I watched the CNN/YouTube Republican debate last night without taking notes. Frankly, I didn’t think I’d need any. Poking fun at the Dems after their last debate was like shooting fish in a barrel, but the Republicans were on task, and CNN did a great job of choosing questions, though health care was left out.

If it came down to it in the general election, I would vote for any man at the debate except Ron Paul. The Doc is a little too off the reservation for me. I can see why he has rabid followers, though. Anyone that impassioned about his beliefs will attract people begging to be led.

My chosen candidate, Fred Thompson, looked like he wasn’t going to make it through the debate, let alone survive another year of campaigning and four years in the White House. Truly. The man needs a face lift and a month at a Swiss Spa. He also needs a doctor to look into that cough…. and his campaign workers should tell him to stop looking at the damn cue cards. That irritates the crap out of me, like he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. My prediction is that he falls further in the polls after last night.

John McCain is another old white guy, no offense to them as a group: I’m married to one. It’s a generality I hear a lot regarding the GOP. John, while obviously having the creds to do the job, has the reputation of being a Washington player - and playing both ends against the middle. He wouldn’t be my first round draft pick.

Duncan Hunter surprised me; I liked him. He was given little to work with last night, though.

Now, don’t get me wrong… I really liked Mike Huckabee; he gave a good accounting of himself and made it funny to boot, which I always appreciate… I can see why his compassionate approach is working in Iowa. A sweet man, I’d vote for him if it came down to it. But… there was a time or two when it felt like he was going to ease into his preaching tempo and it kinda freaked me out. Watching politicians debate is not the same thing as a tent meeting at ALL. He needs to watch that tendency, unless he thinks it helps him with the southern Baptist vote.

Rudy Giuliani could have just gone home and that would have been fine with me. I don’t care what he’s done -and he’ll quote you the NYC numbers all night- I just don’t like him or his answers. He won’t play well in the south, trust me.

I also thought Tancredo gave a good account of himself, though I would have liked to have heard more from him. Dare I say it: He was forgettable. Sorry, Tom.

The breakout of the night… in my mind the only man who looked ‘presidential’, was Mitt Romney. What a surprise! I need to learn more about the man who stood there and said “I was wrong” years ago on abortion. I see Mitt’s numbers going sky high after last night’s performance, but he has one thing working against him: his religion. While not necessarily a bad thing, he needs to dispel any rumors now before they get out of hand.

And of course, Hot Air just broke the story that the Gay General near the end of the debate was a Dem plant and is affiliated with both Hillary’s and Kerry’s campaigns.

UPDATE: Michelle has the lowdown on ALL the Dem plants!