At GOP town hall, Trump’s weaknesses and Cruz’s strengths

Buck Sexton
By Buck Sexton
Published 9:22 AM EDT, Wed March 30, 2016
01:30 - Source: CNN
The Milwaukee GOP town hall in 90 seconds

Story highlights

Buck Sexton: The Ted Cruz of conservative, small government showed up at town hall, revealing humanity, intellect and poise

He says Trump had funny lines but looked weak on issue of going negative on spouses

Editor’s Note: Buck Sexton is a political commentator for CNN and host of “The Buck Sexton Show” on TheBlaze. He was previously a CIA counterterrorism analyst. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

CNN  — 

With the Wisconsin primary less than a week away, Tuesday night’s GOP town hall was by no means a pro forma event; it was one of the last real opportunities for the remaining three candidates to adapt their campaign narratives before the delegate math is set. Only two candidates – Donald Trump and Ted Cruz – have a mathematical shot at the nomination, and the CNN forum gave voters a chance to size them up while they are locked in an all-out campaign dogfight.

If you are a small-government, constitutional conservative, the Ted Cruz you wanted to see showed up. His strengths – his intellectual firepower, policy depth and unshakable poise – were on full display.

His defense of more robust counterterrorism measures after the Brussels attacks, including increased surveillance when necessary of Muslim communities in the United States, showed that he won’t back down, despite the media firestorm he ignited with his comments on the issue last week.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a campaign rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Monday, May 2.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a campaign rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Monday, May 2.
Cruz holds up the hand of Carly Fiorina at a campaign rally in Indianapolis on Wednesday, April 27. Cruz named Fiorina, a former presidential candidate, as his running mate.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Ty Wright/Getty Images
Cruz holds up the hand of Carly Fiorina at a campaign rally in Indianapolis on Wednesday, April 27. Cruz named Fiorina, a former presidential candidate, as his running mate.
Cruz celebrates his Wisconsin primary win with his wife, Heidi, and Gov. Scott Walker in Milwaukee on Tuesday, April 5. Walker endorsed Cruz for the presidency.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Cruz celebrates his Wisconsin primary win with his wife, Heidi, and Gov. Scott Walker in Milwaukee on Tuesday, April 5. Walker endorsed Cruz for the presidency.
With his wife by his side, Cruz tours the Dane Manufacturing facility before speaking to workers in Dane, Wisconsin, on Thursday, March 24.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Scott Olson/Getty Images
With his wife by his side, Cruz tours the Dane Manufacturing facility before speaking to workers in Dane, Wisconsin, on Thursday, March 24.
Cruz speaks during the CNN Republican debate in Miami on Thursday, March 10.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images
Cruz speaks during the CNN Republican debate in Miami on Thursday, March 10.
Cruz and his wife wave to the crowd at Liberty University after he announced his presidential candidacy in Lynchburg, Virginia, on March 23, 2015.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
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Cruz and his wife wave to the crowd at Liberty University after he announced his presidential candidacy in Lynchburg, Virginia, on March 23, 2015.
Cruz speaks during the 2013 NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center on May 3, 2013, in Houston, Texas.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Cruz speaks during the 2013 NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center on May 3, 2013, in Houston, Texas.
Cruz poses with his wife, Heidi, and his daughters Caroline and Catherine.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
tedcruz.org
Cruz poses with his wife, Heidi, and his daughters Caroline and Catherine.
Cruz (left) fields questions from Bruce Rastetter at the Iowa Ag Summit on March 7, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. The event allows the invited speakers, many of whom are potential 2016 Republican presidential hopefuls, to outline their views on agricultural issue.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Cruz (left) fields questions from Bruce Rastetter at the Iowa Ag Summit on March 7, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. The event allows the invited speakers, many of whom are potential 2016 Republican presidential hopefuls, to outline their views on agricultural issue.
Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel (left) listens as Cruz (right) speaks during a roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill March 2, 2015 in Washington, D.C. Wiesel, Cruz and Rabbi Scmuley Boteach (center) participated in a discussion entitled 'The Meaning of Never Again: Guarding Against a Nuclear Iran.'
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel (left) listens as Cruz (right) speaks during a roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill March 2, 2015 in Washington, D.C. Wiesel, Cruz and Rabbi Scmuley Boteach (center) participated in a discussion entitled 'The Meaning of Never Again: Guarding Against a Nuclear Iran.'
