The inaugural Republican presidential primary debate, aired Aug. 6, is still being debated a week later. Who won? Who lost? Were the questions fair? Did the debate change any voters’ minds? Did we learn anything new about the candidates?

I can’t recall watching a more thrilling political debate. Instead of softball questions and prepared answers, we got unpredictability and excitement. And the Fox News Channel drew more than 24 million viewers, a presidential primary debate record. From the first question to the final statements, the debate gripped viewers, reframed the core Republican issues at stake and cast Fox News as a source for all Americans.

Fox moderators Brett Baier, Megyn Kelly and Chris Wallace asked the candidates tough questions. The questions for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky about the interplay of national security and personal privacy; for Gov. John Kasich about gay marriage; for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker about abortion exceptions; and for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush about his support for Common Core in education and his brother’s role in Iraq were specific and tough, but also fair.

Each of these candidates has an — excuse the pun — “elephant” in the room. Yet through their responses, the candidates proved they are articulate, thoughtful, competent and downright presidential.

The Republican Party was another big winner. Sean Spicer, the Republican National Committee’s communications director and chief strategist, negotiated fair terms for the debate. And the format set a high bar not only for future Republican debates, but also for the Democrats’ debates. Isn’t it better for everyone if the toughest questions are brought to light early in the presidential cycle?

Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton should be questioned about using her personal email for state business, doing favors for foreign companies that supported the Clinton Foundation, charging six-figure speaking fees and her shadow staff living large off the foundation. Her chief rival for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, will surely be asked about how an avowed socialist would rearrange wealth. And absent the candidacy of Vice President Joe Biden, the lack of other serious candidates will raise issues about the depth and breadth of talent in the Democratic Party.

The American public won big, too. Over the course of two hours of the GOP debate, they heard about the state of the U.S. economy, immigration reform, the lead-up to the Iraq war and social issues, such as abortion and gay marriage.

The compelling family immigrant story of Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, the folksy preachiness of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, the tough foreign-policy stance of Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and the video interjection of the razor-sharp views of former corporate executive Carly Fiorina from the so-called “second-tier” debate earlier in the evening gave us insights into the thinking and personality of each candidate.

Americans concerned about the flood of money in politics should welcome this type of debate. It was a prime example of how tough questions and considered-but-candid answers — as opposed to costly attack ads — can form and affirm our views of each candidate.

I learned something new about everyone in the debate. I grew to further appreciate Bush’s intellect, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson’s life experience and keen wit, and Kasich’s practical approach to governing. The debate reaffirmed for me the strength of the Republican Party. The candidates were strong, thoughtful and cared about our national future. Each and every candidate appeared presidential, strong and studied on the big issues. With one exception.

Donald Trump did not provide answers of substance or present a clear vision for our nation’s future. His responses were evasive or farcical. Ship out an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants and then let them return legally through a “big, beautiful door” — really? He “bought” Mrs. Clinton, so she would come to his wedding? He didn’t hurt investors with his four bankruptcies? Trump clearly had not prepared for substantive questions and did not expect to be asked about his past. His failure to prepare or respond with anything but a Bernie Madoff-like “trust me” is an indication of the type of president he would be.

Democrats understandably love Trump. While Trump is unlikely to win the Republican nomination, his consideration of an independent run would likely help the eventual Democratic nominee.

Even if Trump does not run independently, his mere presence on the debate stage reminds the huge segment of Americans who don’t identify closely with either party that there is a wing of the Republican Party that is unsympathetic to the real issues minorities and women face.

As such, some Democrats welcome Trump’s candidacy, just as many non-Trump Republicans now have a new appreciation for President Obama’s relative equanimity, diligence and more considered approach to problem solving.

Though Trump’s bumbling debate performance was pathetic, the businessman knows the best defense is a good offense. So, Trump trumped the debate results by attacking Fox co-moderator Kelly for hurling questions that were too tough. He whined that he was a victim of an unfair attack to recast the story. And when at first his attack didn’t work, he upped the ante with vile, sexist attacks on Kelly and a boycott of Fox News.

Trump continues to get airtime. He made the rounds on the Sunday shows — except Fox. By Tuesday, his network boycott — and the death threats from Trump supporters to Kelly — was somehow enough for the network to mend fences with Trump, at the expense of the network’s own talent.

In short, then, last week’s debate was a big win for everyone involved — even for Trump. And there’s still plenty of time before the election, so the debate’s long-term impact — a more unified country willing to take on and discuss big issues — may be even more distinct and profound.

Gary Shapiro is president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, the U.S. trade association representing more than 2,000 consumer electronics companies, and author of the New York Times best-selling books, Ninja Innovation: The Ten Killer Strategies of the World’s Most Successful Businesses and The Comeback: How Innovation Will Restore the American Dream. His views are his own. Connect with him on Twitter: @GaryShapiro