Fred Who? GOP Debate Turns To Iraq Instead

This analysis was written by CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs.

While much of the attention to the GOP race has centered on Thompson's late entry into the race, it was clear from the beginning that the rest of the field wasn't simply sitting around waiting for him to arrive.

The eight candidates who gathered in New Hampshire for the latest in an ongoing series of debates and forums welcomed Thompson to the campaign with a series of jabs even as the actor and former Tennessee senator was preparing to make his candidacy official on NBC's "Tonight Show."

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee drew the very first question of the night - about Thompson. "I was scheduled to be on Jay Leno tonight, but I gave up my slot for somebody else because I'd rather be in New Hampshire with these fine people," he said.

Arizona Senator John McCain quipped, "Maybe we're up past his bedtime," a somewhat veiled reference perhaps to criticisms of Thompson's perceived work ethic. And former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said, "I think he's done a really good job of playing my part on 'Law and Order.' I personally prefer the real thing but I think Fred will add something to the race."

But for the rest of the 90-minute debate, Thompson went unmentioned and his absence went unnoticed as the candidates continued a discussion and competition which has been going on for nearly eight months now. The event featured several notable exchanges, each carrying a nuanced narrative.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney continued his criticism of Giuliani's handling of illegal immigrants in New York City. Asked about his record on immigration as a governor, Romney made a point to go after Giuliani, saying, "with regards to sanctuary cities, the governors aren't responsible for mayors who are not following the law." Romney has criticized Giuliani's policy of welcoming illegal immigrants - an issue that resonates with conservative voters, especially in the critical early state of Iowa.

McCain, who regained his footing last night following a near-fatal summer of campaign shakeups and miscues, put Romney on the defensive on the issue of the surge policy in Iraq. After Romney claimed that the surge "appeared" to be working, McCain forcefully insisted, "I can assure you, it is more than apparent - it is working and we have to rally the American people." Romney later said he believed the surge to be working but added he will wait for the Patraeus report next week. While some Republicans are looking to walk a fine line on the Iraq war, McCain signaled he was having none of that, something which could pay off for the senator over time.

The most animated and passionate exchange of the evening came between anti-war candidate Ron Paul and Huckabee. Paul, who has attracted a dedicated following and who clearly had supporters in the audience, again argued for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, which he said was devised by a small group of advisors in the administration.

Huckabee responded, saying, "whether or not we should have gone to Iraq is a discussion the historians can have, but we're there. We bought it because we broke it. We've got a responsibility to the honor of this country and to the honor of every man and woman who has served in Iraq and ever served in our military to not leave them with anything less than the honor that they deserve." Paul insisted, "when we make a mistake, it is the obligation of the people, through their representatives, to correct the mistake, not to continue the mistake."

If there were no big winners of the night, there were some uncomfortable moments for at least two of the top-tier candidates. The event, sponsored and aired by the Fox News Channel, periodically cut away for reaction and questions from New Hampshire residents viewing the debate in a local diner. At one point, one man with a son serving in Iraq lectured Romney about a comment he recently made when asked why his sons were not serving in Iraq. (Romney alluded to the fact that his children were serving the country by helping him get elected to the White House, something he later apologized for saying.) Still, the visibly emotional questioner scolded, "it was wrong sir, and you never should've said it."

If Romney appeared flustered at that question, Giuliani twice seemed to dodge direct questions. Both times - on his qualifications in foreign policy and his personal life - Giuliani fell back on a litany of his record as mayor of New York City. But neither candidate received the kind of questions posed to Paul from one of the Fox moderators. After proposing that the U.S. troops should be reserved only for defense of the country, the moderator asked, "We should take our marching orders from al Qaeda, and remove soldiers from the Arabian peninsula?"

How Fred Thompson's formal entry will alter the dynamics of the race is unknown. When he first began flirting with a bid last spring, Republican primary voters were less satisfied than they are now with the rest of the field and Thompson's delay has caused concern even among his staunchest supporters. Giuliani alluded to the work the other candidates have out in over the past eight months, saying of the nomination, "nobody's going to give it to you. Nobody's going to grant it to you. Nobody is going to crown you. You've got to go out there and like these gentlemen have done and I've done you've got to - you gotta meet people in Iowa and New Hampshire and all over the country. You gotta work hard for this."

For last night, at least, the eight candidates on stage worked hard to impress Republican primary voters, while Thompson's presence went almost unnoticed for one more evening.
By Vaughn Ververs