What Happens In Vegas...

On this evening, CNN aired a debate at the Western Republican Convention in Las Vegas. For this debate, Jon Huntsman chose not to participate as a result of a boycott, due to Nevada attempting to move up their primary date. (Conservatives are saying thank goodness) This may actually hurt him, as it's a stupid decision for a candidate barely holding on to 5% of the vote to voluntarily bow out of free media exposure.

Tonight, this started out as being another Herman Cain pile-on, but we soon observed this transition and saw the knives come out between Mitt Romney and Rick Perry, as many believe this debate was his last stand. Also standing on his last leg, Rick Santorum got in a few jabs of his own. Romney, to me, seemed a little more rattled than usual, but Cain held himself up well.

Newt Gingrich, who has a history of performing well in debates, came out strong, citing clear examples and making accurate historical references in articulating his vision as President of the United States. I believe his most important contribution to the discussion is how the candidates should conduct themselves in the primary season. Instead of coming out swinging against each other, they need to show a united front against President Obama-answer each question comparing their vision to Obama's record to draw clear distinctions. We did see it in bits and pieces from other candidates, but we need to see it on a more consistent basis. The primary winner, in this fashion, will come out a little more unscathed when facing the president in the general, and each candidate must realize that he or she is ten times better than who is currently occupying the Oval Office.

In closing, it is my belief that Republicans would pay good money to be in the audience of any Gingrich-Obama debate that will be styled off the Lincoln-Douglas Debates.