Donald Trump Draws Crowd To GOP Debate Viewing Party
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — As 11 Republican presidential hopefuls traded barbs and debated policy on Wednesday night in Simi Valley, another debate was taking shape in bars and other meeting places around Los Angeles.
At one such gathering, at the Regent Theater in downtown Los Angeles, billionaire Donald Trump was perhaps the biggest topic of discussion.
"It means I'm here watching," said Jessica Howard of West Los Angeles. "[Whereas] maybe in previous years I haven't wanted to."
Trump's rivalry with former Hewlett Packard Chief Executive Carly Fiorina provided the audience with plenty of political theater.
Howard said Fiorina impressed her in responding to Trump's recent comments to the media in which he cast doubt on whether Fiorina is physically attractive enough to be elected.
"Her reaction was short and simple," Howard said. "Women in the U.S. have good radar for people who aren't really being honest with them and who don't respect them and who don't think they are capable."
Kelly Kristoff of Fullerton-- who is still only 17 and will vote for the first time next year -- said she's leaning towards voting for Marco Rubio after watching him in the debate.
"I think (he) made very good points," Kristoff said.