So who won?

[angus]

You all saw it comming.

You got it first, baby.

I think Mitt Romney struck me as the most Presidential, as these things go.

Although, in answer to the age-old question "which one would you rather smoke a joint with?" I guess I'd have to say Gary Johnson. 

[angus]

So, among the announced candidates, only Romney can win the nomination?

8 years ago this primary wouldn't be a contest. Not in today's GOP.

16 years ago, it was the custom in the GOP to give the oldest dog the bone.  I don't think that custom has changed.  We go through these "debates" and we'll have a convention, but in the end, there are only a handfull of candidates that have paid the dues.  Those have slogged it out in the winters in the early primaries, in more than one campaign.  And among those, there's really only one who might have a chance, however slim, of defeating Obama. 

It may not be a great way to nominate candidates.  And the corporate-controlled two-party system may not be in our best interests, but yes it seems as though this nomination is Romney's to lose.  And tonight he seemed to be holding his own fairly well.

[angus]

Santorum - Like many others on this forum, I don't understand why he can't gain traction with Republican voters. Consistent and articulate defender of Republican principals and policies, and strong on the attack (even if he can get shrill at times).

His stock keeps going up in my book with every debate.  He's measured, smart, serious, and likable.  Too bad he comes into the race with loads of radical ideological baggage.