The Republican Debates in Tampa with Tea Party Express and CNN were the kind of rumble we had expected!  Perry and Romney slugged it out, then Michelle slapped hell out of Perry with a bribery charge!  WOW!  Perry went after Paul who did everything he could to keep his composure and still blew it.  Santorum chased Paul like a snippy little mexican hairless .  Huntsman is like a 16 year old on his first scoring date – he’s just trying to hard.  Jon seems to plastic and would be bettor suited to deal with heads of state as a ambassador or go back to governing.  Telling the world that Ben Bernanke is traitorous may be true but not a good idea at the debate.  So now Jon gets to carry Perry’s backpack to the Las Vegas debates.  Potus is just not Jons thing!

I thought Newt Gingrich did another outstanding job!  Michelle Bachmann made a comeback of sorts but did not get any backup on her play to accuse Perry of taking bribes.  Cain didn’t shoot himself in either foot and responded with humor that always gets peoples attention, so good job to him on that level.

Romney is the established Republican favorite and a lot of people (especially the press) know that the Tea Party people do not like him.  Therefore, the MSM will continue to give him plenty of free press.  Mitt will eventually ensnare Perry to the point of no return and make Dick Morris’s day.  Perry can only hope that Newt doesn’t come after him, which is inevitable in the months to come.

Bachmann or Cain would have a hard time competing with Obama and the liberal machine, especially heads up in a debate.  Santorum would get spanked after he ran out of talking points to hit back with as well.  Newt or Romney could go toe to toe with Obama, but Newt would be the one that can outthink not only BHO but the entire democrat machine.

Between Newt, Romney, Cain and Bachman, its just a matter of time between now and election day to see which one can survive without turning themselves into a casualty.  Perry can survive the ambush he took tonight but had better be really good between now and the next debate.  Oct. 18th will be crucial for Cain and Perry.  As it looks right now, Newt will happily stand on the sidelines and let the other four shoot it out.  Those 4 have no choice and had better be really, really prepared when they come gunning for him.  I am just waiting for someone to attack Newt about his wife or that park bench thing with Pelosi.  It can be embarrassing for the candidate that makes that mistake.

jmho,

Brian