Wow! The Aug. 6 Fox News Republican primary two-part debate was unlike anything we recall seeing in our lifetime. It was a no-holds-barred approach designed to focus on the 17 candidates’ best (and worst) traits, and it delivered.

Moderators Megyn Kelly, Bret Baier and Chris Wallace came out swinging from the very start, asking questions that many of the candidates would probably have preferred they hadn’t been asked to answer, criticizing their past votes and change of positions, their misstatements, and noting some of their personal faults. The three had done their homework — big time — and offered viewers a debate that was far from ho-hum.

Most of the 17 candidates for the GOP nomination are keenly aware that voters nationwide are angry with Washington, critical of the lack of progress in solving pressing problems and not happy with some of the decisions that have been made. While it’s still very early, it looks like voters are already paying special attention to the 2016 candidates, which may explain why 16 percent of American households reportedly tuned in to the debate, compared to only 5 percent four years ago.

It’s anyone’s guess who will emerge as the Republican and Democratic nominees, but Fox gave us a great opportunity to see the GOP candidates at their best, as well as areas where they’re more vulnerable. The moderators hit the candidates with provocative questions, more so than any debate we can remember in recent history, and an estimated 24 million viewers now know a lot more about them than they did before.

Candidates revealed hints of temper, a sense of humor, and sometimes an uncomfortable feeling that their backs were against the wall. We also saw fine examples of knowledge, common sense, integrity and poise, all intended to help familiarize us with their credentials before the 2016 election.

There were some good, and not so good, communicators in the crowd, including high praise for the lone female candidate who didn’t even make the top 10 evening debate.

We’re confident that many voters have now narrowed down the field to a few favorites on whom they will more than likely focus their attention in the weeks ahead.

We all owe Fox a debt of gratitude for giving us a great debate. We look forward to the next one as well as the first Democratic debate scheduled for Oct. 13. The Aug. 6 presentation will be a hard act to follow.