Governor Greg Abbott (center) speaks alongside Cruz (left), Attorney General Ken Paxton (right) at a joint press conference February 18, 2015, in Austin, Texas.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Erich Schlegel/Getty Images
Governor Greg Abbott (center) speaks alongside Cruz (left), Attorney General Ken Paxton (right) at a joint press conference February 18, 2015, in Austin, Texas.
Sen. Patrick Leahy (right) escorts Loretta Lynch back from a lunch break as Cruz (left) sits nearby during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee January 28, 2015, on Capitol Hill.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Sen. Patrick Leahy (right) escorts Loretta Lynch back from a lunch break as Cruz (left) sits nearby during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee January 28, 2015, on Capitol Hill.
Cruz greets supporters at the South Carolina Tea Party Coalition convention on January 18, 2015, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A variety of conservative presidential hopefuls spoke at the gathering on the second day of a three-day event.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Richard Ellis/Getty Images
Cruz greets supporters at the South Carolina Tea Party Coalition convention on January 18, 2015, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A variety of conservative presidential hopefuls spoke at the gathering on the second day of a three-day event.
Cruz (left) and then-Texas Governor Rick Perry stand together during a press conference at the front gate of Fort Hood about Iraq war veteran, Ivan Lopez, who killed three and wounded 16 before taking his own life on April 4, 2014, in Fort Hood, Texas.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Cruz (left) and then-Texas Governor Rick Perry stand together during a press conference at the front gate of Fort Hood about Iraq war veteran, Ivan Lopez, who killed three and wounded 16 before taking his own life on April 4, 2014, in Fort Hood, Texas.
(Left to right) Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. John McCain and Cruz listen as President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address on January 28, 2014, in Washington, D.C.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Win McNamee/Getty Images
(Left to right) Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. John McCain and Cruz listen as President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address on January 28, 2014, in Washington, D.C.
Then-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (second right), poses with Republican senators-elect Jeff Flake (left), Deb Fischer (second left), and Cruz (right) at the U.S. Capitol on November 13, 2012, in Washington, D.C.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Then-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (second right), poses with Republican senators-elect Jeff Flake (left), Deb Fischer (second left), and Cruz (right) at the U.S. Capitol on November 13, 2012, in Washington, D.C.
Cruz speaks to reporters on September 25, 2013, after ending his talk-a-thon on the floor of the US Senate in Washington, D.C.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
Cruz speaks to reporters on September 25, 2013, after ending his talk-a-thon on the floor of the US Senate in Washington, D.C.
Cruz speaks as then-Rep. Michele Bachmann (left), Sen. Mike Lee (second right) and Sen. Rand Paul (right) listen during a news conference May 16, 2013, on Capitol Hill.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Cruz speaks as then-Rep. Michele Bachmann (left), Sen. Mike Lee (second right) and Sen. Rand Paul (right) listen during a news conference May 16, 2013, on Capitol Hill.
Cruz listens to testimony during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on April 22, 2013, in Washington, D.C.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Cruz listens to testimony during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on April 22, 2013, in Washington, D.C.
Cruz holds a news conference to announce the plan to defund Obamacare on March 13, 2013.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Cruz holds a news conference to announce the plan to defund Obamacare on March 13, 2013.
Cruz speaks at the CPAC on March 6, 2014, in National Harbor, Maryland.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Cruz speaks at the CPAC on March 6, 2014, in National Harbor, Maryland.
Then-Senate Republican Candidate and Texas Solicitor General Cruz speaks at the 'Patriots for Romney-Ryan Reception' on August 29, 2012, in Tampa, Florida.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Then-Senate Republican Candidate and Texas Solicitor General Cruz speaks at the 'Patriots for Romney-Ryan Reception' on August 29, 2012, in Tampa, Florida.
Then-Senate Republican Candidate and Texas Solicitor General Cruz speaks during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Then-Senate Republican Candidate and Texas Solicitor General Cruz speaks during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012.
Then-Senate Republican Candidate and Texas Solicitor General Cruz speaks during the Republican National Convention in 2012.
Photos: Moments from Ted Cruz's career
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Then-Senate Republican Candidate and Texas Solicitor General Cruz speaks during the Republican National Convention in 2012.

