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Republican presidential candidate U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) (L) greets fellow candidate former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani before the Fox News Presidential Forum at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire January 6, 2008.

The GOP debate at St Anselm College tonight was the most intimate and the best GOP debate so far. No audience and no spinning the voter was able to hear the candidates answer questions about issues. There was little positioning and sparring was on a civil tone.

So, who won?

Nobody.

Not one candidate made a difference in this debate in this continuing story of a race for President in 2008.

However, there were some notable exchanges, contrasts and some observations to make.

• John McCain: McCain will NOT win the nomination. He is OLD and tired. He lied about his positions on illegal immigration and even his winks and quips fell flat. He may beat Mitt Romney in New Hampshire on Tuesday but GOP donors will not be opening their wallets to fund his campaign.

• Mitt Romney: Slick didn’t hurt himself and looked better than McCain. However, nobody really challenged him on his flip-flops. He looked at Huckabee like Huckabee was a rube or a hick. None of the candidates like Romney and it shows. He will never be able to unite the party after the primary season.

• Mike Huckabee: Huck has been flat the past two days after winning big in Iowa. His rural folksy charm is not playing well in the northeast as it won’t outside the Bible Belt and plain states. He lied about taxes and illegal immigration and didn’t mention his state Arkansas once. His record is not a conservative one but southern populist – like William Jennings Bryan.

• Fred Thompson: Fred might as well slept in tonight. Another non-performance. To think that some at NRO think that he was good. What Kool-Aid were they drinking. Eckkkkkkkk

• Ron Paul: Wasn’t there and thank goodness. Two nights in a row of this old nutty crank would be too much for anyone.

• Rudy Giuliani: Rudy is always good in these debates was again good on terror and his role in cleaning up New York City. He made the argument as to how conservative ideals are best for low and middle income folks – to remove themselves from dependence on government sponsored – especially the ones the Democrats love so much. Rudy talked about how he cleared the welfare rolls in New York City and discussed a sensible border security program to combat illegal immigration. But, most importantly, he had an opportunity to “clear the air” about the Politico bogus story that accused his NYC administration secretly spending funds to pay for security for his girlfriend with whom he committed adultery. He also denied there would be any further involvement with the indicted Bernard Kerick – ending a whisper campaign that Rudy is really involved and supported by organized crime. Having such an opportunity to nationally debunk the “whisper campaigns” that have precipitated his decline in the national polls will begin his reconciliation process with the GOP base and perhaps regain their trust.

Rudy tells Sean Hannity after the FOX Debate Sunday night how Americans need to make sure they vote for the right kind of change in Washington.

Watch Flap’s comments of this 90 minute debate in the right Twitter sidebar or on Twitter.

Republican presidential hopeful, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, speaks after getting the endorsement of the New England Police Benevolent Association in Nashua, N.H., Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008.

Rudy Giuliani was NEVER the candidate that could receive the GOP nomination. Yet, Flap believes when February 5th comes along, Rudy will have amassed the plurality of delegates.

And, he has campaigned without miring himself in the mud with Huckabee, Romney and McCain.

Will Rudy’s strategy work?

Who knows?

But, the Mayor’s campaign has defied the conventional wisdom that put him dead in the water last January.

“Frankly, I don’t know why you’re so surprised,’’ he said. “My candidacy is an unconventional candidacy. I mean, from the day I started, I was a candidate that couldn’t get nominated. The Republican Party wouldn’t nominate me. I don’t know how often I read those stories, back a year ago. So the fact that we are where we are has already defied all conventional wisdom. We are running an unconventional strategy. We’re comfortable with that strategy. And we think this is an unconventional election.’’

When it comes down to it, who would you rather have in the Oval Office making the calls?

Video courtesy of MEMRI TV.

California-born Al Qaeda member Adam Gadahn called on his fellow terrorists to greet President Bush with “bombs and booby-trapped vehicles” when Bush travels to the Middle East this week.

You remember Gadahn who is wanted in the USA for treason/aiding terrorists and faces the death penalty when convicted.

Rudy Giuliani said last week that the United States should redouble its efforts in Afghanistan and bring Osama bin Laden to justice. Flap can think of nothing better strategically in accomplishing a victory in the war on terror than bring Osama, Gadahn, et. al. back to the United States to stand trial and for execution.

And, Gadahn, your symbolic destruction of your American passport was weak. America will not require a passport for your return. We gladly welcome your return in shackles.

Republican presidential candidate U.S. Senator John McCain gestures during the Republican candidates debate at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire January 5, 2008.

There is nothing wrong with accepting disclosed campaign contributions from pharmaceutical/drug companies, their employees or employment from them if you are out of office.

However, it is HYPOCRITICAL to bash them as BAD GUYS while accepting their cash.

The Maverick has some explaining to do.

Day By Day by Chris Muir

Fred Thompson’s wife, Jeri, has been a liability to Fred’s campaign. The early staffing FLAPS with campaign staff quitting was a bad start to his campaign.

The age differential between them also does NOT endear Fred to women voters. Men ask why Fred would run when he has very young children at home at his age and with his previous health problems.

Thompson’s main liability, however, has been his lack of energy in the campaign. One of the biggest ODDITIES in race for 2008 has been Fred Thompson’s unenthusiastic non-candidacy for the Presidency.

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