He has big money behind him so he needs to beaten in the debates.

Jeb likes Common Core. So...he's out for me.

I'd like to see her go up against the front runners. Her and Trump would be interesting in the same debate.

Carly was impressive, but by being lumped in with the bottom 7, she probably benefited. Other than Carly and Jindal, the second-teamers proved why they were second-teamers.

No doubt, in a narrow range of activity, Trump has made some good deals. Is that due to a special ability to negotiate, or due to many other factors like knowledge in the area (positive), pull with politicians (negative), the money to buy inside information (negative)?

She did well enough that people should hear about her now. I think the press likes to avoid talking about her and Ben Carson to play up the "Republican White boy" image.

I don't think you can be a bad negotiator and do as well as he has done. I have to believe that beneath that bluster there is a shrewd businessman but I didn't see it.

it made sense, she is not well known.

Trump did expose the lie of his, "I am a great negotiator" claim. There will be a lot of those blindsided moments for Trump. Suit full of hot air (like most of the candidates.)
I wish I was shocked at the polling, WS, but I get your point. Irrationality is just hard to believe even though we are exposed to it all the time.

I was disappointed in Trump. Perhaps he should have done some debate prep instead of going golfing. He could have done so much better, for example use the "will you support the nominee" question to say "You don't take options off the table when making a deal".

I wish Rand Paul would have been better, although it's interesting that he seems the only one who actually cares about the constitution.

I'm shocked at the polling this morning. I guess people are really angry with politicians and the less you look like one the better.

The only down side for Carly was being lumped in with the bottom 7. Jindal was the only other one who did well in that debate. I hope the other 5 drop out. We have also had over 6 years of a pansy President who has bowed to our enemies and abandoned our friends. Trump talking tough is selling well right now even if it's a little off the mark at times.

Not that it's valid, but maybe its because Carly has the rep of a failure and Donald has been on a ridiculous tv show touting his success for years (and never mentioning his failures.)
Some people are drawn to people who bully others. That is Trump's attraction.

but why would people like what he said and some of it sounded a bit threatening and not cheer Carly (who I do not think would be a great President-but performed well in the debate).

People are still drawn to his blunt talk. I thought Jeb was pretty bland but I don't like him anyway. He isn't scoring to well right now.

I couldn't believe how much Walker kept talking about God. It obviously backfired.

As usual, the voters didn't observe the same "debate" that I observed.