While it’s mighty hard to find a bit of consensus in the republican party these days, it seems that for a brief moment tonight a collective sigh of relief let out as Republicans realized their candidates could (barely) stand up without The Donald at centerstage:
The GOP debate was a glimpse of a better world, a saner world, a world without @realDonaldTrump. What could have been….
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) January 29, 2016
This is a completely different and more substantive debate with Trump off the stage. #GOPDebate
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) January 29, 2016
Candidates at the #GOPdebate seem intent on being serious & "presidential" in attempt to contrast w/Trump event. Substantive debate.
— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) January 29, 2016
The field looks more like the strong field it is when Trump isn't there. https://t.co/JuZxpZBOu2
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) January 29, 2016
Without Trump there is no one to defend Putin.
— Debra J. Saunders (@debrajsaunders) January 29, 2016
The loser of the debate was Trump by his absence. The voters of Iowa should take note. The candidates did very… https://t.co/pO4GCBXgwW
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) January 29, 2016
Debate event: Gold @marcorubio Silver @ChrisChristie Bronze @tedcruz. @realDonaldTrump gets all medals in all other events
— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) January 29, 2016
But like all things Trump, his notable absence from Fox News’ debate still served as a point of contention. While not all conservatives were happy about Trump’s absence, many supporters were silent on Twitter during the Fox News debate:
Waste. What a freaking waste.
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) January 29, 2016
Thought bubble over every Trump hater's head during the bathroom break: "God, I really miss him."
— Andrea Tantaros (@AndreaTantaros) January 29, 2016
Tump looks smart getting away from this slaughterhouse
— Jack Welch (@jack_welch) January 29, 2016
Perhaps that’s because they, too, had boycotted the debate:
CSPAN AND ONE AMERICA NEWS COVERING TRUMP LIVE, NO INTERRUPTIONS.
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) January 29, 2016
I think Trump's strategy worked. pic.twitter.com/OVCo48ontC
— Patrick Ruffini (@PatrickRuffini) January 29, 2016
Check out our GOP debate recap here:
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