Grade the debate performances

[Fuzzy Bear Loves Christian Missionaries]

Trump - A.  He did what he had to do and turned a Cruz attack into a gaffe.  It wasn't as if Trump was heads and tails about everyone else, but he came off as more Presidential, and folks could visualize him as President to a greater degree after this debate.

Christie - B+.  He's worked at making himself more likeable.  I suspect that Christie actually might be gaining traction as the Establishment favorite.  I'd give him an A if Trump had done worse, but my grades are on the curve, and Trump did what he had to do to establish himself as a strong frontrunner.

Rubio - C+.  He had a commanding grip on facts and was a strong debater, but his tone and intensity was that of someone who was desperate to impress.  He came off as trying too hard.  He reminded folks of the Nixon of 1952; eager and in a hurry.  This scares people.  Part of my grade for Christie stems from the fact that Christie came off as more relaxed and mature than Rubio, and this matters when it's a choice for the President of the United States.

Cruz - C. Cruz handled the Goldman-Sachs loan questions well, but he said too much regarding his issue of being born in Canada.  He could have just asserted "I'm a natural born American citizen.  That's that.", but he didn't.  He muddied waters that were clear.  He also had to defend his "New York Values" statement, which Trump slammed him on.  This aspect of Cruz's performance detracted from his image of a guy who doesn't commit gaffes.  "New York Values" was a gaffe, and this undermines one of the strongest aspects of Cruz's appeal; the appeal of a disciplined candidate.  Cruz is a narcissist, not unlike a lot of folks who run for office, but when you get caught making statements about whole groups that are derogatory and you project yourself as a victim of liberals who just want to lie to get you "in trouble", it undermines the position of strength you wish to project and makes your narcissism less savory.

Kasich - C-.  He came off as reasonable, but he didn't do anything to put him on anyone's A list who is still undecided.

Jeb! - D.  Jeb! tried to be the voice of reason.  He doesn't get it.  No one wants that.  I don't see where he gained any support.  "He didn't hurt himself." isn't good enough for Jeb! at this point, and he knows it.

Carson - F.  Carson is a guy who could rival Trump, but at no time did he act like he was running for President.  People are waiting for Carson to show them something, but he's not doing so.  He comes off as a guy not up to the job, and his lack of specificity in his answers reinforces this.  Carson is a guy who could well be elected to Bill Nelson's Senate seat in Florida in 2018, but he's a statement candidate.