Story highlights Todd Graham says that Ted Cruz failed to differentiate himself from Donald Trump on important issues

If you want to beat Trump in a debate, you've got to attack his worst ideas, Graham says

Todd Graham is director of debate at Southern Illinois University. His teams have won national championships for three years, and he's been recognized twice as the national debate coach of the year. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

(CNN) Ted Cruz's debating skills are overrated. There. I said it.

Over. Rated.

Cruz made tactical errors Thursday night. Basic stuff. He failed to differentiate himself from Donald Trump on important issues, and the arguments he started, he lost. That's right: The "supposed" best debater (just look on his mantle for his national champion debating trophy), got beaten in every exchange with one of the worst debaters I've ever seen. So either Trump is getting better (which I must admit he is) or Cruz's reputation is overstated (which it is).

Todd Graham

Don't get me wrong: Trump made a lot of ridiculous and questionable statements again last night in the debate. My two favorites were: "People come in, they live...they shoot," (I can't help but laugh every time I read that line), to "the police are the most mistreated people in this country." Really? Not Native Americans? African Americans? Muslim Americans? Anyone with the "wrong" skin color? The disabled? Heck, what about women? I understand policing is a vital and dangerous job, but calling them the most mistreated people in our country is outlandish.

So if you want to beat Trump in a debate, you've got to attack his worst ideas. I mean, how hard could that be? Apparently, it's like answering the puzzle of Schrodinger's cat for poor Ted Cruz.

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