President 2012 GOP Debate: Who Won Last Night?

As I tweeted during the Republican New Hampshire debate last night, the biggest winner was Michele Bachmann.

Mitt Romney did fine and I think ultimately this will be a race between Bachmann and Romney unless Texas Governor Rick Perry or Sarah Palin enter the race. Then, all bets are off and a splitting vote scenario would be in play – as long as the campaign cash holds up.

Most of the D.C. pundits, both Democrats and Republicans agree that last night was all about Bachmann and Romney. The Biggest Loser was Tim Pawlenty, but I never really figured him a viable candidate anyway.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was the winner of the first major presidential debate tonight according to a survey of Republican and Democratic political operatives, campaign consultants, and party strategists, in a special National Journal Political Insiders Poll conducted tonight. Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann also had a good evening. 

Asked who was the “biggest winner” in the debate, a slim majority of Republican Insiders picked Romney. Roughly one-third of the Democratic Insiders concurred.