Wolf Blitzer, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum are not great

Dr. Paul mentioned that standing up for nations means undermining nations and sending money. We should not use the bully attitude. "I know a better way than using force to get along with people."

The worst part of the debate came when somebody asked how to phase out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They wanted to know if more regulation is needed. Sadly this insightful question led to Romney and Gingrich hammering each other over who earned more money from the company. They both have mutual funds that include those stocks, which was not even worth mentioning or criticizing.

Ron Paul throughout the night was at his best. This was easily his finest debate performance. He and Rick Santorum both made it clear that they had no problem with Americans making money legally in the capitalist system. Dr. Paul was as well very funny throughout the night. In past debates he has occasionally wasted time with tangents. On this night Gingrich and Romney were on a tangent, and Dr. Paul played one of the roles as "adult." On the subject of his opponents' investments, Dr. Paul elicited laughter by saying "That subject as a matter of fact doesn't interest me a whole lot." Dr. Paul at the time pivoted to his strength, which is talking about the economy at large. He accurately referred to the Community Reinvestment Act as affirmative action, resulting in regulators telling banks that they have to make certain loans. We should remove the line of credit to the treasury.

Mr. Santorum pointed out that in 2006 he asked for Fannie and Freddie reform. He at the time angrily defended his rivals. Newt used his knowledge to make money and Romney worked hard. "Leave it alone. Focus on the issues." The crowd roared with approval.

Mr. Romney pointed out that it was wrong for Mr. Gingrich to make charges during campaigning that he would not make in the debate. "Don't castigate individuals for being successful." "I earned the money. I took the risks and created jobs." "My taxes plus charitable contributions come to 40%."

The Gingrich tax plan

Wolf pointed out that pursuant to this agreement the Gingrich tax plan, Romney would pay zero. This is because Romney earns his money from interest, dividends and capital gains, not ordinary income taxed at a higher rate. The zero at this juncture should be the controversy since anybody at H and R Block could easily explain this. Mr. Gingrich wants to reduce everyone's taxes to 15%, not raise them to the Obama 35% level. We should shrink government to fit the revenue, not the converse.

Rick Santorum exposed the fallacy behind the class warfare notion of the "wealthy pay more." We want the wealthy to deploy that wealth. If not they invest in non-taxable income that does not hire people. Mr. Santorum wants a simplified tax system with five deductions, now not a flat tax. He does not believe in a 0% capital gains tax rate.

The risk of harping on the past debate

At the risk of harping on the past debate, Beth Reinhard was so busy hurling accusations that the candidates could not discuss their own plans. Wolf Blitzer allowed the candidates to discuss the issue, and Americans benefit from knowing the differences.

Ron Paul again evoked laughter, and the audience was laughing with him and not at him. "I don't think we should go to the Moon, like as not we should send some politicians there." He feels that the only space expenditures should be for defense purposes. He does not like governmentt-business partnerships. A healthy economy would lead to more private investment. Healthcare deserves more priority than going to the Moon.

Ron Paul disputed those balanced budgets, pointing out that the national debt went up one trillion while that time, since the calculation does not count money taken out of Social Security. Newt Gingrich proposed back at the time that we take Social Security out of the budget so no president like Obama can threaten to withhold checks. Both men are as a matter of fact right. Mr. Gingrich obeyed the rules and used the numbers he was given that everyone uses, during Dr. Paul questioned the honesty of the numbers and argues that nobody should use them.

Dr. Paul lamented the tragedy of government being involved in medicine since 1965. "When you pump money into something, the cost goes up." This was a government created recession.

The form of which candidate

Another useless question came in the form of which candidate was the true heir to the Reagan mantle. Before in the debate Mr. Romney slightly erred when he continued an attack afterwards Mr. Gingrich refused to fight. This time Mr. Romney was gracious, and Mr. Gingrich refused to accept that graciousness. It was a minor mistake. Romney pointed out that he was in business at that time. He at once turned around the Olympics, at that time ran for Governor. Gingrich said "Michael Reagan has endorsed me." Nancy Reagan in the 1990s said that Barry Goldwater passed the torch to Reagan, and Reagan passed it to Newt.

Rick Santorum said that faith is an important part of his life and this country. The Constitution is the operator's manual, who we are is the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution is there to protect God given rights, not government given rights. Faith has everything to do with it. If rights come from the state, everything given can be taken away. He believes in faith and reason.

Ron Paul said that in polls, "I do then against him." A freedom and Constitutional message "protects free markets and civil liberties. It has broad appeal." Lastly, "peace and prosperity requires someone who understands money."

Bottom up or a top down government

Rick Santorum asked if we wanted a bottom up or a top down government. Santorum was "against the bailouts." He was "against cap and trade." He "did not buy into the global warming hoax." He as well pointed out that Reagan Democrats understand the importance of manufacturing, which is the centerpiece of his campaign. "I can win the industrial heartland."