Posted on 09/20/2015 6:46:43 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
For those who played youth or school sports, you possibly had to wait outside a coach’s office door after tryouts for the posting of who made the team and who was cut. The same could be true if you tried out for the school play, or cheerleading squad. Who made it, and who didn’t?
The GOP fielded an 11-player squad Wednesday night in the latest presidential candidate debate. While that is enough to field a football team, it is time for some cuts. I’m not a coach or director, but nonetheless, I am posting my cuts.
Sen. Rand Paul you and your 1 percent are cut.
Gov. Mike Huckabee, you are a fair tax proponent, and I like that and I like you and your staunch conservatism, but you are just not cutting it, so you are cut.
Gov. John Kasich, you seem like a decent, intelligent person, but frankly you bore me. You’re cut.
Gov. Scott Walker, see the above comment, and you’re cut.
Gov. Rick Perry, thanks for cutting yourself. It saved me having to break the news to you that you are cut.
Gov. Chris Christie, you were set to be cut, but you had a pretty strong showing and stepped it up Wednesday. You can stay for now.
That leaves us with a first-string squad of Donald Trump, Dr. Ben Carson, Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. Ted Cruz, Christie and Carly Fiorina. We don’t have a quarterback named yet, but we are getting a little closer to making that decision. We will have to make some more cuts first.
While I thought the CNN format and the way it was orchestrated was a bit of a mess and intended to lead candidates into personal attacks, especially to draw in and exploit Trump – a few finally caught on and tried to halt it – perhaps it served to help differentiate them. It certainly played some into The Donald’s hands, but also backfired on him as he seemed to tone it down some as the evening progressed, especially after Fiorina’s well-played retort when asked about Trump’s comment about her. His response came off heart-hearted and insincere, at best.
I thought a lot of clarity and definition came when the forum finally turned to substantiative questions on domestic and foreign policy matters. Strengths and weaknesses were shown and I thought this is where Carson suffered and, while he tends to be running second behind Trump in most polls (as of this writing) I expect his under-performance Wednesday will affect his poll numbers. Carson was not strong Wednesday and showed some lack of knowledge and skill on the foreign policy questions. He shrunk during that portion of the debate, I thought. I was glad to learn he is reconsidering his flat tax position and is open to reconsidering the fair tax plan.
The biggest impression was made, I thought, by Fiorina. She showed she belongs on the big boy stage after she was placed at the kiddie table in a previous debate, back when there were 72 Republican candidates. She was “Fiery Firoina” Wednesday, not backing down to Trump or anyone else while showing the former corporate CEO has strategic, decisive ideas and plans for dealing with America’s problems within and outside its borders.
She threw down the gauntlet on Hillary Clinton and liberals with her remarks about Planned Parenthood. I thought a debate with Trump and Clinton would make for the best theater, but now I am not sure I wouldn’t rather see Fiorina take on Clinton (if she becomes the Democratic candidate.)
I expect Fiorina to rise more in the polls and take Carson’s place as a high-level choice among conservative Americans looking for someone outside the GOP and political establishment.
Cruz was steady and handled himself well in the time he had to speak and answer questions, and he is popular with the Tea Party folk, and strong in his defiance of Obama on many issues, so he is going to at least hang in there for a while longer, anyway.
I love Bush 41 and Bush 43, but I am not real big on Jeb. He is not the most conservative candidate by far, nor am I ultra-conservative, but he just isn’t energizing me (yes, that was an intentional pun for those who watched the debate) to get behind Bush 3.0.
Another winner for me on Wednesday night was Rubio. He interests me more and more, especially because I was surprised to learn, based on an online survey I completed, that he is the candidate most aligned with my thoughts, ideas and choices. The more I hear from him, the more I understand that survey’s result. He is strong, articulate, intelligent, knowledgeable, confident and has a firm grip and understanding of domestic and international issues and challenges. He is my second big winner Wednesday behind Fiorina.
