Who Won the Republican Debate? Ted Cruz and Donald Trump Impress Critics

By ALAN RAPPEPORTJAN. 15, 2016


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Donald J. Trump and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, shown during the Republican debate on Thursday in North Charleston, S.C. CreditEric Thayer for The New York TimesAdvertisement

The sixth Republican presidential debate was notable for sharp exchanges between Donald J. Trump and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, a heated argument about immigration and taxes between Mr. Cruz and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, and sustained fire from everyone in the field directed at Hillary Clinton.

Commentators from across the web were impressed with Mr. Cruz’s quick wits, and they said that Mr. Trump seemed to regain his footing after being rattled when the Texas senator brought Mr. Trump’s Scottish mother into an argument over his eligibility to be president. For the rest of the candidates, the challenge was breaking through on a loud and crowded stage.

“I think Ted Cruz won, thanks to how strong he was especially at the beginning, taking on Trump over the citizenship nonsense. Good close, too.” “Trump was Trump and that means he had a good night. I give him a 60 percent shot of being the G.O.P. nominee.” — Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary

“Top three all helped themselves: Trump, Cruz, Rubio. Mixed bag for the others.” “Cruz dominated the start. Trump won some key exchanges & had a very good closing. Rubio consistently very strong at this.” — Guy Benson, political editor of Town Hall

“It’s official, the bromance between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz is over. That’s my take.” — Donna Brazile, Democratic political strategist and commentator

“I think the winner of this night was Ted Cruz. He is becoming more and more plausible as a potential nominee.” — Rich Lowry, editor of National Review

“Winners tonight: Donald Trump and Marco Rubio but Ted Cruz and Chris Christie with enough to smile about. Jeb Bush hangs on.” — Hugh Hewitt, conservative radio host

“My debate report card grades: Trump: A-, Cruz: B+, Christie: B, Rubio: B, Bush: B-, Kasich: B-, Carson: C.” — Mark Halperin, managing editor of Bloomberg Politics

“Jeb, Christie, and Kasich needed home-run performances. At most, doubles. Carson had no reason being there.” — Rick Wilson, Republican political consultant

“John Kasich honed his delivery in the G.O.P. debate Thursday night, giving clear, plain-spoken explanations of his economic priorities. In fact, his strongest moment was an interruption — a weakness for Kasich in previous debates. But he didn’t find himself among the debate’s top moments.” — Chrissie Thompson, The Cincinnati Enquirer

“Trump was the strongest, both in absolute terms and relative to what he needed to do given his current standing in the polls. After a somewhat slow start, he was a dominant force throughout the debate. It’s been a subtle process but he’s no longer that freak show who is bizarrely running up the poll numbers. He’s the front-runner.” — Josh Marshall, founder of the liberal website Talking Points Memo

“Watching Ben Carson closing remarks” was like “being served a bowl of oatmeal with no sugar, no milk, no fruit and it’s not even hot.” — Montel Williams, commentator and talk show host

“Jeb looks, sounds desperate.” “Trump great. NYT always wrong.” —Michele Bachmann, former congresswoman from Minnesota

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/16/us/politics/who-won-the-republican-debate-cruz-and-trump-impress-the-critics.html