In my mind, Carly Fiorina won them both.  (Please see these videos from my Thursday post for reference.)

Overall, Carly Fiorina won the so-called “Happy Hour” debate — and — she managed to overshadow some of the other candidates on the second major debate.  Fiorina spoke about Iran along with Rick Perry, and her video was seen in the second debate itself.

Here, directly following the Happy Hour debate, Carly Fiorina eats Chris Matthews’s lunch:

In the first debate on Thursday, some of her quotes included:

“I started as a secretary and became ultimately the chief executive of the largest technology company in the world.  I know personally how extraordinary and unique this nation is.”

“We need a leader who will lead the resurgence of this great nation and unlock its great potential once again.”

About Donald Trump: “Well, I don’t know. I didn’t get a phone call from Bill Clinton before I jumped into the race. Did any of you get a phone call from Bill Clinton? I didn’t. Maybe it’s because I hadn’t given money to the foundation or donated to his wife’s Senate campaign.”

“Hillary Clinton lies about Benghazi, she lies about emails. She still defends Planned Parenthood and she’s still her party’s front-runner. 2016 is going to be a fight between conservatism and a Democratic Party that is undermining the very character of this nation.”

Fiorina comes off looking presidential as opposed to Donald Trump, who came off looking the blockhead and with no specifics to support his various ideas.  Just how are you going to force Mexico to build a wall, Mr Trump?  You refuse to say.  I believe it’s because you truly don’t know.

From July 26th, a few days ago, on Fox News Sunday:

Fiorina speaks plainly, clearly, truthfully, quite frankly, with maturity and poise.  She is a bit of Trump without the bombast.  She is well equipped to handle Hillary Clinton and is useful in pointing out the obvious with regard to Clinton.  As “only Nixon could go to China,” only Fiorina can poke Clinton with the least about of feminist blowback.

This is only the second debate of roughly 10 more to come.  The schedule is here.

Hugh Hewitt fans please take note:

The next debate is scheduled for September 16th at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, where I visited last Tuesday the 4th (a post will be forthcoming for same).  This debate will be moderated by Hugh Hewitt and Jake Tapper.  Here, I suspect the questions asked will be much more pointed and likely involve actual policy, past practices, history and facts.  CNN will air the debate as well as Salem Radio.

Look, it’s only August.  GOP debates are tentatively scheduled, so far, out to March 10th of 2016.

There will be dropouts.  Clearly, 17 candidates is an unwieldy number and the crowd will thin.

The first to go should be Lindsay Graham, Jim Gilmore, George Pataki — the crowd of Old Staid GOP members who just won’t change.  They’ll glad-hand the Demorats just as John Boehner does now.  That’s not what American Conservatives want or need.  I wouldn’t piss on any of them if they were on fire, Boehner included. Bobby Jindal just isn’t a strong candidate.  Give him time.

In the “top ten,” Huckabee needs to leave, Christie needs to leave, as does Rand Paul and Rick Santorum.  Dr Ben Carson means well and has some good ideas, but his persona is too weak; he is not a “presence” and strength, true or perceived, is vital.  Carson is steady but not ready for prime time.

Then there is Donald Trump.  He continues to entertain and simultaneously prove what a buffoon he truly is.  Potentially a dangerous buffoon if he runs a third party.  His usefulness is over.

In the meantime, Fiorina’s star will only rise.

BZ

P.S.

Who do you think won the “Happy Hour” debate, and who won the Top 10 debate?