Then there is The Donald. He couldn’t wait five seconds before taking a swipe at someone, though I thought his dig at Rand was pretty funny and spot on. What is a guy polling that low doing on the stage?
Every time Trump launches a new verbal volley or insult at some one or group, pundits and pollsters start predicting his demise. Yet, so far, nothing is fazing him or affecting his popularity. In fact, the more he talks, the stronger he seems to get.
I want to like Trump because I think he might just be the person this country needs to turn us around, to get our economy going, bring jobs and business investment back to the U.S. I think he would put together great teams of people and I think that kind of mind and business savvy is what we need. He is right on many things, especially that we are an ignorant, stupid and naive nation in many ways.
I don’t believe he is a racist, nor a feminist, but he is arrogant and you do have to wonder about his tongue and temperament. If he could build some statesmanship to go with that business brain we would really have something in Trump. Why he feels the need to toss out the insults, I don’t know.
Of all the things he has said, the one I most disliked was when talking about Sen. John McCain. I am no big political fan of McCain, but that man is a national hero. For Trump, who desires to be commander in chief, to say he doesn’t like soldiers who get caught ... well, I am not a veteran or a former POW, so I will let those men and women decide how to take that, but to me that is perhaps the most out-of-line comment he has made. That is saying something.
On Wednesday, Trump was able to capitalize more on his position on immigration and birthright citizenship. Many, many people agree with him, and he says the things a lot people think, but don’t dare say publicly. Has he gone too far with it at times? Yes, but obviously Donald is going to be Donald. If you are Latino and here legally as a full citizen, or your papers are in order, and you are obeying laws and doing the right things, then why would you be insulted? His comments are obviously not directed at you. In fact, I would think you should be aiming your frustrations and dislike on those who are not legal and here committing crimes. Of course, this nation has a crime problem that involves far more than illegal immigrants. Still, Trump is striking a chord with a lot of people on this issue.
I am being drawn more to the political outsiders in the GOP race. So are a lot of you, apparently. Many people in this nation are tired of trotting in and out the same old politicos who either do the same old things with a wink here and a nod there, or let someone like Obama come in strip freedoms, implement terrible ideas like ObamaCare, endanger our security with deals like the one he has made with Iran while damaging our relationships with our allies while kowtowing to our enemies. We may never undo the damage eight years of Obama will eventually leave behind.
Myself, and many of you, are ready for someone new to turn this nation around or we are going to be in some real trouble and soon. I think it is going to take an outsider with a sharp and skilled mind like Trump or Fiorina, though I am keeping Rubio and Cruz in my mix, who talk tough and back it up with tough and decisive action and sound decision making. As Trump says, we need to make this nation great again. It is that, or else, and what is currently taking place is sending us in the wrong direction. If it isn’t stopped, we and Americans for generations to come will pay dearly.
Lindsey Graham was whining about [fill in the blank].
FioRino is drawing Hillary-like crowds, so I don’t buy the poll numbers.
Trump continues to draw them wherever he goes.
Until other candidates can do the same, they are also-rans.
I didn’t know that ... but it’s not necessarily a gay characteristic that’s weird about him, hard to put a finger on.
Bingo!
Personally, I cut all Governors from the beginning. They can run but they are not under consideration by me.
I think Gilmore was told he would not be allowed to take part (even in the “kids’ table” debate).
That’s a counterintuitive position. Governor is regarded as the closest thing to President and thus the best qualifier.
Walker (who’s out I’m sure you’re heard) and Jindal were 2 of the best choices imo.
The other Governors though, no.
The problem with Governors is that they have to deal with the real world, which inevitably ends up involving compromise. Yes, that’s also true for Presidents. I would rather start with a President who doesn’t come up into office already compromised. Then he or she might be trusted to uphold conservative principles for most of a full term before the certain sellout comes. Under no circumstances should a conservative President seek a second term. They should pass the torch to another principled leader.
Now that's an interesting take. Given how 2nd terms for GOP Presidents usually go and those 6th year midterms.
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