Trump has shifted from being a moderate populist to something more along the lines of a conventional conservative, but where he’d end up in the event of a general election is hard to say. What’s clear is that Trump’s pretty far removed from a laissez faire “small-government conservative,” which is some of what Rubio’s answer was getting at.
Harry Enten
Viewers might wonder whether Chris Christie and John Kasich have some of a deal going into this debate. Christie was asked about Kasich critiquing his job record. Christie basically passed on attacking Kasich and instead praised Kasich. Instead, Christie attacked Rubio yet again. Then when they went to Kasich, he refused to attack Christie and praised him. It’s interesting because Christie and Kasich are fighting over many of the same voters.
Clare Malone
What Harry said: Donald Trump is political tofu — he can take on any flavor.
