Fred's presence early...

From NBC's Mark Murray   
Fred Thompson is the first question...

Huckabee makes a crack that he could have been on Leno, but he'd rather be at the debate

Paul quipped that Thompson would dilute the vote.

McCain said, "Maybe we're up past his bedtime."

Romney repeated his earlier joke that Thompson should wait even longer.

Giuliani said Fred has done a good job "playing my part on Law & Order."