I tweeted the debate, but here is a quick review of tonight’s top moments — from “Newt Romney” to the ghosts of Teddy Kennedy and Herman Cain:
- Romney said: “The real difference, I believe, is our backgrounds. I spent my life in the private sector.” Gingrich responded: “Let’s be candid, the only reason you didn’t become a career politician is you lost to Teddy Kennedy in 1994.”
- Bachmann was the only one to channel Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 with her “win-win-win” (she said 9-9-9 three times) — plus she coined the “Newt Romney” name tonight, a way to reference her two rivals’ support for the health insurance mandate.
- Gingrich said he’s known Bibi Netanyahu a long time; Romney replied that he worked in business with Netanyahu.
- The candidates were asked about the issue of “marital fidelity” and Perry was the only one to really swing hard at Gingrich.
- Fred Thompson starred in a commercial for reverse mortgages that played twice, near the beginning and end of the debate.
- The $10,000 bet Romney offered Perry? Perry said he’s not a gamblin’ man (there was a Mesquakie Casino commercial during a debate break).
- Here’s my Radio Iowa story. Headline: Betting, cheating and nicknames come up during GOP debate
About O.Kay Henderson
Kay is a founding member of the Radio Iowa network newsroom. In 1994, she became the network’s news director. She’s a featured reporter and commentator on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press,” and the 2002 recipient of the Shelley Award.
Wow, Ron Paul probably had the strongest performance of all the candidates, and not a mention here. Just outrageous!