Donald Trump is still the top draw of the Republican race for US president after enjoying the spotlight in last night’s televised debate.
A total of ten Republican Party presidential candidates took part in the Cleveland, Ohio event.
Each was selected by Fox News based on the most recent national polls and they certainly provided the in house and international audience a quality televised political punch up.
US commentators have said that there was no clear winner or loser, as candidates reached out to different factions of the Republican Party, under occasionally uncomfortable scrutiny from debate moderators.
Jeb Bush, son of George Bush Sr. and brother of George W. Bush called Mr Trump a divisive figure over comments he made about immigrants.
Mr Trump wobbled slightly when questioned on his past support for a national healthcare system and had to handle comments from moderator Megyn Kelly on past comments about women.
Ms Kelly said: “You’ve called women you don’t like fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals…”
Trump brushed the claims of misogyny aside stating that political correctness was a key problem in the United States.
Members of the crowd expressed shock and hostility when Mr Trump said he would run as an independent.
Fellow candidate, Senator Rand Paul, responded with fury saying: “He buys and sells politicians of all stripes”.
Yesterday (August 6) the Democratic Party announced plans for their first debate in Nevada to be hosted by news network CNN in October.
By summer 2016, both parties will have selected their nominees in the race for the White House.
Votes will be cast the following November.
Last night’s debate audience was made up of about 1000 Republican activist, and they seemed thrilled with the show.
Their verdict came across quite clearly.
John Kasich and Jeb Bush didn’t do well, receiving boos on occasion.
Right Wingers Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio did well with despite little speaking time.
Donald Trump was received to mixed reactions.
Tarya O’Neill from Madison, Wisconsin said: “He’s not a real Republican.”
“I hope people know that now.”
Sandy Rabe of Cincinnati, Ohio, said she liked some of the things he said, but added “I hope he doesn’t become president”.
The Washington Post summed up the first televised the debate with: “seemed to veer between two broad topics: America, and Donald Trump”.