The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Tonight's Debate, Part IV

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Byron York of the Washington Examiner asks if Bachmann would "be submissive" to her husband if she were elected president. Bachmann handles the question very well, and very graciously, explaining that this Biblical language means that she respects her husband, a "godly" man and good father.

Huntsman defends his support of civil unions without backing off at all, and earns respectful applause from the Iowa audience.

Asked by York if he is more pro-life than Santorum, Pawlenty boasts about his record in Minnesota and references a National Review piece calling him the best pro-life candidate in the field. He's been consistent in referring to his actual accomplishments.

In answering a question about the debt ceiling, Bachmann cites an inaccurate debt figure, falsely suggests that the debt ceiling hike gave Obama a "blank check," and then distorts S&P's justification for downgrading U.S. debt. She is capable of good one-liners, but this is demagogic.

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USSAlabama| 8.11.11 @ 11:04PM

You're right...

Paul McGrath| 8.11.11 @ 11:38PM

Romney: Very strong showing. He said all the right things and appeared healthy and vigorous. But . . . is he really going to be as conservative as he sounds? I really, really want to believe in the guy, but I have some concerns. The MA health-care thing gives me the heebie-jeebies.

Bachmann: Yes, I like her, I like her very much. But she's a bit brittle--please show a sense of humor, okay?--needs a lot more seasoning, and it just isn't going to happen.

Huntsman: His comments about abortion were very powerful; perhaps as powerful as anything said tonight. But he's really a nobody. Forget it.

Newt: Home run. One home run after the other. Clearly the most intelligent person out there. Strong personality and extremely knowledgable about everything. But his moment has passed. He doesn't have a prayer. Unfortunately.

Ron Paul: An idiot. Yes his comments about the economy generally make sense, but he looks and sounds like a crazy old man, and his foreign policy declarations put him in la-la land. Iran can have nukes? He is a waste of time. He's finished. He SHOULD be finished. Go away already.

Cain: Very strong showing. Another one who hit 'em out of the park. Can't think of a thing I don't like about the guy except that he has never been in politics and simply doesn't have a lot of name recognition.

Pawlenty: Yeah, he pushed Bachmann off the cliff, but she took him with her and they both went over. They're down there bleeding on the rocks. See ya.

Santorum: Fraternity boy smile. Nice guy, good ideas, see ya later.

On the whole it was an excellent debate. Obama got trashed as he should have. I frankly would like more time with Romney, Bachmann, Cain and Gingrich and am ready for the other four to take a hike. Perry better get in this quick. He is running out of time.

Ryan| 8.12.11 @ 9:07AM

I think from everything we can tell at this point, Gingrich didn't lose, which was important for him. Like him or not, he can hold his own well enough in the debates.

Wayne | 8.11.11 @ 11:39PM

The whole debate is demagogic. Its called politics.

WJ| 8.12.11 @ 8:29AM

If you don't like open borders, amnesty and the Dream Act then don't get attached to Rick Perry. He is a wolf in sheep's clothing and he will sell out the conservative movement in a heartbeat.

In addition, he won't beat Obama.