attention, held his own.  But whether he did more is an open question.  At times he seemed a bit distant from the subjects.  However, his last statement, about fighting crime, hit it out of the park.  I'd say that, for the Republican base alone, he probably came out ahead tonight, but that base, alone, cannot elect a president.  And that is at the heart of Perry's problem – his appeal, or lack of it, to the people in the middle.  In that department, Romney triumphed. 

A few words about Michele Bachmann:  She's been overshadowed by Rick Perry, and both appeal to the same constituency.  But we must give her credit for remaining in the race, and giving a number of thoughtful, articulate answers.  She was less ideological tonight than on other occasions, and that's to the good.  I don't think she can come from behind to win the nomination, but she has an important future if she grows, comes up with innovative proposals, and prepares as well as she has.

9:42 P.M. ET:  They're varying the subjects in these last few minutes of the debate.  Romney is discussing taxes and economic growth, and he speaks with authority.  He knows his stuff.  Now the question goes to Perry, about the number of people executed in Texas while he's been governor.   He gives the best answer he's given during the debate, and presents a passionate defense of the death penalty.  Biggest applause line of the night, and here Perry shines.  Whether you agree with him or not on the death penalty, his passion comes through and he came alive.

9:35 P.M. ET:  Huntsman on, asked a real zinger about comments by his campaign manager that some of the GOP candidates are cranks.  He's evasive on that.  Perry is now asked about climate change.  He's being pressed to give details.  He's vague on climate change, but gives some good points about what's been done in Texas on clean air.   He does make the point that the science of climate change is unsettled. 

9:22 P.M. ET:  They're back.  Perry is discussing the debt deal.  Proposes a balanced budget amendment.  Huntsman is now discussing foreign policy, and sounds a bit isolationist.  Romney on.  Again, I like the way he hits issues in the center.  He gives specific reasons for things.  I think he'd do well against Obama in debate.  Perry on.  Discussing defense.  He's rambling a bit.  He is giving some credit to Obama on security issues, which is appropriate.  But again, I think the contrast with Romney's specifics is telling.  Now Bachmann is on, with a firm statement denouncing Obama's foreign policy.  She also warns about some of the "rebels" in the Mideast.  We don't really know them.

9:14 P.M. ET:  They're discussing immigration.  And Rick Perry, who should have shone in this segment, is largely forgotten.  He missed a golden opportunity, as a border-state governor, to really speak with authority and present a program.  But he missed it.  They're on the second commercial break right now.  Again, I think Romney comes out first, and maybe his lead has increased a bit since the last break.  But Perry does hold his own, and the others have all acquitted themselves reasonably well.

9:10 P.M. ET:  Perry is now discussing immigration.  As Texas governor, he knows the subject.  But Romney is now outdistancing him with, again, specific proposals.  This campaign may come down to a battle between these two men.  As of now, Romney comes out better.  He is simply better prepared.

9:05 P.M. ET:  Perry is now being asked about some poor educational statistics from his state.  He answers well, pointing out some accomplishments, and noting the first-class corporations that move to Texas, and which require an educated work force.  Good answer, if incomplete.  Newt is now talking about education.  Again, I point out that he is full of ideas.  Sadly, I don't think he has much traction.  He is often seen as a man of the past, which is unfair.

9:00 P.M. ET:  As always happens in these debates, the session starts to drift.  They're talking about whether FEMA should be abolished.  I didn't know this was a big issue.

8:54 P.M. ET:  Ron Paul is now attacking his fellow Texan, Rick Perry.  Now Bachmann is up.  She's slipping back into philosophy, rather than practicality, and I have to concede it's a weakness.  Perry is being attacked for a mandatory innoculation program for girls that he established in Texas.  He answers well, but doesn't add anything in particular.  Perry's failure to come up with any specific ideas is beginning to hurt him.  He certainly knew that everyone would be attacking him, and that the spotlight would be on him.  He speaks well, he's personable, he gives some good answers.  But where's the vision?

