Round 5: GOP debate on the surface

It was the fifth debate of the fall season Tuesday night and is it getting hot in here? Here’s your recap of the itty bitties:

1. Who won? Michele Bachmann's double-breasted coat:

Three words: Fab. U. Lous.

2. The conclusion of this debate required a "final thought" to feel complete. Because it was a lot like the "Jerry Springer" show.

3. Mitt Romney was tag-teamed like a Mexican luchador on Cinco de Mayo by Rick Santorum and the smooth-talking Rick Perry. Watch the uncomfortable unfold right before your eyes via THE BLAZE front page:

4. Speaking of Perry, does he actually know what's happening? Every time the conversation moves beyond the words "border," "jobs," and "Texas," he gets this look:

4. Anderson Cooper deserves credit for not making this debate a two-person show, as past moderators have done, turning it into a Romney-Perry fest. The guys lagging behind -- Bachmann, Santorum and Ron Paul -- got a fair shake. Regardless, Cooper's daytime show still sucks.

5. Like Paul, Newt Gingrich plays one tune on his flute. He frames the debate rather than debating the debate. There's ne'er a criticism for any Republican sharing the stage (Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment). Cool. But, as mentioned in a previous "GOP debate on the surface," Gingrich appears to simply be running for #2.

6. Herman Cain did what he does: defend his 9-9-9 plan on his terms. Not yours. Not mine. It's working for him now, but it likely won't play for long. He'll have to talk about the tax increase it will result in for some people.

7. Jon Huntsman wasn't there and it required a Google search to even realize it.