The October 9 Republican Debate

Frequent references to Michigan — where he grew up and where the debate was held — were clever and well received in the hall. Failed to take down Giuliani on the line-item veto or anything else, but was comfortable and fluid discussing trade and economic growth. Stumbled a bit over presidential prerogatives on going to war, but smartly shifted to bashing Iran. Still appears challenged on humor and feel-your-pain connection — too much robotic 0's-and-1's rhetoric, although his rehearsed dig at Fred "Law & Order" Thompson's late entrance into the race was by acclamation the line of the night.

—By Mark Halperin

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