East TN Conservative

Fred Thompson was solid — because he basically is, even if he’s not in his element campaigning.

Mary Katharine Ham:

Fred: Fred is holding court tonight whenever he speaks. He was pretty great discussing Social Security, coming off strong, courageous, changey, and unbowed by either conventional wisdom or Chris Wallace. He dwarfed the others’ follow-ups in comparison. Frankly, I’ll have to wait for the fact-check to see if he was dead-on on his figures, because I wasn’t taking notes, but it came off very well. He really is great sitting down! Trade in the truck for a beat-up, red armchair, Fred, and tour the country!

Jennifer Rubin:

Thompson is ever steady and ever conservative. It is hard to see why movement conservatives would not consider him seriously if Romney loses on Tuesday.

UPDATE: Bryan at Hot Air:

Fred knocks this speech in illegal immigration out of the park. He treats his colleagues well but gets to the heart of one of the reasons open borders policies are bad for everyone, on both sides of the border. He works in support of free trade and turns Mexico’s criticism of the US back on Mexico for its own failed policies. Well done.

Jim Geraghty:

Winner: Arthur Branch. Okay, I know he goes by the stage name, “Fred Thompson,” but don’t tell me that just as “Law and Order” comes back to the airwaves with new episodes, we just happen to see a deep rumbling baritone from a big guy sitting behind a desk, using a combination of homespun aphorisms and legal arguments to put some wet-behind-the-ears young feller in his place.

I have to go back and check the transcript, but it appears that he just took Huckabee to school on the legal rules regarding captured al-Qaeda at Guanatanamo Bay.

Over in the Corner, Rich described him as “the cranky conservative one-man truth squad,” and that’s a role that fits him. He doesn’t overpromise, he doesn’t seem too much like an overeager car salesman. Whether that will sell in New Hampshire is another question…

The focus group on Fox hates him. Ah, what do they know?

Mary Katharine Ham:

2. Fred: I actually thought Fred was strongest, but Mitt had more to gain, so I gave the first place to him. The focus group says I’m dead wrong, but I thought he was knowledgeable and made the others look less mature with the depth of his answers. I think he’s got a more comfortable style that works for him in debates and ought to serve him well in South Carolina, where voters are more predisposed to the rambly country-boy style.

Erick Erickson:

I think Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney did the best tonight. Mitt seemed even paced all night. Thompson was the adult in the room, willing to talk about the tough truths.

…

Best statement of the night: Fred Thompson taking on Mexico about immigration. That will help him in South Carolina.