It was in some of Cruz’s traditionally weaker stylistic areas, however – authenticity and charisma – that the senator managed to elevate his performance in a way that could affect the upcoming Wisconsin primary.

For better or worse, Cruz often sounds like he is reading off a teleprompter even when he speaks extemporaneously. While his supporters may see this as further evidence of his brilliance, for some voters not yet on Team Cruz, his delivery can sound over-rehearsed and preachy.

In political rhetoric, the difference between earnest and oily is often very slight, and tonally, Cruz sometimes falls on the wrong side of that divide. This has been a continuing liability for him.

But Tuesday night felt different. Cruz not only appeared presidential, at times he exuded a genuinely calm, caring demeanor. When he spoke of his sister, whom he tragically lost to heroin addiction, the voters got a look into the soul of a man who, while tremendously ambitious and self-assured, has also suffered, lost and struggled.

02:54 - Source: CNN
CNN Reality Check team inspects GOP candidates claims

If there is a missing component to Cruz as a candidate, it is in his ability to project empathy, to connect with people, to make it seem like he understands their problems, and to show some scars, too.

Finally, after months of debates, countless campaign stops and endless interviews, GOP voters were able to see Cruz as a guy who, if not the most obvious choice for a beer and a friendly chat, wouldn’t be a half-bad one if you gave him a chance.

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 25: A bird lands on Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders podium as he speaks on March 25, 2016 in Portland, Oregon. Sanders spoke to a crowd of more than eleven thousand about a wide range of issues, including getting big money out of politics, his plan to make public colleges and universities tuition-free, combating climate change and ensuring universal health care. (Photo by Natalie Behring/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 25: A bird lands on Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders podium as he speaks on March 25, 2016 in Portland, Oregon. Sanders spoke to a crowd of more than eleven thousand about a wide range of issues, including getting big money out of politics, his plan to make public colleges and universities tuition-free, combating climate change and ensuring universal health care. (Photo by Natalie Behring/Getty Images)
Natalie Behring/Getty Images North America/Getty Images

Bernie Sanders is this year's biggest story

As for the front-runner: Trump had what was, for him, a standard night. He showed his usual showman’s command of the stage, with memorable one-liners and a few truly funny moments. When Cruz misspoke and said he was from Florida, Trump later corrected the record with a quip that Cruz was from Texas, “or maybe Canada” – a schoolyard taunt, but an amusing one nonetheless.

It was Anderson Cooper, however, who landed the biggest verbal haymaker of the night. His “that’s the argument of a 5-year-old” line, in response to Trump’s dubious claim that Cruz went negative and involved spouses in the campaign first, was a near knockdown blow. And this was part of a broader theme for the evening.

