Tuesday night, you may have been too busy or may not have had the Bloomberg channel on your cable or satellite system to watch the Republican candidates for president debate at Dartmouth College. I thought it was a good debate. Charlie Rose and his two questioners did well. I especially liked the format with everyone sitting at a table, close to each other. It helped with the civility.
Clearly the coolest person in the room was Mitt Romney. Herman Cain came on strong, but so did Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann. Rick Santorum displays excellent experience and passion. Rick Perry continues to stagnate. He has trouble speaking clearly, and in a debate with President Obama, that will prove crucial.
It's still three months before the first caucuses and primaries, and Romney remains the man to beat. But if you don't put your faith entirely in politicians to fix what's wrong with America, you are likely to be a little more calm about all this.
I'm impressed there are so many good candidates, but only one can win. Which one? Ask me in February.
I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.
Publication date: October 14, 2011
