General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMark Halperin grades the GOP debate
Ted Cruz (A-): Seized a place in the center of the action, far more so than in the previous two debates, and used his time well. Heatedly challenged the moderators for focusing on politics rather than on policy (and he was right and the audience enthusiastically agreed). Stood up for his colleagues on the stage and spoke out more forcefully than the rest against Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Tossed in a little bio along the way. The former debating champion finally hit his stride, stepping into the void frequently left by the typically low-key Carson and surprisingly low-key Trump. A steady, nuanced performance filled with many moments of strength likely to swell his support and certain to buttress his already abundant confidence.Marco Rubio (A-): Delivered uniformly strong answers all night, and showed poise, seriousness, and passion. Got the crowd on his side by sequentially smoking the moderator and Jeb Bush when he was critiqued for missing Senate votes, responding with verve by offering up two rehearsed and effective answers. Was loose and conversational while discussing his family history and middle class struggles. Like Cruz, won the audience over by attacking the mainstream media with a killer line. By staying on message and crushing Bushs first attempt to take him down in person, laid more claim to the job than his former mentor. More bundlers will come his way; will the voters follow?
...snip...
Chris Christie (B+): Showed the exact personality (tough, knowing, aggressive, sharp, funny) he wants to project and broke through early on in the night. On several occasions smartly executed the device of addressing the audience at home, rather than the moderators or studio audience. Always on offense and in character, he scored big when indicting a question about fantasy football and pushing back hard on a moderators interruption. By eclipsing Bush and Kasich, he positions himself for a comeback to fill the establishment slot.
...snip
Jeb Bush (D+): Got cut off early by the moderators when he tried to break in and disappeared from the fray for a long spell. Then returned with his first face-to-face pre-planned attack on Marco Rubio and utterly failed. Had trouble sustaining the tone he wanted during his answers, successfully interjecting or grabbing the spotlight (thus ending up with scant stage time), or selling himself as the most qualified to be president. A weak, non-alpha performance in every way that will panic some of his donors and will not win him any new converts.
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-10-29/cruz-and-rubio-shine-at-battle-of-boulder
villager
(26,001 posts)n/t
mr_liberal
(1,017 posts)Rubio is now the clear establishment favorite. Christie did well and will move up.
Cruz did well too and may start taking votes from Trump.
Rubio, Cruz, and Christie move up in the polls. Trump moves down, Jeb Bush collapses.
left on green only
(1,484 posts)He could have really killed the responsible management of money question if he had simply said, "We all have our yachts to bear"
alcibiades_mystery
(36,437 posts)What a schmuck.
MADem
(135,425 posts)We don't have to love him but we can take his assessment as a reflection of GOP thought on the contest tonight.
BlueStater
(7,596 posts)His opinion on anything is about as worthwhile as a mouse fart to me.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Me sick. And to tout rubio who never answered any question straight makes me gag
MADem
(135,425 posts)The whole debate was just a mindless shitfling, but Rubio definitely helped himself. I'm no fan of this writer but that assessment is, by every objective measure, accurate.
Renew Deal
(81,841 posts)I've seen several posts saying that, but now it's official.
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)I think Rand Paul (ewww) did a hair better than he graded him, and i think Fiorina did a bit worse. I agree with his assessment on Bush and Christie--they helped themselves. I think Kasich stumbled short term, but long term he still might recover; there's time.
Carson, though--damn--I realize the guy has a weird Tea Party base, but that guy comes off like a Men In Black alien.
Interesting breakdown, though!
yuiyoshida
(41,817 posts)Last edited Thu Oct 29, 2015, 02:21 PM - Edit history (1)
get an "A"??...They should at best, start with a "D".
brooklynite
(94,282 posts)Competition vs each other
yuiyoshida
(41,817 posts)over the proverbial cliff.
mvd
(65,151 posts)He has the voting record thing and lack of enhusiasm for the Senate, but he was very slick about it in the debate. Also he disguises his positions better than someone like Cruz.
Kasich scares me a little because he is sane compared to the rest.
Fiorina scares me a little because she may sway some female voters.
None of the others scares me.