President-elect Donald Trump has been in the spotlight for years. From developing real estate and producing and starring in TV shows, he became a celebrity long before winning the White House.
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
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President-elect Donald Trump has been in the spotlight for years. From developing real estate and producing and starring in TV shows, he became a celebrity long before winning the White House.
Trump at age 4. He was born in 1946 to Fred and Mary Trump in New York City. His father was a real estate developer.
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.
Trump at age 4. He was born in 1946 to Fred and Mary Trump in New York City. His father was a real estate developer.
Trump, left, in a family photo. He was the second-youngest of five children.
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.
Trump, left, in a family photo. He was the second-youngest of five children.
Trump, center, stands at attention during his senior year at the New York Military Academy in 1964.
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Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library
Trump, center, stands at attention during his senior year at the New York Military Academy in 1964.
Trump, center, wears a baseball uniform at the New York Military Academy in 1964. After he graduated from the boarding school, he went to college. He started at Fordham University before transferring and later graduating from the Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania's business school.
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library
Trump, center, wears a baseball uniform at the New York Military Academy in 1964. After he graduated from the boarding school, he went to college. He started at Fordham University before transferring and later graduating from the Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania's business school.
Trump stands with Alfred Eisenpreis, New York's economic development administrator, in 1976 while they look at a sketch of a new 1,400-room renovation project of the Commodore Hotel. After graduating college in 1968, Trump worked with his father on developments in Queens and Brooklyn before purchasing or building multiple properties in New York and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Those properties included Trump Tower in New York and Trump Plaza and multiple casinos in Atlantic City.
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Trump stands with Alfred Eisenpreis, New York's economic development administrator, in 1976 while they look at a sketch of a new 1,400-room renovation project of the Commodore Hotel. After graduating college in 1968, Trump worked with his father on developments in Queens and Brooklyn before purchasing or building multiple properties in New York and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Those properties included Trump Tower in New York and Trump Plaza and multiple casinos in Atlantic City.
Trump attends an event to mark the start of construction of the New York Convention Center in 1979.
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Trump attends an event to mark the start of construction of the New York Convention Center in 1979.
Trump wears a hard hat at the Trump Tower construction site in New York in 1980.
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Trump wears a hard hat at the Trump Tower construction site in New York in 1980.
Trump was married to Ivana Zelnicek Trump from 1977 to 1990, when they divorced. They had three children together: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.
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Trump was married to Ivana Zelnicek Trump from 1977 to 1990, when they divorced. They had three children together: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.
The Trump family, circa 1986.
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The Trump family, circa 1986.
Trump uses his personal helicopter to get around New York in 1987.
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Trump uses his personal helicopter to get around New York in 1987.
Trump stands in the atrium of the Trump Tower.
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Trump stands in the atrium of the Trump Tower.
Trump attends the opening of his new Atlantic City casino, the Taj Mahal, in 1989.
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Trump attends the opening of his new Atlantic City casino, the Taj Mahal, in 1989.
Trump signs his second book, "Trump: Surviving at the Top," in 1990. Trump <a href="http://www.trump.com/publications/" target="_blank" target="_blank">has published</a> at least 16 other books, including "The Art of the Deal" and "The America We Deserve."
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
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Trump signs his second book, "Trump: Surviving at the Top," in 1990. Trump has published at least 16 other books, including "The Art of the Deal" and "The America We Deserve."
Trump and singer Michael Jackson pose for a photo before traveling to visit Ryan White, a young child with AIDS, in 1990.
Photos: Donald Trump: America's 45th President
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Trump and singer Michael Jackson pose for a photo before traveling to visit Ryan White, a young child with AIDS, in 1990.
Trump dips his second wife, Marla Maples, after the couple married in a private ceremony in New York in December 1993. The couple divorced in 1999 and had one daughter together, Tiffany.
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Trump dips his second wife, Marla Maples, after the couple married in a private ceremony in New York in December 1993. The couple divorced in 1999 and had one daughter together, Tiffany.
Trump putts a golf ball in his New York office in 1998.
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Trump putts a golf ball in his New York office in 1998.
An advertisement for the television show "The Apprentice" hangs at Trump Tower in 2004. The show launched in January of that year. In January 2008, the show returned as "Celebrity Apprentice."
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
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An advertisement for the television show "The Apprentice" hangs at Trump Tower in 2004. The show launched in January of that year. In January 2008, the show returned as "Celebrity Apprentice."
A 12-inch talking Trump doll is on display at a toy store in New York in September 2004.
Photos: Donald Trump: America's 45th President
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A 12-inch talking Trump doll is on display at a toy store in New York in September 2004.
Trump attends a news conference in 2005 that announced the establishment of Trump University. From 2005 until it closed in 2010, Trump University had about 10,000 people sign up for a program that promised success in real estate. <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2016/03/08/news/trump-university-controversy-donald-trump/" target="_blank">Three separate lawsuits</a> -- two class-action suits filed in California and one filed by New York's attorney general -- argued that the program was mired in fraud and deception. Trump's camp rejected the suits' claims as "baseless." And Trump has charged that the New York case against him is politically motivated.
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
Bebeto Matthews/AP
