Republican Rankings - Post Debate - June 6

The rankings have changed, but in large part it had little to do with the candidates and a lot to do with the way CNN destroyed the New Hampshire debate. For your sake I won't rant about CNN's horrible job, but rather just give the updated rankings.

T-1. Rudy Giuliani (New York)
Giuliani had a strong debate. He is getting more and more polished on his answer to abortion and that's not good for any of his opponents. He made his share of laughter and also had a somber moment when addressing the sister of a fallen Army Lieutenant who was killed in Iraq and a Iraqi war veteran, and saying their sacrific will not be in vain. Overall it was an excellent night for Rudy and there were not many things that he could have done better.



T-1. Mitt Romney (Massachusetts)
Mitt Romney was in great form in the debate. He definitely benefited from CNN's botched debate, which gave him and the rest of Rudy McRomney superior camera time over the other seven candidates. Romney did a great job when he defined his faith. He didn't apologize or try to distance him self from his religion, The Church of the Later Day Saints (which is considered a denomination of Christianity). He had strong answers on Immigration and National Security. He also refused to give in to Wolf Blitzer who tried to pit Romney against McCain. Romney had a great debate and pushed himself even further up the ladder and we now show him in a tie with Rudy Giuliani for the top spot.

3. John McCain (Arizona)
McCain benefited the most out of the big three, from tonights debate. He had a true Presidential moment when talking about a fallen soldier in Iraq. McCain, who had a rough last couple of weeks healed some wounds and spent some time to defend the current immigration bill, basically saying that you have to compromise in Washington and even some of the most conservative Senators such as Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson both of Georgia, realize that some compromises must be met to get reform accomplished. With considering CNN's Real Time Popularity Meter, his efforts were not successful with the meters tanking whenever McCain talked about the bill and soaring when Giuliani and Romney bashed the bill. Still, McCain had a good night.

T-4. Mike Huckabee (Arkansas)
For some strange reason Huckabee got the lest amount of camera time in the debate. However whenever he got his face on the scene, he looked very impressive. He did a much better job than Brownback in explaining his answer to the yes-no evolution question asked in the first MSNBC debate. Huckabee started his answer saying how absurd of a question that was to be asked in a Presidential debate. He then gave an answer only a southern baptist minister could have, that undoubtedly gave Conservative Christians pride in a candidate.




T-4. Fred Thompson (Washington DC - Virgina)
We had to have some where for Fred to fall to. Since no one else lost ground Thompson fell to a tie for fourth with Mike Huckabee. CNN was easy to point out that Fred Thompson is not jumping in, but rather throwing bombs from the outside where he can't be hit back.





6. Duncan Hunter (California)
WOW, Duncan Hunter jumped out of the water tonight. He stole the show from the rest of the "second tier". Hunter looked overly impressive and got that much needed life we talked about just a few days ago. The only question is "Did he pay CNN?" if he didn't he should. He by far got the most camera time out of the "second tier" candidates and he made the most of. With the two biggest topics of the night, Immigration and National Security (including Iraq) Hunter got frequent chances to answer softballs tossed right over the plate and hit each one out of the park. He had an awesome night, now lets see if he can keep this liveliness up.


7. Sam Brownback (Kansas)
It was a good night for Brownback. He didn't lose any ground with the exception of Duncan Hunters impressive night. Brownback's biggest stand came when he said the party cannot nominate a pro-choice candidate, the comment was directed towards Rudy Giuliani, but when Wolf Blitzer asked Brownback if he would support Giuliani as the nominee, Brownback reluctantly answered yes.





8. Ron Paul (Texas)
Paul did not look as impressive as in pass debates. He still held strong though, but with CNN making a large part of their night on Iraq it didn't give Ron much of a chance to make people see he is not that far from the Republican party outside of Iraq, which is something Ron Paul has to start to do.






9. Tommy Thompson (Wisconsin)
Tommy actually looked pretty good on stage for once. He really impressed in the town hall sit-down session. His strong point, Health care, finally got a chance to come out in the debate. He looked like a totally different person when he talked about health prevention and health care. He needed the small bump he got tonight. Only time will tell how much it helped him.





10. Jim Gilmore (Virgina)
Bad news Gilmore supporters, Jim Gilmore was still Jim Gilmore. It was the same old, same old and that's what lands him in his same old 10th position. He did get more airtime than he did in either of the last two debates, but unlike Duncan Hunter he did not work it to his advantage. The days are growing short for Jim Gilmore.





11. Tom Tancredo (Colorado)
Tancredo was really the only candidate who truly had a BAD night. He didn't do hardly anything right and his credibility has definitely dropped significantly. He can especially kiss good bye to any votes from Bush supporters, which will probably do in any chances he ever had.






The next update will come two weekends from now. (Either the 16th or the 17th) Until then we look forward on keeping you up to date on the latest in the Republican Race for 2008.