First Impressions

Posted: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:23 PM by Chuck Todd

From NBC's Chuck Todd
This was not a debate, that we can agree on. It was a forum which for the PBS/NPR crowd who swears they don't like debate fireworks and gotchas and simply want candidates talking specifics, should love. Well, they got 60-second non-specific answers on issues that are not registering as the top issues among Republican Party voters. I'm guessing even those folks didn't like this debate.

So who won? Well, this was an opportunity for the field to slow Mike Huckabee and the format didn't allow for it, so on that score, I guess Huckabee can call himself a winner. He was VERY careful to look presidential; he clearly didn't want to look like a marginalized religious candidate and on that score, he did well.

Frankly, the candidate who had the best afternoon I think was Fred Thompson. This was easily his best debate performance and he seemed to shine in this subdued format.

Of course, the loser was the Iowa Republican party; Alan Keyes ruined this debate. I'll have more later.

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Comments

Mitt Won! Clear answers, professional style, solid stance and flawless execution.

Lars, Dc (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:27 PM)

I feel secure every time Huckabee gives an answer. He is steady and sure and exudes confidence. Guillani is stuttering and seems unsure of himself. The angle of the camera on him makes him look goofy too. I like Huckabee more and more every time he speaks...and I WAS a Romney supporter

Mary Jude Williams, Bay Minette, AL (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:32 PM)

You're correct Chuck in that Keyes ruined it for Iowa...maybe they will learn that 4 or 5 legitimate candidates would suffice for such a format.

The questions were solid and I agree that Fred was strong, however, Huckabee did not step up. He was in "Safe Mode" which I guess is fine when you have a big lead in the Iowa polls but I'm sure did not impress anyone in NH or SC. Giuliani was aweful and Mitt performed like, well, like Mitt: consistent, articulate and presidential.

Marcello, Puyallup, WA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:32 PM)

Mitt got burned by Thompson, badly on the tax question. Some of them seem like decent candidates, but Paul always has the substance, he wins, as always.

Carl Atlanta, GA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:34 PM)

The real problem is that one of the Presidential candidates--GOP or Democrat--are anything special. They all sound like talking parrots with not much of substance to say. Frankly, it doesn't really matter what they say on any given subject.

Jim, in the Mississippi Delta (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:34 PM)

I beg to differ. I am a registered democrat. If and I emphasize if I had to vote Republican my vote getter would be Alan Keyes. At least his 60 second sound bite rang true on "who" is the problem in this country......

Altoona Bud (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:34 PM)

Huckabee is still the man to beat. He clearly held himself in this debate as the front runner.

Shawn, Brighton, TN (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:35 PM)

very scary group of people, militant and mean. Huckabee is starting to look good, and as a person that does not believe in evolution and is guided by God; most talking about increasing the military budget when we already spend more than the rest of the world combined. Talking about decreasing taxes when we have massive, massive budget deficits. Massive trade deficits.

Steve ,Aurora NY (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:38 PM)

Mitt seemed to convince me today... he clearly communicated pragmatic solutions. Among the frontrunners I think Huckabee lost the most ground with his highly generalized responses.

Joe, Sacramento, CA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:38 PM)

Ron Paul won. Every web poll shows that in most every debate. I know what your'e going to say, so don't say it. He won...He is the only candidate that can take this country out of the huge hole Bush has put us in in the last eight years. He is the only candidate that will restore our constitutional rights. Period.

Jeremy McGill (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:42 PM)

It was nice to see Thompson actually engaged for a change. Though Huckabee won the debate, again! His style is so reassuring.

Nicole, Tampa, Fl (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:42 PM)

Romney all the way.He is the man of knowledge and experience. You got my vote.

Tu, Long Beach CA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:43 PM)

Altoona, thanks for being Democrat...

