I agree with your assessment that they avoided the give your one-minute talking point speech on X. I remember one a few years back where they asked a curveball question about the flu vaccine shortage. The candidate, I can't remember who it was, gave a general response about healthcare, as if he had ten mini-speeches memorized and he just picked the closest one to any question asked.

"That’s fine for describing ISIS killers—a refreshing change from President Obama, who saves his vicious attacks for Republicans."
I don't get this. President Obama called ISIS a vicious brutal death cult, but people still say he should further clarify that ISIS is evil. We all know ISIS is evil. Carrying on about it just aggrandizes them.

"None of the other candidates picked up explicitly on the “elephant in the room” implications of Trump’s remark that businessmen have to get along with all politicians"
This is the only thing I like about Trump. He talks openly about the protection racket.

"Fiorina offered a moving and sensible comment when she said, “My husband Frank and I buried a child to drug addiction. "
Applying this to marijuana, though, is illogical since marijuana is not as addictive as alcohol, caffeine, or other common drugs. It reminds me of these people who say they understand the dangers of mobile phones because they had a loved-one die of brain cancer.

"Fiorina said, “The highest calling of leadership is to unlock potential in others. Problems have festered in Washington for too long. And the potential of this nation is being crushed.” "
I wasn't listening during that part. I like that quote.

If it had been a debate, I might have looked for a winner, but it was not. It was a CNN production of 'gotchas' against Republican candidates. Kind of looked little like a 'dodge-ball' contest vs a political debate.

What she said, "Problems have festered in Washington for too long. And the potential of this nation is being crushed.”

And she meant, "I have proven at HP, I am an expert at crushing potential."

CNN & The Democratic Party did....

Got all the sound bites they will need for fresh attack ads.

No one won the 2nd debate.