The November 28 Republican Debate

The Republican Candidates

John McCain

Article Tools
Print
Sphere
RSS

Grade: B+

His classic routine: appealing and tough when given the floor, but rarely at the center of the action. Made strong appeals on behalf of the troops and the war in Iraq, and continued his unwavering condemnation of torture. Talked emotionally about immigration, and seemed comfortable with his freshly conceived control-the-border-first message. Didn't nail his anti-spending lines as well as he should have, but performed well overall during a rather off-kilter, rickety debate.

— by Mark Halperin

See Full List
Next: Mitt Romney >>

More Stories

Jan. 30 GOP Debate: McCain Keeps Momentum

As a testament to his suddenly strong position in the battle for the GOP nomination, says Mark Halperin, the Senator showed off all of his worst traits -- and still easily beat back Mitt Romney's desperate efforts to knock him off his perch

The Jan. 24 GOP Debate

Mitt has a moment -- just when he needed one. But for the rest of the field, it was a snooze-fest of missed opportunities

Dems Debate: Hand-to-Hand Combat

Analysis: Any dreams of a Clinton-Obama ticket were probably ended after their testiest encounter yet. Mark Halperin gives Obama the edge

The Republicans Go At Each Other

John McCain acted the confident frontrunner, Mike Huckabee was the regular guy, and Fred Thompson played attack dog. Mark Halperin scores the South Carolina debate

Democrats Debate: Prepping for Finals

Mark Halperin grades the candidates in their last joint appearance

Dems Debate: Clinton and Obama's No-Friction Debate

The tone was upbeat, the sparks few in the last Democratic encounter before Super Tuesday. Mark Halperin reviews both performances

Most Popular »

Full List »
  1. The State of Hillary: A Mixed Record on the Job
  2. Priests Spar Over What it Means to Be Catholic
  3. Are You Getting Scammed by Facebook Games?
  4. The Ft. Hood Hero: Who is Kimberly Munley?
  5. Hasan's Therapy: Could "Secondary Trauma" Have Driven Him to Shooting?
  6. The Meaning of Manny Pacquiao
  7. Troubles for a Deal — and for Obama — in Honduras
  8. A Christmas Carol Wins — And Loses — the Weekend
  9. Indie Film Shakeout: There Will Be Blood
  10. Hunting for Tuna: The Environmental Peril Grows
  1. Priests Spar Over What it Means to Be Catholic
  2. Are You Getting Scammed by Facebook Games?
  3. The State of Hillary: A Mixed Record on the Job
  4. To Help The Kids, Parents Go Back to School
  5. Let's Bail Out the Pot Dealers!
  6. Indie Film Shakeout: There Will Be Blood
  7. Hunting for Tuna: The Environmental Peril Grows
  8. Why We Look at Some Web Ads and Not Others
  9. The Meaning of Manny Pacquiao
  10. Is the Dollar Dying a Slow Death?