A 7 minute montage of Ron Paul’s answers at yesterday’s debate:

I was able to watch the entire debate live yesterday, which was actually a first to me. On the whole, I wasn’t all that impressed with anyone. For one thing, CNBC/MSNBC billed the debate as one that would focus solely on the economy and yet, halfway through the debate they started talking about Iraq, Iran and foreign policy. Yea, I know the economics is the dry science, but they could’ve at least kept on topic for more than twenty minutes, don’t you agree ?

As for the candidates.

Paul: Quite honestly, I don’t think he did that well in this debate. Part of it was because he really didn’t get that many questions thrown at him (the seven minute video above pretty much constitutes everything he had to say yesterday during a two hour debate), and that’s the fault of the moderator and the panel. But even when he did get asked questions, I don’t get the impression that he really connected with the audience. The average American doesn’t care about the Gold Standard, and they’re not going to. They also aren’t going to read Ludwig von Mises anytime soon. Where was the talk about reducing taxes ? And why, pray tell, did Ron Paul sound like a Naderite populist yesterday ?

Thompson: This was Fred Thompson’s first appearance on a debate stage with the other candidates and while many media outlets and bloggers opined that he did well, I wasn’t all that impressed. Most of what he said is going to appeal to conservatives, and especially economic conservatives, but seemed to suffer from the same wooden delivery that has plagued him since his campaign started.

Romney: Outside of distinguishing himself as the man who would consult the American Bar Association about foreign policy before he’d talk to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I can’t say that there was anything memorable about Mitt’s performance, or that he came across to the crowd all that well.

Giuliani: I don’t like him, but it’s easy to see why he’s the Republican front-runner right now. What he’s saying are things are going to appeal to mainstream Republicans, whether its on taxes, spending, or government regulation. The problem is I can’t understand why any of those people actually think he’ll follow through with what he says.

McCain: The irony of John McCain trying to claim the mantle of the fiscal conservative was really quite amusing to watch. I doubt anyone bought it, though. I will say this, though, he did provide the most amusing moment of the debate when he suggested Ron Paul read The Wealth of Nations . If the opportunity had allowed it, I would’ve loved it if the Congressman had shot back and suggested the Senator read Economics In One Lesson .

Huckabee: Ummm, yea I can’t think of anything either.

Tancredo: Just like Ron Paul has a tendency to turn every question into an opportunity to mention the War in Iraq, Tom Tancredo turns every question into an immigrant-bashing opportunity. And to think he used to be considered somewhat libertarian.

Hunter: <sound of leaves rustling>

Brownback: Perhaps the most exciting thing to come out of Kansas since……….

It’s not shaping up to be a good year folks.