The recent Republican Debate in Dearborn, Michigan featured a spirited exchange between front-runners Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney, but over the weekend another fierce and feisty candidate joined the fray with a devastatingly effective broadside corresponding to his recent surge in the polls.

John McCain, riding his “No Surrender” tour into the very heart of the GOP competition, spoke on Saturday in Manchester, New Hampshire, and blasted Mitt Romney with a well-aimed fusillade.

McCain began his speech with a slight apology and then, as Al Gore might put it, “let ‘er rip!”:

“Thank you for that kind introduction. It is an honor to speak to you.

I don't usually do this but I'm going to depart for a moment from the issues I want to talk to you about today. One of the other Republican candidates made an extraordinary statement yesterday. Former Governor Romney yesterday proclaimed himself the only real Republican in this race. As we all know, when he ran for office in Massachusetts being a Republican wasn't much of a priority for him. In fact, when he ran against Ted Kennedy, he said he didn't want to return to the days of Reagan-Bush. I always thought Ronald Reagan was a real Republican.

When Governor Romney donated money to a Democratic candidate in New Hampshire, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans. When he voted for a Democratic candidate for President, Paul Tsongas, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans. When he refused to endorse the Contract with America, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans. And when he was embracing the Democratic position on many major issues of the day, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans.

So you'll understand why I'm a little perplexed when Mitt Romney now suggests that he's a better Republican than me, or that he speaks for the Republican wing of the Republican Party.

I think I've gotten to know the people of New Hampshire pretty well. I know that before I can win your vote, I have to win your respect. And to do that, you expect me to be honest with you about what I believe. You might not always agree with me on every issue, but I hope you know I'm not going to con you. The most important thing we have in this life is our self-respect. And I'm not going to trade mine for anyone's vote or for any office. I'm going to tell you what I believe and let the chips fall where they will. I'm confident New Hampshire Republicans feel the same way about your self-respect as I feel about mine.”

After that rousing opening, McCain rambled on about other issues, following an all-too-familiar pattern in which his campaign speeches tend to run too long. He scored important points concerning the fact that “Americans have lost trust in their government to do the essential things and to get out of their way in enjoying the freedom to make their own choices in their everyday lives. We Republicans have been slow to offer bold solutions in the areas of health care and the environment, and our silence has eroded American's trust in our party and made Democrat solutions that would do more harm than good seem attractive.”

He also spoke about his signature issue, national security and the war on terror, and concluded with a personal recollection about one of President Reagan’s most important speeches:

“In 1974, Ronald Reagan gave his famous "Shining City Upon a Hill" speech and concluded by saying:

"We cannot escape our destiny, nor should we try to do so. The leadership of the free world was thrust upon us in the little hall of Philadelphia. In the days following World War II, when the economic strength and power of America was all the stood between the world and the return to the dark ages, Pope Pius XII said, 'The American people have a great genius for splendid and unselfish actions. Into the hands of America, God has placed the destinies of an afflicted mankind.'

We are indeed, and we are today, the last best hope of man on earth."

It was my privilege to hear Governor Reagan deliver that speech. I had recently been released from a long involuntary captivity and was seated as Governor Reagan's guest. His words ring true today when, once again, it falls to America to lead the world against a global threat, to remain the last best hope of man on earth.

It is a privilege beyond measure to live in a country that has sacrificed so much for the cause of freedom. I have lived a long, eventful and blessed life. I have had the good fortune to know personally a great many brave and selfless patriots who sacrificed and shed blood to defend America. But I have known none braver or better than those who do so today. They are my inspiration. And I pray to a loving God that He bless and protect them. Thank you.”

All in all, McCain’s Manchester address counted as one of the more effective stump speeches of the campaign to date – and deserved more attention than it received. Above all, he scored serious points against the Romney campaign, zinging the former Massachusetts governor not just on his famous “flip flops” but for a tendency toward slippery pandering, and frequent efforts to tell audiences whatever they want to hear, that has begun to trouble increasing numbers of the GOP faithful.

No wonder that Monday’s USA TODAY announced the results of the latest New Hampshire polls with the conclusion: “Among Republicans, Mitt Romeny has an edge that seems increasingly precarious while Arizona Sen. John McCain has rebounded to a strong third.”

A new Marist Poll shows Romney backed by 26% of likely primary votes, with Rudy Giuliani at 20%. McCain now stands at 17%, with Fred Thompson collapsing to 10%.

Moreover, some of the details of the polling provide even better news for the McCainiacs. “McCain’s support was the most firmly committed of the GOP rivals while Romney’s was the softest,” wrote USA TODAY. “More than half of McCain’s backers said they strongly supported him, compared with just over a third of Romney’s supporters.”

At age 71, John McCain is, as he admits, “as old as dirt” and he’s made innumerable enemies in the Republican Party. Nevertheless, anyone who counts the Arizona Senator out of  the running isn’t paying attention to the latest trends – or rhetoric.