Carpenter: Lackluster Debate Freezes Race

Conservative Review ^ | January 29th, 2016 | Amanda Carpenter

[KeyLargo]

Lackluster Debate Freezes Race Amanda Carpenter January 29th, 2016

This may be the first GOP presidential debate without any consequences.

Perceptions from before and during the debate remain after. Donald Trump is far away from the pack, churning furiously away in his own universe. Ted Cruz is his closest competitor in orbit, with Marco Rubio behind. Elsewhere in the sky are Jeb Bush, Rand Paul, Ben Carson, John Kasich, and Chris Christie fighting to be seen by the voters. sans Trump.

Without Trump present, the debate was a series of questions, exchanges, and canned lines we've all heard before. The fault was not with the candidates; it was with the moderators. Tired questions received tired answers. It was apparent that Fox News missed Donald Trump, showcasing just how dependent the media has become on him during this presidential cycle.

The Fox moderators simply struggled to create contrast and find new angles to the issues sans Trump.

The best part of the debate was a warmed rehash of exciting moments from previous debates. There was another back and forth between Cruz and Rubio over the Florida senator's ill-fated Gang of Eight bill. Christie, in a predictable retort, complained again that the conversation the senators were having was too senatorial. (While, it's worth noting, never bothering to explain what his own position on amnesty is.)

One new development: The immigration discussion led Rubio to make an accusation about Cruz that was booed. Paul questioned Cruz's "authenticity" and Rubio followed up. "This is the lie that Ted's campaign is built on, and Rand touched upon it. That he's the most conservative guy and everyone else is a RINO," Rubio said, using an acronym for "Republican in name only."

[KeyLargo]

"The Fox moderators simply struggled to create contrast and find new angles to the issues sans Trump."

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Interesting to hear what a Trumpless Debate is like - positive and negative.

Trump brings interest and energy to this race. Without him, it sounds routine.

It also tends to show the participants as the 7 dwarfs.

I consider it the single best Presidential race in my lifetime.

[Maceman]

I thought it was one of the best debates I’ve seen. The questions were hard, and I thought all of the participants did very well.

I know the Cruz haters (unbelievable to me that any conservative could hate him) will trash his performance, but I thought he was straight-forward and brilliant as always.

I thought Rubio did really well, but since I don’t trust him on immigration, I wouldn’t vote for him in a primary even if it mattered who I vote for (since I live in a terminally BLUE state).

I think not having Trump there made it one of the more substantive debates that I’ve seen.

[KeyLargo]

"Trump brings interest and energy to this race. Without him, it sounds routine."

Yep,

[silly.kerry.trix.are.for.kids]

Agree. I thought it was a great debate.

[KeyLargo]

January 29, 2016, 09:37 am
Trump-less debate is second-lowest rated of the primary

By Harper Neidig

https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/267497-trump-less-debate-is-second-lowest-rated-of-the-primary

[pgkdan]

I consider it the single best Presidential race in my lifetime.

I'm with you there. Trump is breaking all the rules and winning. Winning because he's breaking the rules that nearly all GOP candidates have withered under.

[skeeter]

I agree but substance is not what people want, apparently.

It drives me nuts to hear the sock puppets talk about how well guys like Rubio did when all he did was deflect tough questions by saying how he was gonna kick ISIS arse, Same old stuff.

BTW Trump wasn't exactly fresh at the last debate as well. Same old crap.

Its not anyones fault, there are too many of these things.

[Hostage]

You probably know that the best lawyers are in private practice because that’s where the rewards and freedom are found. The best do not volunteer or seek to be judges because that’s where mediocrity exists and the reward is pathetic. Can you imagine how our courts could be improved if some of our best lawyers were willing to become judges?

You might know that the best professors are tenured faculty because that’s where the respect is. The best do not volunteer or seek to become Deans because that’s where mediocrity exists and the respect is lacking. Can you imagine how our universities could be improved if some of the best professors were willing to become Deans?

You should know that the best doctors are in private practice because that’s where the greatest effects are seen. The best do not volunteer or seek to become Medical Directors because that’s where mediocrity exists and the effects are negative. Can you imagine how our clinics and hospitals could be improved if some of our best doctors were willing to become directors to command the respect of all other doctors while setting higher standards?

Now can a similar paragraph be written for politicians?

This is the best election of our lifetime because Donald Trump had to step ***down*** to get in the ring with a slew of disingenuous mediocre persons who are all talk and no action.