Those of us watching on Television or sitting in the auditorium in South Carolina watched Ron Paul, Herman Cain, Tim Pawlenty, Rick Santorium and Gary Johnson answer questions.
Michelle Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin and Donald Trump skipped this debate for various reasons. What they learned is that skipping this debate was a mistake.
The focus group as well as several political observers almost unanimously said that this debate winner was Herman Cain (my winner as well) and that Romney, Huckabee, Bachmann, etc. now have to work extra hard to prove they belong in the field. In fact, the Fox News focus group of 29 people had about 22 supporting Herman Cain, a overwhelming majority and especially significant when most of the people did not know him prior to this debate. By my count Rick Santorium came in second.
While again I had Herman Cain coming out on top, I think Rick Santorium made the case for his conservatives creds and record as a Senator from Pennsylvania. Ron Paul, while having the Tea Party support (from which I count myself a member) comes across as too whiny and weak on foreign policy....but I do like his unrelenting State Rights positions. I could support former Minnesota Governor Pawlenty if he is the candidate. And I think we should all hope that former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson skips town.
