Report Card: Trump Unscathed in 12th Republican Debate
Trump: Establishment Should Embrace What’s Happening
Never has there been a luckier front-runner. Donald Trump's three opponents not only declined to launch fierce attacks, but largely left him alone at Thursday night's Republican debate in Miami, Florida—for different reasons. Marco Rubio was forced to return to a positive message in the chastening wake of his failed antic and raunchy riffs against the billionaire. Ted Cruz played it safe much of the evening in an effort to hasten his wish for a 1-on-1 race. And hostile offense has never been John Kasich’s brand. Even when Trump bragged about hiring foreign workers … crickets. The three underdogs rehashed some standard talking points and borrowed Trump's rhetoric on issues such as trade and deal making, but none had a significant soundbite moment.
Scored with a smart opening statement celebrating Republican turnout in the voting to date. Cool-headed and sedate, he played it safe himself, counterpunching the bare minimum when Cruz and, less frequently, Rubio, took their shots. Got ample time to tout his favorite broad themes, animated by toughness and optimism. Critics will howl, but, specifics aside, he sounded sufficiently reasonable and generally informed to win the nomination.