Lot's of disagreement over how Trump did.
- The Hill: Trump dominates rowdy debate.
Donald Trump dominated the first Republican primary debate Thursday with a performance that was pugnacious, volatile and, as ever, controversial. Trump showed that he could take a punch, facing a number of tough questions from Fox News moderators that cited his business history, penchant for outlandish comments and erstwhile support for liberal positions. The businessman suffered just a few truly uncomfortable moments and avoided the kind of catastrophe some of his detractors had predicted. “The answers were good, obviously, because everyone thinks I won,” Trump told the reporters who gathered around him in the “spin room” shortly after leaving the stage.
- The Hill: GOP debate’s winners, losers.
Winners; Trump, Kasich, Rubio, ChristieMixed: Huckabee, CruzLosers: Bush, Walker, Paul, Carson
- Brookings: Trump disappoints as candidates spar in lively GOP debate.
Although it is hard to know the limits of what Trump’s supporters are willing to tolerate, my hunch is that the debate damaged his prospects. When challenged about numerous statements that seemed on their face to be demeaning to women, he had no effective response. His defense of bankruptcy declarations by several of his corporations was cynical and self-interested. If his debate strategy was to modulate his tone and convey more gravitas than usual, he failed to stick to it.
- Fiscal Times: Trump’s Debate Performance Should Kill His Candidacy…but Won’t.
Donald Trump delivered a performance at the first debate between the leading candidates for the Republican presidential nomination that ought to kill his barely two-month-old campaign. The real estate mogul and former reality television star was boorish and defensive when he was challenged on his past behavior, and when asked to explain his policy positions he was vague to the point of absurdity. Of course, vindictive behavior, intemperate outbursts and total lack of specificity on policy matters has pretty much been the story of Trump’s entire campaign so far, and he’s leading the Republican field by a wide margin. So it’s not really clear what his showing in Cleveland last night will do to his standing in the polls.
- Fiscal Times: Fiorina Trumps Six Other GOP Candidates in the ‘Happy Hour’ Debate.
Fiorina was sharp coming out of the box, and she quickly pooh-poohed a Fox News moderator’s question about her poor showing in the polls. “I would begin by reminding people that at this point in previous presidential elections, Jimmy Carter couldn’t win, Ronald Reagan couldn’t win, Bill Clinton couldn’t win and neither could have Barack Obama.
There's lot's more out there - mostly along these lines as I can see. Happy surfing.
