Special Editorial: Yikes  —  THE WEEKLY STANDARD's official reaction to last night's Republican presidential debate: Yikes.  —  Reading the reactions of thoughtful commentators after the stage emptied, talking with conservative policy types and GOP political operatives later last evening and this morning, we know we're not alone.

Video: Perry's cringe-worthiest debate moment  —  This is a gimme.  Seriously.  —  I mentioned Rick Perry's DREAM Act debate blunder in my round-up post.  —  It gets second place.  —  The cringe-worthiest moment, by a hair, was when Perry botched what should have been his most potent attack on Mitt Romney's chronic flip-flopping.

This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things, Affordable Care Act Edition  —  Last night's Republican debate was interesting for many reasons, but the thing that made me angriest was this, from Herman Cain: … You will not be surprised to learn that the crowd whooped and hollered its approval.

Rick Santorum Owes Gay Soldier an Apology  —  For Immediate Release  —  Joint Statement of Christopher R. Barron, Chairman of the Board and Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director  —  (Washington, D.C.) - “Tonight, Rick Santorum disrespected our brave men and women in uniform, and he owes Stephen Hill …

No Thanking the Gay Soldier in Iraq for His Service?  —  Rereading the transcript of last night's debate, I am struck that Rick Santorum did not thank Stephen Hill, a gay soldier in the U.S. Army currently in Iraq, for his service.  Nor did anyone else on that stage.

His book about Obama is as spurious as the ones he wrote about Bush.  —  As an editor, you develop a B.S. meter—an internal warning system that signals caution about journalism that doesn't feel trustworthy.  Sometimes it's a quote or incident that's too perfect —a feeling I always …