Tony Strickland is Co-Chairman of the Romney for President Campaign in California… Tonight at the Reagan Library, Governor Romney clearly showed why he has earned my backing in his bid to become the next President. No other candidate has the outside perspective we need to restore conservative principles to Washington. He successfully introduced himself to voters who may not already know him as the only candidate who can bring real change to government.

Voters learned tonight that with Governor Romney’s strong leadership, there is no problem America cannot solve. He has a clear record of real experience turning around troubled companies and organizations, and he will bring that same proven leadership to our nation’s capitol.

Here are some of the ways Governor Romney set himself apart from the other candidates at the Reagan Library:

Roy Tyler is the Communications Director for the Duncan Hunter for President campaign… On MSNBC last night, California Rep. Duncan Hunter was center stage with nine other candidates for a debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Hunter illustrated tonight that he indeed has inherited the mantle of Ronald Reagan. Moderator Chris Matthews said everybody knew where Ronald Reagan stood. Everybody knew where Hunter stood tonight. He was the paradigm of assertiveness. While McCain and Giuliani equivocated on the issue of abortion, Hunter was firm about pro-life beliefs. While Romney was uncertain how to respond to the question of Iran Hunter was certain about what to do. Romney wavered about federal funding for stem cell research Hunter was absolute. Unlike McCain, Hunter does not pander about his faith and try to walk a fine line. He was definitive about his… Read More

I’ve been watching MSNBC’s day-long coverage of the debate tonight, and many of the Democraticpundits who’ve been interviewed have made mention that none of the GOP candidates can compare to the legacy of President Reagan, and will all pale on the stage in his library tonight. But I disagree…I dug through my bookshelf this morning and pulled out three books: “The Greatest Communicator” by Dick Wirthlin, Reagan’s chief political strategist; “American, Beyond our Grandest Notions” by Chris Matthews; and “Hardball” also by Chris Matthews.

Chris Matthews will moderate the debate tonight, and he knew President Reagan up close and personal when he served as Tip O’Neill’s chief of staff. In both his books, Matthews speaks with respect for President Reagan on a number of characteristics: his rebellious nature to buck conventional political wisdom; his status as the perennial “outsider” vs. the career politician, though he had been involved in politics since the Goldwater days; and his ability to communicate to Americans in a “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” style. Reagan was eternally patriotic, and loved Americans as much as he loved… Read More

Tonight’s debate was like watching an NFL training camp in it’s early weeks of the summer. Some of the players obviously had the tools to survive the first rounds of cuts in the money primary and early primaries and caucuses while others had trouble showing the crowd they belong at this level of the game. Here is how I saw the players and their performances as if they were fighting to win the job of Republican Quarterback.

Ron Paul: Obvously the first cut. The libertarian stuff can be cute sometimes but his archaic foreign policy views and no national following of consequence mean it’s time to run for re-election to the House. Looked a little too much like Ross Perot for my comfort.

Tommy Thompson: There was a time when Tommy had tools and would have been intriguing as a candidate coming to camp. Unfortunately for him, it’s been a long time since he’s played at the level that would make you think hard about keeping him on the squad. Boring. He’ll be lucky to make it to the first states.

Fred Thompson: Currently absent from camp and has been placed on the "Did Not Report" List. Hard to win… Read More

I’m going to play the "who won the debate?" I don’t think anyone is going to win a forum with 10 candidates — although I did receive a press release from the Mitt Romney campaign at precisely 6:30 p.m. (the time the debate ended) declaring Mitt Romney the winner.

Rather, this is the candidates’ first opportunity to make a good impression on Republicans voters while side-by-side with their nomination rivals, and I think that’s how they were approaching it.

That’s said, I sat down to watch the debate not having endorsed any candidate. When the debate ended, I still hadn’t endorsed anyone. In fact, I fell asleep during the last 15 minutes – I was tired and it was a long program.

Speaking of the format: can we discard the "Interactive Round" segment next time? It injected the debate with a game show feel — I half-expected the candidates to ask Chris Matthews, "I’ll take tax cuts for $500, Chris." Plus, the e-mailed questions were often lame: "What don’t you like about America?"

I don’t think any of the first-tier candidates committed any fatal… Read More

Late this afternoon, ten GOP contenders for the White House will be trying their hardest to make in impression at a debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. The fact that the debate includes all ten candidates, and not just the three front runners, means that no single candidate is going to receive a significant amount of exposure during this event. You can be sure that each of the campaigns has figured out what message or theme they want to try to strike in what will be just a very few minutes. Don’t look to be overly impressed with the perfomances as I think that with 10 people vying for time, there will be little chance for anyone to really make one. I guess, especially with the lesser-known contenders, it will be fun to see them try to pick up some momentum by being a little bit more ‘outlandish’ — which should provide some interesting moments. As for McCain, Giuliani, and Romney — expect them to continue to emphasize the same campaign points that they have been making on the trail… As it has been said, Fred Thompson, who is speaking to the annual dinner of the Orange County Lincoln Club tomorrow night, is more likely to… Read More

Late this afternoon, ten GOP contenders for the White House will be trying their hardest to make in impression at a debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. The fact that the debate includes all ten candidates, and not just the three front runners, means that no single candidate is going to receive a significant amount of exposure during this event. You can be sure that each of the campaigns has figured out what message or theme they want to try to strike in what will be just a very few minutes. Don’t look to be overly impressed with the perfomances as I think that with 10 people vying for time, there will be little chance for anyone to really make one. I guess, especially with the lesser-known contenders, it will be fun to see them try to pick up some momentum by being a little bit more ‘outlandish’ — which should provide some interesting moments. As for McCain, Giuliani, and Romney — expect them to continue to emphasize the same campaign points that they have been making on the trail… As it has been said, Fred Thompson, who is speaking to the annual dinner of the Orange County Lincoln Club tomorrow night, is more likely to… Read More

Okay, okay. After some e-mails for pictures, I’ve slowed down long enough to pull one off of the camera. I stopped in to chat with Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines yesterday… … Read More