Las Vegas Debate Analysis

Tonight's Republican Presidential Debate was full of fire and fruit.

Herman Cain and Mitt Romney were the subject of personal and policy attacks during the debate held at the Venetian Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, NV.

During the first segment of the debate the candidates discussed their plan for turning the economy around, but most of the attention was focused on Herman Cain's 9-9-9 plan.

Mitt Romney was especially critical of the plan, emphasizing that people would have to pay a national sales tax on top of state sales tax. Rick Perry pointed out that citizens in states like New Hampshire, which has no state sales tax, will reject the plan.

When asked about this issue, Cain said that the candidates were, "comparing apples to oranges." Cain attempted to emphasize that even though they will be paying a higher sales tax, the product itself will be cheaper because the 9-9-9 plan reduces hidden taxes which affect product price.

I think Cain needs to be more forthcoming and the entirety of his plan. He has put all of his eggs in this basket, which could prove to be political suicide.

Cain showed weakness on the topic of foreign policy when it was revealed that he would be open to the idea of releasing Guantanamo Bay prisoners in exchange for a captured American prisoner.

When asked about this statement, Cain said that he, "misspoke."

Immigration was another hot topic in this debate, and a couple candidates made some bold statements regarding immigration reform.

Rep. Michele Bachmann may have committed political suicide by mentioning that she would support making English the official language of the U.S. Government. While this kind of rhetoric may strike well with many in the Republican Party, it will be too divisive for a general election.

Bachmann also may have misstepped by suggesting that, "everyone needs to pay something" in terms of federal taxes. Again, her comments may help court hardcore conservatives, but she would be hard-pressed to find independent and moderate support for that kind of opinion.

Mitt Romney made the most important statement of the night on immigration when he voiced support for legal immigration on behalf of the nominees.

It will be very important for the eventual nominee to stress to the American people, especially the Hispanic community that they are in favor of legal paths to immigration.

Also, the discussion of illegal immigration needs to be stretched beyond the security issue, because it is also an economic issue.

Workers who come to this country, illegally, and send the money back to their families in their home country are sucking money out of the economy. Instead of that money being spent here, it is being spent in another country.

Rick Perry made a good point is saying that businesses who his illegal immigrants need to be punished, but ruined it by digging up a 4-year old criticism of Mitt Romney, who had hired a contractor to work at his home who employed illegal immigrants.

That issue was dealt with and resolved during the 2008 campaign, and Perry made a severe political faux pas by revisiting that issue. Romney was well-prepared for that criticism and defended himself well.

Herman Cain separated himself from the group by stating that the legal path to citizenship needs to be made easier.

ObamaCare is a hot topic among the Republican candidates, and there seems to be a general consensus that repealing the law should be on the top of the agenda should a Republican win the presidency.

Newt Gingrich, I believe, said something smart when he noted that the problem with Romney and Obama's health care plan is that they create a bigger government.

This is an important point that has been lost in the debate about health care

To wrap it up, I want to address some odds and ends about the debate.

Rick Santorum is a solid conservative with strong family values, but he says the same thing in every debate: family values, manufacturing jobs, and being able to win in Pennsylvania. That is his entire platform.

Rick Perry took a big step by being the first candidate to suggest that the United States stop funding the United Nations. That was very smart, but what's with Perry calling Herman Cain "brother"?

Overall debate analysis: Romney and Gingrich will rise in the polls, Cain and Perry will drop, Bachmann, Santorum, Paul, and Huntsman (who boycotted the debate) are out.