GOP Presidential Candidate Carly Fiorina Wins GOP 'Happy Hour' Presidential Debate: Pundits

Although many eyes were on GOP presidential frontrunner, businessman Donald Trump, last night during the FOX News debate, Lorton resident and fellow GOP presidential candidate Carly Fiorina was also making headlines.

Fiorina was the clear winner Thursday night in the “happy hour” debate between the Republican party’s secondary presidential candidates, according to pundits.

Fox News hosted the two debates Thursday night.

The ”happy hour” debate featured the candidates who ranked lower in national polls in the crowded field of 17 Republican candidates.

That earlier debate included Fiorina, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

Fiorina’s prowess in the early debate was touted by:

• The Washington Post said: “Interest in her spiked early and continued to grow shortly after the debate ended.”
• MSNBC said: “Carly Fiorina Emerges as Fan Favorite After ‘Happy Hour’ Debate
• Fox News: “Carly Fiorina Cuts Through the Clutter at First Republican Debate”
• Slate: “Carly Fiorina Won the Preliminary Debate. It Wasn’t Even Close”

The former Hewlett-Packard head and California Senate candidate Fiorina and her husband, Frank, bought a six-bedroom, ten-bath Colonial on Gunston Road in Lorton in 2011 for $6.1 million. On 5 acres, the waterfront house has a pool, wet and dry steam rooms, a theater, an exercise room, and a hot tub. It listed for $7.8 million.

PHOTO of GOP presidential candidate Carly Fiorina from her campaign Web site