THE CNN REPUBLICAN ARIZONA

DEBATE RUNDOWN

Transcripts are here.

Full Video is to be added when available.

The Lady’s Take:

I didn’t watch it live. Do I win something for that?

What I did watch did not impress me. I’m not talking about the candidates, but the predictable job done by John King and CNN — what a joke. Of course, after humoring us all with questions on taxes and allowing Paul to take swings at Santorum, King brought up birth control. Of all the things going on in this country right now, seriously? Taxes, birth control, illegal immigration, Iran and education were covered. Nothing new came out of any of the questions or answers. Santorum had his worst night of any debate we’ve seen to date. He got pummeled. His only saving dig was at Romney on taxes. This debate likely will drop Santorum’s surge a bit. My bet is Romney retakes lost ground. Gingrich gave a great debate but I don’t think it will help his numbers. Paul was Paul.

Highlights of the night were:

• Ron Paul being booed pretty consistently for his rambling BS Iran answer.
• The contraception question got booed too.
• Ron Paul’s “Fake” remark.
• Santorum’s ill received earmark answer.
• Romney beat down Santorum on Romneycare/Obamacare.
• Gingrich’s answer to the ‘one word‘ to describe you’ question as well as his answer to the contraception question. That was a home run: “I want to make two quick points, John. The first is there is a legitimate question about the power of the government to impose on religion activities which any religion opposes. That’s legitimate. But I just want to point out, you did not once in the 2008 campaign, not once did anybody in the elite media ask why Barack Obama voted in favor of legalizing infanticide.”

At least they got to sit down for this one.

Winner: Gingrich

Rest in order: Romney, Santorum, Paul

The Useful Links:

• Live Blogging of the CNN Arizona Debate | Maggies Notebook
• Arizona Debate | Legal Insurrection
• Live Blogging The CNN Arizona Debate | The Other McCain
• Tempers flare as Santorum, Romney trade barbs, blame for healthcare reform | The Hill’s Video
• GOP Debate: Romney, Santorum square off on spending, earmarks | The Hill’s Video 
• Arizona Debate Score: The Candidates Were Fine, but CNN is a Joke | The PJ Tatler
• Santorum blows it: ‘I took one for the team’ | Campaign 2012 | Washington Examiner
• Santorum Mocks Romney over Tax Plan | Fox News
• Tonight’s #CNNDebate Winner: The Brokered Convention | Big Government

The Video Highlights: