Obviously, the dynamics of this one were different, because Rubio came out swinging from the opening bell.
The entire rationale for Trump’s campaign is that he is an alpha male, and his competitors (not to mention the President, his predecessors, the media, and everyone who disagrees with him) aren’t. As a result, he has to behave like one during the debates, which means talking over his opponents and the moderators any time he likes. Cruz and Rubio have figured out that the only way to address this kind of behavior is to respond in kind. We consequently are treated to long stretches in which the candidates behave like dogs competing to pee the highest on a tree.
The moderators look ineffectual when this happens, but they are actually wise to let it go.
I think Trump lost a little ground, but not enough to matter. It’s too late to completely change public perceptions unless the establishment is prepared to back it up with a huge media blitz over the next few weeks. They should have done that months ago.
The big winners last night were the Democrats. Anyone who puts himself on the side of civilized behavior has to think that all of these people are jackasses.
If Trump gets the nomination, I think he will have to rethink his tactics when he debates Hillary in front of a more neutral audience. I don’t believe bullying will work under those conditions.
From a policy perspective, the most interesting thing about the debate was Trump’s plan to replace Obamacare without eliminating its pre-existing conditions provisions. Call it the one-legged stool; it would work just about as well.