The first Republican debate: winners and losers

Seven Republican candidates faced off Monday in the first presidential debate of the year in New Hampshire, which—as usual—will be holding the first primary of the Republican nomination process.

Generic Script

Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Michelle Bachmann and Herman Cain spoke for two hours in the CNN-hosted debate moderated by John King. The Republicans notably did not attack one another but instead were united in their criticism of President Barack Obama. This is significant because Romney, the media-proclaimed front-runner, was expected to be the main target of the others. So who “won” the debate? Read on.

The Winners

1^st place, Mitt Romney: I have to give the crown to Romney, mainly because he did exactly what a front-runner is supposed to do in a debate—not mess up. Add that to the fact that none of his opponents laid a hand on him, and Romney looks formidable indeed, emerging from this debate with unmatched fundraising potential, a lead in the polls and an unstated consensus by many that Romney—more than any other candidate—can appeal to the general electorate enough to snatch the presidency away from Obama.

And why didn’t anyone battle Romney head-on? After all, they had ample opportunity to make Republicans question him by bringing up his former liberal stance on abortion and the Obama-esque health care plan he instituted as governor in Massachusetts. Maybe they’re coveting the vice presidency. Whatever the case, onto number two…

2^nd place, Newt Gingrich: Despite his campaign falling apart at its seams, the former Speaker of the House appeared surprisingly articulate, and his answers—unlike those of some of his opponents—actually had some substance behind them. Like Romney, Gingrich seems able to appeal both to the Tea Party crowd and to moderates. If he can get his campaign back together before the primary season, he might be a competitive candidate.

Although that is a big “if”…

3^rd place, Michelle Bachmann: Bachmann comes in 3^rd for a couple key reasons: her answers were clear and concise; unlike some other candidates (Herman Cain comes to mind), she avoided hateful speech; and she finally emerged from Sarah Palin’s massive shadow to begin creating a brand of her own. If Palin doesn’t run, Bachmann certainly has a chance to win over Tea Party voters.

5^th place, Rick Santorum: Santorum was rather unremarkable. Not much to say here.

6^th place, Tim Pawlenty: Pawlenty caused Republicans everywhere to scratch their heads at his refusal to criticize Romney’s Massachusetts health care bill even though he called it “Obamneycare” (a pun of “Obamacare”) the previous day on Fox News Sunday. By doing so, he distinguished himself even less from Romney and disappointed his supporters who were largely counting on him to tear Romney away from his front-runner position. Whether or not Pawlenty ever goes on the offensive in the future remains unpredictable.

7^th place, Herman Cain: While the first Republican African-American candidate may have appealed to some Republicans with his appalling anti-Muslim sentiments, his words are likely to come back and bite him if he wins the primary and makes it to the general election.

Background: When King asked Cain about a his previous statement saying that he would never appoint a Muslim to his Cabinet, Cain replied that the media was taking his words out of context. What he meant to say, he assured us, was that he would not be “comfortable” having a Muslim in his Cabinet.

Interestingly, Cain is still rising in the polls.

I don’t think this debate changes much. Romney is still the favorite to win the nomination. His fundraising means that he has raised more money than any other candidate, while his name recognition makes him instantly recognizable to most of the electorate. Barring a huge defeat in the New Hampshire primary or an entrance by Sarah Palin into the race, this election is still Romney’s to lose.