Politics | Mitt Romney Debate Winners: Romney, Bachmann, Tea Party Rick Perry-bashing pays off for rivals By Rob Quinn Posted Sep 13, 2011 3:59 AM CDT Updated Sep 13, 2011 7:58 AM CDT Copied Republican presidential candidates Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., left, shakes hands with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney during Thursday night's debate. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson) It was "attack Rick Perry night" at last night's GOP debate in Florida-—to the extent that even Jon Huntsman got in on the act—and the Texan's rivals succeeded in landing a few blows. Mitt Romney, who wisely ignored the Tea Party debate audience to focus on people watching on CNN, and Michele Bachmann, who tore into Perry over the HPV vaccination issue, emerged from the debate stronger, decides Chris Cillizza at the Washington Post. David Catanese at Politico, meanwhile, picks another debate winner: the Tea Party movement. The "rabidly partisan" crowd, which cold-shouldered Huntsman and booed Perry over immigration and Ron Paul over foreign policy, made it clear that any Republican aiming for the White House won't be able to make it without the movement's backing, he writes. Read These Next A space capsule carrying ashes of 160 people crashed in the ocean. A lesson in minding your own business ... at 30,000 feet. The death toll in the Texas floods has risen to 27, including 9 kids. Desperate search for missing campers continues in Texas. Report an error