WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING: ABOUT GOV. MITT ROMNEY AT THE DES MOINES, IOWA GOP DEBATE - VOLUME II
Des Moines Register's David Yepsen: "[Gov. Romney] turned in his usual polished, executive-like debate performance." (David Yepsen, Op-Ed, "Romney Finds A Foothold To Continue Upward Climb," Des Moines Register, 8/6/07)
Yepsen: "He also got off one of the best one-liners of the day when he attacked Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama. Romney said: 'In one week, he went from saying he's going to sit down, you know, for tea, with our enemies, but then he's going to bomb our allies. I mean, he's gone from Jane Fonda to Dr. Strangelove in one week.'" (David Yepsen, Op-Ed, "Romney Finds A Foothold To Continue Upward Climb," Des Moines Register, 8/6/07)
Republican Pollster Frank Luntz: "Romney is winning in both Iowa and New Hampshire. And his lead seems to be growing with every survey. One of the reasons is his debate performances. They've been categorically successful. People listen to him and they like what they hear." (Fox News' "Fox & Friends," 8/6/07)
Luntz: "And we're going to show you a clip of Romney right now with our exclusive Fox overlay. … The higher that the lines climb the more favorable the response. Here is Mitt Romney talking about budgets, taxes, and expanding the economy. Watch how high those lines climb. That's a very favorable reaction. … You've got middle income Americans sitting in our groups and they're listening to Mitt Romney and saying that's what I want to hear from and that's what I want see from the next president." (Fox News' "Fox & Friends," 8/6/07)
Watch Frank Luntz's Analysis Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BhD-9nW9kM
ABC's Rick Klein: "It was Romney who had the best zinger of the morning (Obama has 'gone from Jane Fonda to Dr. Strangelove in one week,' he said.)" (Rick Klein, "The Note," ABC News, 8/6/07)
Klein: "And most importantly, it was Romney who was prepared for the inevitable attacks, which he parried like a pro. ('I get tired of people that are holier than thou because they've been pro-life longer than I have,' he said of Brownback's criticism of his abortion record.)" (Rick Klein, "The Note," ABC News, 8/6/07)
Fox News' Carl Cameron: "Some will tell you that Mitt Romney was the clear winner in this." (Fox News' "The Big Story," 8/5/07)
Des Moines Register's Jason Clayworth: "When it came time to pick a winner of the debate, however, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had the most votes. Some participants said his cool demeanor and articulate speaking set him apart." (Jason Clayworth, "'Dial Testing' Measures Debate Messages," Des Moines Register, 8/6/07)
Human Events'Jed Babbin: "Iowa frontrunners Romney (26%) and Giuliani (14%) got the chance to showcase their ideas, poise and style." (Jed Babbin, Op-Ed, "Duel In Des Moines," Human Events, 8/6/07)
Babbin: "Mitt Romney – speaking late in that round – made a great call for a surge in Americans' support for the troops." (Jed Babbin, Op-Ed, "Duel In Des Moines," Human Events, 8/6/07)
Rocky Mountain News' Mike Littwin: "Mitt Romney was ready. He dominated the debate …" (Mike Littwin, Op-Ed, "How Are Dems Doing? Watch The GOP," Rocky Mountain News, 8/6/07)
MSNBC's First Read: "Focus group dial tester Rich Thau's Message Jury scored the debate for Romney …" (Chuck Todd, et al, "First Read," MSNBC, http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/, 8/6/07)
