Huck sure did have me going! I wasn't sure who he was talking about.
Posted on 08/07/2015 1:16:43 PM PDT by HomerBohn
The first Republican presidential debate is now in the books, and there is plenty to talk about. From a bizarre line of opening questions to, at times, combative exchanges, the debate had a little bit of everything. Did Donald Trump maintain his front-runner status? Did anyone pull off a surprise? Several candidates shined in the spotlight, and when it was all said and done, the biggest loser was Fox News.
As the debate was about to start, the Fox News team of Bret Baier, Megyn Kelly, and Chris Wallace seemed almost giddy. It was a strange tone, as if they were the stars, and they were about to have fun grilling the candidates. When they fired off their first question, it was obvious that it was a "ratings moment."
The moderators asked all candidates to raise their hand if they would not pledge at that moment to support the eventual GOP nominee. Donald Trump was the only one on stage who raised his hand and thus he brought instant attention to himself, but not in a good way. This was not the way to start a debate, and it was only one of a series of questions that were put forward in a negative light. It seemed most unprofessional, especially from Kelly and Wallace, and it definitely got the attention of several conservative observers.
Trump, to his discredit, could have handled the whole debate much better. The opening pledge was a set-up, and he fell right into it. He could have done much better by not raising his hand. Of course, the moderators (Kelly and Wallace) would probably have focused on Trump directly, and asked him, "Mr. Trump, you are saying that you will support the nominee?" Then, all Trump had to do was recite what he has already said about supporting the nominee if the process is fair... if he is not targeted by the GOP estabishment (which it appears he was). Then, there would be no talking point.
As far as winners and losers, here's a brief review, followed by an overall list.
Donald Trump -- He lost ground right from the beginning, and as much as people like his no-nonsense approach, he seemed testy rather than presidential. He scored good points for sticking to his "the system is broken" message, but didn't seem to grasp foreign policy.
Ted Cruz -- He definitely gained ground and was the winner in my book. Cruz was able to answer every single question with a direct and thoughtful answer. He said exactly what he would do, and he presented his opinions in a way that voters could understand.
Scott Walker -- Ditto for Scott Walker, but not quite to the level of Ted Cruz.
Jeb Bush -- By dodging the Common Core topic and emphasizing some conservative talking points, he certainly appealed to the casual voter. There's no doubt he did a good job as governor, but his statements over the years regarding immigration and education show that he's not a conservative. However, since we are just focusing on this debate, he did a solid job of addressing the issues without revealing his true nature.
Chris Christie -- Christie was strong and forceful and was never really faced with questions that would reveal his moderate disposition. The questions he faced allowed him to appear strong (especially regarding terrorism), and he acquitted himself well.
Rand Paul -- Paul was combative from the beginning. At first it appeared that he was just going after Trump, but he focused his attacks on others too.
John Kasich -- Kasich, now the governor of Ohio, had a definite home field advantage. (The debate took place in Cleveland.) He did a good job of highlighting what he's done for Ohio and also what he did back when he was House budget chairman. If people don't remember the time when we actually had balanced budgets, Kasich did a good job of reminding them.
Mike Huckabee -- Huckabee was the real surprise of the evening. He injected humor at just the right times, and was able to answer questions in a very thoughtful manner. He came across and knowledgable and certainly able to be president. His highlight came when he started to talk about a particular candidate and produced a laundry list of negatives. He made it appear that he was talking about Trump, but then said "Hillary Clinton" at the end. Nice.
Ben Carson -- Carson delivered the best closing of any candidate, and he lived up to his reputation of being a kind and caring individual. That's how he came across on stage. Unfortunately, he also came across as if he were in over his head, often glancing down to make sure he hit on a particular stat or talking point.
Marco Rubio -- Again, here is a candidate that really focused on the positives of his message and his background while masking what many people believe: that he is not a true conservative on immigration and other issues. He's the next round of the GOP establishment, but as far as the debate, he didn't hurt himself and probably helped his cause.
