Who Doesn't Believe in Evolution?  —  A show of hands please... Let me remind you this is the only top vote-getting question asked.  —  Download (7161) |  Play (11951) Download (3363) |  Play (8489)  —  (That's Brownback, Tancredo and Huckabee with their hands up.)

The 1st GOP debate  —  Man, is it crowded.  —  HA thread here.  PJM reaction coming Bear are at the Reagan Library.  Power Line coverage here.  Heading Right live-blogging here.  —  Rich Lowry: "They're all talking too fast..."  —  Can't blame them.  What do they have each— 6 minutes total?

Republicans walk tightrope over war in Iraq  —  In first debate, 2008 hopefuls say conflict mismanaged, but worthwhile  —  Presidential contenders Mitt Romney, Sam Brownback and Ron Paul line up Thursday on stage before the first Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

An Incomplete Field  —  First impressions of the GOP's 2008 candidates.  —  They stood earnestly in a row, combed, primped and prepped, as Nancy Reagan gazed up at them with courteous interest.  But behind the hopeful candidates, a dwarfing shadow loomed, a shadow almost palpable in its power …

SOME IMPRESSIONS OF TONIGHT'S DEBATE. . .  before Dallas and Golden State tip off.  —  1. The format was poor.  You can't have a good debate with this many people, but at least you can have serious questions and an opportunity to discuss them.  The questions from Politico's readers …

Debate Analysis: Romney Wins  —  The first Republican debate has finished, and the analysis and spin will begin in earnest.  I'm sure that by morning, my e-mail will be filled with messages insisting on promoting one candidate over another, but I already have a few conclusions to share …

A Quickie Debate Recap  —  Okay, the Opening Day equivalent of the race for the Republican nomination has come and gone.  You want to know how everyone did.  I have the answers.  —  THE TOP TIER:  —  1) Mitt Romney - Romney was clearly the class of the field.  I know, I'm biased, blah, blah, blah.

Who Won?  Who Lost?  —  Well, my first thought is just how much more substantive that debate was than the Democratic debate, in terms of both specificity and grappling with deep, philosophical questions.  —  But, now, to name the winners and losers.  Off the bat, let me stipulate …

McCain Wins  —  My debate impression.  The good news is that they all understand that the Iraq war has been a disaster in terms of execution.  No one defended Bush's handling of it - who can? - but McCain's strong criticism of a "badly mismanaged" war gave him the edge in my book.