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Critics’ Early Take on G.O.P. Debate: Marco Rubio Won, and CNBC Lost

The third Republican presidential debate was held Wednesday night at the University of Colorado in Boulder. The candidates, from left to right: John R. Kasich, Mike Huckabee, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Donald J. Trump, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Ted Cruz, Chris Christie and Rand Paul.Credit...Andrew Burton/Getty Images

In the immediate aftermath of Wednesday night’s Republican presidential debate, there was no shortage of opinions about how the candidates performed. A small but diverse sampling of commentary across the Internet found many people declaring Senator Marco Rubio of Florida the winner, having bested his old friend Jeb Bush in a feisty exchange.

The outsider candidates — Donald J. Trump, Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina — managed to make it through the evening with few stumbles but also without many memorable moments, while laggards such as Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Huckabee were steady but did little to break through.

The biggest loser, particularly in the minds of conservatives, was CNBC, the network that hosted the debate. Criticism of the news media was a recurring theme onstage, and that sentiment extended into Twitter and blogs after the debate.

“Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz won. They bashed the CNBC moderators, defended their records, and Rubio scored a flat out knockout punch on Jeb Bush. CNBC had a terrible performance.” Erick Erickson, a conservative radio host and blogger

“Highlights: Ted Cruz beats Media. Trump exposes Kasich; Marco beats Jeb. Chris Christie has strong moments.” Laura Ingraham, host of “The Laura Ingraham Show”

“It’s hard to gather who won the debate because the candidates spent most of the night arguing with the moderators and talking over each other. If I had to pick, I’d go with Rubio, since he actually answered most of the questions and stuck to his narrative.” Debra Freeman, a commentator for BroadwayBlack.com and a former Democratic staff member

“Pleased to see more substance and less spectacle tonight from the real G.O.P. candidates — Rubio, Bush and Kasich. 2016 needs to be a year of action, not just words.” — Javier Palomarez, president of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

“Oh, drop the ‘I didn’t inherit any money,’ Marco! He got big payouts as a politician, which he instantly blew. Not thrifty American values.” — Ann Coulter, a conservative author and commentator

“Carson underwhelmed in tonight’s performance. Part of the problem is that he lacks aggression; he may be the quintessential gentleman, but he has a hard time getting at-bats to further his platform.” Chuck Hobbs, a writer and trial lawyer based in Florida

“The CNBC moderators acted less like journalists and more like Clinton campaign operatives. What was supposed to be a serious debate about the many issues plaguing our economy was given up for one Democratic talking point after another served up by the so-call ‘moderators.’ ” Brent Bozell, president of the Media Research Center, a conservative media watchdog group

“How did Republicans get out of talking gun control with the debate situated 30 minutes from Aurora Colorado?” Daniel Peña, an English professor at Louisiana State University and contributor to The Guardian

“Donald Trump agreed to allow guns at all of his resorts. That should make disagreements on the golf course a little more interesting.” Donna Brazile, a political strategist and commentator for CNN and ABC

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