Tonight’s debate was largely uneventful, but if there was one moment that epitomized the current state of the race, it came during a segment when candidates could choose to ask a question of any one of their opponents. Mitt Romney directed a softball question to Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., about how she would get the economy going again. The move demonstrated that Romney is highly confident that he is in the driver’s seat to win the Republican nomination and doesn’t see anybody as a real threat. And after another smooth debate performance, Romney has very good reason to be confident.
As regular readers know, I’ve never shied away from criticizing Romney. His record, particularly on health care, is atrocious from a conservative perspective and his numerous policy reversals make it hard to believe anything he says. But it’s undeniable that he’s does his homework and is mostly unflappable during these debates. His outmatched rivals have either been unwilling or unable to rattle him.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry reinforced the doubts about the viability of his candidacy. It’s one thing if he had an off night or two, but he’s now turned in four straight weak debate performances, so it’s hard to believe he has it within him to do much better. He not only couldn’t get off a good attack on Romneycare, but he was once again incoherent at times, and kept on returning to the crutch of talking about energy policy.
Herman Cain, who has surged in recent weeks, endured the first round of increased scrutiny, and was able to defend his 9-9-9 plan. He’s made the leap from a novelty candidate into the top tier, but it will take a lot more for him to be considered a serious threat to Romney.
As for the other candidates, none of them did anything that changed their overall position in the debate, though Newt Gingrich delivered some smart answers, particularly on the stupidity of the “super committee” process.
