All this might matter if these debates and, for that matter, the entire Republican campaign so far, weren't as boring as aytch-eee-double toothpicks. I find it hard to believe that anyone has heard ANYTHING in ANY of these "debates" that caused him or her to stop backing the candidate he or she liked.
Did anything heard so far cause someone to start backing a candidate?
Here's a suggestion. Do something fun during the Republican "debate." If anything happens while you are away, Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity will play a clip of it, Then go watch it on youtube.
All I have seen this year that is really worth while was Cruz castigating faux journalists. It didn't change anything for me because I liked Cruz before that ever happened.
These "debates" are as boring as NFL football. I think guys like Hugh Hewitt like to push them because a REALLY split field is his only chance of getting someone like Jeb nominated. I know Hugh likes Jeb, but Jeb will never be President. Getting him nominated guarantees a Democrat in the White House by February 2017.
Cruz, Rubio, Fiorina have all experienced big bumps in the polls directly attributable to the debates.