No lockstep within the GOP's big '08 field, debate showed

On abortion, stem-cell research, and other social issues, clear differences emerged among the party's top-tier presidential candidates during Thursday's first-of-the-season debate.

from the May 4, 2007 edition

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In general, analysts did not see any knockout punches in the Simi Valley debate, as candidates avoided going after one another directly and instead sought the mantle of former President Ronald Reagan, whom they mentioned 19 times. Reagan's widow, Nancy, sat in the audience – a constant reminder of that elusive "Reaganism," the sunny optimism and conservative philosophy that gave him two terms in the White House and a mystique that only grows with time. The current crop of Republican candidates is often faulted for lacking a clear Reagan heir.

Still, the debate provided a level playing field for the all the men seeking to break out of the shadow of the top two contenders, Giuliani and Senator McCain. The candidate with the most to gain may have been former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who topped the field in first-quarter fundraising but remains unknown to a large chunk of the voting public.

Mr. Romney used a question on Catholic bishops as an opportunity to address religion and public life without mentioning his Mormon faith, a religion that makes many voters uncomfortable. In March, Gallup reported that 22 percent of Americans say they would not vote for a Mormon.

"This is a nation, after all, that wants a leader that's a person of faith, but we don't choose our leader based on which church they go to," he said.

Romney also chose to praise George W. Bush – a tack other candidates did not take – when asked how he would be different from the current president. He said: "I respect the president's character, his passion, his love for this country. I believe everything he does in this war against terror flows from a desire to protect the American people and to make our future secure."

In contrast, McCain's response to the same question was blunt and negative toward President Bush: "I would not have mismanaged the war," McCain asserted.

All but one candidate on stage – libertarian Rep. Ron Paul of Texas – expressed support for the war, despite its unpopularity with the public, a reminder that the Republican Party faces an uphill battle in its attempt to win the presidency for the third straight election. McCain expressed confidence that the current strategy in Iraq can succeed and uttered one of the most memorable lines of the night, on the topic of at-large Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden: "We will bring him to justice, and I'll follow him to the gates of hell."

From many of the candidates, the tough talk also extended to Iran. "[Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad is clearly irrational," said Giuliani, referring to the Iranian president. Most of the candidates made clear they would consider military action against Iran if it was proven to have nuclear weapons. On that score, the GOP field seemed intent on maintaining the party's image for being tough on defense.

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