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

Thank you Chuck for saying Fred was the best. He was and is the only candidate who can even come close to taking Hillary...Why, his intelligence is far above any one on that stage and above hers by far...
I am from Arkansas all my life and a Southern Baptist and no Huckabee for me or my country....far too much damaging baggage with this guy and a lot more to come.

Eve Crawford, Van Buren, Arkansas (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:24 PM)

So Marty, just to clarify, you don't like Huck because he's a religious fanantic (no one can blame you for that with all his nauseating Biblical references to his platform/campaign), you don't like Rudy because of his record in NY, you don't like Thompson because of his career (I take it you also didn't like Reagan, and if you lived in CA you wouldn't like Arnold), you don't like Paul because he seems off his rocker, and you don't like Romney because of his religion (MormOn- notice the spelling)? I get your views on Huck, Rudy, and Paul... but I'm wondering why Thompson being an actor or Romney being a Mormon would affect your vote- in your opinion. Politically, what difference does it make? I've read others' opinions on this before, but I'm curious about yours...

since it's unlikely that McCain is going to win, who else would you want to vote for? In other words, who is your second choice?

FYI- I think Romney is the best leader of the bunch. My second choice would be a democrat.

Kira, Utah (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:25 PM)

Romney never answers a question, besides, what's a man worth 190M every going to do for me? Guliani doesn't really care about these questions, he just wants the power. Fred Thompson might want to read NAFTA before running. Huckabee changes colors everytime he hears a good answer from someone else (not very christian, stealing and all). McCain is on medication again for his cancer. Keyes made us all think about "hot wind". The winners were the second tier candidates, they all fared well today.

Ron H. (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:25 PM)

Question: can you ask your IT guys to put a "comment planted by campaign operative" filter on the comments? That would be swell.

Peter, San Francisco, CA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:26 PM)

Hey Scott from Toledo - let's have some support for your assertion that McCain is a political hack. Is it because you disagree with him on issues or is it because you subscribe to the philosophy of name-calling when you've got nothing else to offer?

Matt, Manchester, CT (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:27 PM)

As I said in August when Huck was barely a blip on the radar - Huckabee will be President! Why? Because IKNOWTHETRUTH! The ONLY true conservative, morally, ethically, politically and fiscally is Huck.

What about Guilianni? - BEEEEEP! Wrong answer, he's on wife number 3 and counting. Besides that he's a closet Demorat: Pro-Abortion, Pro-Gun Control, Pro-Sanctuary City, etc. etc. I'm surprised he's lasted this long.

What about Thompson? BEEEEP! Wrong answer, He's on (grand daughter), ooops! wife number ? and can't catch a coherent thought to save his life.

What about Romney? BEEEEP! Wrong answer, He didn't figure out that abortion was wrong until he figured out it was wrong for him on the national political stage.Forget the Mormon issue, his own flip-flopper stance on the issues sank his political boat before it ever set sail.

What about Ron Paul? BEEEEEP! Wrong answer, let me spell this one out F-R-E-A-K!!!!!!!!! He's the GOP's Dennis Kucinich, need I say more.

What about McCain? BEEEEEEP! Wrong answer again, he's on grand daughter, ooops again, wife # what and looks about as lively as a corpse. No personality whatsoever and McCain - Feingold blasted his boat from the water a long time ago.

What about Hunter/Tancredo/Keyes - BEEEP! wrong answer, Hunter and Tancredo are one dimensional and Keyes, although very intelligent and should figure in the new administration somewhere, blew his miniscule shot today. He has some good ideas but is WAY TOO PUSHY! Huck is the man, been saying that for months, it just took the country too long to figure it out. Grassroots.com did a survey of 67,000 conservatives and Huck won with 34% of the vote. Couple that with Romney's 16% that he will pick up between now and the January caucuses and Huck will have 50% of the vote in Iowa. He's sharp, he's faithful to wife and constituency, He has more executive experience than all the other candidates both Republican and DemoRAT combined, he's not afraid to answer questions and doesn't dodge the issues. He's the right candidate to send Hillary down in defeat. How do I know all this, first I checked out his website, read his CLEAR positions on the issues and also because IKNOWTHETRUTH!

