With his "viral video" line about the liberal media being the Democrats' super PAC to his deft handling of Jeb Bush's attacks, Sen. Marco Rubio won the night, MSNBC analysts agreed in a special Hardball:

Indeed, Rubio may well find himself in the "front tier" of the race, having "made a lane" for himself, former RNC chairman Michael Steele told host Chris Matthews:

Video: Fmr RNC Chairman Steele: Rubio "created a lane for himself" to move to "front tier" in race. #cnbcgopdebate pic.twitter.com/FI2ytN9tCb

— Ken Shepherd (@KenShepherd) October 29, 2015

MTP Daily host Chuck Todd seemed to agree, adding that if Rubio eventually secures the GOP presidential nomination, we could look back on tonight as the beginning of that process:

Video: @chucktodd: Rubio won and if he becomes nominee, we'll say it all started at #CNBCGOPdebate tonight. pic.twitter.com/wHW4zWKJyO

— Ken Shepherd (@KenShepherd) October 29, 2015

As for Jeb Bush, Rubio handed him his worst day on the campaign trail since the former Florida governor started running, Steve Schmidt noted. He had him "flat on his butt" with his deft handling of Bush's attack:

Steve Schmidt: Rubio gave Bush most "devastating moment" of his campaign, a "knock out" blow in #CNBCGOPdebate pic.twitter.com/iCKtQG47BQ

— Ken Shepherd (@KenShepherd) October 29, 2015