Some final thoughts on last week’s debates between the GOP presidential candidates. First and foremost, Carly Fiorina clearly demonstrated she belongs on stage with the first-tier candidates. Her performance in the 4 p.m. “JV” debate was strong enough to overshadow the others on the stage, including former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. She can’t match their political experience, but she showed she has vision.

“We need a leader who will lead the resurgence of this great nation and unlock its great potential once again,” she said.

And she’s unafraid to go after Hillary Clinton.

“Hillary Clinton lies about Benghazi, she lies about emails,” she said. “She still defends Planned Parenthood and she’s still her party’s front-runner… 2016 is going to be a fight between conservatism and a Democratic Party that is undermining the very character of this nation.”

Donald Trump, on the other hand, shouldn’t be put on a Republican stage again. Any candidate who won’t commit to supporting the party’s eventual nominee is unworthy of that party’s consideration. His threat to run as a third-party candidate, if he doesn’t get his way, is both immature and reckless.

Many other qualities render Trump a disaster of a candidate. The way he speaks to women is abhorrent.

“You once told a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice it would be a pretty picture to see her on her knees. Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president?” panelist Megyn Kelly pointed out during the debate. “You’ve called women you don’t like fat pigs, dogs, snobs and disgusting animals.”

“What I say is what I say,” he responded. “And honestly Megyn, if you don’t like it, I’m sorry.”

This is a pattern he reinforced after the debate, when he endorsed a tweet calling Kelly a “bimbo” for asking tough questions.

Unless something seismic happens in the Democratic primary, the eventual GOP nominee will be running against a woman. Trump’s attitude and his choice of language is ready-made ammunition for the Democrats’ claim of a Republican “war on women.” The GOP doesn’t need that.

For her part, Ms. Kelly has been taking some criticism for being tough on candidates. But it’s disingenuous for conservatives to complain when the media only lobs softballs to Democrats such as President Obama, and also complain when Republicans are hit with the heat.

We should want all candidates to face the tough questions. It’s a big part of how we choose who should hold office.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie should have to explain why his state’s credit rating underwent numerous downgrades, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush should have to explain his support for Common Core – a massive educational power grab from Washington.

If one of these candidates wins the nomination, and eventually the general election, he or she will soon be face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other world leaders hostile to U.S. interests.

A few tough questions from the press won’t seem so harsh then.