The winners: McCain and Obama
James Forsyth 4:48am
John McCain and Barack Obama won tonight’s debates here in New Hampshire not because of what they did but because of what others did for them. The mass Republican assault on Mitt Romney, which McCain joined in, ensured that McCain’s chief rival in the state left the debate bloodied and bruised.
At this point, the stars seem to be aligning for McCain in New Hampshire. If McCain does win here, the other candidates might regret doing him such a favour tonight as the momentum he gains might carry him all the way to the nomination—but you get the impression that the other candidates wouldn’t mind that too much.
Logic had little to do with the collective beating administered to Romney, who is no longer the front runner, tonight. In the spin room, surrogates for the other Republican candidates admitted that they all share a mutual dislike of the former Massachusetts governor.
Obama benefited from Edwards’s unceasing attacks on Hillary as part of the problem. In her frustration, Senator Clinton at times came across as a defender of the status quo—the worst thing to be in a change election. However, to Hillary’s credit she avoided a melt down moment as she came under relentless, and at times personal, attack. Her campaign, though, has not yet come up with a convincing push back against the Obama surge. If they don’t do so before Tuesday, then the Clinton campaign could find itself 0 for 2 and on life support.
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Comments
Wendy
January 6th, 2008 6:23amRomney is disliked because he is so completely different than the run of the mill politician. He has a drive and experience and energy that these other candidates can't touch. He is extremely educated. He has had so many successes in his life and in helping others succeed. Though he has money he is not a worldly man. There is a difference to being in the world but not of it. He lives a very clean life style. He keeps to the basics in conservative ways. He hasn't divorced, he hasn't had ethics problems in his career; he has a pretty remarkable life and that creates a jealousy that some people don't even recognize they have. Romney didn't get "bloodied" tonight. I thought he was amazing through all the childish antics of Huckabee and McCain. I noticed Ron Paul didn't get into and Thompson was fair.
Idle
January 6th, 2008 10:36amI doubt you need my encouragement, but I wanted to say that your reporting on the primaries has been quite superb and compelling. I hope you are staying there at least until Sooper Dooper Tooseday, and that Ronny D'Ancona will send you back for the presidential debates etc in the autumn.
Hugh Kerr
January 6th, 2008 4:09pmGreat commentary James I have just bookmarked you and it pains an old socialist to say it! I agree with you it looks like Obama v McCain in November and I predict an Obama win.Now just think about it a black american president with Hussein as a middle name who wants to end the war in Iraq!
nullo
January 6th, 2008 4:52pmim afraid we watched a different debate; and if you are going to crown obama as the winner, you should at least provide some evidence. yes, edwards was on obama's side. but edwards rethoric was so overplayed that it must have alienated everybody. and obama would be better off without such an ally. hillary, on the other hand, did make a good case against obama, which she should keep up in the coming days: last time around (2000) america voted for W. because he was 'likeable'. does america want another 'likeable' guy? or does it want a good president?
Verity
January 6th, 2008 6:16pmObama reminds me of Tony Blair - insincerely sincere, good personal presentation, the fake charm of the manager of an upmarket car showroom, presents himself as a "young" man with a mission, a zealot for "change". We saw that Blair damaged the fabric of Britain that will take years to stitch back together,if indeed, it ever can be. I hope Barack Obama doesn't get in to the presidency to do the same across the pond because the presidency of the United States is immensely more important. His background is much too filled with incident. And I don't like it that he presents himself as black. Given that he is 50% white, why doesn't he just present himself as a viable individual with a mission? A wee bit of opportunism here, I think we can agree. If he gets in, he will cause harm, although the Congress would be able to put a halter on him in some instances. Who would have guessed that the Manchurian Candidate would be from Indonesia?
Richard
January 6th, 2008 6:37pmSome important information you have missed from the New Hampshire Republican party website regarding the FOX news debate: NH REPUBLICAN PARTY WITHDRAWS AS FOX FORUM PARTNER CONCORD – New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Fergus Cullen releases the following statement regarding Sunday’s Republican forum on FOX: “The first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary serves a national purpose by giving all candidates an equal opportunity on a level playing field. Only in New Hampshire do lesser known, lesser funded underdogs have a fighting chance to establish themselves as national figures. Consistent with that tradition, we believe all recognized major candidates should have an equal opportunity to participate in pre-primary debates and forums. “This principle applies to tonight’s debates on ABC as well as Sunday’s planned forum on FOX. The New Hampshire Republican Party believes Congressmen Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter should be included in the FOX forum on Sunday evening. Our mutual efforts to resolve this difference have failed.” “While we understand that FOX News continues to move forward it is with regret, the New Hampshire Republican Party hereby withdraws as a partner in this forum.”
Hugh Kerr
January 6th, 2008 7:42pmNullo you miss the main point Edwards votes will go to Obama when he drops out ensuring Obamas victory.As for good presidents well Hilary would certainly be experienced but she would also be the creature of all the corporations who are backing her.She is seen as yesterdays woman and thats why Obama is going to win.
TGF UKIP
January 6th, 2008 9:08pmJames, have just been watching my recording of "The Beltway Boys" which featured an interview with Frank Luntz. He views Hillary's nomination as being "virtually inevitable" based on a 20% national lead so close to Super Tuesday. Good news for the Republicans if he's right. Not such bad news either for the Republicans if he's wrong and it's Obama. Given the media adulation he's getting over there, no doubt, as well as over here, it would be easy to overestimate him. However, he wouldn't be able to get through to November on speeches which just recycle the word "change" fifty five times, nor would he be able to escape having his feet put to the fire over a record, albeit meagre, which is not just liberal but ultra liberal. He may be an excellent orator in his style but whenever I watch him my mind goes back to the ad which did for Gary Hart - the old lady with the hamburger asking "but where's the beef?" I bet Karl Rove would have just loved Obama as an opponent.