8:48 P.M. ET:  Debate resumes.  Perry is asked about his negative views on Social Security, views that can sink him in an election.  He continues his attack on the way Social Security is run.  But again, he has no proposals. He's in trouble on Social Security.  It's obvious.  Now Romney is up, also on Social Security.  He goes after Perry on Perry's view that states should be able to opt out of the program.  Romney wins this going away.  Perry is now replying, but he has no ideas for improving Social Security.  This is a critical moment in the debate, and Perry loses it, badly.

8:45 P.M. ET:  There's now a tribute to Ronald Reagan, and I have to concede it's tasteful and well done.  Brian Williams deserves credit for this. 

8:39 P.M. ET:  There's some back and forth right now among the candidates.  This segment of the debate is now over.  They've gone to a commercial:  Summing up:  The candidates are all doing surprisingly well.  Focus is on Perry because it's his first time on the presidential debate stage.  He's doing well.  He's impressive.  But he does not have detailed answers on what he intends to do as president.  His game tonight focuses on knocking everyone else.  He'll have to bring some balance to his campaign.  Who's winning?  I'd give the edge to Romney because of his knowledge and detail, but it's only an edge.

8:35 P.M. ET:  Bachmann up, makes a brief but good statement on energy.  Now Huntsman is up again, and I think is the surprise candidate this evening.  He's good, and informed.

8:31 P.M. ET:  Perry up.  Replies to a question about povery by pointing out that the best antidote to poverty is a strong economy.  Good answer, but lacking in specifics.  Romney up, discussing energy, and again he is more detailed than Perry.  He's impressive.  At least he has proposals.   Between the two men, we have a real, and worthy race.

8:26 P.M. ET:  Huntsman discusses health care.  I must say he's very impressive tonight, having apparently woken up.  He may help himself tonight with his forceful performance, but he's way, way behind.  Now Bachmann is up, and again she has that commanding presence.  You can't take it away from her.  And now Newt launches an attack on the press, charging the questioners with trying to get the participants to fight each other.  I don't care for the press either, but I think attacking the press won't do much good tonight.

8:23 P.M. ET:  Perry takes a hit from a question pointing out that Texas ranks dead last in people covered by health insurance.  This is the kind of question that can damage him in a general election campaign.  He does not answer well.  He repeats what "the people of Texas" do not want, but really doesn't prescribe a program.  Republicans must come up with visionary proposals.  It can't just be negative. 

8:20 P.M. ET:  Perry just zinged Romney on Romneycare.  Romney responds by pledging to overturn Obamacare through executive action – giving every state an opt-out, which is legal.  Again, both men are speaking well, but I'd give Romney the edge on details. 

8:18 P.M. ET:  Gingrich up.  He won't get the nomination, but he is always full of ideas, and his denunciation of Obama's leftist policies is right on.

8:15 P.M. ET:  Michele Bachmann is up at the plate.  I have to say, she gives terrific answers.  She's human, and yet very well informed.  You have to give her credit for coming so well informed.  So far, by the way, none of the candidates has stumbled.  Ron Paul is on now.  Look, I really think the guy is on the fringes. 

8:10 P.M. ET:  Rick Santorum is on.  Look, he won't get the nomination, and, frankly, as good a guy as he is, he's a distraction.  There are only two realistic candidates up there – Romney and Perry.  Maybe Bachmann, on the outside.  Now Herman Cain is up.  Again, great guy, good answer, but I sense that people are waiting for what they saw in the opening minutes – Perry vs. Romney.  And now Huntsman is up.  Speaking well, surprisingly so, since his campaign has tanked.  But the party doesn't really trust him with conservative values.

8:06 P.M. ET:  Second question is to Romney, also with a kind of sneering attitude by Williams.  Is his business experience that great?  Romney, like Perry, answers well. Very solid.  There's now a back-and-forth between Perry and Romney, and, I'm happy to say, both men are doing well.  Presidential.  Knowledgeable. 

8:03 PM. ET:  Rick Perry gets the first question from the very liberal anchorman, Brian Williams.  He's asked about some poor economic statistics in Texas.  He responds superbly, strongly, with details, correcting the mistakes in the Williams question.  Right away Perry is telling us he won't be blindsided by the MSM.  Good opening. 

September 7, 2011