2016 Campaign Watch

A quick review of media analysis of last night’s debate among the 10 leading Republican presidential contenders suggests multiple debaters “won,” if winning is simply defined as improving the candidate’s position or preserving their support while not committing any serious gaffes. Here is how The Hill assessed several candidates:

GOP debate’s winners, losers

Winners

[Ohio Gov. John] Kasich made it into the debate by the skin of his teeth. But the Ohio governor delivered a strong performance in his home state with comments about reaching out ...

In recent days a number of media outlets have offered previews of tonight’s debate between the top 10 Republican candidates, and at least one has also looked at the earlier event featuring seven candidates who didn’t make it onto the main stage. Here’s a piece in Politico (with an unfortunate headline) on the earlier event:

How to Win the Losers’ Debate

How can you not feel a little bit sorry for Rick Perry? Arguably the most successful governor—certainly the longest serving—of a ...

The field for the first Republican debate was set last night by Fox News, an event that might wind up being almost as important as whatever actually happens in the debate itself on Thursday evening. The only real news, as suggested by The New York Times headline, is that Ohio Gov. John Kasich snagged the 10th spot, leaving former Texas Gov. Rick Perry on the outside looking in:

John Kasich Is In, Rick Perry Is Out in First Republican Debate

Gov. John ...