Cruz was excellent, and it appeared the Fox interlocutors stayed away from him, realizing Ted was going to knock anything out of the park. Rubio did very well, too, and even the Huckster had his moments.
Trump, in a word, was Trump. I really feel sorry for the staffer assigned to prep him for the debate; in fact, it looked like he never prepared at all. Just bluster, and no specifics, even for the easiest questions.
For example: Trump was pressed on “proof” that Mexico is sending criminals to the U.S. Here’s an easy response: “it is well-documented that the drug cartels control much of the Mexican government. That’s why the federales turn their heads when illegals flood our southern border. So, when all of those drug traffickers and human trafficking coyotes enter our country, it is with the tacit approval of the Mexican government and their drug cartel bosses.”
For those timing the political market, “Peak Trump” was about 8:55 pm EDT last night. He caught lightning in a bottle and doesn’t know how to fully exploit it.
Anyone using just this show as their tell all is not being wise. Even with bluster, people are going to wonder what the bluster is about.