[Mariner]

Cruz was damaged tonight.

It would not surprise me if Rubio takes #2 in Iowa now.

[JediJones]

Rubio was exposed as a complete and total flip-flopper and liar on immigration. There’s no way he gains from this.

[grania]

Cruz was damaged tonight

Agreed. It was his role to seem presidential, above the fray, able to lead. Instead he used his opening statement to get cute about Trump's techniques. Why didn't Cruz use that time as a breath of fresh air, and get out of the mosh pit he's been complaining about? Rubio is smart enough to have said "let's move on". Did anyone up there (or anywhere) acknowledge that last night was Donald Trump doing what he's been accused of not doing? That would be putting the money where his mouth is. He raised $6 million for Veteran's causes in ONE DAY!

I thought the winners were Huckabee and Santorum. They sounded like real leaders when they shared the stage with Trump. They were the two who focused on the cause and got beyond the food fight.

[The Truth Will Make You Free]

Cruz totally failed to seize the "debate" opportunity and present himself as as worthy and as a leader. He would have been FAR better off joining Trump's event. And he would would have done far more good for America and conservatism by doing so. Instead he chose to support the "faux" network, and by implication the established order. He totally missed the opportunity to stick it to the establishment. This really demonstrates how he'd be as President. To expect him to squash the bugs is unrealistic.

His failure to sit out the debate combined with his weak defensive performance has moved me to lean towards Trump with his demonstrated leadership.