Ted Cruz Ping! If you want on/off this ping list, please let me know.
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CRUZ or LOSE!
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.
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Some Fox News "questions"
(Watch videos at link)
Agreed except they were not tough questions as much as it was an attack.wallace and kelly are leftist and nothing more.
Bush > Trump?
Sorry, but I can’t see how Trump was #1 in this exchange by any objective measure. (Won’t call it a debate.)
“I’ve been Cruz-Walker for a while, but I would also love Cruz-Carson.”
Cruz needs to take a picture with Fiorina and leak it to the media. Hillary will be gone the next day.
The questions were not Constitutional in nature. The whole debate was absurd and disgusting. Two mamby pamby men and one silly woman asking the most ridiculous anecdotal baseless questions. The Republic is done. Its over. I predict we will have a brutal dictator ruling us within 10 years.
Strategically, I think Rubio makes the best V.P. choice.
Rubio is a RINO... clear concise completely.. to the bone..
He needs to get nowhere near the Presidency..
He can be a turncoat.. sneakier than John McLaim.. smarter than Linda Gramnesty..
Has no idea that democrats are traitors.. ALL OF THEM..
Wears a bipartisan Hat..
Being bipartisan with TRAITORS.. is also Treason..
Therefore Rubio IS A TRAITOR.. a poseur.. shill.. mole..
I actually didn’t think anyone put in a really amazing performance. The debate didn’t have the energy of when Gingrich, Santorum and Romney were really going at it 4 years ago. No answer here came close to getting a standing ovation. Gingrich really made everyone step up their game last time and it doesn’t look like we’re going to see any of that energy this time.
Cruz - smooth, reliable, unflappable but lacking in passion
Huckabee - relaxed, confident but his canned gag lines were a little annoying
Walker - clear spoken, but a little stiff
Bush - seemed confident and at ease, but spinning hard to defend his conservative credentials
Rubio - not much more than Obama-style emotionalism, vague promises without much policy
Kasich - seemed unfocused and not well-defined in his views
Christie - went full “Peter King” in his assertion that we need to spy on everybody to find the bad guys
Trump - mumbled, stumbled and lost his cool, talked more about himself than about ideas
Paul - seemed like he might be on drugs
Carson - totally unpresidential, has no command of the issues
Cruz was the giant on the stage.
Cruz has the intelligence, vision and strength to do all the things that conservatives want a President to do.
I am firmly convinced that Ted Cruz would lead America back from the Obama abyss.
Trump did fine in tbe debate considering the bombing he was enduring. His behaviour afterwards has me questioning if I could ever support him. He had it in the bag for enduring the media bias (fhe polls) but he needs to get a grip and recognize what it means to be king of the mountain.
Whining and temper tantrums is very unbecoming, to most men anyway.
His temperment is in question as far as I am concerned. If he thought the moderators were his friends he is just plain too naive to be president.
I would have like to have heard more from Cruz last night. I liked what I did hear. I’m still undecided.
“Paul - seemed like he might be on drugs”.
Paul needed some drugs. Perhaps Xanax would have helped.
He and Bush need to go home.
Trump had 67%.
Let that sink in.
Paul seemed amped up and it flowed all the way out to his hair. No one with that haircut will ever get elected President. I know it’s a superficial thing but that doesn’t make it less true.
Trump won the debate in the same way a star football player who yells, “ROCKY MOUNTAIN FOOTBALL RULEZZZZ!” at commencement has the “best speech.”
Has anyone charted how many question each candidate had?
Cruz had 4 I believe.
I thought the format sucked with the individual separate questions to each candidate.
What a bunch of crap.
That would bd a problem for all of them though, as Cruz would have mopped the floor.
Cheers!
Team Spirit!
Gooooh team!
Ted Cruz 2016
I agree with the exception that I think Kasich and Bush both performed a bit better. I can’t remember if it was Rush or Back who pointed out that to a low information voter who isn’t familiar with Bush’s weaknesses on many issues, Bush probably looked very good.
No, Bobby, you’re wrong. Trump was the only one who was smart enough not to fall into the trap. He didn’t play FOX’s game. He told the truth which is what the people want to hear.
Ted Cruz Ping!
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