CNN gets HUGE numbers for Republican debate

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1 in 7 Americans tuned into last night's GOP debate, which looks to be a new record
Frontrunner Donald Trump has made presidential politics must-see TV
Last night's debate received three times more viewers than Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton's face-off in January 2008, the former top watched

By Nikki Schwab, U.s. Political Reporter For Dailymail.com

Published: 12:59 EST, 17 September 2015 | Updated: 12:59 EST, 17 September 2015

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Donald Trump's foray into presidential politics made last night's Republican debate must-see TV.

'These are NFL-level ratings,' wrote CNN about the Simi Valley, California GOP debate the network hosted. 'Affirming that the Donald Trump fueled Republican debate slate is one of the most popular television shows of the year.'

The debate looks to have set a new record with early numbers suggesting that 20-plus million people watched the GOP slugfest, which translates to one in seven Americans with televisions tuning in.

Donald Trump helped pull in HUGE numbers, possibly a record, for the GOP presidential debate last night at the Reagan library in Simi Valley, California

Early numbers suggest that more than 20 MILLION may have tuned into last night's GOP debate at the Reagan library

Carly Fiorina proved that she deserved to be on the main debate stage by providing some of the most colorful and tender moments

The numbers are still subject to adjustments, but previously the most-watched CNN debate was in January of 2008, after then-Sen. Barack Obama had beaten Hillary Clinton in the Iowa caucuses and she then defeated Obama in the New Hampshire primary.

That presidential debate averaged just 8.3 million viewers, compared to 24 million live viewers during the first GOP debate this cycle, on the generally more-watched Fox News.

Frontrunner Trump was clearly a main draw – and he delivered, zinging the other candidates like Rand Paul, who he mocked for his curly hair.

'I never attacked him on his look,' Trump said initially. 'And believe me there's plenty of subject matter,' he said.

Carly Fiorina was also considered a must-watch, as the former Hewlett-Packard CEO had been relegated to the kids' table debate in August for low polling numbers.

Last night was her debut on the main debate stage and she provided some of the most newsworthy moments.

For one, Fiorina hit Planned Parenthood hard for the recent controversy over videos that showed employees talking about selling fetal body parts.

'I dare Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, to watch these tapes,' Fiorina said. 'Watch a fully-formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking, while someone says we have to keep it alive to harvest its brain.'

She pushed her fellow Republicans in Congress to pass legislation to defund the group and send it to the president's desk. 'This is about the character of our nation,' she said. 'If you will not stand up and force President Obama to veto this bill, shame on us.'

Even Donald Trump said that Jeb Bush seemed more 'high energy' during CNN's Republican debate last night. Bush prodded Trump on some of their recent tiffs and defended his brother George W. Bush's record

Fiorina also gave Donald Trump one of the best responses of the evening – by saying absolutely nothing.

'I think she's got a beautiful face, and she's a beautiful woman,' Trump had said, responding to comments he previously made about Fiorina's looks, but then walked back and said he was speaking about her 'persona.'

She stood stone-faced when he offered her the compliment.

Fiorina also spoke personally about drug addiction.

'I very much hope I am the only person on this stage who can say this, but I know there are millions of Americans out there who will say the same thing,' Fiorina said. 'My husband Frank and I buried a child to drug addiction.'

Fiorina's step-daughter Lori died in 2009.

'I agree with states' rights,' she said. 'But we are misleading young people when we tell them that marijuana is just like having a beer. It's not.'

Jeb Bush, who Trump has lambasted for being a 'low energy' candidate, proved he had more zip, and even the Donald agreed.

Bush admitted onstage to smoking pot in his youth during the same conversation about drugs.

'So, 40 years ago, I smoked marijuana, and I admit it. I'm sure that other people might have done it and may not want to say it in front of 25 million people,' Bush said. 'My mom's not happy that I just did.'

One in seven Americans with televisions tuned in to hear the 11 GOP candidates talk about everything from ISIS to what woman they'd put on the $10 bill

Chris Christie's campaign may see a bump, after the governor called out his fellow candidates at times for talking too much about themselves and not the American people

And speaking of family, Bush also defended his brother's record, when Trump smacked it.

'Your brother – and your brother's administration gave us Barack Obama, because it was such a disaster, those last three months, that Abraham Lincoln couldn't have been elected,' Trump said.

Bush wasn't having it.

'You know what? As it relates to my brother, there's one thing I know for sure – he kept us safe,' Bush said. 'He sent a clear signal that the United States would be strong and fight Islamic terrorism, and he did keep us safe.'

Beyond frontrunner Trump, former frontrunner Bush and new kid on the block Fiorina, Chris Christie's campaign looked a little more alive.

The New Jersey governor was once considered a top-tier candidate for 2016 before the 'bridgegate' scandal left him politically damaged.

At one point he shushed both Trump and Fiorina as they yakked back and forth about their careers, saying jobless Americans don't care.

'You're both successful people,' Christie said. 'Congratulations.'