Also-Rans Also Winning

Sorry to continuously rag on the big boys, but once again the also-rans won the GOP debate last night. Republican Reps. Ron Paul of Texas, Duncan Hunter of California and Tom Tancredo of Colorado, along with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, provided most of the night’s best moments.

Paul was the first to declare he won’t support the Republican nominee if that person won’t end the war and restore credibility on spending control. Tancredo then did the same, saying that standing on principle is great but the party should have done more of it in the majority. “Stop pandering,” he chided, twice.

Hunter blamed the members of Congress, and included former Sen. Big Fred Thompson, for voting in favor of Most Favored Nation status for China and being responsible for sending 1.8 million jobs there. Whether you agree with him or not, it was more gutsy than anything offered up by the four top-tier candidates.

Brownback said he would support the nominee because he is confident the party will nominate someone who is pro-growth and pro-life. When Chris Matthews asked what he will do if the nominee isn’t pro-life, Brownback said firmly that the nominee “will be.”

Huckabee continued his un-Republican rhetoric about the little guy. When asked about unions, he said the fact that the average CEO salary is 500 times that of the average worker will create more of a need for unions. Huckabee even had the nerve to admit he wouldn’t have vetoed the expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program because it is too politically toxic!

Fred Thompson got a passing grade at his debut last night but he was nervous and appeared slightly miserable at times. He should borrow some nerve from those candidates who want to borrow his poll numbers.

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Who won the economic debate? And who is your favorite GOP underdog? Send your response and a question to ASK A.B., my weekly Q & A video, at askab@digital-stage.thehill.com.