Open Thread: Which GOP Candidate Won the Debate?

August 12th, 2011 10:27 AM

Update: NewsBusters publisher Brent Bozell has given his observations in a separate blog post accessible here.

Last night was the third Republican debate of the year, comprised of eight of the declared GOP candidates. All responded to hard-hitting questions from the Fox News and Washington Examiner moderators, debating foreign policy, the economy, and candidates' political records.

Absent from the mix were Gov. Rick Perry and Sarah Palin, who were both brought up in questions during the debate. Perry will officially announce his candidacy tomorrow, which might give him the win in terms of weekend headlines, despite him not even participating in last night's debate or tomorrow's straw poll. Palin is in Iowa, but her candidacy is still in question. Did you watch the debate last night? Who do you think won? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.