Marcello, Puyallup, WA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:43 PM)

This whole debate was pointless, it wasn't even a debate! Why not just do 15 minute video segments where the candidates can say whatever they want, then they don't even have to show up to a useless forum like this. Alan Keys was a joke, Fred Thompson looks like an unhealthy "spitting image" muppet, Gulliani was caught in his lie again over security escorts for his girlfriend and her dog, Tancredo acts like he's on drugs, Romney kissed too much Iowa butt and looks/acts like a used car salesman, Hunter is too much of a Neocon, and Paul actually sounded halfway sane compared to Keys.

Wow, that was painful to watch.

Matt, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:44 PM)

Ron Paul won this debate. He was clear, concise, and most importantly correct on all the issues - like usual. Funny, how he was right about Iraq, our monetary system, Iran, etc. etc. - yet people try to say he is crazy. Other candidates are starting to latch onto his positions, and it is clear there is some real political flip flopping and lying happening. Romney, Giuliani, and Huckabee are nothing more than politicians who will say and do anything to garner power. Romney does his best to say nothing substantive. Giuliani is a stammering idiot since he is wrong on virtually every issue, and has to figure out someway to hide that fact. Huckabee is nothing more than fluff, and avoids saying anything that isn't pre-packaged garbage. Thompson was his usual lazy and uninspiring self, except for the jab at Romney for becoming a pretty good actor, which was hilarious. McCain is an ego maniac, who seems visually angry that he is not going to win. McCain thinks he is some expert on everything, and has so much experience, but he is really just a political hack. Keyes was passionate, but a bit out on the edge. Tancredo did well except his is a bit on the edge as well. Hunter also did very well.

Scott, Toledo OH (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:46 PM)

Romney all the way.He is the man of knowledge and experience. You got my vote.

Tu, Long Beach CA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:46 PM)

Romney always avoids direct questioning, and I think that most of the canidates picked up the same style of 'subtle avoidance.'

Ron Paul, Guiliani and Hunter had memorable moments and should be the only canidates to get favorable marks for this debate.

The winner of Iowa will be a religious one, but the winner of the party will be a moderate. Iowa is but one state: Huckabee and Romney are going to burn themselves out on the first few primaries.

Gavin, Washington DC (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:48 PM)

It was like watching the game show THE WEAKEST LINK>

Terry Frank (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:49 PM)

It was like watching the game show THE WEAKEST LINK.

Terry Frank St Louis MO (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:49 PM)

Mitt Romney Hits another home run! No one else on that stage is more Presidental than that of Mitt Romney. I pray that the people of Iowa will not be swayed by Huckabee, and his down home charm. Huckabee has a horrible record. Romney has my vote. Go Mitt!

Joseph, Grand Rapids, MI (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:49 PM)

It was nice to see Thompson actually engaged for a change. Though Huckabee won the debate, again! His style is so reassuring.

Nicole, Tampa, Fl (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:42 PM)

His style may be reassuring, but some of his policy views are enough to scare the hell out of me.

CitizenJ (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:51 PM)

John McCain still stands out as a man for America. The rest are simply talking through their hats, as an Iowa resident, I do not want a religious fanatic, or a NYC flunkie, a Morman, an actor or a Nut case like Paul. How in the he-- did that Keyes person manage to get up there? I feel I would be safe and secure in the next 4 years with John as my president. I watched the entire 90 minutes and was not impressed with the format at all. This was not a debate it was circus, when the only thing that stands out from this, is Thompsons refusal to raise his hand like school child???? Or the rantings and ravings of Keyes????

Marty CR Iowa (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:53 PM)

It was so refreshing to have Alan Keyes on the stage, who brings into such stark relief the wanton hypocrisy, flip-flopping, and zero credibility of the GOP.

Sam Elowitch (Farmington, Maine) (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:56 PM)

Ron Paul won, as usual. I am tired of him being totally "shunned" by the media and the pollsters. Wake up people! He's the only one who really cares about your rights and freedoms.
I was unable to even vote for him on the CNN site!!!

S.D. Mahr (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:57 PM)

If msnbc sponsored an online poll where we could vote for the person who we thought won the debate, who do you think would get the most votes? Hmmm... lets see here...that's a tough one.... any takers?

RON PAUL WOULD!!! Duh.

Terry (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:57 PM)

How could you say Romney won? Let me guss. He looked presidential. I know as a Country we have become people, as a whole, who care more about what a president looks like, than how he stands on issues. Rommney performed poorly. He will say whatever he thinks we want to hear. Ron Paul clearly won. He stood by his issues, as he always does.

Jeremy Cape Canaveral, FL. (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:58 PM)

I guess Fred was able to skip his afternoon nap today.

Connie, Tn. (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:00 PM)

There are two candidates that I would consider presidential, that is electable: Mitt Romney and John McCain. Anyone who says different within the Republican Party (don't add your inconsequential comments democrats and Ron Paul supporters)will see a democrat as President. Stop the bickering within the Republican Party and get on board with who can beat Hillary or Barrack...heaven forbid one of those two wins the election.

Marcello, Puyallup, WA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:00 PM)

Didn't hear the whole thing, but thought Fred did best.

Came in with him and Mitt as my top guys and nothing changed from that.

I'm a so-con, but Huckabee has a lot of potential gotchas for the general election.

Oz, Marietta, GA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:02 PM)

Huck is a Rockefeller Republican in sheep's clothing. Big spender, big taxer, gov't is the solution to every problem - Republicans can do better.

mike in Virginia (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:04 PM)

Mitt Romney looked to these eyes like a wealthy, entitled phony. His supporters remind me of the robots in Woody Allen's old great film: Sleeper. Or is it little brownshirts in early 1930's Germany that they remind me of: "O Glorious Leader Mittens. You are like a God to us. We will do anything you say and attack anyone who doesn't agree with you because you are Right and because you, and you alone, are good." What a bunch of shabby, crass, self-serving nincompoops.! Its no wonder all the other campaigns hate Romney, and that's even as his numbers slide. Dems and Reps all agree: The man is a shameless panderer and a smiling genteel shark!

Elmer, Warner, NH (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:05 PM)

Romney was the most presidential. I think he could have gone after Huckabigot for his Mormon question, but didn't, although Huckabigot deserves it.

Kasey, CB, IA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:06 PM)

one other note: The moderator of the debate was simply AWEFULL and should be demoted immediately.

Matt, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:08 PM)

Hucklebee has a wit about him that will destroy Hillary Clinton in a debate. I hope Hucklebee wins the nomination just so I can see that deer in the headlight look from Hillary. The look she had when asked about lincenses for illegal aliens was priceless..She is such a hack !

Phillip, Beckley WV (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:09 PM)

Fred Thompson showed what a statesman should look & talk like. I suspect many Iowa voters might be leaning more to Fred than the polls show.

Dale, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:11 PM)

Hey Chuck

I also thought Thompson won. I dislike Romney and Keyes,

Matt (Pittsburgh) (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:11 PM)

Fox News was showing the dial feedback and Romney was consistently hitting the top of the charts. The Huckster never had high feedback. Allan Keyes was an embarrassment. His feedback was dragging the bottom.

Wasatch Powder, Snowbird, UT (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:13 PM)

This Alan Keyes thing was an absolute joke. He doesn't have a snowballs chance in Hell of being elected. He should not have been given any opportunity to be up on that stage. The only reason he was up there was because of political correctness. He ruined the debate. The other thing... the moderator was terrible.

Rick, Des Moines,Iowa (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:13 PM)

Mitt Romney looks like a president should look, and makes me think of Ronald Reagan. Huckabee, regardless of his lead in the polls, looks and acts more like Ron Paul, another fringe candidate. Giuliani is better than I thought he was and Thompson is noone's fool. As for Hunter and Tancredo, I have no idea what they are doing in this race. Alan Keyes is a disgrace to his religion, his race, and his political party.

Gus Payne (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:14 PM)

This was no debate at all. The moderator stated she would ask questions that Iowa voters are most interested in. Well if they are interested in the questions that were asked today, we are in real trouble. No one won this so called debate, it was more like political commercials.

