The two front runners in the GOP primary exchanged blows on the most important issue of the campaign last night. Jobs.

Overall, I think the #1 story of this debate is that Perry was attacked but survived. He faced only a couple of his very controversial skeletons but handled them with grace. The soundbites are fantastic. For instance, when he was asked about his cutting of education spending, and Texas’ infamous record with the death penalty he simply said that the decisions were “thoughtful” and explained those decision using straightforward rationale. He did not come across as cowboyish or reckless. Although he did say that Keynesian economics was over. Oh boy.

Both Romney and Perry had strong performances, but so did many of their colleagues.

Gingrich was surprisingly effective the debate, winning the most enthusiastic applause of the night by evoking Reagan and the principal of republican solidarity.

Huntsman’s performance was a mixed bag. He looks and sounds presidential, but no one is buying his brand of republicanism.

Side note: If you’re wondering if Perry was right to challenge Romney’s claim in that last part of the video, turns out he wasn’t! Romney was right.