Ed Rendell: Trump Won The Debate
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell declared Donald Trump the winner of the last Republican presidential debate and intimated that momentum is building for Trump to prevail in the Iowa Caucus.
Rendell, during an interview with Rich Zeoli on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, said this was most polished and poised he has seen Trump at a debate.
"I thought this was the best performance yet by Donald Trump. I thought he was crisp in his answers, much more disciplined, he didn't ramble nearly as much. He didn't give a lot of substance but his answers were tighter and his answer on the 'New York values' question was great. Flat out great. It was emotional. It was poignant. It was so good that even Ted Cruz had to applaud. I think Donald Trump is the winner."
He said that coupled with issues surrounding Texas Senator Ted Cruz's eligibility to run for the White House, Trump's debate performance could push him over the edge in Iowa.
"If you asked me this last week, I would've thought Cruz. Cruz had the momentum. I thought he was going to win by three or four, maybe even five points. But I think he's been really hurt by the question about his eligibility to run. 27 percent, according to a poll I saw of Republican voters, are worried about his eligibility to run. If that moves the needle three or four points in Iowa, then Trump's going to win. It's a tough issue because if Ted Cruz's defense is correct, then all of the Republican whining about Barack Obama goes out the window."