IKNOWTHETRUTH (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:27 PM)

The Results are in. Ron Paul won by a landslide. He recieved 92.86 of all votes. Only two other candidates even received one percent.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/10/opinion/polls/main3603365.shtml

Jeremy McGill (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:27 PM)

Well at least this one was better than that UTube fiasco. Thompson really shined today -- I just hope some of the voters in Iowa were paying attention. Huckabee is the big loser here because he played things safe now that he's contending -- nice, honest guy but way off on too many issues. Mitt held his own and I was unimpressed (again) with Rudy... everyone else is fringe. Hope Fred continues to show everyone that he is the REAL conservative who's been around long enough to know what needs to be done and how to do it.

Doug, San Diego, CA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:28 PM)

When are the Ron Paul supporters going to give up? I get that they like his "revolutionary" points of view. Personally I think he comes off as a little creepy. Kind of like the nerd in school who now has power and is out for revenge- sorry that's just the feeling I get every time I listen to him. I'm just surprised that his supporters seem to be on every blog, yet his poll numbers nationwide rarely even hit double digits. He's not going to win folks, and he's already said himself that he's not going to run as an independent... so??? What is he going to do with all the extra money his supporters gave him when he loses the primary? Just wondering.

Kira, Utah (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:30 PM)

Romney clearly took the debate with his specific answers, realistic thinking, and great ability to communicate his ideas.

Huckabee looks like he's happy with his lead and just wanted to skim by without losing any of his sudden support. He is truly appealing to the least intelligent voters of the race who have no clue where candidates stand on issues and vote based on the fact that he sounds "reasuring", "secure" and, most importantly like a preacher.

Remember the last "reassuring" sounding president we got from Arkansas? The only difference between Huck and Clinton is NAME.

Ben from New Hampshire (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:30 PM)

Are people really voting on the basis of someone "looking Presidential?" I fear for America.

Honestly I'm surprised that Romney hasn't listed on his resume that he looks like like the President from the TV series "The West Wing."

Wake up, America.

Brian, Melbourne, FL (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:31 PM)

Well, I'm clearly in the NPR demo because I actually liked the format. Yes, I already knew I was in the NPR demo, but I guess you just confirmed it. I didn't even hate the moderator.

cms (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:33 PM)

Huckabee is avoiding talking specifics EVERY QUESTION. Seriously, why do people feel so tempted to vote for people with NO record and NO policy just because they're good at talking?

Havn't we had enough smooth talking spineless politicians trying to sound good to everybody and avoiding saying anything substantial?

I will honestly be embarrassed if Huckabee wins the nomination.

Joe S (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:34 PM)

Ron Paul definitely won this and every other debate, be it republican or democrat, because he has the best record and ideas about restoring the governments mandate to uphold and defend the Constitution. A Constitution that is beneficial to all parties and citizens alike. The media has been tyrannical in its questionable practices of demonizing Dr. Paul(R) from Texas, and that is why most Americans reject their propaganda.

Eric Wallace,San Diego, CA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:39 PM)

It's increased.

Who won Wednesday's Republican debate in Iowa?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rudy Giuliani:
0.41%
Mike Huckabee:
2.64%
Duncan Hunter:
0.17%
Alan Keyes:
1.32%
John McCain:
0.25%
Ron Paul:
93.47%
Mitt Romney:
1.07%
Tom Tancredo:
0.25%
Fred Thompson:
0.41%

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: This is not a scientific poll. The results above are for information purposes only, and should not be confused with the results of the scientific polls conducted by CBS News.

Jeremy McGill (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:39 PM)

I thought Fred Thompson finally got the chance to show Americans he is an electable canidate,and stands solid on the conservative side of government. I know there were others who made good points but for me Fred the right choice.

Maggie Thomas,Elwood,Indiana (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:40 PM)

I just noticed that Mitt Romney's script is for sale on ebay. No bids yet..

Chad, Chatham, Illinois (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:42 PM)

Wait until Huckabee tries to ram Jesus down the throats of Islam. Live and let live, vote for Ron Paul

Ron H. (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:42 PM)

Yo, Joe S. What do you mean "no record"? He was voted one of the best governors in America, who won two terms in a DemoRATic state with over 40% of the African-American vote and greater than 50% approval rating. You and everyone else who need to wake up to the FACT that Huckabee will be the next president. Why? Because IKNOWTHETRUTH!

