As battles of American ideas go, it was not exactly William F. Buckley versus Gore Vidal. The eight Republican candidates went at it for two hours in Milwaukee and, by the end, it was no more clear that any of them could challenge Donald Trump for the nomination.
The subjects ranged from foreign affairs to social issues, but the winner may have been Joe Biden. The president is no one’s idea of a vigorous candidate of change. But his grip on reality, and adherence to political norms, make him stand out against virtually anyone on stage last night.
