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“It’s over!” exclaimed Megyn Kelly at 11:03 p.m., just slightly more than two hours after the start of the Fox News prime-time debate in Cleveland—bringing to a close an event that John Weaver, the chief strategist for Ohio Governor John Kasich, compared in terms of media anticipation to the chariot race in “Ben Hur.”

Winners and losers from the first Republican presidential debate

The top 10 Republicans running for their party’s presidential nomination debated for the first time Thursday night in Cleveland. It was amazing in every sense of the word and I loved every minute of it. I jotted down some notes during the two-hour event — I could have watched for at least another hour! — and picked some of the winners and losers from the night.

GOP insiders: Donald Trump is biggest loser

Donald Trump’s first presidential debate was a disaster.

That’s the assessment of Republican insiders in this week’s POLITICO Caucus, our weekly bipartisan survey of the top strategists, activists and operatives in Iowa and New Hampshire. They offered their reactions immediately after watching Thursday’s 9 p.m. prime-time debate in Cleveland.

The crowded GOP debate ended on Thursday and the analysis is coming thick and fast. The Hollywood Reporter asked noted social critic and author Camille Paglia for her thoughts on the debate and she didn’t disappoint.

Fiorina Dominates Early Event; Main Debate Has Multiple Winners

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 ... Read More >>

Different Debate Skills, Styles for GOP Candidates

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 ... Read More >>

Debate Field Set: Kasich Makes the Cut

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 ... Read More >>