Rick Klein: “If you’re prepping your Bingo card/drinking game, here are a few phrases that might not come through – or won’t, at least, in the bigger game being played for the GOP nomination. ‘When I was governor’ … ‘I filed a bill’ … and even, ‘We got results.’ Those are the tropes and standbys of typical political years, and the 13 candidates who’ve held elected office are sure to try to use them again Wednesday night. But lines like those have less resonance for an electorate valuing outsiders and punishing insiders.”
“There are things Donald Trump can be blamed for, but this isn’t one of them. Trump is taking advantage of an opening, sensing the moment and yes, exploiting it. It’s one of the many factors that are driving the second debate toward conflict. Many of the attacks will be aimed at the man in the middle of the stage, of course. But the candidates not named Trump remain likely to have to play as much defense around their own accomplishments as they will offense.”
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