INOWTHETRUTH (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:43 PM)

Mitt Romney hit a Grand Slam! Our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack has spent alot of time and money propping up old Huck. But it's not going to work. Mitt Romney will be America's 44th President of the USA

Allen Ridge (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:43 PM)

Thompson was engaged in the debate this time, at least compared to the times he seemed to be falling asleep on his feet. But don't underestimate the value of a lethargic president. Giuliani could probably start seven, maybe eight wars in a four year term. Thompson would probably start one or two, get bored with it all, and go hide out in a fishing cabin somewhere for the rest of his term.

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:45 PM)

More Proof
Fred Thompson
6.5%
Rudy Giuliani
2.5%
Mike Huckabee
3.9%
Duncan Hunter
0.01%
John McCain
2.5%
Ron Paul
80%
Mitt Romney
3.5%
Tom Tancredo
0.2%
Allan Keyes
0.8%
This is not a scientific survey, click here to learn more. Results may not total 100% due to rounding and voting descrepencies.

Jeremy McGill (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:46 PM)

Kira, Utah.....Next time you watch a debate, turn the sound on your TV completely off. You don't care what they're saying anyway. All you (and most of the other idiots here) care about is how presidential a candidate looks.

HP, Kansas (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:46 PM)

Did I mention that IKNOWTHETRUTH?

IKNOWTHETRUTH (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:47 PM)

Finally Fred Thompson had the chance to connect and get his message out. Clearly he did the best in this "debate".McCain was kinda boring this go round.Go Fred!

Maggie Thomas,Elwood,Indiana (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:48 PM)

Not a fan of Huckabigot.... Romney wins this one.

Richard Richins, Seattle Washington (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:51 PM)

huckabee is who the dems should worry about, if the dems make the mistake of nominating hillary I could vote for huckabee, hillary is the only dem I will not vote for, most people will compromise and vote for another dem candidate, until hillary comes up, a whole bunch of people see hillary for what she is, a wealthy elitist, corrupt, republican masquerading as a democrat to fulfill a selfish self-centered agenda, she offers more of the same, nothing new, we need edwards to break the stranglehold big business has on this country, everyone knows that, get past the media darlings and vote for meaningful change

MK,MO (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:51 PM)

Yaaawwwwn. Oh, my, is that the best you all have. Ole Baasset Hound face, who can barely stay awake. Magic underpants wearin' Willard. lest we forget the Right Reverend who doesn't believe in evolution? Oh and by the way you crazyass Ron PAul bots... Gey help... Iwon't even dain to mention the other trolls. But hey good luck, and stop cheeking your meds.

Pancho Villa Monterey Mexico (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:54 PM)

Can someone please explain to me how PASTOR KEYES gained access to this debate when he neither polls at 1% (or higher) nor has a campaign office in Iowa...?

Shaun McGarry, Frisco, TX (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:55 PM)

MODERATOR DESTROYS DEBATE!!!!

WINNERS
MITT - Presidential, knowledgeable, competent - watched on Fox with Frank Luntz focus group graph on screen.

FRED - shucks he really is alive - stood up to moderator

LOSER - Huck - Focus group thought he was a second tier candidate - he got lucky that Immigration was off the table and that lousy moderator did not ask him about his bigoted comment about Romney.

Biggest Loser
Us the voters - Ron Paul I can at least tolerate, but Keyes, Hunter and Tancredo need to shove off - it was boring.

Rob (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:55 PM)

The Mormon was very clean and had great hair. I like his family values even if he does believe God lives on the Planet Kolub.

Steve Reece, New York, NY (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:57 PM)

MK,MO....Nobody is worried about Huckleberry. He never says anything. Oh, but he LOOKS presidential.

HP, Kansas (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:59 PM)

Am looking forward to watching Fred's debate performance on tv tonight. The Hawkeye State is still in play with 3 short weeks to go.

http://fayettecountyrepublicanpartyiowa.blogspot.com/

Jim in Fayette, Iowa (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:01 PM)

We need a man who can cross party lines and WIN!!! Although Romney is a solid candidate, there is only one person who can unify the whole Republican Party and cross over party lines!! Huckabee is our guy. He currently has an approval rating of 70% in a DEMOCRATIC state. This above anything else tells me that he will unite our country. When the whole country realizes what type of a leader he is, there will be no one from the other side that will stop him.

