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)
It was clear to me from the outset that Megyn's primary mission was to go after TrumpIt looks like it worked for this pinhead at GOPUSA.
KELLY: Governor Walker, in February you said that we needed to gain partners in the Arab world. Which Arab country not already in the U.S. led coalition has potential to be our greatest partner?
WALKER: What about then, we need to focus on the ones we have. You look at Egypt, probably the best relationship we’ve had in Israel, at least in my lifetime, incredibly important.
You look at the Saudis — in fact, earlier this year, I met with Saudi leaders, and leaders from the United Arab Emirates, and I asked them what’s the greatest challenge in the world today? Set aside the Iran deal. They said it’s the disengagement of America. We are leading from behind under the Obama-Clinton doctrine — America’s a great country. We need to stand up and start leading again, and we need to have allies, not just in Israel, but throughout the Persian Gulf.”
Then Scott Walker was asked about Iran: “To me, you terminate the deal on day one, you reinstate the sanctions authorized by Congress, you go to Congress and put in place even more crippling sanctions in place, and then you convince our allies to do the same. This is not just bad with Iran, this is bad with ISIS. It is tied together, and, once and for all, we need a leader who’s gonna stand up and do something about it.”
What does it mean, “This is not just bad with Iran, this is bad with ISIS. It is tied together . . .”
Baier and Wallace are slapping each other on the back on O’Reilly tonight.
I noticed he’s wearing glasses and wonder if it’s due to his finally deciding how he’s the father of seven kids and taking decisive action.
Poor Mario.
Next thing I know they’ll be calling him Dumbo.
I agree on that ridiculous story Kasich weaved about going to his friend’s homosexual wedding. Perhaps he had to go since he was selected by his friend as Matron of Honor.
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...
With even the very small amount of time he was able to squeeze in some responses to the actual issues, he trumped everyone...
Bush criticized his tone of speech...Oh brother!!! Christians being beheaded and you are worried about tone of speech???
Washington is broke, people are dying, and all you can talk about is how much money you supposedly saved Florida 10 years ago???
Obama just gave Iran permission and the financial means to build nukes, put them on ballistic missles that will reach America...Obama just gave Iran the financial means to recruit terrorists in the U.S...And you are worried about my tone of voice??? Knowing these things, it's Bush's and everyone else's tone of speech that is disgusting...
Illegal aliens are killing innocent American citizens and you say we just got to love them all and give them citizenship...WHERE'S THE OUTRAGE??? Trump and plenty of us Americans have the outrage...
That's why Don Trump and Ted Cruz won with the American people...
Bobby, bobby, bobby...... it’s 2015. It’s not your father’s Oldsmobile
you know not of what you speak
-——This was not the way to start a debate-——
It was precisely to start the discussion between to candidates and the questioners
Both sides got what they needed
I like Trump’s ability to speak directly, but at the debate, he offered no specifics save “I’ll build a wall.” Every other response was a nod to how awesome he is.
I suspect that in addition to Trump's poll numbers having gone up, the other reason the MSM didn't release their flash polls after the debate is that they would all show that Cruz got a big bump up while jebtard! took a yoooge dive.
None of the candidates did...Except maybe the old, tired, 'we need to fix the IRS'...Which no one has fixed in 50 years...Or, we need to fix the border, which no one is really going to fix...At least they were given the opportunities to speak...All of Trump's time was used to defend the personal attacks on himself...
I heard at least two specifics on that topic for sure: 10% flat tax and consumption tax.
If I’m not mistaken, I believe I also heard one candidates suggested eliminated the department of education.
Cruz’s closing statement was a list of special ific things he would do upon taking office.
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