The Republicans faced a You Tube debate last night in Tampa, Florida. I had to watch the replay, which ended a little while ago. My impressions:

First, the format sucks. The idea of submitted questions is fine, but using the video method ensured that many would be selected based on graphics and/or creativity in presentation rather than the substance of the question. I think CNN did a reasonable job in keeping out the quirkiest questions and some of the ridiculous submissions accepted for the Democratic debate, but it still led to a preference for style and marketing over substance.

Without question, John McCain won this debate. He was steady, forthright, calm and unflappable throughout - a very Presidential bearing. His direct encounters with Romney and Paul ended very favorably for him. Another in a series of strong debate performances for the Arizona Senator.

Mike Huckabee also did very well last night. He came across as reasonable, witty, and charming, perhaps aided by his position in the race. As the newest candidate breaking into the "top tier," none of his opponents wished to boost his status by directly addressing his weaknesses, so he had a free ride on his record. Nonetheless, he has made the most of the opportunity which opened for him by finishing second in the Ames Straw Poll in August. One poll even has him ahead in Iowa, and this debate certainly didn't hurt his chances.

Romney and Giuliani sparred early, but their encounter diminished both men in my mind. Romney probably won this exchange, if anyone did, but both were clearly unsettled by it and "off their game" until later in the debate. Both finished strongly, though. Give the edge to Rudy, because Romney stepped in it by engaging in a discussion of torture with McCain. I tend to agree with Romney's position on the issue, but you can't win a one-on-one on this subject with a fellow who was tortured for five and a half years, had multiple bones broken, and still didn't talk. Can't be done. A wise fellow chooses his battles more carefully.

Thompson just isn't up to the task. The clearest evidence was his own campaign video, which captured old quotes from Romney and Huckabee - and NONE from Fred! His late-starting campaign was "supposed to" attract the voters he now seems to be trying to pry away from Mitt and Mike. Fred had some good moments, but didn't shine. He needed to shine.

Ron Paul is a moron. McCain should probably lose points for bitch-slapping a defenseless idiot, but sometimes an idiot really needs a bitch-slapping. Memo to McCain: sometimes the bad guys really need water-boarding, too.

In conclusion, if Giuliani and Romney were smart enough to hire me as a consultant, they would already by holding one-on-one debates in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. Let their campaigns split the costs - the media will be there. It would help reinforce the idea of a "two-man race," and they need to do it soon. Thompson is fading into the background, but both McCain and Huckabee are rising at just the time a campaign needs to peak. If Rudy and Mitt can't do something to diminish those two's standing, they may end up watching their taillights grow smaller in the distance.