I can't say anything about his skills at debate, but I did hear a Republican who was formerly an economic adviser at the White House speaking at a Republican fund-raising event at the Columbia Club in Indianapolis. He dealt with Obama more than a little in DC and he wouldn't say anything negative about him except that he strongly disagreed with his socialist position. His opinion was that Obama was intelligent, honest and mostly honorable, if misguided when it came to policy.
I just thought it was interesting to hear someone coming from a strong Republican background, speaking to Republicans and refusing to put down one of the primary Democrat contenders. Must be some of that "spittle flying character assassination" that Paddy sees so much of on the right ...