Personally, I didn't see any clear winners or losers in the debate. If the scales of balance between and among them have meaningfully shifted as compared to before the debate, then I don't see it. They each went quirky from time to time because they are, after all, Republicans, and The Donald continued to be The Donald: abrasive, unthinking and brash. If people liked Trump because he was an asshole before, there's no reason for them to change their minds now. I think it was useful for the candidates and the process that some actual hard questions were asked. Each candidate was probed for his weak spot. That's the way it should be done, and I hope it happens when the Democrats have their shindig. But I'll tell you what I didn't like. Kelly the Mod asked if God spoke to them and they all jumped. Whatever happened to separation of church and state? It was so in-your-face, that they each had to sound closer to god than the last guy. WTF. Where's the "freedom" part in religion there? They had to dance. Compare that exchange to this news story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33819032 If any of the candidates equivocated, they would have been political cadavers, dead in the water then and there. That's why I hate religion. It gets into everything, like sand on the beach. Meanwhile, The Donald doubles down, because that's who The Donald is: http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2015/08/08/trump-dumped-from-red-state-event-over-kelly-remarks/
Erick Erickson, a truly detestable little self appointed king maker in the republican party and main clown behind the redstate website, has disinvited Trump to their republican event and very pointedly invited Megyn Kelly in his place, just to show salon and the rest of the libtard crowd how compassionate he is towards, uh, i don't really know. Maybe he'll get a favorable writeup in the nytimes. Because that's really what's important, isn't it. I used to frequent that website back before Obama was elected and I ditched it and never looked back once I fingered out it was just another capitulation and apologizing cancer on conservatism. This action is just another in a long line of cold hard proofs that their and others only goal is to get power-- the conservative agenda doesn't even take a back seat. It's a two seater job without any back seat.
I think you are spot on with Erickson. He had a problem with Greta Van Sustrund a while back. She ripped him on air for something he said, so he is desperate to get back in the good graces of the Fox gals. Plus he's probably getting paid by bush to do it. He illustrates a big problem conservatives have. They are more interested in enforcing idealogical conformity and purity within the conservative ranks than actually winning elections. You don't see these kinds of backstabbings with liberals. They have each other's backs. Our side is always looking to get ahead by stepping on another conservative.
I think there is a difference. McConnell is ostensibly motivated by fear of a public backlash. Of course, why that backlash always has to hit republicans is left unsaid. Maybe if their leaders could actually go out and make a case and act like they believe in it, they wouldn't have to be so defensive. But in truth, we know McConnell and his pals are only concerned about doing the bidding of their corporate masters , and all this idealogical fighting gets in the way of their logrolling. They don;t have a problem with big government, they just want their cut. Rush illustrates a common dilemma for conservatives. Vote for the lesser evil or stand on principle and either lose or have no say. In the last election Ann Coulter made a point of urging people to vote for McConnell on the grounds that he had fought for some conservative principles, unlike say John McCain, and he was certainly better than a democrat or letting dems run the Senate. Unfortunately, he immediately stabbed her and everyone who voted for him in theback by caving on obamacare and pushing amnesty.
I have a question. If Trump is going to throw a temper tantrum every time someone asks him a question or makes a comment he doesn't like, how is he different from the Black Lives Matter crowd? Like the common thug who demands respect, I would say the same thing to Trump as I would the thug. You haven't done anything to earn my respect and whining like some bitch when you don't get your way isn't impressing me. Threatening me won't work either. I don't scare that easily. Trumps act, while amusing for a short while has become tedious. If we want tough conservative candidates, lets support Cruz and Christie. Rubio and Walker are worth a listen if they up their game a bit. I would put Fiorina in that tough crowd as well. Trump? Trump needs to exit the stage.