Republican debates on Fox last night

[Singlestack]

Missed the early debates, but the pundits seemed to agree that Fiorina did the best, by far. Saw the later debate, with the 10 current front runners. In my opinion, this will begin the undoing of Trump. His answers were generally vague and lacking detail, but when he wouldn't rule out running against the nominee if it wasn't him and lashed out at Megan Kelly for bringing up some pretty negative comments he made about women in the past, I think he is done. Many Republicans won't vote for him if they suspect he will go independent, and with all the "war on women" hysteria on the left, some will believe the Donald is a misogynistic creep (maybe he is...).

I'm no fan of Bush, but I think he explained himself well. Walker was just as bland as bland can be. I thought those who did the best were Huckabee, Cruz, and Rubio. Cruz is my guy so I was inclined in that direction. Huckabee was surprisingly insightful, funny, and on-point with virtually every answer - I didn't expect that. Many pundits thought Christie did well supporting NSA data collection and his supposed "smackdown" of Rand Paul, but I saw it the opposite way - I thought Rand had the better arguments. Christie's were of the emotional variety (Hugging a family member of a terrorist victim), which Rand talked about freedom and the meaning of the Bill of Rights.

Anyway, it was more entertaining than I expected and I thought it worthwhile to watch. Just wish the Fox moderators weren't trying to be so cute with all of the banter between them. I

[StagLefty]

I thought the format for the questions by Fox was strange to say the least and the actual time spent by each candidate addressing topics was pretty lopsided. JMHO

[RblDiver]

Didn't catch the early debate (I thought it started at 5, but it was 4), but I heard Fiorina was the clear winner.

I too am surprised more people didn't seem to hit Trump over his admission that he bought politicians. I want to say Rubio later had a perfect chance when talking about supporting small business, and he could have said something like "I want to protect the small businessman who can't afford to buy a politician..." I think the Kelly attack on him dominated more people's minds.

I too am a Cruz fan, and he did well with what time they gave him (I really wanted someone to yell at the moderators to give others more time rather than just ask Trump a billion questions). A slight misstatement in his closing comments, but still very strong and presidential imo (but I'll admit I'm biased).

[bellavite1]

I think Trump is refreshing: he bought politicians and says so openly, it's the nature of business-politics reality, get over it.
At least he is not telling us fairy tales.
He says what he thinks and does not take it back to avoid backlash, sticks to his guns.
The technicalities of how to get things done belong to other people, it's their job.
We all say we are tired of politically correctness?
There, we got it.
I for one am going to vote for him, looks like a stand up guy, I can respect that.

[dirtrulz]

I am worried trump is just doing this to guarantee a democrat wins again. He will run third party just to take away votes. It is strange that the democrats dont seem ot be even trying. Its like they know they already have it in the bag.

[sroz]

I am worried trump is just doing this to guarantee a democrat wins again. He will run third party just to take away votes. It is strange that the democrats dont seem ot be even trying. Its like they know they already have it in the bag.

Yup. Story broke yesterday that he & Bill Clinton had a conversation before he threw his hat in the ring. Possibly for the very reason you point out. Don't know what the truth is yet, but would not be a huge surprise. Once again, conservatives may fall for dividing their vote and in effect electing a socialist.

[T. B. Turner]

I am worried trump is just doing this to guarantee a democrat wins again. He will run third party just to take away votes. It is strange that the democrats dont seem ot be even trying. Its like they know they already have it in the bag.

Unfortunately I agree with that, if Trump runs as a 3rd party it will divide the republican voters, then the Democrats win.

[Singlestack]

I "get" why Trump didn't rule out running against the eventual nominee. A few weeks ago, he said on several occasions that he would need to see how the Republican party and establishment treated him. He has fired many shots at the republican establishment, and its obvious many of them want the Donald OUT. His threat of running 3rd party is a gun to the heads of the establishment to treat him fairly (whatever that means). That way, if he remains the front runner the establishment will need to back him all the way to the nomination. Not sure if he is bluffing about running 3rd party, maybe maybe not. But I can understand why he did it, and I believe the establishment would have trashed him if he didn't make the threat.

[sroz]

All that says is he is all about Trump. He gets his way or else. Screw what is best for the country.

[brutal]

Trump is a complete tool. After last night, I'm also fairly convinced he is in it to derail the GOP and help the Clinton machine win.

Gotta give him credit for stirring things up, but all it's done is provide more fodder for the left to tag the GOP as racist, bigots, and misogynists in the minds of moderates and swing voters.

If he was really committed to helping America, he will bow out gracefully when his time comes - and it will. If he does not, his true character will shine through.

Once again, we're at risk of eating our own.