SC GOP Debate Analysis: A Good Night for the Front-Runners, Especially Giuliani
After only two debates, the GOP contests may be forming a pattern. No one in the second tier is doing well enough to break out of the pack. Mitt Romney makes a great first impression but at second glance, there's less there than meets the eye. This is a huge disadvantage in a long campaign where a candidate doesn't only need a second act, but a third, fourth, and fifth.
The consensus winners last night were the leaders -- John McCain and Rudy Giuliani. The cream is rising to the top, which should be no surprise. Of the two, Giuliani was, by media consensus, the huge beneficiary -- dominating the debate's sound bite in his exchange with Ron Paul over 9/11 -- and handling the abortion issue much more deftly than previously. This debate will solidify his position at the top and will likely arrest his current slide in the polls.
The GOP race now will likely remain more or less frozen until Fred Thompson and Newt Gingrich clarify their plans.
