Now it’s time to meet the Republican presidential candidates, who held their first debate in the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. Like the Democratic debate before it, the Republican debate was mostly a congenial affair. It’s still early, though.

The New Republic has a handy blogger roundup on who won and who lost.

John Dickerson says the real winner was former President Ronald Reagan, whose name was frequently invoked by all of the candidates while they played nice with their primary opponents, which is also well-known Reagan tactic.

Peggy Noonan thinks fixating on who is the next Reagan is absurd: “What is to be desired now is a new greatness,” she said. Also, Fred Thompson shouldn’t wait too long to get in.

John Archenbald search for leadership qualities is mostly skin deep: “Let's face it: Not only are most of these guys completely obscure, they also look exactly the same. They're aging Caucasian men with jowls. Several of them are fighting for a starting position on the All-Jowl Team.”

Fred Barnes says the forgettable early debates such as these mostly benefit the second- and third-tier candidates.

Byron York says the real war of words began after the debate, in the spin rooms.

According to Marc Cooper the GOP debate was won by the Democrats. While all Republican contenders distanced themselves from the President, their policy proposals weren't any different from his.