More Debate Reaction
Jan 11th, 2008 by Ted Pibil
- Jim Geraghty:
Winner: Thompson. This performance was so commanding, I wanted his last answer to echo back to the lights in the back of the auditorium, blow out all the lamps and spotlights, for the theme to “the Natural” to play, and for him to trot around the stage in slow motion while sparks showered down in the background.
- Jonathan Martin:
Fred drops a daisy cutter on Huck.
Truth told, he unleashed so much oppo that I didn’t have a chance to catch it all.
But he did say Huck’s comments on the Bush administration’s “arrogant bunker mentality” were reminiscent of the “Blame America first crowd” before ticking off hits on taxes, Guantanamo, Huck’s support from the NEA and his support for a national smoking ban. There were others, too, but Fred was on a roll.
“That’s not the model of the Reagan coalition; that’s the model of the Democratic Party,” Thompson concluded, winning lusty applause and “Oohs” from the studio audience.
- Marc Ambinder:
This was Fred Thompson’s second strong debate in a row; it’s as if he realized there was a real campaign and that he had real talent to bring to bear in a way that makes him look good and his opponents look silly.
- The Caucus:
Mr. Thompson rocks tonight.
…
Thompson Roars
- Trailhead:
Thompson butts in on a question about the Reagan coalition so he can rattle off a litany of attacks on Huckabee. He thinks we have an “arrogant foreign policy,” says Thompson. “He thinks Guantanamo should be closed” and the prisoners brought into the American court system. “He has the endorsement of the NEA.” “He said he’d sign a bill to ban smoking nationwide.” And so on. He makes Huckabee sound so reasonable!
- The Maritime Sentry:
The big winner tonight was Fred Thompson. Most of the other candidates stuck with the usual rhetoric that we have heard before, but not Fred Thompson. He was articulate and detailed, no matter what question was asked of him. He completely wiped the floor with Mike Huckabee by simply pointing out Huckabee’s far left agenda should he win the Presidency. Really none of the other candidate stood out.
- The Post and Courier political ticker:
It took 30 minutes, but the first applause and slam came when Fred Thompson went after Mike Huckabee, saying he is not even close to being a Reagan Republican.
- Peter Robinson:
When Fred roars, he roars.
