Journalists and commentators were mostly underwhelmed by last night's debate, seeing it as an event that spoke to larger themes: Republicans vs. Democrats, a president estranged from his party, the unpopular handling of immigration reform and Iraq and the desire for Fred Thompson.
The Washington Post's Dan Balz and Michael Shear write that John McCain found himself isolated last night as he "staunchly defended controversial immigration legislation against a barrage of criticism from his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, who argued that the bill is deeply flawed and should not be approved by Congress." Rudy Giuliani said the bill had no "real unifying purpose," a "typical Washington mess." Mitt Romney said "Every illegal alien, almost every one, under this bill, gets to stay here," and others were more harsh. (Watch video.)
McCain called immigration a national security issue and said inaction represents "de facto amnesty," after which he challenged his rivals for a "better solution that could pass Congress," defending the current bill as the best compromise available. Rep. Duncan Hunter tied McCain to liberals and President Bush at one point by calling the compromise the "Bush-McCain-Kennedy bill." (Watch video.)
As for internecine fighting on immigration, that's about as far as it went. The Weekly Standard's Fred Barnes writes that Romney's refusal to take a shot at McCain on immigration, saying he wouldn't make it a "matter of personal politics," caused a "massive sigh of disappointment among the media," who've been lusting for a big fight. McCain was "forceful without being overbearing" and "effective in defending the immigration reform." Barnes wrote he "wouldn't go so far as to call McCain the winner," as Giuliani performed well and Romney did fine.
Giuliani delivered the first-strike against McCain on immigration, helping him perform the best, writes Slate's John Dickerson. "The McCain bet is that despite the opposition he's facing, he'll win votes by looking like a leader." The immigration debate was mostly amicable. Giuliani did best overall, "at ease with facts on issues like health care and immigration," giving a polished answer about what it means to be an American, all the while attacking Democrats more than the others.
The Politico's Jonathan Martin writes the "big story out of this third debate seems to be that there is no big story." Giuliani was most improved since the last debate, a "sure-footed, aggressive and comfortable" candidate. Romney "turned in a good performance," but seemed not to get much airtime -- something his spinners complained about later. "Responding to the lady who lost her brother in Iraq, McCain offered his condolences before explaining why failure there would create more terror and force 'more young Americans to sacrifice, as your brother did.'" (Watch video.) On "don't ask, don't tell" McCain "wisely used his answer to focus less on the contentious question and more on explaining to an appreciative crowd just why our troops were so great."
The real winner was the GOP, the Des Moines Register's David Yepsen writes , because the debate allowed candidates to argue over significant splits in the GOP that left unresolved will put the party in "real danger" of losing next year. The "clear loser" was Bush who began to see his possible successors distance themselves on a variety of issues.
NBC News' Political Director Chuck Todd writes the debate "had all the trappings of a heavyweight boxing title fight: Incredible hype followed by an incredible letdown." McCain was the news, Giuliani has still not been forcefully challenged, Romney seemed less involved than previously and Huckabee performed best with his monologue on creation and God. (Watch video.)
The Boston Globe's Jeff Jacoby writes the debate further highlighted differences between the parties: Democrats squabbled over Iraq, Republicans were united behind it; Democrats "called for ever grander and more expensive government health-insurance schemes," Republicans wanted a "freer market in healthcare." On issues large and small, the differences were "stark and unmistakable. If this week's debates are a preview of coming attractions, the 2008 campaign will be very divisive, and deeply consequential."
Every writer except Jacoby and Barnes wrote about Fred Thompson's looming presence. His supporters are working to make that presence into a viable campaign, seeking to raise $4.6 million for Thompson, starting with their own donations as seed money, reports The Hill's Sam Youngman. Yesterday, Rep. Adam Putnam (R-FL) endorsed Thompson. Putnam is third in the GOP House leadership.
The other big news out of Florida is that Univision has invited all declared presidential candidates to participate in a Spanish-translated debate this September, reports the Miami Herald's Beth Reinhard. Bill Richardson and Chris Dodd, who are fluent in Spanish, have agreed.
The New York Observer's Jason Horowitz writes that Hillary Clinton has an opening to move ahead of Barack Obama on health care when she presents her own plan next month. Meanwhile, Clinton is trying to recharge her Iowa campaign by hiring a new state director there.
Get these and today's other elections stories at RCP's Politics and Elections page.
