Cornyn-Noriega debate I wrap-up

Here’s my wrap on the first John Cornyn-Rick Noriega Texas Senate debate, liveblogged here.

That said, first of all, Jim Lehrer, Tom Brokaw and especially Gwen Ifill could learn boatloads about how to run a debate from the moderator and panelists tonight.

Second, the Commission on Presidential Debates could learn have to have something closer to a real debate.

OK, how did the candidates do, and how does this play out politically?

Libertarian Yvonne Schick got enough exposure to not seem a total whacko, and yes, the bailout may have sent a lot of phone calls to her website. What would really help her?

A halfway endorsement, or hat tip, from Paul. Or, without a full-fledged embrace, some sort of favorable comment from Kinky Friedman.

That said, what if she pulls down 5 percent of the vote Nov. 4? And, should some Democratic-focused 527 look at funneling her money?

Second, Cornyn made no huge gaffes, but just took a detour around the truth on some bailout-related issues and healthcare. His version of “there you go again,” told in two or three different ways, didn’t sound convincing.

Noriega did a solid but not spectacular job of selling himself. He needs to set his pants on fire in the second debate or we can finish writing him off.

And, if it turns out that in Kentucky, a Democrat can pull down powerhouse Mitch McConnell, but Noriega can’t topple a one-term senator, it’s going to reflect badly on both him and the Texas Democratic Party.

Grades? Schick B/B-minus. Noriega B-minus. Cornyn B-minus/C.

Beyond the grades, Schick is the biggest winner by far for the visibility factor with only a moderate kookiness level attached.