Ronald Rudnicki, Kemp, TX. (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:15 PM)

Ron Paul was the closest thing to a real republican on that stage. And, he's the only one you can trust.

HP, Kansas (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:15 PM)

Surprise, Chuck Todd likes Huckabee. All liberals do. The focus group on FOX said Romney was the clear winner. Go Romney!!

dan,atlanta,GA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:18 PM)

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Results Posted Weekly Tuesday Evening At Midnight.

Pete, Seattle, WA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:19 PM)

I agree with Steve that all the GOP candidates just don't seem to have a clue and what is up with Keyes -- is that guy not just a scary guy? The only thing they want to increase is the military and want to basically do away with government entirely. Not one of them answered a question that I, a lower middle class citizen working two jobs, caring for a mom with Alzheimer's and renting because I can't afford a home, cares about. As far as I'm concerned this "debate" highlighted the fact that the GOP wouldn't know a regular citizen unless they paid them for lawnwork.

Linda, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:20 PM)

Huckabee-Mccain would be a winning ticket in 2008...and,the GOP best not underestimate Hillary...they need to be precise in what they would do on severalimportant issues we face as a country. Again, Huckabee-Mccain wins easily in 08

eric kentucky (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:20 PM)

Of the candidates that can win a general election (sorry Huck, Ron and Duncan) I thought Fred showed the best command of the issues. I am comfortable with him.

Jamal, Memphis, TN (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:21 PM)

I have been pulled over to the Romney camp. Huckabee came off as a fringe candidate to me. He didn't seem to have a good handle on the issues.

Chad Cleveland,OH (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:21 PM)

Having to rush out before two P. M., to deposit my late arriving Veteran Administration disability check, I missed much of the debate, however upon my return, I think that the loser of this debate was the American People. I heard the constant invoking of Ronald Reagan by Governor Rumney, which is the guy that ended the cold war in order for his party to start the war against Islamic idealism. What I really heard was that with a Conservative in the White House, we can expect to be entangled in an on-going war for a long time.
When this Nation finally wake up and understand that a strong military is necessary for the defense of our nation, but that cannot always be our first option for defense, it has to always be the last. Our ability to overpower any enemy can never doubted; as it is today, but must be in a position to defend and protect if necessary. Ron Paul I saw as the real voice of the Conservative view, but since he was not talking about Heaven or Hell, he is not even being considered as a potential option.
The problem with us pointing out our distain for the Islamic Ideals, it tends to highlight our own Christian prejudice and just how radical our views on faith can be. This use to be a nation of tolerance for at the very minimum religious beliefs; now, however we have abandoned this approach.
I could go on and on, but so far this year, I have heard nothing that has inspired me to rush out and embrace either party. It is time to tell the truth without worrying how it will be received, there is no way to please everyone, but the truth will set you free. What I have heard overall from everyone is that they are going into the Oval Office with their ideals and they plan to implement those ideals when in their first year, the next president should consider talking to the American People and return the country back over to the people and stop trying to be an autocratic leader CEO. The failure or damage being done to many of our institutional manufacturers is due to just that type of leadership.

Harold L. Harris, Sr. (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:22 PM)

I like Huckabee! I have voted for both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates. I am not an "organized - type" religious person, although I was raised a Methodist. Huckabee comes across as a genuinely nice, decent, thoughtful person. As a piano teacher, I loved his answer on putting music and art back in the schools. I think we need a uniter right now in our history. That precludes Hillary, in my opinion. She is the ultimate polarizer. We need someone who can actually bring the executive and legislative branches together and tackle the big issues. For me, I would be happy with either Huckabee or Giuliani on the Republican side, and Obama or Edwards on the Democratic side. I am anti-war, so I guess I lean more toward the Democratic side, but I really like Huckabee!

Allison, Roanoke, VA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:22 PM)

Harold L. Harris, Sr., Sandy Springs, GA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:23 PM)

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