TAMPA, Florida—Judging by tonight’s debate it’s a two-man race for the Republican nomination.
The first 30 minutes of the NBC News/Tampa Bay Times/National Journal debate were dominated by less-than-exciting exchanged between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney, and for all intents and purposes ignored Rick Santorum and Ron Paul.
Santorum was given the opportunity to speak twice in the first third of the debate, while Paul spoke just once — combined occupying less than 5 minutes of speaking time.
Admitting the oversight, moderator Brian Williams pledged to include the other candidates after the commercial break, but neither candidate has thus far made a mark on this debate.