[Jeff Chandler]

The only viable candidates at this point are, in no particular order, Fiorina, Trump, Carson, Cruz and perhaps Rubio. The rest have no chance and should withdraw. Maybe then we could see a decent debate.

[Milton Miteybad]

Not sure why anybody would see Trump as some big winner last night...his performance last night was anemic at best. He just wasn't very impressive. He got blown off the stage by pretty much everybody except Huckabee.

When your debate performance is so flaccid that you manage to make Jeb Bush look animated and interesting, you probably should re-think your approach.

On second thought...maybe these internet polls are merely popularity contests that serve mostly to reflect an existing bias in favor of one candidate or another, on the part of those who choose to participate in and/or game them. ;-)

[BRL]

When the whole debate is structured as a slapshot derby against trump at goalie ... Then sure... He let a few get by. So what

[nhwingut]

My group included pundits, an historian, a pollster, and political consultants.

[DouglasKC]

My group included pundits, an historian, a pollster, and political consultants.

Neutral??? I are anyone to find a pollster, pundit or political consultant who is truly neutral. They're in those occupation because they're passionate about a cause.

[Ohioan]

A group of neutral observers

What is wrong with that term? While I do not doubt that there are potential voters, out there, who are actually neutral at this point, as to the Republican candidates; how would one find a "group" of same, who would just voluntarily agree to spend three plus hours, watching candidates, of whom they would have had to know next to nothing, to be truly "neutral?"

I could embellish my point; but I suspect that there was nothing "neutral" about any of those voluntarily participating in this project.

[exit82]

Rubio had a grasp of foreign policy?

What debate was that?

[livius]

I’d tend to agree. I was actually quite impressed by Fiorina. And heck, I can’t stand Christie, but many of his answers were very good, so that changed my opinion a bit (but I still don’t want him as a candidate because he’s too Obama friendly).

Cruz and Walker had good ideas but just can’t present them very well, or perhaps are too much “one idea” people.

Even Huckabee came out with a couple of good things. Rubio is a very good speaker, but he seems too young. Trump looked the way he always does, full of bluster, personal attacks and not much substance. Bush was as always, clueless. Rand Paul was Rand Paul. I thought Carson, alas, is history. And Kasich never even made a bubble rise to the surface.