Ben Carson has a certain soft-spoken surface charisma as contrasted with more than one red-faced blowhard, but he seemed a bit inept on stage, too often bringing up his medical accomplishments. I believe it is safe to say he is entirely in this to get his own show or sell more books down the line.

I didn't hate Jeb. Which is telling for all the other candidates.

I don't hate Bernie Sanders which has no bearing on his other competitors.

When Jeb is the only candidate I don't hate, that's telling.

Why do you hate John Kasich while not hating Jeb Bush based on this debate?

Well I only watched about 10 minutes. So I don't even know who John Kasich is. But I probably hate him.

Something tells me Chip is one of those Hillary supporters who would sign the petition to repeal the Bill of Rights.

I was not impressed with Trump in this debate but I also wasn't interested in a couple of the questions they asked him either. I enjoyed Huckabee's zingers. I thought Jeb was just uninteresting. Just does nothing for me. I liked Scott Walker pointing out how he defeated a couple recalls. He's clearly a winner but there's some it factor missing but I think he would be a good final choice. Cruz was well spoken and he should really have the "Trump" group as he has been against the backstabbing leadership many times over. Overall, I liked Rubio the most actually. I like his personal story and he was never overly animated to make a point but wasn't bland about doing so either. I would like to see Fiorina in the main stage in Sept. Finally, Christie bringing out hugging 9/11 victims felt shallow to me. I like him being outspoken but being a cheerleader for NSA spying is a total turnoff.

CNN reports the debate was seen by about 24 million viewers. Highest rated primary debate ever apparently. Folks aren't going to be sitting at home this election.

Does she want it repealed?!

If so, I'm fucking in.

He would if he knew what it was.

right, totally

der i'm a dumb liberal der

republicans are so smart der

Kasich was likable last night. He was modest and non-combative, boasting his own records yet not trashing others'. He was silent about foreign policy. Obviously he was playing safe. He seemed like the kind of career politicians who would be willing to play the bipartisan game. Safe, but not a game-changing candidate.

You are dumb but the liberal part has no bearing. I am not a Republican.

I'm dumb? According to? My online postings in a box office forum?

Sound logic.

Fox News was literally directing the show last night. It was partial to Bush, throwing him softball questions to get him to attack Trump, who was the villain in Fox's script.

And the clapping sounded fake. Was it sound effect?

The clapping seemed authentic in that it was probably a crowd of converts that loved lapping up every bit of partisan pantering that the condidates were throwing at them, but they got wearier and wearier the longer the debate went. Kind of a "oh yeah, I agree with that statement as much as the last one I clapped for, so I guess I should clap again..."

Just thought I'd stop by and tell everyone I'm backing Bernie Sanders.

k, bye!

You have more than 50,000 posts. Sounds inductive to me.

It's really not that hard. Given it's been 11 years.

I have been here that long

So Dr. Lecter must be an idiot then?

Ratings shattered records with Trump as the star; clear as day that should he leave, interest in the GOP race tanks tremendously.

Not saying there was no authentic clapping during the live show (with probably a minute or two delayed), but the spontaneous scattered cheering was mixed in with a soundtrack of clapping, cheering, and whistling in unison. You could not tell which candidate got the loudest and most enthusiastic response from the screen because the mixed sounds were almost identical. Another explanation for this would be they had a cheering team on the show.

Not what I said but thank you for lending credence to the point I was making.

Seems he crossed a new line for many by suggesting Megyn Kelly posed tough questions because she was on her period.