Last Thursday, ten candidates leading the Republican Primary took the stage in Ohio to discuss key issues facing our nation. Political analysts will continue to argue over the winners and losers in the days to come, likely without any consensus. However, the first debate of the presidential race had several implications for one of the most atypical political races our generation has ever seen. Here are some of the key takeaways that some might have missed:

REPUBLICANS CAN'T MAKE UP THEIR MINDS ON TRUMP

Somehow - against all conventional models of political behavior - Trump's shenanigans have not caused a horde of angry Americans to run him out of the country. Instead, The Don came into the debate riding a two month lead as Republican voters' "first pick", while paradoxically also being rated as one of the most hated candidates. The reception the businessman received from Ohio residents reflected a voter base that can't decide if Trump's no-filter, no-apologies approach makes him the maverick Washington needs, or just a horrible person. When Trump incited a chorus of boos before the debate even started for threatening to run as an independent (which would almost certainly hand the election to a Democrat), it appeared certain the billionaire's campaign would self-destruct as the night went on. However, his quips against Rand Paul and sexist remarks against women somehow elicited cheers and laughter from the audience. Initial post-debate polls showed that the number of Republicans who thought Trump won the debate remained consistent with his prior favorability ratings, suggesting that Donald neither gained nor lost any fans Thursday night. So, despite a valiant effort by debate moderator Megyn Kelly and the GOP establishment to the contrary, the circus continues - with no clear end in sight.

SCOTT WALKER FAILS TO CAPITALIZE ON STRONG SUPPORT

The Wisconsan governor came into Thursday night's debate with impressive support. Although he only held the third highest "first pick" numbers in the field in mid-July, he held a firm lead in net favorability rating - a metric that suggests a candidate's likelihood to draw voters from candidates who drop out later in the race. Based on his position as one of the race's front runners, Walker should have entered the evening with confidence and aggression on full display. Instead, Scott Walker looked like he wasn't sure where he was or how he got on stage, but really liked everything all those other guys were saying. Viewers watched as he answered each question with a goofy grin, and emphatically nodded in agreement any time another candidate spoke - no matter who was speaking or what was being said. Rather than cementing his image as a conservative champion against unions and government waste, Governor Walker instead closed out the evening by calling himself "a guy with a wife, two kids, and a Harley." In a Primary field of 17 candidates, reliance on the "Good Ol' Boy" appeal won't get Walker very far this election, or in future debates.

CHRISTIE GAINS LEGITIMACY FROM HEATED EXCHANGE, PAUL FALLS FURTHER

There were few instances of fiery back-and-forth between the candidates on stage, who instead directed most of their attacks toward the not-present Hillary Clinton and President Obama. This was perhaps a disappointment for many in the audience, who hoped the debate would help identify a dominant figure in an overcrowded field. However, sparks did temporarily fly between New Jersey governor Chris Christie and Senator Rand Paul. The Senator voiced his mistrust of the executive branch's data collection under the controversial PATRIOT Act, and called out Christie for hugging Obama in the wake of Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Not one to turn the other cheek, Christie hit back by highlighting his role fighting domestic terrorism as a former US attorney immediately following September 11th, and stating that the only hugs he remembered giving were the ones to families affected by the terrorist attack. He also chastised the Senator for "ridiculous" answers and making grandoise speeches to raise campaign money rather than fighting to protect American lives. Although both candidates scored points with their own supporters during the heated exchange, Christie's performance during the rest of the night established him as the clear victor and sent a message to fellow Republicans to tread lightly when challenging the governor. Rand Paul, on the other hand, never recovered and spent the rest of the night as a background player, a major setback for an already struggling campaign.

THE CANDIDATE WHO BENEFITTED THE MOST WASN'T EVEN THERE

Prior to Thursday night, a majority of Republican voters likely had not heard Carly Fiorina's name mentioned since she first announced her candidacy. Poor name recognition and a failure to make a splash in the media relegated the former Hewlett-Packard executive - and only female Republican candidate - to obscurity, and shut her out of the prime time debate. The low-key event for those who failed to make the cut usually goes without much notice, but in a primary cycle that seems to be breaking all of the rules, may have skyrocketed Fiorina to a position as the top serious contender. Not only were political analysts and media types unanimous declaring her dominance in the debate, but her performance has also impressed a wave of new donors. Expect to hear a lot more from her campaign in the coming months; much to the chagrin of The Donald, the spotlight may unexpectedly be shifting towards one of the primary's least likely contenders.