Quick observations on tonight's debate.

[RandySF]

Mitt Romney took a big risk in assuming he can skate past Perry and directly reach out to the general electorate. Perry was a deer in the headlights. Michelle Bachmann is done.

[marchellojones]

1. Yeah Bachman is done

I really don´t understand why she was ever even considered!

[rwenos]

2. I dunno . . about Perry

I think Perry did better than anybody else. Mitt is a good communicator, but his own electorate thinks he's a cultist, and his message is simplistic and superficial. But the idea of another Texan in the White House makes me gag.

[FarLeftFist]

5. That's not really saying much though.

They are all lunatics.

[rwenos]

12. Lunatics

Yes, they're all pretty crazy. I wish our guy had a better record to run on. He's vulnerable. Everybody knows it.

[democrat2thecore]

3. As the MSNBC team noted after the debate.....(inside)

Romney's strong defense of Social Security wasn't just a play at the general; seems Perry forgot that the nomination has to run through Florida. Good luck, pal.

(edit to make clear I was talking about Romeny's defense of SS)

[Booster]

7. I think Perry is done if he doesn't come up with a solid plan for

soc. sec. I bet a lot of young people don't bother to vote, but I know a lot of old people will. His answers on this subject were really awful and made him look a little more than crazy. I think he is a little crazy.

[RKP5637]

8. +1, n/t

[democrat2thecore]

13. Agreed. I don't know if he can back peddle from his printed book and his words tonight. -nt

[RKP5637]

14. Yep, he pretty well cast them in stone tonight, probably not much wiggle room left when the

anti-Perry political ads eventually start. They can make him really look like Scary-Perry for SS.

[FarLeftFist]

4. Bachmann is definitely done. Perry is stupider than I thought. Ron Paul is certifiably insane.

Obama now seems like the most sane, rational politician in DC.

[marchellojones]

6. is ron paul

rooting for Utopian society or what

[RKP5637]

9. +1, n/t

[Skink]

10. Bachmans toast eh?

glad to here it. Iowa shouldn't be allowed to vote let alone go first.

[brewens]

11. It's Mitt's turn if the Repiglickin's follow their pattern. So now

maybe all the big money starts to go to Romney?

[bluestate10]

15. Romney will have a rough time on jobs. I see that few of you know Romney's record. nt

[Martin Eden]

16. I don't think Perry can beat Obama in a general election

He'll scare the shit out of anyone who is not already far right batshit crazy.

Romney could attract more moderate/independent voters, but the question is whether he can win the nomination of a Party that's gone off the deep end.