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Donald Trump Turned the GOP Debate Into a Cage Match
Slate ^ | Feb. 14 2016 | Jamelle Bouie

Posted on 02/14/2016 9:48:44 AM PST by xzins

If you watched Thursday's Democratic presidential debate, you saw a calm, wonky, and civil discussion between two presidential candidates. If you watched Saturday's Republican debate, you saw the opposite. You saw a brawl. And the instigator -the man who turned a debate about leading the country into a cage match - was Donald Trump.

If you were watching the Republican debate to get a read on policy and plans, you were disappointed. The entire occasion - all two hours - were consumed by this death match of a presidential debate. With that said, this night of combat wasn't a waste. No, it didn't illuminate anything about the candidates, but it did tell us something about the Republican Party. Even now, as it fights to win a term in the White House, the GOP is unwilling to deal with the legacy of the Bush administration. For everyone but Trump, there is nothing to apologize for and nothing to change. Bush, in their view, took the right steps.

This is where Trump has an advantage. His Bush-bashing may fall short with conservative Republicans, but more moderate Republicans - and even conservative independents - might back Trump's take on the Iraq war and the legacy of George W. Bush. Indeed, if he wins the nomination, Trump's vocal disagreement with Republican orthodoxy on Iraq will stand as an asset, not a liability.

For all of his anger and vulgarity, Trump understands what the GOP (as an institution) doesn't. Americans may want a Republican in November, but they don't want a return to the Bush years. The party doesn't want Trump's "common sense conservatism" on these issues, but it might be what it needs.

(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2016debates; cage; sc2016; trump; war
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1 posted on 02/14/2016 9:48:44 AM PST by xzins
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To: All

Trump can bash Hillary for voting for the Iraq war and can’t be taken to task by anyone.

He just did more general campaign preparation.


2 posted on 02/14/2016 9:49:44 AM PST by xzins (Have YOU Donated to the Freep-a-Thon? https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: xzins

Doesnt matter. Go Trump.


3 posted on 02/14/2016 9:50:40 AM PST by joesbucks
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To: xzins
I didn't watch the debate except for the last few minutes. Why is a Republican repeating Democrat talking points like blaming GWB for 9/11?

Trump may have 35% of the party of his side, but does he think the other 65% will be won over by insulting everyone else? Or is his goal to destroy the Republican chances in November to ensure a Democrat victory?

4 posted on 02/14/2016 9:51:31 AM PST by Verginius Rufus
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To: joesbucks

So much for Trump not really wanting the job.


5 posted on 02/14/2016 9:52:07 AM PST by central_va
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To: joesbucks
South Carolina poll out today.
6 posted on 02/14/2016 9:52:37 AM PST by GilGil
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To: central_va

It’s what works for him.


7 posted on 02/14/2016 9:53:29 AM PST by joesbucks
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To: Verginius Rufus

Trump didn’t support the war that we ARE STILL IN.


8 posted on 02/14/2016 9:54:14 AM PST by xzins (Have YOU Donated to the Freep-a-Thon? https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: joesbucks

...calm, wonky, civil discussions...
As per the article gave us Barack Hussein Obama and the inherent problems he has left us saddled with now and in the future. It is time for a fight. A big fight for America.


9 posted on 02/14/2016 9:54:59 AM PST by Sasparilla (Hillary for Prosecution 2016)
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To: xzins

Trump closing at debate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgFSFrgdWgc


10 posted on 02/14/2016 9:55:01 AM PST by biggredd1
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To: xzins

All that matters was that Trump fought for his ground.

His beliefs, his loyalty. To America.


11 posted on 02/14/2016 9:55:12 AM PST by Daniel Ramsey (You don't have to like Trump, his enemies certainly don't.)
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To: xzins

Yup. I agree. He continues to set the stage. Rather reminds me of Dan Morgan at the battle of Cowpens when he took out Tarleton, Cornwallis’s number one guy. I am beginning to regard the Republican party much like Cornwallis. WTP have another revolution going on . Go Trump!


12 posted on 02/14/2016 9:55:19 AM PST by Mollypitcher1 (I have not yet begun to fight....John Paul Jones)
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To: Mollypitcher1

We have a picture of Cowpens on our family room wall.

Wife’s great-great-great (great) grandfather fought there.

We’ve walked the battlefield a couple of times. Excellent visit. I recommend it.


13 posted on 02/14/2016 10:00:53 AM PST by xzins (Have YOU Donated to the Freep-a-Thon? https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: xzins

G.W.Bush still has 80% approval rating in SC.

Trump just hosed himself!


14 posted on 02/14/2016 10:01:04 AM PST by Beagle8U (Don't settle for Bill de Blasio's NYC 'values'.)
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To: xzins
If you watched Thursday's Democratic presidential debate, you saw a calm, wonky, and civil discussion between two presidential candidates. If you watched Saturday's Republican debate, you saw the opposite. You saw a brawl.

No bias, here. Nope.

Bias = Layoffs

15 posted on 02/14/2016 10:01:21 AM PST by IncPen (There is not one single patriot in Washington, DC.)
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To: Beagle8U

Nope. I know the military. They think this war has been fought by politicians and they are tired of the BS.


16 posted on 02/14/2016 10:01:53 AM PST by xzins (Have YOU Donated to the Freep-a-Thon? https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: xzins

I thought the worst moment in the debate was Jeb and Kasich talking over each other, almost yelling, and then Kasich backing out and preaching about positivity.

But that ridiculous and useless exchange was apparently missed by the K St pundits.


17 posted on 02/14/2016 10:03:09 AM PST by BlueNgold (May I suggest a very nice 1788 Article V with your supper...)
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To: xzins

That, of course, explains all of this, doesn’t it?

A check of the results of 10 major post 2/13 debate polls show that Donald Trump won all 10 by huge margins. These polls of course, are polls of the people, not news pundits and Republican Party leaders. Even Glen Beck’s (who is a Trump hater) poll had Trump winning handily. His margins ranged from 45% (The Blaze) to 79% (The Street) saying he won the debate. As Joe Friday used to say, Just the facts, maam, just the facts. The only reason I am sending this, is because you would have no idea listening to the pundits this morning. The truth needs to be published. You can Google these yourself. And these figures are thousands and thousands of people voting.
Here they are by Poll: All Trump; The remaining % were divided between the other 5 candidates which ranged from 3% to 22%.
Drudge—56%
Right Scoop—70%
Fox 5—71%
The Blaze—45%
Time Magazine—66%
Syracuse—75%
The Street—79%
Conservative Firing Line—78%
Wall Street Journal—70%
Fox 31—63%


18 posted on 02/14/2016 10:03:39 AM PST by Dick Bachert
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To: xzins

We’ll see next Sat.


19 posted on 02/14/2016 10:03:41 AM PST by Beagle8U (Don't settle for Bill de Blasio's NYC 'values'.)
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To: IncPen

It’s “Slate”. Of course they’ll side with a liberal, but at the same time, they’re right every now and then. And they are right about Trump positioning himself for the general election.

He can blast Mrs. Clinton for a number of things...he just added that war to his list.


20 posted on 02/14/2016 10:03:56 AM PST by xzins (Have YOU Donated to the Freep-a-Thon? https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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