Donald Trump: ‘I don’t think I could have done any better’

Republican presidential candidates (L-R) Scott Walker, Donald Trump and Jeb Bush in Cleveland, Ohio.

The man came across as a preening, boorish idiot trying to find common ground with other idiots.

Trump was also the most-discussed candidate on Facebook during the August 6 debate, with Carson again behind him, and Trump was the most searched name on Google, according to data released by the companies. But he said “we talked long after I decided to run”, quelling speculation that the ex-president might have played some role in his decision.

On Twitter, Trump’s outspoken attorney Michael Cohen raged against the Fox machine – including the after-debate voter panel discussion hosted by pollster Frank Luntz – tweeting: “A total setup by @FrankLuntz and #FOXNEWSDEBATE to try to lower #Trump2016 high poll numbers”.

“We’ve got a real race on our hands”, Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus told Fox News.

“I really enjoyed the debate tonight even though the @FoxNews trio, especially @megynkelly, was not very good or professional!” he stated. “They want to provide for their family”.

“I want to win as a Republican, I want to run as a Republican nominee”.

“I will not make the pledge at this time”, he said, drawing jeers from the audience.

Senator Rand Paul and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie argued during the debate about how to protect Americans while respecting their rights.

“What I say is what I say”, said Trump.

It was all about the spin, following Republican debate number one…

Bush accused Trump of using “divisive” language and warning such verbal sniping will not help Republicans win the White House.

“When you’re sitting in a sub-committee just blowing hot air about this, you can say stuff like that”, responded Christie. Paul interrupted. “This is what’s wrong”, said Paul.

“This was not a subject that was on anyone’s mind until I brought it up at my announcement”, he said.

That’s what debates are about – winnowing the field of candidates of those unready for prime time.

The former congressman, who attended a same-sex union shortly after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling made gay marriage legal nationwide, said that “issues like that are planted to divide us”. Paul noted that Christie once gave President Obama “a big hug”. I asked several people at Trump Bar whether they’d vote for the candidate and, while nearly everyone said they like him, few were ready to commit.

Indeed, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina nearly certainly improved her prospects of being the running mate of whomever emerges as the GOP presidential nominee (other than Trump) by going Ronda Rousey on The Donald in answer to a question about the current GOP front-runner. That’s fine. I’m proud of my dad and certainly proud of my brother.