Right On The Right

The folks that attended my debate liveblog event gave the win to Mitt Romney. I gave the win to Mitt Romney. The voters of New Hampshire gave the win to Mitt Romney. Let's go to the blogs...

First off, I'm going to talk about Malkin's reaction, given the fact that she hasn't said incredibly nice things about Romney's campaign thusfar. She hasn't been specifically negative either, but she appears to think Romney won. Here's the video from Luntz's focus group which shows the reaction lines:

Next up, over at Riehl World View, he posted a Luntz reaction video, and also weighed in on why Romney won and how this may affect the race. Here's what he says:

So, while I wouldn't score it as a big Romney win in terms of point by point scoring, when you look at the big picture, this, again, was Romney's night. Look for him to start firming up support as people begin paying attention. Win or lose in New Hampshire - and I'm starting to think he may just pull that state out, Romney will most likely eventually emerge as the Republican nominee.

I'm starting to think he just might pull New Hampshire out too. I only think Maverick is up by a few points, and that's before the debates really get factored in. Maverick's grumpy ass performance last night and Romney's performance tonight will help him. Next, here's Paul from Powerline:

Mitt Romney, in my view, was the winner. His answers were crisp, knowledgeable, and poised. He was solid on each substantive issue and effective in defending his so-called attack ads. My guess is that he's cemented himself as the choice of Republicans in New Hampshire, but still faces the prospect of having independents override that choice.

Will the independents override the Republican choice? Given once again, Luntz's results, and the fact that independents are likely to show up in force for Barack Obama on the Democrat side (and some that will go Repubican might support Paul), I think Romney can pull this out. My good friend Russ Hargraves, who attended my live event, has this to say:

That sound you hear is the muffled screams of a McCain Campaign realizing they are in trouble after a hugely successful debate performance by their chief rival, Mitt Romney. Right out of the gate, Romney schooled McCain on taxes, calling him out on voting against the Bush tax cuts, not once, but twice. Of course, this is true, and so instead of admittting it, John McCain attempted to change the subject and talk about his record of cutting spending. The people of New Hampshire weren't buying it according to Frank Luntz's focus group immediately following the debate.

I could go on and on with blog reactions, and of course some blogs disagree that Mitt won, but I find it revealing that New Hampshire voters thought Mitt won. If it's as dramatic as Luntz's group made it look, Mitt will win. Hugh rounds up the Luntz group impact. Make sure to be back here tomorrow and Tuesday for Primary coverage. Mitt's going to make this a fight.

Mitt Romney was attacked relentlessly in tonight's debate, but as I already said in my most recent post, I dare say that Mitt is going to be the beneficiary. A lot of commentators are starting to agree, which is why I'm not surprised that the new staple of dirty politics, The Politico, is running a hit piece.

But the blows were so steady and so bruising that Romney was unable to really delve into his newly-fashioned message that he is the true Washington outsider in the race who can deliver change until over an hour into the forum.

While the entire field joined in the Romney bash-fest, McCain, who was crowned New Hampshire front-runner by two new polls released Saturday night, seemed to take special pleasure. He had clearly had been primed to deliver a series of powerhouse verbal shots.

It goes on to talk about a series of attacks against Romney, but fails to mention that Romney talked about substantive policy more than other candidate. It failed to mention Romney and Thompson hammering Rudy and McCain on immigration. It failed to mention the fact that Huckabee and McCain both looked like ridiculous bullies that had no policies of their own. It continues:

Combined it was a brutal gang attack, the likes of which have been unseen in any previous debate.

And it couldn’t have come at a worse time for Romney. With two new New Hampshire polls out showing him now down 6 points in this critical state, he needed to set himself apart tonight.

He had hoped to sound his outsider message and discuss his private sector credentials.

Instead he looked rattled at times, unprepared for the waves of attacks.

I would be absolutely shocked if the voters of New Hampshire didn't see through the spin and see that Mitt Romney stayed on message the most, defended himself honestly, and refused to engage in a mud-slinging battle that didn't focus on policy. He was attacked for being rich, which won't resonate with New Hampshire Republicans. Romney came out looking clean, and McCain looked like an ornery man with a bone to pick. Good night for Mitt.