GOP Debate: Mitt Romney’s Lucky Streak Continues,

But How Long Can It Last?



Seven Electoral Dwarfs and Mr. Romney



 GOP candidates debated in Iowa Thursday night, missing only Ms. Sarah Palin who was hovering nearby at the state fair, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry who was working out his final plans to upstate things with his announcement to enter the race.



Once again front runner Mitt Romney got a tremendous break (including the tremendous break he has in the quality of his opponents), just by standing next to his opponents he looks good.  He moved back into general election mode.  His canned lines went over well.  When asked about not commenting on the debt ceiling issue,

I’m not president now,” he said with a smile, “though I would have liked to have been.”

which was nice.  When the belated attack from Tim Pawlenty came, as everyone knew it would, Mitt was prepared.

When Mr. Pawlenty served up a gentle dig at Mr. Romney’s wealth, offering to mow just one acre of Mr. Romney’s estate, Mr. Romney laughed it off, saying, “That’s just fine.” Later, when in a contrast to his previous debate performance, Mr. Pawlenty attacked Mr. Romney for his health care plan and compared it to the president’s plan, Mr. Romney simply joked, “I think I like Tim’s answer at the last debate better.”

The only problem with Mr. Romney’s debate performance was his comment



“Look, I’m not going to eat Barack Obama’s dog food, all right?”



One Thing Mr. Romney
Will Not Do to be President

which made so little sense and showed so little thought and imagination that Mr. Romney can only hope that the staffer who wrote it is long gone and suffering huge embarrassment.

Ms. Bachmann and Mr. Pawlenty used the debate to spar for the position of “Survivor from Minnesota”, with Mr. Pawlenty probably on the losing end, that conclusion awaiting the results of the Ames Straw Poll.  Mr. Gingrich whined as usual, Mr. Santorum, Mr. Cain and Mr. Paul were their usual irrelevant selves.  Jon Huntsman refused to answer the question, “What am I doing here?”.



Not Mr. Perry's Role Model

So Republicans now move on to the next moment of suspense, Mr. Perry’s entry into the race.  Is he ready to debate, and is he ready to take on Mr. Romney?  Will his act play well on the road, or it just a Texas thing?

Is he Fred Thompson or George W. Bush? 

Well, is he or is he just Rick Perry?