Instant Analysis:

Thompson Becomes Real - Now He Has To Get Better

By Matt Towery
Creators Syndicate
InsiderAdvantage

(Note: Matt Towery was a former National Bicentennial Debate Champion who began his career as a debate and speech coach to congressional and US Senate candidates in the early 1980s)

(10/10.07) Fred Thompson proved in Tuesday’s GOP debate that he could, at the very least, “swim with the sharks.” But his debut started out shaky and at the end of the debate he was little more than another (albeit the tallest) candidate. Based on both substance and style, it was enough to justify the former senator and actor a position among the big boys—Giuliani, Romney, and McCain. Still, his reliance on notes, inability to stretch out answers for “extra time” and overall sense of discomfort made this only an adequate maiden debate.

The good news for Thompson—there will be many, many more.

As for the rest of the field it is clear that Romney and Giuliani are engaging each other and therefore appear more engaging. John McCain seemed to have more energy and thoughtfulness in this debate, but it was not an area (the economy) where McCain shines.

The truth of the matter is that, for raw meat conservatives, Ron Paul continues to offer up what is likely the most interesting and appealing dish of political ideas. Mike Huckabee showed moments of also appealing to that same group, but failed to score enough points or garner enough face time.

Here’s my score:

Best Performances: Romney, Giuliani.

Most “Presidential”: Romney and Thompson. (His answers didn’t blow anyone away, but they most tracked that of the realities an actual president must face.)

Most Engaging: Once again Ron Paul. Paul taps into a small but very active portion of the GOP. My best guess: Most dangerous potential third party candidate for the GOP? Ron Paul.

As to the impact the debate will have I would guess little. Those who see Thompson as not being “the slick GOP-type” of recent campaigns will find comfort in his less-than-polished delivery. His rhetoric (big scoring point for debates) was classic Reagan—all the way to the “index for inflation” response on the AMT. But undecideds will likely see news clips that are less flattering and, thus, the debates and the battle between the top four candidates will move on to the next debate.