CINCINNATI -- Carly Fiorina's performance in the second Republican prime-time presidential debate is turning heads among some undecided GOP activists in swing-state Ohio.
A sampling in a Republican stronghold area finds that the former CEO is getting added to lists of potential favorites. Activists praise the command of issues and confident debating style displayed by the former head of Hewlett-Packard on Wednesday night.
OP-ED: Kasich was a wallflower
Warren County GOP chairman Ray Warrick said a post-debate straw poll at a tea party group's watch party put Fiorina at the top. Veteran conservative Lori Viars in Warren County said she plans to learn more about Fiorina's track record as she makes up her mind about the crowded field.
Attracting early support from such activists can help contenders start building their Ohio campaigns for 2016.
GALLERY: Young Republicans pack Montgomery Inn to watch
Fiorina wasn't even supposed to be on stage for CNN's debate, and yet in many ways, she dominated it -- especially in the first hour. CNN revised its rules and added an 11th podium so Fiorina could take part in the main event after her strong performance during the first undercard debate last month.
Fiorina made her mark as one of the strongest foils to Trump, who has led Republican presidential preference polls throughout the summer. She sharply outlined her approach to foreign policy and engagement with Russia, citing the importance of knowing the name of General Qassem Suleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, an elite military unit in Iran. Trump hadn't known his name in an interview a few weeks ago.
RELATED: Who lied in GOP debate?
In another exchange, she turned Trump's own words into a retort of his insult about her personal appearance, after he called out former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush for trying to walk back comments he'd made about not needing to fund women's health care.
"You know, it's interesting to me," Fiorina said. "Mr. Trump said that he heard Mr. Bush very clearly in what Mr. Bush said. I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr. Trump said."
It was a quip that drew the night's first loud ovation from the audience at the Reagan library.
Fiorina's impact faded during the debate, which went on for three hours, but she commanded the first half -- when the television audience was likely the most engaged.
CONTINUE READING: 5 key takeaways from GOP debate
