When I was a debater in school we always had plenty of analysis and statistics to show where our opponents were wrong. But in the Republican debates there has been little of this, since the participants all basically agree on everything. At least in this debate the Fox moderators were able to show not only Trump's inconsistencies but also they exposed his fantasy that he would make up the deficit caused by his tax cuts with getting rid of "waste, fraud and abuse" by showing the actual numbers. Trump's response was to emphasize his flexibility, which led to one of the few moments when any of the candidates showed a sense of humor: during one argument Cruz said to Trump "breathe, Donald, breathe" and a moderator said "let's cut out the yoga" and Rubio said "after all, he's very flexible."
The squabbling continued, as Rubio attacked Trump for his dubious "Trump University," his making of Trump clothes in Asia, and his employment of contract immigrants instead of Americans in his resorts. Trump said he was forced into these decisions by circumstances and, anyway, he will be vindicated in the Trump University case when it is decided in three years. Trump said also that the military would do whatever illegal torture he told them to do. Whenever he was pushed on anything Trump cited polls showing how ahead of everyone he was, including Clinton.
Kasich generally remained aloof from the squabbling and name-calling and did make the practical suggestion that we should have more vocational training in the public schools. All the participants agreed that wages have not risen in a long time but, as usual, no one suggested that strengthening unions would be one way to help the situation. The participants complained about students saddled with debts but no one had any concrete solutions. Everyone wants to abolish Obamacare and allow insurance across state lines but no one offers any solution to helping the uninsured or those who are insured and are still saddled with medical debts. All the candidates bemoaned what has happened in Flint, Michigan while wanting to abolish regulations that are preventing other such tragedies. The only solution to the illegal immigrant situation that is offered is Trump's deportation and wall with Mexico (which reminds one of the Berlin Wall).
Without analyzing delegate counts I wonder if Kasich, who has been the most statesman-like of the candidates, has a chance at the nomination. He is the one candidate who doesn't seem constrained by zealous ideology and seems genuinely interested in accomplishing things with bipartisan effort.
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