The Iowa Debate: Bachmann misrepresents, Huntsman attempts to distinguish self

THE IOWA DEBATE, WINNERS AND LOSERS: Bachmann misrepresents the debt deal, whereas Huntsman attempts to distinguish himself on it, reports Caucus.

Mrs. Bachmann misrepresented the debt ceiling debate when she complained that Congress had given a "blank check" to President Obama by agreeing to raise the debt ceiling -- even though it had to be raised to pay for the bills that Congress had already approved, not for future spending.

If Mr. Huntsman felt as if he had not gotten the attention that he deserved during the debate, he made one last attempt in the final moments. As the clock ticked down, Mr. Huntsman pointed out that he had been the only Republican presidential candidate to support the debt ceiling deal worked out by Mr. Obama and the Republicans in Congress. "We are 25 percent of the world's G.D.P.," Mr. Huntsman said, saying that the idea of letting the country default on its debts is unthinkable. That idea puts Mr. Huntsman at odds with his rivals on the stage, who say they would not have raised the debt ceiling. Mr. Huntsman is hoping that he comes across looking like the adult in the room who will take care of the fiscal reputation of the country.

Although it often feels as if Huntsman is trying to distinguish himself on too many levels – politically, that is. One wonders whether or not this might serve to alienate the Republican constituency up to whom he's trying so hard to cosy, although personally, I agree with things like this. "I support civil unions," Huntsman said. "I believe our nation can do better a job with equality." Huntsman, according to ThinkProgress, has one of the more liberal positions on the issue, and even went so far as to reach out to LGBT groups in Utah. This all sounds good, but I have doubts as to his political prospects in that room. Although, to his credit, I suppose he can't have been too liberal for Utah. My ideal candidate on the GOP side, for sure.