About Last Night: The Smartest Showed Up First

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Ron Paul, Herman Cain, Tim Pawlenty, Rick Santorum, Gary Johnson
in an interesting camera angle that makes the shortest tallest.

Here's what I mean.  This picture, and the ensuing videos that can now be run with soundbites forever, have set a baseline. The fact that other contenders did not show up also speaks volumes.  Why would Michele Bachmann (whom I wished were there), Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, Mitch Daniels, and Newt Gingrich and any others I've failed to  mention pass this opportunity up?  What were they waiting for? South Carolina is a very significant place when it comes to Republican Presidential nominations. Since Ronald Reagan in 1980, all Presidential candidates seeking the nomination who win South Carolina have gone on to be the actual Republican Presidential Candidate.


All five "candidates" - only one is actually declared, and that would be former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson - were not afraid to take on Obama and how the country is really in a lot of trouble economically.  What's more significant is today, The Day After, I have heard no accusations of racism! More importantly, during the debate not once was Herman Cain singled out as "African American."  (Hmmm.)


Granted, these gentlemen were likely comfortable in the non-hostile environment that is the Fox News Channel rather than the formerly-known-as Main Stream Media. (Fox News and the South Carolina Republican Party  sponsored the debate.) Even some of the left-leaning dung flung by Juan Williams at the participants was mild, perhaps even purposeful on the part of Fox News.

The winner of the debate for me was Senator Rick Santorum, as he spoke to my values and principles personally. I appreciated what I perceived as very passionate and genuine answers.  He came across to me sounding like a frustrated citizen.  That feels excrutiatingly familiar, and I could identify with his tone. Many of us conservatives, while we would not push our values on those who don't want them, are tired of our position on faith, family, values and religion being ridiculed and downright trashed.  Does this mean I'd vote for him if he becomes "the nominee?" You betcha.  I'd vote for any one of the gentleman who appeared at this debate over what is going to be offered on the other side of the ticket. The Socialist in Chief MUST be voted out. I don't think I'm the only person who will let the fact that these guys showed up here and others didn't influence how I might vote. Restated: Cain, Johnson, Paul, Pawlenty, and Santorum took future votes seriously, under any circumstances.  That matters. 

Some meida pundits are declaring Herman Cain the winner, as did the Frank Luntz Panel conducted after the debate. The Washington Examiner has a very fair synopsis of the event.

On a side note, my mild ADD interrupted my concentration in that I kept thinking the Fox News Debate set resembled the game show Jeopardy.