Governor Blunt: "Governor Romney did a superb job in the debate and he demonstrated that he is the right leader to bring change to Washington. With a record of turning around troubled companies and institutions, Governor Romney has real, relevant experience. More importantly, he brings a fresh perspective from outside the Beltway and he articulated his vision in the debate. Our nation confronts a new generation of challenges and we need Governor Romney's innovative, executive leadership."

Senator DeMint: "More than any other Republican presidential candidate, Governor Romney has outlined an aggressive agenda to cut taxes. He will lower taxes for all Americans, make the Bush tax cuts permanent, abolish the Death Tax and making savings tax-free for middle-income Americans. Lower taxes protect jobs and ensure continued job creation. Because America's strength rests with its people, Governor Romney believes Americans should be able to keep more of their hard-earned money."

Pro-life Activist James Bopp, Jr. "Governor Romney is the most forceful Republican candidate defending the freedom of speech. He believes that we should not be limiting political speech, and the involvement of citizens in our democracy, in the name of campaign finance reform. We need transparency and disclosure in our campaign finance system, but McCain-Feingold has done the opposite, driving contributions to groups dominated by the wealthy and with little accountability to the public. All citizens should applaud Governor Romney's call to repeal McCain-Feingold."

Noonan: "The statuesque Mr. Romney had a certain good-natured command, a presidential voice, and a surprising wiliness. He seemed happy to be there, and in the mysterious way that some people seem to dominate, he dominated."

Chris Cillizza: "Former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.) stood out with clear and crisp answers – showing flashes of humor and an ease with the important issues. He sounded authoritative when he talked about Iraq (not an easy task for a one-term governor of Massachusetts) and effectively cast himself – a Mormon – as part of the broad faith community in America."

Howard Fineman: "I think Mitt Romney came off looking presidential…"

Kathryn Jean Lopez: "Romney showed himself to be a smart, articulate, optimistic, serious leader. If it was a first impression for anyone watching, as I imagine it might have been for anyone flipping away from The Office for a few minutes, it was a good start."

Mullings' Rich Galen: "Overall I thought Romney did the best. He had command of his positions and articulated them well."

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich: "Governor Romney was very good in talking about health care, where he knows a great deal."

New York Daily News' Michael Goodwin: "Romney was very good at turning every answer into a statement of lofty, conservative principle. He spoke of family and marriage and faith and turned a question about 'what don't you like about America?' into a poetic ode to our nation. He came across as sharp and jaunty."

The Politico's Roger Simon: "It would be terribly irresponsible to pick a winner of Thursday night's Republican debate. So I will. I think Mitt Romney won."

MSNBC's Contessa Brewer: "I thought Mitt Romney came off as looking very presidential."

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough: "I'll tell you what, it looked like Mitt Romney really had a strong introduction to the Republican Party tonight."

National Review's Jim Geraghty: "Romney had some strong answers, good humor. I'd be surprised if he didn't help himself tonight. Maybe the audience will see what attracted his fans. Clearly, this was a format he seemed at home in."

National Journal's Marc Ambinder: "Mitt Romney is great with first impressions… He certainly seemed presidential. He flubbed no question. His knowledge was evident."

The Politico's Jonathan Martin: "Mitt Romney's aides and advisers were buoyant after the forum. And for some good reason. The former Massachusetts governor, ever handsome and articulate, was poised and smooth for most of the evening. For the thousands (millions?) watching at home who were getting their first taste of Mitt, they had to come away impressed."

New York Sun's Ryan Sager: "If anyone stood out from the other candidates, in terms of looking polished and poised, it was clearly Mr. Romney. He got off some of the best lines of the night… But any casual observer of the debate (were there any non-junkies watching?) would probably have to view him as head-and-shoulders above the others."

Dan Riehl: "Romney may be the guy who pulled it out tonight."

John Hinderaker: "If you didn't already know how good Romney is, you would be really impressed by his performance tonight."

Captain's Quarters' Ed Morrissey: "Who won? – Mitt Romney won this debate. He looked relaxed, answered clearly, showed real warmth and a sense of humor, and actually answered the questions asked of him – even the stupid ones, to which I'll return shortly."

Townhall's Dean Barnett: "Mitt Romney – Romney was clearly the class of the field. I know, I'm biased, blah, blah, blah. But if you saw the debate, believe your own eyes. Romney has a command of the facts and an effective delivery that must be the envy of the field. As America gets to know him in forums like this (not that I'm hoping there will be other forums precisely like this hideous one – perish that thought), the country will come to understand why Romney has generated such excitement among insiders and people who know him."

CBN's David Brody: "The debate is over and I thought Mitt Romney really came across well. He was comfortable, funny and somewhat free wheeling."

National Review's Mark Hemmingway: "It's obvious now that in the first major Republican presidential debate Mitt Romney put in a very strong performance."

Labels: debate, governor blunt, james bopp, missouri, senator demint