P.S-Don't believe the numbers that the NY Times or CNN reports when comparing Huckabee and other Dems. BELIEVE what the people of Arkansas say. They have witnessed him running their state for 10+ years. He will do the same for this country!!

Jeff, Rochester,Mn (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:06 PM)

yA KNOW WE COULD ALL CALL NAMES AND POKE FUN BUT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE OF ELECTING OUR NEXT PRESIDENT.DO YOUR PARENTS KNOW YOU'RE ON AN ADULT WEB SITE? BECAUSE PANCHO, YOU REALLY SHOW YOUR IMMATURITY AND IGNORANCE.

Maggie Thomas,Elwood,Indiana (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:08 PM)

Thumbnail review:

Thompson: In command (insert "Law and Order" SFX here)

Romney: Scripted and oleaginous; overhyping a slim record in Mass. Couldn't knock out Huckabee.

Huckabee: Smooth, calm, friendly, thoughtful -- a nice guy. (BTW, doesn't Huck have a longer record as governor than Romney?)

McCain: Needs to take a nap (maybe waterboarding would wake him up)

Keyes: Who knew he was running again? Pointed out the huge problem with the debate format.

Tancredo: Why bother to show up if you don't get to talk about the big "I."

Hunter: Smart guy but no hope (couldn't he donate his time to one of the guys with an actual chance).

Giuliani: Phoning it in and shrinking with every new scandal question. He couldn't manage a cheap, tawdry extra-marital affair, so why does he think he could handle the Presidency.

Paul: The foil-hatters will say he won (without even bothering to watch the debate), but to the other 98% of Republicans, he sounded like somebody's crazy old grandpa.

Lincoln and Douglas: Rolling in their respective graves that this mess was called a "debate."

Speedzzter (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:08 PM)

Yo Pancho? Get some help with your spelling! "Hooked on Phonics" isn't getting it done for you. Typing I might be a good choice as well. Maybe you could get a package deal with some Grammar remedial courses at your local elementary school. Get your facts straight before logging in. Huckabee is the clear winner now and will be in November. You heard it here first - months ago. Why? Because IKNOWTHETRUTH!

IKNOWTHETRUTH (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:10 PM)

When are the Ron Paul supporters going to give up? I get that they like his "revolutionary" points of view. Personally I think he comes off as a little creepy. Kind of like the nerd in school who now has power and is out for revenge- sorry that's just the feeling I get every time I listen to him
Kira, Utah (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:30 PM
*****************************************************
Giuliani seems to fit this description a whole lot more. Seriously, tell me he didn't get beat up at school everyday. And how his creepy crouched posture? Reminds me of a pedophile lurking in the bushes. And son't get me started on his Sylvester the Cat lisp. What kind of despotic leader is going to take his threats seriously? Chavez would eat him for breakfast. If I may quote Kim Jong Il "Don't make me raff!"

Jimmy Chicago IL (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:14 PM)

Looking presidential and upholding the Constitution are two different things. People have been voting on looks for years! Now "look" where we are!

Ron Paul won, clearly. He's so historical in his data and he has a definite plan to start turning things around in our favor.

The media should be ashamed!

Tracy (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:16 PM)

FRED THOMPSON remains the only true consistent conservative for whom I'd vote. The rest of the lot are all wannabees, professional politicians, shallow, untruthful, unethical, etc. Fred is the first Presidential candidate I've really embraced wholeheartedly since JFK, but at the time, I was too young to vote for John F. Kennedy. I'm not a Repub or Dem....I vote for the person, not the party. When all is said and done, it's the person beneath all the talk and show that matters. Fred proved again that he is a man of substance, knows what it takes to be our President, is a confident leader, a man of integrity, a class act.......and has yet to lose a campaign....and I have every confidence FRED WILL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT BECAUSE HE'S THE REAL DEAL!

Irene D. Davis, Manassas, VA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:24 PM)

Thompson was the clear winner. He clearly has the most thought out and cogent ideas of any candidate on the stage. He also understands that after 60+ years of expansion at the federal level, we have been left with nothing but corruption (i.e. pork spending) and incompetence; and the federal government has actually perpetuated poverty and government dependence, rather than offer relief and opportunity to lower income Americans.

