Because I can’t come up with a good introduction about how I felt coming into this week’s debate, I’ll get right to the point. The following is what I think of the candidates’ performances and their answers regarding current and pressing issues as heard on tonight’s Fox News debate:

Tom Tancredo: First, it seemed as though Tancredo was not granted as much time as top tier candidates in terms of simply answering questions. Tancredo just didn’t seem to fit in tonight, though I agree with much of what he says. Unfortunately, Tancredo has shown that he cannot perform in a debate setting by spouting out unorganized and multiple answers, showing the inability to hear the moderator, and going off on rants that have nothing to do with the topic at hand. Tonight’s best Tancredo moment: Political correctness will kill us all!

Sam Brownback: It seems to me that though Brownback demonstrates socially conservative ideals that may appeal to the conservative base, the fact remains in my mind that Brownback is not one deserving of being Commander-in-Chief. In my opinion, Brownback has really nothing to offer conservatives other than his social positions. His idea that Iraq should be divided into a three state federal system is pointless to suggest when it is up to the Iraqis themselves to decide how their federal system is designed, not a U.S. President. Tonight’s best Brownback moment: Marriage is the foundation of society and should be protected.

Ron Paul: In mainstream GOP circles, Ron Paul is often accused of being a loon or a kook. It is said many times that his supporters are also kooks. To those in the GOP mainstream, I say that you have forgotten the basis of our government and would readily give away our liberties for security in the same way liberals would give away liberty for socialism. In my opinion, Ron Paul was great tonight when arguing against government intrusion. Unfortunately for Paul however, his foreign policy ideas are a joke in the 21st century. I felt that he even went to such extremes as to suggest indirect appeasement with America’s enemies. However, I do agree with him that Congress should have declared war for the current Iraq conflict and that we must return to the founders’ constitution to restore our republican form of government. Paul gets a thumbs up for domestic policy and a HUGE thumbs down for foreign policy. Tonight’s best Paul moment: “I take my marching orders from the constitution!”

Duncan Hunter: I truly wish Hunter had more of a following. Though he may very well be the most conservative candidate on the stage (vs. Paul who is more libertarian), Hunter simply does not have the charisma to draw a very big following. Sure he won the Texas GOP Straw Poll, but early primary states show Romney and Guiliani to be the frontrunners. Tonight’s performance offered nothing special, though he did press the Democrats into the validity of Gitmo’s treatment of prisoners and compare it to the treatment received at prisons within their districts. I’ll give Hunter a “B” for his military knowledge. Tonight’s best Hunter moment: His plan for U.S. troops to leave Iraq by replacing American troops with battle-hardened Iraqi soldiers.

Mike Huckabee: Many people around the blogosphere seem to think that Huckabee would make a fine vice president. The truth is, I can’t really see what is so special about this guy. Sure he’s a social conservative and tonight’s debate proved it, with Huckabee calling for national unity and faith in the midst of trying times. I feel however, that Huckabee is just too generic and his record on taxes isn’t really the best. To me, he’ll always be a “B” candidate because he just doesn’t represent himself like he should. Tonight’s best Huckabee moment: Debating Ron Paul about the realities of the Iraq conflict.

Rudy Guiliani: I thought Rudy had a strong performance tonight, though I often felt tired of hearing about what he did for New York City. It almost felt like that without Rudy, New York City would have collapsed into chaos. Anyway, he definitely held his own in the debate, arguing several times that his sole job as president would be to uphold the Constitution of the United States, something he really hasn’t said before. He also defended states’ rights and federalism when it came to the issue of the 2nd amendment through the argument that Virginia Tech may have not happened had someone had a gun on campus. Seems to me he’s already starting to delve into Fred Thompson’s arena. Tonight’s best Rudy moment: When he described the scenario in which Iranian sponsored nuclear terrorism should be a focus of our foreign policy considerations.

John McCain: To be blunt, John McCain should be out of the race. The only thing I really agree with McCain on is his view of the troop surge (that it’s working) and that spending must be restrained. I do not agree with him in many other areas, especially immigration. If you notice, McCain has finally seen the light for one reason or another, to support border protection. I really don’t think that’s gonna help Senator, you already killed any chance you had for president by supporting amnesty for illegals. Tonight’s best McCain moment: Our troops must come home with the honor they deserve.

Mitt Romney: I usually like Mitt. But sometimes I feel as if he gets a little too slick or doesn’t look like he really believes what he’s saying. But then again, maybe that’s just how he comes off. Of all the debates I’ve seen, Romney has been the most consistent, especially when it comes to his three-legged stool; the need for a strong military, a strong economy, and strong families. Tonight it seemed Rudy was getting on him a bit about unemployment and crime in Boston, though Mitt didn’t really retaliate. I think Romney continued to establish himself as a credible candidate tonight, arguing for tax reform, immigration reform, and a sensible, gradual withdrawal from Iraq based on the success of those on the ground. Tonight’s best Romney moment: Explaining the steps of withdrawal were dependent on the successes of ground troops.

Overall winners: Guiliani, Romney, Hunter

Overall losers: Tancredo, Paul, Huckabee, Brownback, McCain

Bigger winner than the above: Fred Thompson because he declared his candidacy tonight and was noticably absent from the NH debate, opting to declare his candidacy on Leno.