Compared to past debates, this event was tightly controlled and policy focused. It's clear that the Des Moines Register, unlike CNN or MSNBC, was concerned more with moving the presidential campaign forward around the issues than making flashy television. That didn't keep moderator Carolyn Washburn, editor of the Register, from closing out by asking the candidates to suggest a New Year's resolution for one of their competitors. But all in all, there was a sober tone in Des Moines this afternoon as the Republican field grappled more substantively than they have before with fiscal policy, education, and trade. All eyes, of course, were on the surging Mike Huckabee. He turned in another strong performance, but he won't run away with the hype today, as he did after the last debate. Perhaps Huck is getting nervous, because he stuck his neck out far less -- his support for public services for the children of undocumented immigrants didn't come up, and he didn't eloquently state his Christian obligation to the poor, as he has in the past. Surprisingly, the other candidates mostly allowed Huckabee to blend into the pack. Romney made the most explicit attack, saying that unlike Huckabee -- who is currently implicated in the pardon of Arkansas rapist and murderer Wayne Dumond -- he never pardoned a criminal in Massachusetts. I don't think this debate shook the field up at all. We'll see if the Democrats turn in something more exciting tomorrow. --Dana Goldstein
