Did Rudy Have a Reagan Moment?

A Springfield Republican writes me wondering if Rudy Giuliani's indignant but powerful response to Ron Paul about the September 11th attacks was equivalent to Reagan's "I paid for this microphone," moment.

He raises a heck of a point.

It was the biggest moment in the debate, that will be replayed over and over throughout the week, the weekend shows, and beyond. Since there are many more debates to come, and so much time to go, it may not have the ultimate impact that Reagan's statement did.

But it will still be a moment that will be replayed over and over.

So did Rudy rebound for a knockout in Round 2?

Here's the summary of the buzz from the pundits, writers and people who influence my world:

1) Rudy Hit It Out Of The Park. Looked tough. Presidential. Rebounded on the abortion issue, and nailed terrorism. That clip will be played, and replayed. Nice play.

2) McCain is Solid. Steady as we go. You may disagree with him, but you still respect him. Wears well with time. Top tier to stay, even with the mess with Iraq. So when do he and Rudy start to get into it?

3) Romney Falls Off. A mediocre appearance compared to the first debate. The guy looks great. But he has an authenticity problem that shows up in everything that's written or said about him. He'll say whatever we want to hear. How does he overcome that?

4) Huckabee Is Cool. The guy is comfortable in his own skin. He's got great lines. He's a conservative who smiles (genuinely). The pundits are dying to put this guy in the top tier, but polls and money won't allow them too just yet. Is this guy just a flirt or will dating with the G.O.P. base get serious?

Now the Buzz:

"For me, then, the debate winnowed the field of candidates down to two: McCain and Paul. That was quick," writes Andrew Sullivan.

"Giuliani and McCain looked and acted like the frontrunners tonight. They got opportunities to look presidential and seized the moments," writes Chuck Todd of NBC News.

"I might have avoided sending out "GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY WINS SECOND DEBATE ADVOCATING A STRONGER AMERICA" as they just did. He had some moments, but he didn't win and saying so while par for the course feeds into the (unfair, IMHO) "he'll say anything" theme," writes the National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez.

"If you’re looking for a Republican candidate who has not changed his mind on anything, you’ll have to look beyond the three so-called top-tier candidates," writes the New York Times Political Blog.

"My overall take, Giuliani and McCain tied for the win in this debate. Tancredo and Huckabee also had a pretty good night," observes Politics1.com.

"I've read the early reviews and while there doesn't seem to be consensus, I firmly believe Rudy Giuliani will emerge the winner tonight. He was the only candidate to stand up to Rep. Ron Paul's despicable comment blaming 9/11 on America's foreign policy," writes one on RedState.com.

"Not one of them could hold a candle to Mike Huckabee tonight. It's a shame he has no shot at winning. He should be running for Senate," writes another on RedState.com.

Not much reaction from state and local blogs just yet. Chatter gives props to McCain for giving a "logical answer" torture, and notes Rudy's red meat. MissouriPolitics.Net, which challenged us to a live blogging debate a few weeks back, actually followed-through with live blogging this time.