Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
Ahead of even Giuliani and Romney as the most consistent guardian of the image he wants to project — warm, principled, and visionary. Brilliant opening pander to New Hampshire, joking that he gave up a chance to appear on Jay Leno's show tonight (Fred Thompson, of course, was Leno's newsmaking guest) to be in the debate. Paid gracious homage to McCain's military service as part of a stirring answer on Iraq, and then challenged on Ron Paul on the war. Still, did more to elevate the Huck-for-veep talk than keep his Ames straw poll momentum going.
— By Mark Halperin