The third Republican presidential debate was more placid than the first two, even as candidates traded numerous barbs. With the economy as the theme Wednesday night, the 10 candidates were in general agreement that growth is sluggish, rising just 1.5 percent during the third quarter, due to government splurging, paid for with high taxes and runaway debt. They also blasted the moderators from host network CNBC for asking biased questions.

The debate demonstrated a strong contrast with the Democratic presidential candidates, who in their first debate two weeks ago called for multiple new government programs paid for by higher taxes. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky set the tone, "I want government so small I can barely see it."

All the candidates favored tax cuts, while differing in their approaches. Sen. Marco Rubio championed cutting taxes, especially for middle-class families, by increasing personal deductions. The flat tax was popular with Ben Carson, who called for a single income tax rate "closer to 15 percent," while for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz it was 10 percent.

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush said he wants to cut all income tax rates, with the top rate dropping to 28 percent from 39.6 percent. Donald Trump also would cut and simplify tax rates, with the top rate dropping to 25 percent.

When questioned about whether his plan would create even bigger deficits, Mr. Trump replied that "the economy would take off like a rocket" and generate enough revenue to close any gap, an attitude taken by the other candidates for their plans.

All candidates insisted that the national debt, currently $18 trillion, needs to be cut. Ohio Gov. John Kasich touted his accomplishment in the late 1990s of producing the last federal budget surplus when he headed the House Budget Committee.

In sum, despite CNBC's inept moderation, this was a substantive debate that provided voters with much information. The contrast between Democratic and Republican candidates is sharper than in many elections. But some of the 10 GOP candidates need to drop out before the next debate, Nov. 10, so the top contenders can be questioned more thoroughly.

REPRINTED FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER