The much anticipated first of the top-tier Republican presidential debates has now come and gone, (the headline from the first lower tier debate being a commanding performance by lone female candidate Carly Fiorina), with definite winners and losers having immerged.
The major losers, from this viewer’s point of view, were ironically enough the frontrunners: Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, and certainly the evenings main attraction Donald Trump.
While it was a very good debate with strong performances all around, Trump, Bush and Walker had an opportunity to solidify their standing at the top of the heap just by looking presidential. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, famous for breaking the public sector unions in Wisconsin, was rather ordinary. (His most notable moment was probably the instant where he made it clear that he did not support abortion, even in cases of rape and incest). Jeb Bush, while not embarrassing himself in any way, was underwhelming, limply defending his defense of common core while insisting the federal government has no role in determining curriculum for states and local governments.
The most notable loser however was Donald Trump. While he did not fail to be colorful, funny and provocative (all the things we expect to see from Donald Trump) for half serious voters the test of Trump’s viability as a presidential candidate in this debate was his command of the issues, and perhaps whether or not he could bring a level of dignity to the debate stage to suggest that he could be both “Trumpish” and presidential at the same time. But between snidely attacking moderator Megyn Kelly, failing to deliver any policy substance to speak of beyond the talking points spectators had already heard and bellowing the word “stupid” over and over again, he did little to add to political base that had rapidly swollen beneath him, while perhaps standing to lose those supporters who hoped him to be not merely a candid personality, but a substantive political leader as well.
The biggest winners tonight were the best sheer debate performers, including Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Chris Christie. Mike Huckabee impressed many with his passion and eloquence. Quite the same could be said for Ben Carson, who while clearly not possessing the quick draw rhetorical prowess of the experienced politicians onstage, answered all questions competently and thoughtfully, ultimately delivering eloquent closing remarks that seemed to move all who were in attendance.
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul delivered the most aggressive performance, delivering spirited attacks against Donald Trump and engaging in a hostile argument with Governor Christie over bulk data gathering and NSA surveillance, but also receiving stinging criticisms himself. Ohio Governor John Kasich showed himself to be likable and personal, but did not do enough to stand out from the crowd as a plausible candidate for president.
The commentators will dissect this first debate and the polls will show us what the fallout will be. But the pre-fight hype is officially over. The battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party is on, for all that that portends for the future of America.
