Maybe this post will build through the day depending on what worthy insights we find scanning hither and yon or otherwise revealed to us. Here is our illustrious senior editor’s initial take:
Debates pretty much as expected. Nothing much settled.
Trump entertaining, especially for all those “fans” of Rosie O’Donnell.
Probably the loser(s) of the night were the FOX “moderators”, Brent to a lesser degree than the other two. Tough questions? Yes, but that’s a good thing. The candidates will get a lot worse from the future debate forums. Megyn’s “biker girl” personna didn’t play well. Wallace, of the crooked horn rims, appeared stunned that a candidate failed to respect his greatness a couple of times. The panel just tried too hard and edged toward Candy Crowley territory.
Besides “home field advantage”, Kasich got milder treatment than the others.
Dr. Carson stole the show in the closing; he was correct in that he was shortchanged in opportunities to speak. Disagreeing with a columnist in the Federalist, Ben Carson deserved to be on that stage. If anyone’s candidacy was hurt by his inclusion, that candidate’s got bigger problems. Carson would be an infinitely better president than what this nation has endured for almost 7 years…and I don’t think the “establishment” could play him. (But, of course, that seems faint praise for DR. Carson; Clint Eastwood’s “empty chair” would have ben infinitely better than the collaborator currently in the Oval Office.)
Cruz was flawless but not spotlighted. Rand Paul’s foreign policy philosophy is as scary and incoherent as usual.
Rubio performed quite well. JEB was JEB, Christie, as usual sounded better than he is. Kasich…like JEB, wrong party, but won for “Most Sanctimonious Poser” of the night.
Rounding it out: Walker did a creditable job; Huckabee provoked the pro-abortion crowd. (Cuomo on CNN this AM claimed that “science” hasn’t yet figured out when life begins…Rubio gave him a great schooling on the subject without noting “science” is understandably too busy figuring out precisely why climate “changes’).
But, that’s just how I saw it. Maybe it was my television set. DLH
Not possessing the free flowing independent erudition of DLH, yours truly will comment using his and editor at Briebart — Ben Shapiro’s assessments — to riff off of. Read Shapiro’s commentary here First Republican Debate: The Candidate Report Card Along with DLH it is quite objective.
I agree the questions were tough — stuff that candidates need to be able to answer — one observer or another I came across mentioned that Fox personages asking tough questions prevents the accusation that other networks doing so are operating as shills for Democrats. The other networks will still have far more gotcha questions in service to Democrats. It is not like Fox asking legitimate questions will reduce media bias.
Donald, you sexist pig
Megyn Kelly’s female umbrage question — directed at Trump — alleging frequent unkind sexist comments about a women’s appearance by him — was embarrassing — but as much for Megyn (it is not like Fox female personages do not play up sex appeal). Trump I thought used the humor of his notorious spitting matches with Rosie O’Donnel to suggest he isn’t serious. His statement that he will never be politically correct was a crowd pleaser. In truth Trump is an equal opportunity insulter.
The one poised to go the distance by authentically appealing to the extensive anti-Washington sentiment is Ted Cruz.
Kasich presence underscores luck as a key component of who made the cut for the prime time debate appearance. A hand full of polling responses could have resulted in one of the second tier bumping him
Rubio and Kasich were smart to observe that Trump’s support reflects an extensive deep dissatisfaction with Washington.
Jeb Bush’s response regarding his involvement with the pro-abortion Bloomberg Foundation was weak. There is no excuse. His pro-life credentials are pretty good — all the more reason to know better than to be involved with Bloomberg. The shared push for “Common Core” would not register with most conservatives as shielding him. Rubio did well to go after him on that score. I agree with Shapiro that Jeb’s response regarding immigration was incoherent.
Pollster Luntz tracked responses in his focus group regarding various comments by the candidates — Cruz metered among the highest positives.
Feel free to add comments. R Mall
Trump can overdo the schtik : Donald Trump fires angry tweets at Fox News moderator Megyn Kelly, analyst Frank Luntz — at 3 a.m.
Who got the most camera time == analysis
Dick Morris: Who Won The Debate? Morris provides a four minute video commentary that is very worthy. His is a somewhat different take on candidate performances but much harder on Fox News than we are. By him, Jeb, Kasich and Christie are competing for the same element and Jeb lost ground. Trump took punches remains to be seen if his refusal to rule out third party candidacy will hurt him. Walker did not impress overall. Thought Rubio under-delivered (we gave him more credit but see Morris’s point). Cruz: “crisp, sharp, relevant” answers. Fox News “way to negative and personal” as regards Trump .. . “manifestly unfair to conservatives.” More to his commentary here.
Gary Bauer: Who Won? You Decide
. . . Here’s my take: Carly Fiorina, participating in the “2nd tier” debate, was impressive. The former Hewlett Packard CEO was smart, crisp, conservative, and articulate. It would be a treat to see her debate Hillary. In the top tier debate Trump was Trump: tough, sharp tongue, take no prisoners. Two unscientific “call-in” polls this morning, Drudge and Time magazine, have him as the winner.
Cruz and Rubio were very impressive. Both are positioned as real contenders to win conservative grass roots. Jeb was unremarkable in my view. He had no outstanding moment. For the first hour he seemed hesitant. He was better in the second hour, but at this point, other than because of his money, should he really be considered the “front runner.” More of Bauer’s observations here.
