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Friday, March 11, 2016

Which Candidate Won Last Night's GOP Debate?

The Republican candidates for president clashed in Miami on CNN. Unlike the previous few debates, this one was largely civil and substantive. The debate also didn’t have a whole lot of fireworks or memorable moments either.

The candidates all needed to change the narrative and stop Trump’s momentum. The problem is that they largely failed and the Trump train will only gain more steam with Ben Carson’s endorsement tomorrow.

Here’s who won and lost the 12th Republican debate:

1) Donald Trump: Trump was very civil and would not allow himself to be baited by Ted Cruz into making personal attacks. He even came off as…...presidential at times. Trump was also more substantive on some issues than usual. He most likely established himself as *the* frontrunner tonight. The only downside is that he may have been dinged in an exchange with Marco Rubio on Cuba, but our guess is that the Cuban-American vote by and large isn’t going to Trump. Also, most Americans and even Republicans are supportive of establishing relations with Cuba and ending the embargo, so Trump will take that.

2) Marco Rubio: Just as Rand Paul’s final debate was by far his best (he actually won that one), the debate that is likely Rubio’s final debate was his best. He was statesmanlike, articulate, and surprisingly energetic. Rubio was most effective on Cuba and on Israel. However, Rubio’s debate performance cannot mask the stench of death emanating from his campaign. It’s likely too little, too late to make a difference.

3) Ted Cruz: Not a terrible night, but not a great night either. It was an okay night. He tried to bait Trump into a fight, but Trump didn’t take it. Cruz was very lawyerly tonight. Also, no one believes Cruz is as anti-trade as he portrayed himself as tonight. In the end, he failed to make a serious challenge to Trump’s frontrunner status.

4) John Kasich: Kasich is running for VP at this point. Positive, but largely forgettable.

Source: AAN

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

"but our guess is that the Cuban-American vote by and large isn’t going to Trump."

You are correct. Rubio won the vote in Puerto Rico the other day. They apparently vote like blacks vote. Vote your kind.

Anonymous said...

4) John Kasich: Kasich is running for VP at this point. Positive, but largely forgettable.


Ohio is a very important state in winning and election and this may be a good idea to make Kasich the running mate.

Anonymous said...

The more I listen to john Kasich the more I like him. He stays out of the gutter, and talks about problems, policy and addresses issues.

Anonymous said...

I am a Trump fan but Rubio won it trump needs to get his knowledge and details together.

Anonymous said...

Kasich is a big supporter of common core.

Anonymous said...

9:54-They are locked in and incapable of change.You may as well try to put your head through a brick wall.

Anonymous said...

you should do an article on what Cruz mentioned about tariffs, the Smoot Hawley Act. I was googling that hard last night to see what that was about.

Anonymous said...

Trump

Anonymous said...

Kasich won't hold a candle to Trump! It's a shame, and both men are wonderful people, but Trump is leading at 75%! AND, he deserves every percentage point, to be honest.