The italics are my opinions/thoughts on the answer. Hopefully the non-italics are fact.
Jobs
Mitt Romney on Bain Capital buying companies and selling them at a net job loss.
A net job loss? Why is this a bad thing? The general sentiment seems to be to keep jobs at all cost, or rather at any cost. But jobs that don’t make sense that are kept around do more harm in the long run than the short run.
Mitt Romney and Rick Perry interchange citing Dukakis and Bush and their respective job creation rates.
Romney took Perry to task, showing superior experience as a politician.
Rick Santorum, 1st question.
A bit quick, stumbled over some words.
Herman Cain on the simplified tax code.
Idealistic to be sure. It makes sense, but has no way to get passed.
Jon Huntsman on China.
Fix our core? What does that even mean? Oh, and he hijacked his question to laud Utah’s job creation. Well-spoken, smooth, exuded confidence.
Michelle Bachmann on federal regulations.
Boy does she look scary. She rips Obamacare, using cold hard facts and actual experiences. Convincing and delivered confidently. I was surprised and impressed.
Ron Paul on federal government and where he draws the line.
He looks like an eccentric and talks like one. Speaks about the “theory” of the markets. Correct on the surface but completely ignoring Brian Williams’ question regarding “explicit” duties of the government. Ugh, “theoretically” “theoretically.” Ron rambles on and instills little confidence with any of his answers. Bordering on belligerent even.
Newt Gingrich on book forward lauding Rick Perry.
Nice deflection with humor. Not really a face for the White House. Laffer mention! Reagan mention! Best spoken so far; his political experience shows. Very upfront and harsh regarding Obama, Obama’s class warfare and ignoring of jobs. Largest audience applause thus far. Best answer so far.
