Without Trump, I felt the debate was a lot more policy substantive… and also a lot duller.
Oddly Trump’s gambit may have paid off in the following way:
Without Trump on stage, Cruz suddenly seems a lot crazier. With Trump, Cruz could position himself as “If you kinda like Trump, but want someone who has actually won an election and worked in Government, albeit as a hated outsider, I’m your man”.
In Iowa right now Cruz is Trump’s closest competition.
Trump’s absence also could help Jeb and Rand Paul a tiny bit down the stretch, since they both were less terrible than they’ve been in past debates. It’s in Trump’s best interest for the establishment vote to remain split, rather than rallying behind Rubio.
