Breaking Down The GOP Debate with Matthew Dowd and LZ Granderson: Winners and Losers
Matt Dowd and LZ Granderson give you a rundown of the three hour GOP debate.
— -- ABC News political analysts Matthew Dowd and LZ Granderson wrapped up Wednesday night's debate discussing the winners -- and losers -- of the night and everyone in between.
The second round of GOP debates, which featured 11 Republican presidential candidates on the main stage and four others at a gathering of lower-tier contenders, was filled with jaw-dropping moments and some great one-liners.
Donald Trump was a bulls eye for attacks, Carly Fiorina stole the show, and Lindsey Graham was a zinger machine.
Here's a look at some of Dowd and Granderson top takeaways from the night:
On the undercard debate:
DOWD: Let’s talk about the arrangement of the 4 candidates [lower-tier debate] – they had done this in height order for some reason, but it was from tallest to smallest.
GRANDERSON: It’s also boring to most interesting. I thought Lindsey had a lot of great zingers
DOWD: He [Lindsey Graham] was big on military action.
GRANDERSON: I mean it seems like his answer to every single question- “Hey what are you going to do about social security- kill somebody!”
DOWD: He is trigger happy…
GRANDERSON: I don’t want to downplay his experiences in the military, but there’s got to be a way to communicate the needs for protecting America’s interest without sounding as if you’re trying to bomb everyone who disagrees with our philosophy.
On Fiorina’s strength:
GRANDERSON: Donald trump doesn’t have a lot of leverage- I think Fiorina really shined.
DOWD: Carly either equaled him or beat [Trump], I don’t think he knew had to deal with a strong woman.
GRANDERSON: She [Carly] was very impressive- in fact my son was up watching and he texted me saying ‘yo she’s coming up strong’On Trump’s lost momentum during the debate
DOWD: I think Trump came away having lost this debate ... I think the biggest problem he had was all these mannerisms, he actually started to become petty.
A person [on Twitter] wrote, “Donald Trump just did every emoji face on your phone in 7 seconds.”
GRANDERSON: He was the only candidate, perhaps him and Christie, that actually looked like the debate was taking a toll on him.
DOWD: Tonight you saw his age.
GRANDERSON: Yeah, and you saw it in not a good way. …
On why Carly shined:
DOWD: As we each said, Carly I thought was the big winner out of tonight, and I think she’ll rise in the polls. But I think her important comment tonight was her first real response to Trump’s comments in rolling stone - about her face. … That was a 15 second dagger.
GRANDERSON: I’m not sure if she was prepared for that question or not, but man did she have a money shot answer.
DOWD: He’s [Trump] never really dealt with a smart, strong woman except in an antagonistic way.
GRANDERSON: She [Carly Fiorina] has this quality about her that Hillary Clinton would love to have - to come across as presidential, but also likable and relatable.
DOWD: I think she has a blank slate with the American people...that’s one of the advantages Carly has.
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