A Funny Thing Happen on the Way to New Hampshire

Saturday, January 5, 2008 nine presidential candidates (6 republican, 4 democrat) sat down with news anchors Charles Gibson (WABC News) and Scott Spradling (WMUR-TV) in Hanover, New Hampshire for a conversation. The candidates spoke to voters, television viewers and each other. The format, allowed approximately 15 minutes of free exchange among the candidates on questions posed by Gibson and Spradling.

The republicans were up first. The debate was, for the most part, civil. However, at the beginning there was a heated exchange. Most of the attacks (personal and policy) where directed at Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. The democrats were more civil, except for occasional attacks by former Senator John Edwards and Senator Barack Obama on Senator Hillary Clinton reminiscent of a World Wrestling Federation (WWF) tag-team match.

Here are some highlights:

Republicans:

Zinger: Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee landed a clean blow when Romney was defending himself against the accusation that he had opposed President Bush's Iraq strategy. "You're trying to characterize my position," Romney told Huckabee, to which Huckabee replied quickly, "Which one?"

Zinger I: Then came an exchange between Senator John McCain and Romney over Romney's criticism of McCain's position on illegal immigration. McCain tells Romney, "You can spend your entire fortune on these attack ads calling my plan amnesty and it still won't be true."

Zinger II: Actor turned senator turned actor Fred Thompson quoted an Associated Press report quoting Romney as favoring amnesty for illegal immigrants, Romney said he was misquoted. "When you change positions from time to time, you will get misquoted," McCain quipped.

Policy:Immigration

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani defended his support for allowing illegal immigrants to earn citizenship. "You can't throw out 12 million people, whether Gov. Romney would like to do that or not," Giuliani said.

Notable Observation: Fred Thompson exhibited less interested in the events around him than television extras show in courtroom scenes on his former TV show: Law & Order.

Democrats:

Zinger I: Following an exchange amongst Clinton, Edwards and Obama, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, a former United Nations envoy, to quip: ``I've been in hostage negotiations that were a lot more civil than that.''

Zinger II: "I didn't hear these kinds of attacks from Senator Clinton when she was ahead," Edwards said. "And now that she's not, we hear them, and any time you speak out for change, this happens."

Policy:

Richardson said he would remove troops entirely within a year. "You've got to get all the troops out because they become targets," he said. "If you leave a small force behind, you cannot bring the political reconciliation that is needed."

Notable Observation:

Edwards and Obama joining forces to attack Clinton. Are we seeing a possible "ticket" developing?

McCain is projected to win in New Hampshire. So, he had the most to lose with a poor showing. He looked sharp and comfortable, particularity when shooting barbs at Mitt Romney. Romney on the other hand looked uncomfortable, at times even hurt.

Clinton and Obama are in a statical tie in most polls with Edwards behind. Edwards did make an impassioned case for his run. He noted his personal commitment to change, specifically taking on special interest groups. He cited his father and grandmother "working in the mill" all their lives. The camera aided him; focusing on the two several times while he spoke. Clinton looked desperate and, at times, overwrought, though towards the end, she did appear "softer" and more comfortable.

It is hard to determine clear winners and losers, but for simplicity's sake, here it is:

Winners: McCain, Edwards Losers: Romney, Clinton Even: Huckabee, Obama