These are just some quick notes. I’ll have more details and pictures later.

Favorite Moment: Bob McEwen pulling out evidence from his breast pocket showing that he was exonerated by the Justice Department in the House check cashing scandal as soon as I asked him about it. He pleaded ignorance to the bruhaha from BizzyBlog but sure had that sucker at the ready. I note that he was showing that same document to other’s there before me. (UPDATE: McEwen has the article [pdf] featured on his campaign’s website right now.)

Other favorite moment: Asking Pat DeWine workers if I could take their picture and them looking uncomfortably at each other and then saying no.

Tonights Republican Mantra: “I am 100% pro life.”

My Birddogging Question of the Day: Do you support the Vatican’s position against in vitro fertilization?

Schmidt: Yes
Brinkman: Yes
McEwen: Unfamiliar with the issue. Asked if I could send him more information
Austin: Unfamiliar with the issue.

Most informed answer: Jeff Sinnard: Yes. Against in vitro as it is currently done. Need to develop new methods.

Strangest Thing About the Debate: Do the Republicans not know that their Party controls Congress?

Biggest Disappointment: Tom Brinkman was way too subdued. What’s the point of staking out independent positions if you don’t brandish them like a sword before your opposition?

Next Biggest Disappointment: The Republicans were way to subdued. No fun at all.

Official Republican Fall Guy / Anti-DeWine Attack Dog: Eric Minamyer

Republican Candidate Who Couldn’t Wait To Get Out of There Fast Enough: Pat DeWine.

Republican Candidate Who Didn’t Seem To Want to Leave: Bob McEwen

Person who looked most “Congressional”: Bob McEwen. He’s certainly go the moves down. While I was waiting to talk to him we reached over and put his arm on my shoulder as he was finishing up his discussion with some one else. Very smooth.

Crowds: About 70 for the Republicans and 35 for the Democrats. McEwen’s people were out in force. An impressive showing.

Best Swag: Bob McEwen. T-shirts, lawn signs all in full effect.

Worst Swag: Pat DeWine. Full body side shots are not his friend. Is he not old enough to remember Nixon?

Scariest Candidate: Schmidt. Her takeover of the world is just a matter of time.

Least Plastic Candidate: Tom Brinkman

Candidate Most in Need of a Voice Coach: Pat DeWine

Most Improved: Dr. Wulsin. Her form was much better.

Best Zinger: Paul Hackett. “I would gladly return Bush’s tax cut to have the economy we had six years ago.” (paraphrasing)