#GOPDebate And away we go. Good for Fox not to buckle into Trump's silly demands. Sad a presidential candidate ducks a journalist.

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Yes. The ding ding is back and intent. Ding Ding for Republican nomination. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Clever use of Trump's words against him by Cruz. Good thinking. Gentle rebuke with humor. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Fox should ignore the fact Trump is absent. They are playing his game by discussing him prominently up front. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Jeb embraces the establishment. It is a great answer, but it will not be enough for this electorate. He is right, but too late. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Rand: talking about taking security tools out of the hands of the government during a time of international unease–not shrewd. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

The Cruz v Rubio dynamic is center stage without Trump. This is as it should be for GOP. Two best candidates standing. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Christie–brutal answer on HRC's email-server. Hangs the word "convenience" around her neck. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

I like Chris Christie. End of message. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Real Q: are any of these candidates prepared to be Commander-in-Chief? None have long military background or foreign pol. exp. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Rubio ducked Kelly's question about "speech." He lurched toward actions and then ISIS. Her q was a good one. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Government CANNOT close mosques because of the speech there. Empty, unconstitutional rhetorical red meat. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Kasich's experience is impressive, but always. sounds. so. dated. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

The fact that Trump is avoiding @megynkelly shows, to a degree, he is afraid of her. She asks pointed questions/follow-ups. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Remember, this Trump @megynkelly thing started when she rightly called him on his hateful speech toward women. He attacked her. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Good YouTube question. Good answer from Paul. I wish these debates could get deeper on such issues. 60 seconds? Silly. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Real Q: if judged so far, you think Trump's absence will hurt him and help others? #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Entitlement Reform is the only way to really cut spending. The rest is window dressing, including Planned Parenthood funding. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

On résumé, Kasich would be great president. He struggles to pull that experience into concise, effective language. Tough to do. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Debates should be more narrowly focused, fewer questions, more than 60 seconds to talk. 3-5 minutes would be better. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Rubio–do you think someone told him to say "when I am President…" every time he speaks? #GOPDebate Good or bad? I vote bad.

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

How many points would Rubio be ahead by if he had never touched immigration in Senate? #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

I am tired of a politics where changing your mind is somehow wrong or bad. It is so silly and short-sighted. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Primary debates. Where bipartisanship goes to die. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Rubio, cleverly, challenges Cruz's electability against Hillary. It is Cruz's biggest weakness. Let's see if he hits it again. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Did Jeb just call it "The YouTube"? I hope he did. Next? The interwebs. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Chris Wallace's q on Cruz's lack of GOP support was easily turned away by Ted. But, it IS THE CRITICAL question going forward. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Awww. Kicking Jeb for lack of electability just feels cruel at this point. But true. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Wow. Rough question on Marco's place in his home state polling. Rubio handled it ok, but a pointed q. Can say Fox is in the tank. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

I am glad Wallace belittled Kasich's flippant use of religion on this issue. Kasich brings this up to shut off criticism. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Think Kasich maybe could not stay on point as president? That answer flipped into 12 topics in 60 seconds. Rhetorical ADD #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Os Guinness shout-out! #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Carson has been better on foreign policy tonight. He has been studying, it seems. Still, he has a long way to go rhetorically. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Still think 1 on 1 interviews w/candidates for 1 hour each would be best for learning about them. I'd watch, no one else would. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Cruz's stand on ethanol in Iowa is indeed courageous. He knows Iowa is his best hope to win, yet he clings to that. Good for him. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Iowa's place as the first contest exists, it seems, to protect agricultural subsidies. What a twisted, odd system we have. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Drat. I was hoping for a third hour. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Rubio, Christie, Bush, or Kasich. In abut 10 days, only 1 will still have a shot, but only 1. My $ is on Marco. #GOPDebate.

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Gov. Branstad. Tear down that blend wall. #GOPDebate.

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

No. Wait. Christie is referring to 9/11. I did not see that coming. #GOPDebate.

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

This preamble has been brought to you by…#GOPDebate.

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Rubio=strong. Cruz=shrunk w/o Donald. Christie=solid. Bush=better. Rand=relaxed, but somnolent? Carson=present. Kasich=oy. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016

Trumpkins saying debate was "boring." They want a better show. I'm not looking for the P.T. Barnum of politics. They are. #GOPDebate

— Mark Caleb Smith (@markcalebsmith) January 29, 2016