Trump was .... Trump, more so than even in the past. I completely fail to see the appeal he seems to have.
It was the most "rough" of the debates so far.
Bush did better.... Christie seemed to do well...
Farina did poorly.... I wonder if she's now out.
Carson shined ONLY because he seemed "above" things... But unlike past debates, he seemed weak and with nothing to contribute just nice.
Cruz and Rubio had some exchanges as both seem to be rising; they are really very similar and so I think are trying to distinquish themselves. I continue to support Rubio but this was not his best debate showing; Cruz seemed able to rattle him a couple of times. Cruz refused to rebuke Trump (trying to win over the same people), and Trump refused to rebuke Cruz... but I think the result is that Cruz is simply been seen as a mirror image in a more reasonable package, Cruz is beginning to come across as a "me, too" candidate, the alternative for those who think Trump is right but crazy/scary. I wouldn't be surprised if all this quickly comes down to Rubio vs. Cruz - but I don't discount Christie.
BEST THING from the night was Trump pledging again to not run as an independent and to support whoever the nominee is. I think the fear of every Republican is Trump running as a third party independent, absoluting insuring another Clinton in the white house. He was SO bold last night as to make that impossible, I hope.