Trump attends a news conference in 2005 that announced the establishment of Trump University. From 2005 until it closed in 2010, Trump University had about 10,000 people sign up for a program that promised success in real estate. Three separate lawsuits -- two class-action suits filed in California and one filed by New York's attorney general -- argued that the program was mired in fraud and deception. Trump's camp rejected the suits' claims as "baseless." And Trump has charged that the New York case against him is politically motivated.
Trump attends the U.S. Open tennis tournament with his third wife, Melania Knauss-Trump, and their son, Barron, in 2006. Trump and Knauss married in 2005.
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
AFP/Getty Images
Trump attends the U.S. Open tennis tournament with his third wife, Melania Knauss-Trump, and their son, Barron, in 2006. Trump and Knauss married in 2005.
Trump wrestles with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania in 2007. Trump has close ties with the WWE and its CEO, Vince McMahon.
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Trump wrestles with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania in 2007. Trump has close ties with the WWE and its CEO, Vince McMahon.
For "The Apprentice," Trump was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2007.
Photos: Donald Trump: America's 45th President
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For "The Apprentice," Trump was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2007.
Trump appears on the set of "The Celebrity Apprentice" with two of his children -- Donald Jr. and Ivanka -- in 2009.
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Trump appears on the set of "The Celebrity Apprentice" with two of his children -- Donald Jr. and Ivanka -- in 2009.
Trump poses with Miss Universe contestants in 2011. Trump had been executive producer of the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants since 1996.
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Trump poses with Miss Universe contestants in 2011. Trump had been executive producer of the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants since 1996.
In 2012, Trump announces his endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
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AFP/Getty Images
In 2012, Trump announces his endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
Trump speaks in Sarasota, Florida, after accepting the Statesman of the Year Award at the Sarasota GOP dinner in August 2012. It was shortly before the Republican National Convention in nearby Tampa.
Photos: Donald Trump: America's 45th President
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Trump speaks in Sarasota, Florida, after accepting the Statesman of the Year Award at the Sarasota GOP dinner in August 2012. It was shortly before the Republican National Convention in nearby Tampa.
Trump appears on stage with singer Nick Jonas and television personality Giuliana Rancic during the 2013 Miss USA pageant.
Photos: Donald Trump: America's 45th President
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Trump appears on stage with singer Nick Jonas and television personality Giuliana Rancic during the 2013 Miss USA pageant.
In June 2015, during a speech from Trump Tower, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/16/politics/donald-trump-2016-announcement-elections/" target="_blank">Trump announced that he was running for President.</a> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/28/politics/donald-trump-the-apprentice-presidential-campaign/" target="_blank">He said he would give up</a> "The Apprentice" to run.
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
Christopher Gregory/Getty Images
In June 2015, during a speech from Trump Tower, Trump announced that he was running for President. He said he would give up "The Apprentice" to run.
Trump -- flanked by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, left, and Ted Cruz -- speaks during a CNN debate in Miami on March 10. Trump dominated the GOP primaries and emerged as the presumptive nominee in May.
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
Rhona Wise/AFP/Getty Images
Trump -- flanked by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, left, and Ted Cruz -- speaks during a CNN debate in Miami on March 10. Trump dominated the GOP primaries and emerged as the presumptive nominee in May.
The Trump family poses for a photo in New York in April.
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
Nancy Borowick for CNN
The Trump family poses for a photo in New York in April.
Trump speaks during a campaign event in Evansville, Indiana, on April 28. After Trump won the Indiana primary, his last two competitors dropped out of the GOP race.
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
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Trump speaks during a campaign event in Evansville, Indiana, on April 28. After Trump won the Indiana primary, his last two competitors dropped out of the GOP race.
Trump delivers a speech at the Republican National Convention in July, accepting the party's nomination for President. "I have had a truly great life in business," he said. "But now, my sole and exclusive mission is to go to work for our country -- to go to work for you. It's time to deliver a victory for the American people."
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
John Moore/Getty Images
Trump delivers a speech at the Republican National Convention in July, accepting the party's nomination for President. "I have had a truly great life in business," he said. "But now, my sole and exclusive mission is to go to work for our country -- to go to work for you. It's time to deliver a victory for the American people."
Trump faces Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/26/politics/gallery/first-presidential-debate/index.html" target="_blank">the first presidential debate, </a>which took place in Hempstead, New York, in September.
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Pool/Getty Images
Trump faces Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the first presidential debate, which took place in Hempstead, New York, in September.
Trump apologizes in a video, posted to his Twitter account in October, for vulgar and sexually aggressive remarks he made a decade ago regarding women. "I said it, I was wrong and I apologize," <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/07/politics/donald-trump-women-vulgar/index.html" target="_blank">Trump said,</a> referring to lewd comments he made during a previously unaired taping of "Access Hollywood." Multiple Republican leaders rescinded their endorsements of Trump after the footage was released.
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
Donald Trump/Twitter
Trump apologizes in a video, posted to his Twitter account in October, for vulgar and sexually aggressive remarks he made a decade ago regarding women. "I said it, I was wrong and I apologize," Trump said, referring to lewd comments he made during a previously unaired taping of "Access Hollywood." Multiple Republican leaders rescinded their endorsements of Trump after the footage was released.
Trump walks on stage with his family after he was declared the election winner on November 9. "Ours was not a campaign, but rather, an incredible and great movement," he told his supporters in New York.
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Trump walks on stage with his family after he was declared the election winner on November 9. "Ours was not a campaign, but rather, an incredible and great movement," he told his supporters in New York.
Trump is joined by his family as he is sworn in as President on January 20.
Photos: Donald Trump's rise
Mary Calvert for CNN
Trump is joined by his family as he is sworn in as President on January 20.

