My take on Wednesday night’s CNN presidential debate from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library was that it was very similar to the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood children’s story: There was a lot of huffing and puffing, but very little substance.

I’ve never considered myself a political intellectual or scholar, but Donald Trump’s entry into the Republican presidential race and his soaring approval rating seems to affirm the country’s overall displeasure with Washington and politicians in general.

It’s my opinion that “The Donald” has captured America’s attention by his blustery promises to fix everything wrong in the country, from illegal immigration to the Iran Deal to crime. He has yet to list any specific plan to correct many of the problems, but few other presidential candidates have either. Of course, Obama has done nothing to try and correct these ills.

I think Trump was the winner of August’s first debate. But I believe other Washington outsiders like former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and Dr. Ben Carson gained ground on Trump after their strong performances Wednesday. Sen Marco Rubio also did well. Fiorina was unafraid to spar with Trump over anything that was brought up and her boldness has to score her points. She actually left Trump speechless after she responded to Trump’s comments about her appearance. That was the first time I’ve seen Trump at a loss for words.

I was impressed with Fiorina’s response as to how she would build up America’s defenses. She was specific when she talked about how many Army battalions, naval warships and Marine units would be needed to properly build up the country’s defense and get it up to speed.

Carson seems to go with the flow and is unruffled by any question put to him or any criticism.

My thinking is that the candidates spent way too much time attacking fellow Republicans and not enough bashing Hillary Clinton. Anybody who has done what Clinton has allegedly done with those e-mails and servers would have been in prison a long, long time ago. See Gen. David Petraeus.

In 2011, Petraeus was unanimously confirmed as the CIA Director upon his retirement from the Army. Gen. Petraeus eventually pled guilty to one count of mishandling classified information, a misdemeanor. FBI and Justice Department prosecutors had recommended bringing felony charges against him for allegedly providing secret information to his mistress.

It just seems to Clinton believes she can get away with anything. So far, she has. It is that arrogance that will eventually cost her and land her in prison. I believe she and her husband are of the belief that the law of the land doesn’t apply to them like it does to everybody else.

I’m sure CNN’s ratings went through the roof from the debate. Network promises of exchanges among the candidates were delivered, though not as fiery or as intense as I’m sure the network would have wanted.

I don’t know what everybody else thinks, but I believe the Oct. 13 Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas will put insomniacs to sleep. Bernie Sanders, Martin O’Malley, Clinton and a few lesser-knowns just don’t seem to have that pizazz. Of course, Vice President Joe Biden has yet to announce. His possible entry into the race says Democrats are desperate and think Clinton is damaged goods. He does seem to have a problem of sticking his foot in his mouth all too often.

What are your overall thoughts on the debates?

Randy Hammons is a staff writer with the Daily News. He can be reached by calling 985-732-2565 or by email at randy.hammons@bogalusadailynews.com.