Who won the ABC debate?

[Xing]

Christie. He knew this debate was make or break for him, so he prepared himself, and didn't hesitate to rip into other candidates (especially Rubio.)

[GarNY]

Let's dispel with this fiction that Barack Obama doesn't know what he's doing. He knows exactly what he's doing.

I agree, but look, we've got to dispel with this fiction that Barack Obama isn't doing what he's doing on purpose. He knows exactly what he's doing.

Here's the bottom line, this notion that Barack Obama doesn't know what he's doing is just not true. He knows exactly what he's doing.

OBAMA KNOWS EXACTLY WHATS HES DOING!

Obama knows exactly what he's doing.  He's trying to fundamentally transform this nation.  When I'm president, I'll make sure there's a future for my bored children.

[Fuzzy Bear]

My view on the "standings"

1.  Ted Cruz.  Cruz benefitted greatly from the attacks on Rubio.  He's not going to win NH, but he came across as prepared and reasonable.  Cruz could well finish 2nd in NH as a result of tonight.  He came across as less strident than perceived, and he did so without appearing to be a phony moderate.  His apology to Ben Carson was actually a positive for him; it humanized him as much as he can be humanized.  Gracelessness is a problem for Cruz, so he took steps forward here.

2.  Donald Trump.  He didn't make mistakes, he avoided most attacks, and he handled the eminent domain attack from Jeb! quite well.  One of the ABC commentators noted that Trump "ACTED (emphasis added) like a frontrunner", and that was a positive for Trump.  This was his bullpen performance in the 8th inning, and it looks like the setup reliever did the job.

3.  Chris Christie.  He's a winner in my book because he has the potential to jump from the bottom to the top of the "Establishment Pack".  I don't believe he can win, and I don't believe he will edge out Cruz for 2nd place, but I think he'll be the Establishment Leader, and that will keep him in the game.

4.  Jeb Bush.  I think Christie's performance helped Jeb! because of the hits Rubio took.  Christie's attacks shone a light on Jeb's superior experience to Rubio, and that didn't help.  I don't think Jeb! really helped himself against Trump, but I don't think he hurt himself, either, and he did show energy, which helps.  (I never considered Jeb! a "low energy" guy, but the label does appear to have stuck.)  

5.  John Kasich.  I don't see where he was really resonating.  That independents can vote in the primary is a plus, and Kasich may fill that void, but I can't see Kasich having a real "breakthrough" here.  He also looks old and worn, even though he's younger than Trump and only 3 years older than Jeb!.  

6.  Ben Carson.  He's not going to win, but he did well enough to stick around.  He did enough not to finish last, and may finish ahead of one of the "Establishment Candidates".

7.  Marco Rubio.  The big loser.  He came across as scripted, strident, and really took a pummeling from Christie, which he was unprepared for.  He quadrupled down on an argument defending his lack of experience that has been articulated in conservative journals (the argument that Obama is not a dummy, but a scheming, evil, transformative figure who is highly competent in doing what he does); the argument was arcane and lost on the audience.  He should have dropped it after the first boos from the crowd, but he didn't.  It was one of the worst debate performances of any candidate in any GOP debates this year, and it would, IMO, certainly place doubt in the minds of donors and Establishment types as to whether or not Rubio is the guy to bring the prize home.



 

[This account no longer in use.]

Governor Christie won, and may have just dethroned Senator Rubio-Barrios and Governor Tubeman as the top establishment candidate.

[ProudModerate2]

After watching the debate, I'm starting to believe that not one of the top-3 candidates (Trump-Cruz-Rubio) will have a chance in winning in the general election.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Christie
Trump
Jeb!
Cruz
Kasich
Carson
Fiorina (yeah even not being there is better than....)
Rubio

[Fuzzy Bear]

Fiorina (yeah even not being there is better than....)
Rubio

LOL.  But, yes, this is the case.

While I hate Carly Fiorina and view her as a dangerous and strident warmonger, she may have done very well at this debate if she had been included.

[IceSpear]

Christie won, followed by Kasich and Jeb. lol

Trump/Cruz/Carson did nothing to help or hurt themselves. Rubio was obviously a complete trainwreck.

[Negusa Nagast 🚀]

Trump and Christie.

[Broken System]

Trump obviously is at a big advantage due to no consensus over runner up, but ranking actual debate performance:
1. Cruz
2. Kasich
3. Bush
4. Christie
5. Trump
6. Carson
7. Rubio

[Likely Voter]

WMUR focus group liked Bush and Kasich
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdvzqmt9iPc

not impressed with Rubio and Trump

[This account no longer in use.]

Although this obviously isn't necessarily accurate, here's how many applause lines each candidate had (if I'm counting right):

Bush - 24
Trump - 20
Christie - 18
Rubio - 17
Cruz - 12
Carson - 7
Kasich - 6

Also, the Super Bowl predictions:

Kasich: Carolina
Bush: Denver
Rubio: Carolina
Trump: Carolina
Cruz: Carolina
Christie: Denver
Carson: Refused to decide

[The Other Castro]

Classic Carson

[The Mikado]

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Christie and then Kasich.  Cruz came across as not a complete psychopath, so that should help him out a bit too. 

[Horsemask]

Christie, Bush and Kasich

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Christie. Not even close.