The smartest guy in the room?  Well … we’ll go with most knowledgeable.   That would be Newt Gingrich.  We’ll play some audio from Newt.  He, without a doubt, has the greatest understanding of what America was, what it is right now, and what went wrong along the way.  When Newt got a chance to speak last night his passion was obvious, as was the amount of thought that went into his commentary.  Our nation is facing such danger that the GOP nomination should surely go to the one candidate who has the best chance of sending Barack Obama back to the pews of Jeremiah Wright’s church and the cocktail parties in the home of Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn.  If we could concentrate   solely on qualifications and who might, if left to act, do the most to bring America back .. .it would be Gingrich.  Take a look at his 21^st Century Contract With America.  Tell me this man hasn’t put some thought into this.  Just where would you disagree with his plans?   Unfortunately the voters are having a rough time warming up to him.  Democrats have literally spent almost 20 years demonizing this man .. and that’s tough to overcome.

Most presidential?  Mitt Romney.  He never became flustered and addressed the questions.  Do I have problems with some of his talking points and his economic plan?  Of course!  Who doesn’t?  Remember .. this is about making sure Obama gets an early retirement.

Most likeable?  Hands down .. Herman Cain.   Cain did fine last night.  I watched him while others were questioning him or attacking his 999 plan.  He was relaxed and not agitated.  He leaned back in his chair and listened.  People know that the one thing we need to turn this economy around – the quickest road to an American comeback – would be fundamental tax reform.  We need a tax plan that would bring businesses and business income back to America.  The 999 plan would do that.  We need a tax plan without the deductions and loopholes that were largely created by Washington lobbyists, a tax plan that everyone, even the government educated, can understand clearly. The 999 plan does that.  The FairTax does it all better, however, but I understand Cain’s dilemma.  You see how the other candidates are slamming the 999 plan?  That’s nothing to what they would be doing to the FairTax.  I do think that the 999 plan is a good way to transition to the FairTax …but I also think that Cain needs to find some other talking points to push.  Attacking the costs imposed on business by overregulation would be a good place to start.

Rick Perry?  Sorry .. just didn’t cut it.  He had some good moments … but the camera caught him a couple of times looking a bit lost.  He knows the economics of energy, and made some good points there.  Again .. Perry would certainly make a better president than Obama.  Anyone on that stage would.  His performance last night, though, wasn’t all that helpful to his cause. 

Unless Perry steps it up in Las Vegas next week we’re going to soon move into a two-man race for the GOP nomination.