GOP debate: Trump, Rubio, Cruz and Kasich get out of the mud and focus on substance

What happened to my weekly mud wrestling? Has ultimate fighting been banned from the Republican debates?

I have watched each week with disgust and amazement as the Republican debates just got deeper into the mud. As Donald Trump has landed Mike Tyson-type blows on his opponents and not just knocked them to the ground but kicked them a couple of times for good measure.

So when Trump said at the 30 minute mark on Thursday night "So far I cannot believe how civil it’s been up here," I shared his sentiments. Were Republicans really going to debate substance rather than fire off insults?

I kept thinking how long can this last? There would have to be a kick, a punch, an elbow, maybe even a bite on the ear. But no, it was four guys on the stage, staying calm, arguing points in a quiet, articulate manner. This was a real debate, that actually looked presidential. It was like watching the Daytona 500 NSCAR race with no car wrecks. It was almost boring. But not really. There was real substance. And real arguments delivered with passion!