Trump doesn't impress many local Republicans

As they had six weeks ago, local Republicans and other observers gathered in the Vineyard Room of the Duck Inn Wednesday night for dinner, to munch on nachos and watch the second debate between the party's leading candidates for president.

The three-hour prime-time debate hosted by CNN and held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, featured the party's 11 leading primary candidates as determined by polling.

The dynamics of the race have changed since 10 of the same candidates in the main debate took to the stage in Cleveland six weeks ago. Donald Trump has climbed his way from improbability to the party's frontrunner. Elsewhere, the poll numbers of Dr. Ben Carson, the former neurosurgeon and staunch yet soft-spoken social conservative, have jumped from single digits to 23 percent, which is second place.

Just as it was six weeks ago, much of the attention was on Donald Trump.

"He doesn't seem like he is taking any of these issues seriously," said Jessica Wilkerson, a Helena-based attorney and non-Republican voter who stumbled onto the debate party along with a friend.

Even among loyal Republicans, Trump seemed to be at best a novelty. While she understands his outsider appeal, State Rep. Stephanie Hess, R-Havre, said comments Trump made last week about the face of fellow Republican candidate and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, a subject brought up early in the debate, were illustrative of who Trump is.

"I think he speaks first and thinks later, said Hess. She said Trump traffics in generalities while ignoring the specifics.

"Trump likes to say on day one he would like to deport a zillion people. Well that's nice, but how are you going to do that?" she said.

But if Trump seemed to fall flat with Republicans present, Fiorina seemed to shine. Six weeks ago, barely a blip on the radar, was praised for her poise, command of the issues and sharp responses. Many though, criticized CNN moderator Jake Tapper for constantly interrupting Fiorina.

"As the only woman on stage, I feel she has been disrespected," said Wilkerson, who thinks sexism may have played a role. She also said Fiorina got less face time then the rest of the candidates and that as the only female on the debate panel, CNN's Dana Bash, was able to ask fewer questions.

Others seemed to take issue with the nature of the debate questions that seemed designed to arouse confrontation rather than spark discussion.

"I'd like to have more of the candidates talk about how they view the issues, how they view foreign policy and economic policy rather than saying 'Oh Mr. Trump said this' or 'Mr. Carson said this,'" said Jesse Fries of Havre, Wilkerson's companion at the party.

Andrew Brekke, chair of the Hill County Republican Party, predicted that in the coming weeks, the field of candidates should begin to thin out more. Just last week, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, ended his bid after failing to gain traction.

"If you're foundering in your ability to raise money and you are polling at 5 percent, the chances you are going to recover aren't good," said Brekke.

Though he has struggled to excite Republican primary voters, Brekke said former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush with his near universal name recognition and penchant for fundraising will continue to be a top contender.

"If you want an establishment Republican, there is no more consummate establishment Republican than a Bush," Brekke said.

Six weeks ago, many political observers thought Trump's candidacy was little more than an expression of consternation that would soon ebb. Now, however, Brekke said, although he thinks the odds are still not in his favor, there is a decent chance that Trump could in fact be the nominee. Despite his penchant for controversial remarks about women and Hispanics as well as questions about his temperament, Brekke says frustration with the political class, intense emotion and talk of renewing America have allowed Trump to redefine political reality.

"People have significant questions in polling data about him and his ability to be president, but they continue to support him," he said. Brekke, a student of political science, is baffled by the situation, but compares it to the response to polls where respondents profess both support for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, but many of those same respondents tell pollsters they have misgivings about her honesty.