December Democratic debate: A lot of winners and one clear-cut loser

“Debates like tonight’s are going to make our nominee — whoever it is — much stronger for the general election when they have to face Donald Trump,” Koch said. “Whoever gets on the debate stage with Trump — if he shows up — is going to need to have a stiff backbone and not just able to dish it back but actually connect with voters and nights like tonight will be essential to making sure that happens.”