Grading the Tampa Debate

Candidate grades are based on both performance and success in using the debate to improve their standing in the nomination contest.

Romney

Style: At times a little too proud of himself, but again put forth a decisive turn and skillfully delivered a series of effective, prepared lines—flaunting his solid experience as a presidential candidate.

Substance: Ably delivered his seven-point plan for the economy.

His worst moment: Didn’t quite know how to complete the script when Perry backed away from his previous position on eliminating Social Security.

His best moment: Smoothly took on Perry’s job record in Texas, without sounding whiny or nit-picky.

The main thing: Well prepared and confident when confronting Perry on Social Security, but the crowd was not with him, even when he offered up Tea-pleasing lines. Still, another good night for him in the era of the two-man race: he was on the receiving end of very few shots (and those he got, he deflected pretty well), while it was Perry-as-piñata night yet again. Romney was not as good (or presidential) as last time, but still best in show.

Grade: B+

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Perry

Style: In his second debate, veered into risky territory: Perry’s style doesn’t wear well for all. But popular in the hall, he effectively played to the crowd and was bolstered by their support. Unwisely, mugged a bit, rolled his eyes.

Substance: Held his own on the prescription drug benefit, but again sounded shaky on some other policy questions. Opened a door on bringing US troops home from Afghanistan.

His worst moment: His overstated claim that the Obama stimulus law produced zero jobs drew jeers even from conservatives on Twitter.

His best moment: Macho take-down of Romney after the Bay Stater used a weak poker metaphor to criticize his Texas job record. Perry: "I was gonna say, Mitt, you were doing pretty good until you got to talking poker."

The main thing: Was pounded from all sides and occasionally lost his footing. Cleaned up his Social Security position a bit, but now must deal with flip-flop charge. Didn’t improve demonstrably from his first debate on technique. Still, flashed some charm, talked directly to angry anti-DC nominating voters more than Romney did, and kept the crowd on his side.

Grade: B-

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Bachmann

Style: Passed up many early opportunities to criticize Perry and Romney, and then – boom!! – hit Perry hard on his HPV vaccine record and immigration. Plenty of Tea Party crowd-pleasing lines came naturally to her, throughout, and her energy was strong and upbeat.

Substance: Still speaks in generalities, without any signature issues.

Her worst moment: Failure to tag Perry on Social Security left her out of the night’s key pile-up/pile-on.

Her best moment: Unflinchingly attacked Perry on his vaccine decision and suggested he was motivated in part by helping a campaign contributor.

The main thing: More scrappy (and less desperate) than in the last debate. Ultimately met expectations by going after Perry on crony capitalism, which might give her a leg up with their communal Tea Party base.

Grade: C+

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Huntsman

Style: Animated, focused, and clearly trying to execute a campaign plan and policy agenda, a rarity in this group. But, as usual, his cool demeanor was out of its element in front of this crowd and alongside his current rivals.

Substance: Still not projecting priorities or specifics in a winning way.

His worst moment: His joke about Perry, treason, and immigration fell flatter than flat.

His best moment: Late in the debate, a resolute, optimistic, and principled answer on why the US military should leave Afghanistan, which strikes a Tea Party chord.

The main thing: Didn’t do much to build on last week’s strong performance or help his chances of being nominated,

Grade: C-

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Gingrich

Style: Gruff and uncompromising, showed what it takes to break through the Romney-Perry roadblock and command the stage—but had few occasions to do so.

Substance: Offered some specifics, but not in a manner that elevated him above the fray.

His worst moment: Trying to make a point about his record of job creation as Speaker of the House, he talked himself into a circle with the caveat that government doesn’t create jobs.

His best moment: Crowd-pleasing answer on how to fix Social Security – his first Newtonian magic moment in any of the debates, where he said what he wanted, how he wanted to say it, and the audience loved it.

The main thing: If he can build on this performance, presenting toughness rather than anger, he may be able to eventually exit the race with grace and style.

Grade: C-

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Santorum

Style: Still trying to get credit for his record as a Senator, from an audience that isn’t all that impressed with Beltway accomplishments.

Substance: Clearly understands health care, but does better when analyzing problems than proposing solutions.

His worst moment: Overshadowed by Bachmann when they were both in the pile on Perry over the vaccine issue.

His best moment: Hit Ron Paul hard on 9/11 statements with resolve and calm.

The main thing: Still hasn’t cracked the code of how to take votes away from the big boys and girl.

Grade: D+

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Paul

Style: Never changing.

Substance: A little more meat on the bones than previous debates, but not much beyond his libertarian rhetoric.

His worst moment: Lost the courage of his libertarian convictions in failing to call for the elimination of the prescription drug benefit.

His best moment: Great answer on the necessity of controlling spending, his bread and butter issue.

The main thing: Reprised his role from the debates four years ago by picking fights on national security that produce fire and brimstone.

Grade: D

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Cain

Style: Was more serious and credible, less bombastic than in previous efforts.

Substance: Put forward some clear outlines of a specific economic plan.

His worst moment: Still can’t explain why he likes Chile’s retirement system.

His best moment: Excellent answer on reforming health care.

The main thing: Didn’t do much to help his chances of being the party’s nominee, but likely improved the prospect that he might be asked to serve in a GOP administration if his party takes the White House.

Grade: D-