INSTAPUNDIT (Glenn Reynolds) polled his readers for preferences both before and after Thursday's first Republican debate. Here's the pre-debate preference poll:

Now here's the post-debate poll, and be prepared for a surprise.

Carly Fiorina gained 19 points, to 35% from 16%. Scott Walker lost 17 points, down to 23% from 40%. Of the remaining candidates, Rubio was up 3%, Perry down 3%, and the other candidates barely moved.

I've been impressed with Fiorina from the get-go; now I'm even more impressed. She has the potential to be England's Margaret Thatcher and America's Ronald Reagan all rolled into one.

[Update] And Golda Meir, the former Prime Minister of Israel; I forgot her.