Where was George?

Like the previous two debates, there were no knock-out punches, and candidates often struggled to differentiate themselves from their opponents. Though it didn't say so on the program, there was obviously a strict dress code enforced at this debate. All four of the candidates wore dark suits, white shirts and red ties.

Alan Keyes was animated, and easily the most natural public speaker in the group. McCain was unpolished, except when he was talking about veterans rights or campaign finance reform. Forbes looked typically awkward, and alluded to his numerous policy plans like the physics teacher who keeps telling you that all the answers to your questions are in the textbook, while Sen. Orrin Hatch came off as spit-shined and professional, taking up the mantle Lamar Alexander left when he pulled out of the race after the Iowa Straw Poll.

Despite the uniformity of dress, the four distinguished themselves in the ways you'd expect. Keyes, always animated, wove something about individual liberty and responsibility into every one of his answers, whether the topic was Social Security, foreign policy, or who he would appoint to the Supreme Court. Hatch beat up on the Clinton administration every chance he got, while Forbes took routine swipes both at Bush and Clinton. McCain, meanwhile repeatedly hit upon veterans issues and campaign finance reform, promising to free the government from "the soft-money shake-down."

The sound-bite of the evening came when moderator Robert Novak invited the candidates to open season on George W. Bush. He asked the candidates, "If there were a fifth podium and George W. Bush were standing behind it, what would you want to ask George W. Bush?"

Laughter brewed as McCain was asked to answer first. "We've missed ya," he joked, before calling on Bush to "join me in bringing government back to the people," through the elimination of soft money. Hatch decided against Bush bashing, choosing instead to tear into McCain over his recent campaign finance reform bill. "Gimme a break. If McCain-Feingold passed, we would not have a Republican Party two years later," he said, as McCain snickered in the background.

Forbes seemed to relish the opportunity to tear into Bush, offering a sweeping attack on the Texas governor's stance on education, health care, Social Security, taxes and foreign policy. "When you put questions to George W. Bush, you rarely get an answer," Forbes said behind his crooked Church Lady smile. "Or you get something that obviously comes off a Teleprompter or that his tutors have cued him on."

Keyes initially took a pass, saying the issue was about talking to the American people, but took a swipe at Bush just moments later. "It seems to me that we have an excellent secretary of the treasury [Forbes], an excellent attorney general [Hatch] and an excellent secretary of defense [McCain]. George Bush is not here, but since he'll say whatever words you put in his mouth, he'd probably make a great press secretary," he joked to thunderous laughter and applause.

The debate touched on six or seven issues from Social Security to health care to gun control. Hatch bragged that he had been named man of the year not once, but twice, by the National Rifle Association. McCain called for instant background checks to "close the pawn shop loophole," and safety locks on guns, while both Forbes and Keyes said the key was more vigorous enforcement of existing laws.

But Sunday night's event had the feel of a pre-season game, a tune-up for the next time the Republican candidates get together on Dec. 2 in New Hampshire, when the Texas governor will finally share a stage with the men who appeared here tonight -- all of whom are playing catch-up to the illustrious no-show.

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