So, what's your ranking? Ready to disagree? Here's mine from top to bottom:
Cruz
Walker
Christie
Huckabee
Kasich
Rubio
Bush
Trump
Paul
Carson
Based on the way Carly Fiorina performed in the earlier candidate forum (basically recognized as the clear winner), Carson may have to vacate his position to make room for her.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next debate, and it's my hope that we will have some professional moderators. These juvenile questions and apparent agenda do not sit well with me at all. Has Megyn Kelly become the new Candy Crowley? Let the candidates go after each other. It's not the job of the moderators to attack.
----
Some Fox News "questions"
(Watch videos at link)
With the exception of Baier, the other two seemed, at times, smarmy. Listing to Wallace made me remember his cruel, asinine comment to the vey honorable Michelle Bachman, "Are you a flake?"
It was clear to me from the outset that Megyn's primary mission was to go after Trump.
Cruz-Walker wouldn’t be a bad ticket.
Yeah, I didn’t bother to watch. I might still go back and watch it, but I don’t know.
Voila!
My thinking as well!
They could've at least tried to conceal their expressions.
I would go— 1-Trump 2-Kasich 3-Cruz 4-Carson 5-Huckabee 6-Rubio 7- Christie 8-Walker 9-Bush 10-Paul
Trump has been saying that if the GOPe froze him out, he would consider running third party. He raises his hand to be truthful, and this ass-hat trashes him for it.
And of course if he didn't raise his hand, this ass-hat would have been calling him a liar.
The subsequent comments were just blather.
These writers are worthless.
I’ve been Cruz-Walker for a while, but I would also love Cruz-Carson.
Rush noted today that of the roughly hour and forty minutes devoted to the 'debate', thirty-one minutes and change went to Kelly.
Hope the Trumps took a batch soon afterwards. Alone...
Cruz-Walker wouldn’t be a bad ticket.
I agree, Walker lifted his appeal to me..
Maybe as Veep... not as Prez..
A clear winner in this debate.. i.e. Walker...
Cruz did as expected.. clear, concise.. cogent as always..
Walker added value..
It was Cruz-Walker.. stole the show.. all others were pap copy..
Christy was rice-cake.. i.e. no taste, round, crunchy.. weak..
Bush was a Weed.. in a garden..
Congrads to Fox on asking tough questions. We need to whittle down this oversized field. Whoever can’t take the heat needs to get out of the kitchen. Shoot ‘em all with everything we got. The strongest one is the one left standing.
Carson Surpise repartee’...
Journalist cease to be journalist when the story become about themselves. Rule 1 Journalism 101.
I didn’t think Walker did all that well, and I had Walker at the top of my list before the debate. OTOH, I was very impressed with Cruz. Statesman like.
I am left with the impression that Cruz can handle ANY question and will win a lot of voters from the squishy middle. I think we are looking at a GREAT president.
Kasich had home field advantage. He lost me at his attendance at a gay wedding and the whole gay marriage unintelligible blurb.
Christie is a pure RINO. Paul’s attack on Christie was appropriate.
What foreign policy questions were asked of Trump???
My ranking is Trump was the winner...Cruz second and Huckabee was third...The rest of them repeated exactly the same things we've been hearing for the last 40 years in the Presidential debates...Except for the brain surgeon...
I'm wondering if Rubio has bionic ears...
Strategically, I think Rubio makes the best V.P. choice. I actually think a female candidate is a liability. Lots of people won’t vote for a female president, including women. So let Hillary have that liability, don’t put Fiorina on the ticket thinking she counteracts Hillary somehow. Rubio is an appealing candidate to women, one of the often successful strategies for choosing a Veep. He makes the ticket more latino. He can give vapid, uplifting speeches that would do the ticket no harm. He can shore up the swing state Florida.
Rush said others were asked by major contributor to go after Trump. Their obvious use of women make this even more significant
In the early segment (so he couldn’t get his 30.second response) Carly attacked Trump
She is funded by the company that Trump recently had conflict with and dropped him.
Her comment was regarding trumps relationship (phone call) donating money to Clinton’s
It seems she too has quite a history with foundation. Is she also receiving money from them. FOX set her up with extra time etc and sure enough she soared. Trump would be petty to respond to this “sweet” deceptive female.
Picture at link
“Congrads to Fox on asking tough questions.”
Tough questions okay, biased against mainly only one of the candidates, Donald Trump, no. That sucks.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.