I heard a commentator talk about the key to doing really well in debates isn't in speaking but in listening. Reagan's "There you go again" Bensons "You're no Jack Kennedy" etc. all came as counter punches to something the other debater said. They weren't part of one of the candidates laying out their policy and giving a really great answer to the question asked. These candidates need to be listening to the other candidates and then respond based on that. Instead they all seem intent on laying out the answers they think people want to listen to. That doesn't get you too far. That's especially true of an audience that has put Donald Trump at the top the polls.
Christie and Kacich gained the most. Paul and Rubio did well for themselves. Jeb and Trump threaded water. Cruz, Walker, and Huckabee showed poorly. Carson was basically DOA.
I thought Ben Carson gained a ton of popularity tonight with his stances on the tax issue, the race issue and his faith in God. I thought his intelligence stood out and it changed my view immensely on who I will be voting for. On the other hand, I dont think Trump did himself any favors. He just came across as grumpy, arrogant, and he looks like a politician now whereas before...he was viewed as someone who "is real" and will "tell it like it is". I thought Christie looked bad as well as Bush.
Trump was by far the worst person out there. I think Rubio did well. I still like Walker. I didn't like Paul or Christie. Bush was flat to me and didn't really do much. Kasich tried to rely too much on hometown sentiment to me; I don't think it was that helpful to his candidacy. Carson had good moments, but he often seemed lost up there. It's one thing to be a political outsider, but he just doesn't have the characteristics to work the political scene. Cruz and Huckabee were fiery but are too far from the main base of the party.
The stunning level of ignorance and tired rhetoric definitely exceeded even my lofty expectations. Did not disappoint.
I'd rather dive into a woodchipper than ever vote for any of these guys, but if I'm supposed to be believing Scott Walker is a viable candidate for President, this debate showed me absolutely nothing to support that claim.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Post debate growth on TwitterCarson +24KRubio +11KBush +6KWalker +6KCruz +6KKasich +5.9KTrump +5KPaul +5KHuckabee +4KChristie +2K</p>— Ryan Teague Beckwith (@ryanbeckwith) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryanbeckwith/status/629502730705440768" data-datetime="2015-08-06T23:02:01+00:00">August 6, 2015</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I think Jeb is the clear front runner after tonight. I also thought Rubio and Kasich did well, and I've been a Christie fan for awhile (although I'm an evil liberal) Trump and Walker were the biggest losers from where I was standing.
I don't agree with Rubio's ideals, but Rubio knows how to deliver speeches both verbally and nonverbally. That should up his popularity.
There's a lot i disagree with when it comes to Republicans & Democrats.... I just disagree with Republicans a little less.
Performed well: Paul, Rubio, Kasich Punted: Bush Sounded desperate: Christie, Cruz Sounded totally nuts: Huckabee (imagine that) I forgot about and/or seemed disoriented: Carson Typical boring white guy in a suit that won't win: Walker Stumbled, dodged questions and looked out of place: Trump
