Does Tonight’s GOP Debate Even Matter?

Nate Cohn: “Candidates might be flashy. They might be broadly appealing. They might hit MAGA notes. But after the last debate, there’s that much less reason to think this one will make a big difference in the race. It might even add up to helping Mr. Trump, by splintering his potential opposition.”

Playbook: “Sure, the first Republican debate was entertaining and enlightening, giving voters a vivid glimpse at some of the important cleavages inside the modern GOP. But in the end, the Republican who saw the biggest post-debate polling bump wasn’t even on the stage. Yep, it was Trump.”