To any open and fair-minded viewer, Trump did nothing to allay skepticism of his temperament as that of a would-be commander in chief. For all his grandiose talk about winning and hyper-capitalist braggadocio, there is something petty and small about how Trump handles his critics. This is nothing new, but when he mocks the looks of a political opponent’s wife, and then denies that was his intent, he looks deeply unpresidential.

For voters who are not already diehard Trump fans, such antics make Trump appear less a man who is proud of his accomplishments and more like one who is constantly overcompensating for his shortcomings. That’s the sort of revelation that, if it caught on with the electorate as widespread perception, could be the difference between victory and defeat for The Donald.

corey lewandowski trump campaign manager arrested serfaty dnt lead_00021027.jpg
corey lewandowski trump campaign manager arrested serfaty dnt lead_00021027.jpg

How strong is the case against Trump's campaign manager?

As for John Kasich, he had his own hour to make his case to the voters; five minutes would have sufficed. Sure, he can’t win mathematically, and yes, he is far too liberal on issues like immigration for the conservative base to even consider him. Kasich seems well aware of his precarious position.

His pitch remains that he has done a good job as governor of Ohio, he is about as controversial as the color beige, and his father was a mailman, so he knows the working man’s struggle. According to the Kasich fantasy narrative, eventually the GOP will realize it has lost its way and at the convention, it will cast out its demons by handing over the nomination to a guy who has won one state.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

An N.Y. debate with Sanders: What's risk for Clinton?

Fat chance, but as Kasich would probably insist, that’s a chance nonetheless.

What will be the impact of Tuesday night’s town hall? Wisconsin will tell the tale soon enough. GOP Wisconsinites can solidify Trump as the front-runner, or finally prove that Cruz wins in head-to-head matchups in key states.

This may create momentum for the winning candidate that eventually leads to the nomination, one way or another. But when those votes are counted next week, we may well look back at Tuesday night and realize that a few key moments on the town hall stage helped turn the tide.

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