Romney turns debate to his advantage

A member of Mitt Romney’s team told me before tonight’s debate in Arizona that the debate and Friday’s major speech to the Detroit Economic Club would decide whether he wins Michigan.
Romney got though the first challenge in fine fasion. He clearly was the most presidential of the four candidates on the stage. He was commanding, his answers were precise and he was more comfortable than he has been in previous face-offs.
But more important, he managed to put Rick Santorum back in Congress by constantly going to his rival’s votes while he was a senator from Pennsylvania.
Congress is the least popular institution in America, and reminding voters of Santorums tenure there did some damage.
Santorum didn’t help himself. He looked nervous and defensive, and not ready for the big leagues. And explaining his controversial Senate votes by saying he was being a “team player” didn’t speak well for his leadership abilities.
Gingrich gave Romney a boost as well with another solid debate performance. Gingrich hasn’t played in Michigan, but if he can pick up some votes off the debate, they’ll come at Santorum’s expense.
Ron Paul also helped Romeny by choosing Santorum as his main target for attack.
Romney needed a good night for himself and a bad one for Santorum, and he got both. He’s also poised to get a big spotlight in Michigan from Friday’s economic speech.