Rubio and Cruz Likely to Gain Post-Debate Polls Bump
Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz fared well in the latest GOP debate, likely leading to a favorable bump in the next round of polls, according to Corey Boles, senior analyst with the Eurasia Group.
He was impressed with the way both Republican presidential hopefuls handled themselves in the debate and said they stood out among their peers. But Boles was less impressed with the current front runners, including Donald Trump.
"When it came to matters of substance, policy substance that is, he seems to fade into the background," said Boles. "He has his bombastic views about immigration, but when challenged on those he didn't seem to have a great answer, and, certainly, when it came to other matters, foreign policy, fiscal policy, he didn't have much to say."
Boles also thinks Ben Carson did not have a strong night, saying that he stumbled repeatedly. For example, when Carson was asked about the causes of the financial crisis, Carson appeared to suggest it was corporate buybacks by large banks.
"(It was) the first time I've come across that particular explanation for the financial crisis," said Boles, who added that other candidates also failed to give adequate responses to the topic of preventing future financial crises.
"Jeb Bush first declared that there would never again be a financial crisis on his watch. When challenged for that viewpoint, he quickly turned completely 180 degrees," said Boles, adding that he believes the Republican candidates, in general, are long on ideas but short on specifics.
"Much of the Republican rhetoric wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act, wants to repeal Dodd-Frank, and wants to tear up the Iran agreement, but I didn't hear, certainly in the financial regulations space, a detailed proposition for what would replace Dodd-Frank," he said.
In terms of what happens next in the race for the GOP nomination, Boles says that while Rubio and Cruz will likely gain in the polls, he expects Carson and Trump will see their numbers drop.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Trump continues to slip a little bit," he declared. "Carson's staying power, I must admit, is something of a mystery. I firmly do not believe that he will be there, still standing, when votes start being cast in a meaningful way next spring."