"The Human Quaalude"

I actually caught this (and only this) part of the GOP and thought it was a riot!

9:47: Chris Wallace: "You're saying we should take our marching orders from al Qaeda?" Paul: "No, I'm saying we should take our marching orders from the Constitution!" The rest of the candidates are actually laughing during this. Paul missteps when he says the Iraq War was against "international law"--I don't think I need to explain why--and Rudy dives for another chance at the punching bag like he had the last time Fox hosted one of these debates. Surprisingly, the moderators go to the only man who could euthanize this right now: Sam "the human quaalude" Brownback.

Weigel couldn't more correct about Brownback. The second he started speaking it was back to the Brewer's game with me. I'm sure I'll catch any Larry Craig-related highlights on tomorrow's news.

MORE: Here's Chris Cilliza's take on the same moment:

Picking a fight with Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) is a questionable strategy but it just paid off for Huckabee.

After Paul -- yet again -- advocated the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, Huckabee managed to both criticize the war and praise the surge.

"We have to continue the surge," said Huckabee. "What we did in Iraq is we essentially broke it. It's our responsibility to try and fix it."

Paul challenged Huckabee on the idea that America "broke" it, arguing that a handful of advisers to President Bush bore responsibility for the war.

Huckabee wouldn't let it go. "If we make a mistake, we make it as one country," said Huckabee to huge roars of applause. "Even if we lose elections we should not lose our honor and that is more important than the Republican party."

A very nice moment for Huckabee.

MORE STILL: ... and Ana Marie Cox:

9:47 PM Ron Paul gets his own Ron Paul moment: "cakewalkbloodbathslamdunk," those are the ones responsible for the failure.

MORE YET: From Domenico Montanaro:

DURHAM, N.H. -- Watch the debate on Iraq in the Republican party. There is a potential for a on Iraq. We're seeing it tonight with Huckabee v. Paul. But Huckabee certainly has a way with words that Paul can't compete with.

EVAN MORE: Andy McCarthy at the Corner:

More applause for Chris Wallace saying, "OK, so we should take our marching orders from al Qaeda," than for Ron Paul.

And ... is Sam Brownback insane? Chance to pounce on Paul after Wallace cleared the path, he's blathering.

JUST ONE MORE: Over at the Caucus:

9:55 p.m. Ron’s People: Lots of hoots and hollers and cheering for Ron Paul, the only anti-war candidate on stage. He has some strong backers in the audience.

NOW I JUST CAN'T HELP MYSELF: Sayeth Althouse:

9:42 ... RP says those who are saying "bloodbath" are the same people who said all sorts of other wrong things about the Middle East. We ought to get out and mind our own business. Big cheers from the audience. We are invaders, violators of international law.

THIS IS THE LAST UPDATE, WE PROMISE:

Alright, the Frank Luntz post-game focus group wrap-up whatever ... Of the 29 Republican primary voters assembled to watch the debate not one was impressed with the candidates' performances. None of them.

Are shut outs possible in Presidential politics?