Here's a quick recap of what our Patch debate live blog panelists had to say about who won and lost Thursday night's GOP presidential debate in Iowa:

John F.J. Sullivan, editor-in-chief of the Live Free or Die Alliance: No one really stood out. Even Tim Tebow can't save Rick Perry.

Bedford Republican Stephen Poschmann: (Mitt) Romney did very well. He was steady and made no errors. (Newt) Gingrich ran into problems at the start regarding Freddie Mac, but the rest of the debate was smooth for him. (Michele) Bachmann had one of her best showings in a while. Got a lot of opportunities to speak. (Jon) Huntsman didn't get much time and was OK, but did not do anything to stand out. Rick Santorum had some good moments, but I realized tonight that he talks too long. He needs to be more concise. Perry just doesn't impress me. Even when he seems to be saying the right stuff, it just doesn't move me.

We The People founder Jennifer Horn of Nashua: Newt and Ron Paul seemed to lose ground at the hands of Michele Bachmann. It's hard to say from such a distance, but Bachmann and Santorum may have done just enough to help move themselves into position to surprise folks at the Iowa Caucus. Romney remained above the fray for the most part in addition to having some very strong answers that speak to the hearts of Republicans, especially with his "American Century" answers. The biggest question going into this debate was whether or not Newt would push so far ahead that he crushed everyone else – and he did not.  In fact, on the Freddie Mac attacks he was actually weak. Surprisingly, Romney may come out of this stronger in Iowa than anyone expected him to be.

Portsmouth Republican Amelia Chasse: Takeaways: No real loser. Romney, Newt, (Ron) Paul all good. Perry, Santorum exceeded expectations.

Former State Rep. Jim Splaine, D-Portsmouth: Once again, President Barack Obama won this debate. The Republican candidates were a wash – no one shined brightly, Mitt Romney remains the candidate to beat, Newt Gingrich isn't going anywhere as his real core positions become better known, and the rest of them are washed up before the first caucuses and primaries begin. By contrast, Obama will stand up well to any of them. I think this debate put the lid on the importance or relevance of the upcoming Iowa Caucus – which will be essentially meaningless. The result will be a New Hampshire First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary on January 10th that could make or break some of the candidates, and make New Hampshire as relevant to the Republican nominating process as 2008 when it gave a rebirth to John McCain.

Former State Rep. Fran Wendelboe, R-New Hampton: I think Bachmann was redeeming herself until the whiny "I am a serious candidate." Mitt didn't look/act desperate and he defended himself well. Newt didn't gain any points but held his own. Paul had a lot of good answers. Toss up to Paul or Newt. Perry not even in it, IMHO.

Jeff Hatch, Mitt Romney Town Chair for Salem: Romney did well, Gingrich OK. Bachmann and Paul were the only lower tier candidates to go after the top tier and will gain some supporters for going for it.

And here's what the Twitterverse had to say:

@McIntoshBarbara: Huntsman steady, smart and has strong detailed ideas and plans. My vote for him.

@OutofNH: Gingrich won’t regain momentum. Romney didn’t melt down. Huntsman talked real solutions.