Assessing Winners and Losers from the Fox News GOP Presidential Debate – 12/15/11

NOTE: Watch complete video of the debate.

The Fox News GOP Presidential Debate in Iowa just ended, and it was a shootout, as expected, as the last debate before voting in the January 3, 2012, Iowa Caucuses.

I thought the big winners tonight were Mitt Romney and Rick Perry. Both were very strong, with Romney taking the right strategy of not attacking his fellow Republicans, but focusing on Barack Obama. Again and again in his answers, he moved to attacking Obama. He had, perhaps, the line of the night by describing Obama’s Foreign Policy as a “Pretty Please” approach – particularly by asking Iran to return our downed Spy Drone.

Rick Perry probably had what will be the most talked about line by saying he wants to be the “Tim Tebow of the Iowa Caucuses.” He was sharp and direct with his answers tonight. He has been gaining some ground in recent days, and I think his performance tonight will help him continue to move up. One thing I remember reading about Rick Perry in his Texas political races is that he has been a very strong closer as voting day nears. That has started to play itself out and we’ll see if it continues over the next three weeks.

Newt Gingrich had a good night on balance. He took a lot of punches during this debate, particularly from Michele Bachmann, who was nothing but an attack machine in this debate. Gingrich sometimes appeared defensive early in the debate, but how could he not be, really, with all the attacks coming his way. He did much better in the second half of the debate, particularly on Judges, and on how ridiculous Obama is for opposing the Keystone Oil Pipeline. In the end, I think Gingrich did what he had to do tonight to stop his decline. I don’t know if he will move back up, but he may have gotten his footing once again.

Rick Santorum did well when he had a chance to talk. But there were long gaps of time when he had no chance to speak. I can’t say he had any really memorable lines, but he probably did enough to continue to make some gains in the days ahead. Will it be enough to finish in the top three in Iowa? I don’t know. Santorum is the real sleeper in this race because he has spent so much time in Iowa. He could surprise on election night, even though the polls don’t show it.

Jon Huntsman was just a non-factor. In my view, his answers are dull and his manner just does not connect with Republican voters. I don’t think he helped himself in any way.

Ron Paul did himself some real damage tonight with his Foreign Policy views. I believe Ron Paul sincerely believes what he says, but his views on Iran and Radical Islam are dangerous. Tonight, he was given a lot of time to air his views, and I can’t imagine that you won’t see his numbers now decline in Iowa as voters who may have been giving him a strong look because of his economic views, move away from him due to his Foreign Policy stances. He noticeably dodged a question from Megyn Kelly as to whether he would pledge to support the eventual GOP Nominee if it is not him.

I think Michele Bachmann did nothing to make anyone want to vote FOR her. She attacked all night. She may have helped Mitt Romney by attacking Newt Gingrich relentlessly, but the chances of very many of those voters leaving Gingrich and moving to Bachmann is very slim. She’s going nowhere, and she acted like a desperate candidate tonight.

As we move into the stretch run for the Iowa Caucuses, I think Mitt Romney will gain after tonight, along with Rick Perry. Rick Santorum may continue to make some gains as well. I would look for Gingrich to stabilize, and Ron Paul to lose ground. Who will win in Iowa? I don’t think we have any idea at this point. It is realistic that Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul or even Rick Santorum could win in Iowa. We’ll have to see where the polls are over the next week with this debate incorporated into the results.

What do you think, and where is the race going from here?