The Second Republican Debate

Missed the debate? The long shots threw some jabs and the favorites played defense. Mark Halperin grades all of their performances

Mitt Romney

Former Massachusetts Governor Willard Mitt Romney

David Allio / UPI /Landov
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Best: Did a good job of stressing changechangechange, and a decent job explaining his Massachusetts record. Continues to display solid comprehension on a range of issues, a product of more than just last-minute cramming for the televised oral exam. At the end, he deemed dysfunctional inner city schools the great civil rights issue of our time, warming the base's heart.

Worst: Low-energy presentation, particularly when compared with his bright-eyed first debate. Responses were rote, and he evaded a question about flip flopping with an obvious, clumsy dodge. His slick consistency deserted him, and he seemed to search both for charm and direction.

— Mark Halperin

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