After reviewing the records and policy proposals of all candidates on both sides of the aisle, Fred Thompson stands out as a man of courage, principle, and intellect. He also approaches the candidacy in a unique way. He knows he will lead this country as president, but he understands also that as president, he is a servant of the people. He has earned my vote.

Joe Sexton, Tacoma, WA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:25 PM)

Enough of the spam and phony polls from Ron Paul supporters. You fool no one. You're not Republicans, you're anti-Republicans and anti-Americans and I consider you all reliable votes for Hillary in November.

That said, all of the other Republican candidates are really good, and I have no idea who I'm going to vote for yet. I'd like to see them all together, as President, Vice president and a cabinet in 2009. Ron Paul can serve as the turkey that the Republican President pardons on Thanksgiving, and then sends off to the farm.

Mike, Danbury, CT (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:33 PM)

Huck was strong, if subdued. I think he lost something by trying harder to look presidential. He needs to get back to his personable wit and wisdom approach.
Mitt appeared presidential, but also looked just a bit too slick.
Keyes? WTH?!?! He didn't even meet the min, criteria.
Thompson - best day yet and his courage to address the looking entitlements program may finally be his signature issue...if it isn't too late.
McCain - A picture in courage to tell people the truth instead of what they want to hear. Telling Iowans that he doesn't support ethanol subsidies may not help him in the caucus but it shows his integrity. Again.
Paul - Republicans would rather nominate Keyes than good-old 9/11 was our fault, surrender in Iraq Paul. Time to go.
Duncan, Tancredo - Duncan has actually impressed more and more of late, but neither has a chance. Hold the door for Paul on your way out.

PRE (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:37 PM)

I thought Fred T came off terribly on the NIE report answer. He seemed to be saying we should rely on intelligence gathering by foreign nations (he mentioned the UK and Israel) rather than our own CIA. I understood him to say that a national intelligence assessment by 16 US intelligence gathering agencies was just a "piece of paper" that the President shouldn't give much weight too.

I imagine that answer will draw howls if Obama gave it, for example.

Joey Wahoo, Tampa Florida (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:39 PM)

Huckabee's answer about uniting us is a sick joke. He tried to incite haterd toward me and all Mormons by spreading falsehoods only yesterday!!!!! He is a wolf in sheep's clothing! Using sophistry he attacked my religon yesterday--tomorrow it could be yours! Are you sure you have the EXACT same concept of everything he believes? Really? Are you sure? Because if you don't you are suspect! He was enough of a socialist in Arkansas that his religous attacks on me should scare everyone! I'm sure he is on his best behavior now. What happens to me and my fellow Mormons when he has real power. Will you all be united behind him when he drives us out of the country in the 21st century as they did in the 19th? Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing!

SA, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:46 PM)

Romney should be the nominee, no doubt about it. Unfortunately, the religious bigotry of many Iowa REPUBLICAN voters may derail his candidacy and serve up a easily defeatable nominee such as Huckabee for the Hildabeast to pounce on. At that point we really will need to pray.

JFR, Atlanta, GA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:48 PM)

Thompson seems to have the most substance in policy matters. He's the only conservative candidate (Romney, Giuliani, Paul not included) that I can agree with most of the time. Huckabee doesn't have a clue when it comes to policy, but he hasn't been grilled enough so that voters can see through the nice guy question dodging.

Don't even mention "electability" to me. If I wanted sell my values for "electability," like very many Republicans have, I would just choose the frontrunner on Super Tuesday. Right now, this sellout approach has left the Republican Party concerned only with "electability." The party does not stand for anything when this happens.

Jordan Root, Austin, TX (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:52 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."

@Scott, Toledo

It is not funny at all. The thing you describe here is the effect of zionist infestation of our political system. The media, nor our politicians, except for authentic ones like Ron Paul, will not tell us the truth about how America is dragged down the drain by waging trillion dollar wars. And it is a big shame that he stops short of saying for what and why: it is for Israel and it's zionist proxies. Look at the candidates: no one mentions that we are again being pushed to wage another disastrous war, this time against Iran, by the very same zionist system. We could go on and on and on. Till America is free again from this fascist spell we have let our wonderful democracy fall victim to.

Johnny Woe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:55 PM)

Ron Paul won this debate. He has won all the debates. He has won most of the straw polls and will win the presidency if the American citizen still gets to make that decision. Go Dr. Paul!

chris , Le Roy ,IL (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:59 PM)

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