GOP Debate II

First, about that little bell -- although annoying, it was probably the most exciting part of the debate. It was like a 1940s cartoon sound effect, not very high tech.

I think a few more sound effects could have been added to spark things up. Perhaps different animal sounds could have been used to signal when a candidate's time was up.

The dark horse, single-digits in the polls candidates seemed to have the most fun.

I suppose when you've got nothing, you've got nothing to lose.

COLUMBIA, S.C -- Under pressure from their rivals, the leading Republican presidential contenders defended their conservative credentials Tuesday night on abortion, gun control and tax cuts. "I ultimately do believe in a woman's right of choice, but I think there are ways we can look for ways to reduce abortions," former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said in the second debate of the campaign.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said he had signed legislation banning assault weapons but added that he is a supporter of the rights of gun owners under the Second Amendment.

Arizona Sen. John McCain of Arizona said he would make sure that President Bush's tax cuts are made permanent, even though he voted against them when they were passed in 2001.

He said he did so because they were not accompanied by spending cuts.

All three men sought to stand their ground — and protect their standing in the presidential race — in a 90-minute debate at the University of South Carolina.

In a break from the campaign's first debate, some of the contenders who lag in the polls jabbed sharply at the front-runners.

Asked whether he believes McCain, Romney and Giuliani were soft on immigration, Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado said, "I do."

That wasn't all, he added quickly, saying his rivals had undergone recent conversions on abortion and other issues.

...Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore bore in, as well. "Some of the people on this stage were very liberal in characterizing themselves as conservatives, particularly on the issues of abortion and taxes and health care," he said.

He singled out Giuliani for his position on abortion and said another rival, Mike Huckabee, had raised taxes while serving as governor of Arkansas.

Tommy Thompson seemed so dull and uncomfortable. He doesn't act like the same man that was elected as governor of Wisconsin for four terms. He needs to loosen up. Maybe he was spooked by his performance at the last debate and the controversy over his response to the homosexual issue.

Rather than being presidential candidates themselves, Tancredo, Huckabee, Paul, and Gilmore seemed to be more like disgruntled voters nipping at the ankles of the top three candidates.

I wonder if one of them will be tapped for the second spot on the ticket. Like George H.W. Bush's "voodoo economics" line directed at Ronald Reagan, it's possible that some of their remarks could come back to haunt them.

Although this was an obviously scripted line, I still liked it:

"We've had a Congress that's spent money like John Edwards at a beauty shop," said former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said, mocking the Democratic presidential hopeful's penchant for $400 haircuts.

It was funny.

I liked Tancredo's "Jack Bauer" line, too. Gilmore's "Rudy McRomney" creation was more odd than funny.

Overall, I don't think Giuliani helped himself on the abortion issue. He still seems to be floundering.

And Romney and McCain were Romney and McCain.

So, who won?

Probably Fred Thompson.

But he needs to get off the bench and play. Thompson's non-running method of running for president is wearing a little thin.