It's the Graft Over Principle (GOP) Debate Night.

1. The issue of Scooter Libby being pardon:

During tonight’s presidential debate, CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer asked all the candidates to say whether they would pardon Scooter Libby, who was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison today for his felony convictions related to the CIA leak case.

Former mayor Rudy Giuliani said the case “argues more in favor of a pardon,” calling today’s sentencing “way out of line” and “grossly excessive.” Giuliani called the case an “incomprehensible situation” because “ultimately, there was no underlying crime involved.”

Former governor Mitt Romney said it’s “worth looking at a pardon,” because special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald “clearly abused prosecutorial discretion” by going on a “political vendetta” even after learning that Libby was not the original source of the leak.

Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) said definitively they would pardon Libby. Former governor Tommy Thompson said he likely would. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) answered, “He’s going through an appeal process. We’ve got to see what happens here.” Former governors Jim Gilmore and Mike Huckabee and Reps. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and Ron Paul (R-TX) said they would not pardon him, at least without learning more about the case.

2. The yearbook contest: pass or fail. Jeralyn from Talkleft.com writes:

I'm watching the Republican debate:

Least presidential: Sam Brownbeck (Geeky, awful tie that glitters, who dressed him?)

Worst debating skills: John McCain. If he says "My friends" one more time I'm going to mute him.

Most hyperbolic: Tom Tancredo for saying the nation will not survive if the immigration bill passes. It's worst feature to him is that we will become a bi-lingual nation.

Worst analogy: Rudy on terrorism who conflates the Guyana wannabes into an attempt to destroy JFK last week, as if they were foiled just in the nick of time -- or that they are al Qaeda.

3. Finally, the Iraq NIE: Who didn't read it?

Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Sam Brownback of Kansas both admitted Tuesday night they voted to authorize the US military invasion of Iraq without reading the formal National Intelligence Estimate in advance.

Well, there you have it.