The battle in Boca
Posted: Friday, January 25, 2008 9:26 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:
2008, Republican debates
The Miami Herald: “With just five days to go before Florida's do-or-die Republican primary, Thursday's nationally televised debate could have been a bloodbath. Instead, it was more like a Rotary Club forum, with rivals doling out compliments and only the occasional polite disagreement. When the candidates posed questions to their rivals, they tossed Nerf balls.”
Video: Watch the entire MSNBC Republican debate.
“Even the legendarily combative Rudy Giuliani, who has slipped to third place in Florida polls,
declined to tear down John McCain or Mitt Romney, the duo wrestling for first place. The docile Republican forum at Florida Atlantic University stood in stark contrast to the most recent Democratic debate, in which Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama traded barbs.”
The New York Times: "It was not exactly the kind of knock-down, drag-out fight that has characterized past Republican debates. Most of the candidates agreed that the economic stimulus plan being considered in Washington was a good first step but also said it should include permanent tax cuts."
The Washington Post: "The mostly civil forum came at a critical moment in the muddled GOP competition, and the five remaining candidates appeared eager to avoid some of the sharper differences that have sparked tough exchanges. Instead, they played it safe and were often cordial to one another five days before Florida's primary election, which could end one or more candidacies."
Politico's Martin notes McCain got help on stage from both Giuliani and Huckabee.
L.A. Times: "The five candidates touched on religion, natural disasters and war, but nothing aroused their passion quite so much as their mutual distaste for the prospect of Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bill Clinton returning to the White House."
The Boston Globe: “The debate at Florida Atlantic University hosted a five-man field that appeared to have taken a mutual vow to stay civil and even complimentary of one another. While the Romney and McCain campaigns released TV ads last night attacking each other, on stage, the men kept their remarks conciliatory.”
“If there was a winner,
it was likely Romney, who seemed to counter each punch and even got off a few zingers of his own. Asked how he would run against both Bill and Hillary Clinton if he were the nominee, Romney enthused, ‘I frankly can't wait, because the idea of Bill Clinton back in the White House with nothing to do is something I just can't imagine.’”
The New York Daily News’ Goodwin on last night’s debate: “Giuliani, in a political funk for the past two months, put on a solid performance to keep his hopes alive. While he wasn't spectacular or dramatic, he was comfortable, forceful and precise with his answers. He was as good on the economy, immigration and the danger of Islamic terror as McCain and Romney.” Goodwin also writes that the topic of the Times editorial also likely helped him.
Human Events' Rubin notes: "McCain emerged unscathed. Romney had perhaps his best debate performance, largely because his opponents avoided attacking him… As for Huckabee, it soon became apparent that he is running hard -- for McCain’s VP. He defended McCain on the question as to whether he was too old and used his question to go after Romney’s gun rights record as Massachusetts governor. Otherwise, he was a minor figure in the debate, offering up notions like a highway project to stimulate the economy that are unlikely to broaden his appeal with the GOP electorate."
