MUSINGS ON THE GOP DEBATE - THE BIG WINNER - THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE!!

Well, the Republican debate has finally ended. Who was the big winner? Try none of the above. Most of the candidates tried their best to skirt the issues. The biggest loser of the night? Definitely Ron Paul. His answers were so out of touch with the American people. As near as I can figure, Mr. Paul wants to do away with 99.9% of the Federal government. Now that may not be a bad idea, but I don't think he will get too many votes with that.

Tom Tancredo made absolutely no headway. He proved again tonight that he is a one issue candidate and while that issue - immigration - is important, it will not get him the nomination. I think that Mr. Tancredo will drop out of the race soon. Duncan Hunter scored a few points with his pledge to build all of the fence within the first six months. But again, he comes across as not having much substance.

Sam Brownback added nothing to the debate. He continues to argue for morality, but that issue, while important, pales in comparison to threats of terrorism and the War in Iraq. Frankly, Brownback preaches morality, but it is an empty message. Mike Huckabee sure won the argument with Ron Paul, but I have a feeling that his glib comments are not going to resonate very well with the American people.

Mitt Romney seemed to be really off of his game. I have seen him much sharper than he was tonight. Rudy Giuliani just simply talked too much like the Mayor of New York, rather than a Prsidential candidate.

John McCain did better than any of those on stage tonight, but the biggest winner was the man who wasn't there - Fred Thompson.