Posted on 08/13/2015 6:17:34 AM PDT by Kaslin
While the Republican National Committee might have limited the number of debates in this season's primary process, the candidates' performances during the first debate ensured that they would still carry great weight. With Donald Trump as the current leader of the field, this might be considered the first reality-TV primary.
The first Republican debate for the 2016 nominee was held last week on Fox News. Moderated by Martha MacCallum and Bill Hemmer, it featured Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal, Carly Fiorina, Lindsey Graham, George Pataki and Jim Gilmore, and drew 6.1 million viewers.
The prime-time debate, moderated by Bret Baier, Megyn Kelly and Chris Wallace, included Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, Mike Huckabee, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Chris Christie and John Kasich, and drew 24 million viewers.
Four years ago, according to CNNMoney, the first GOP debate drew 3.2 million viewers, and the most-watched debate (on ABC) drew 7.6 million viewers. So while this cycle may include fewer debates overall, it has already elicited more interest from potential voters. For that, we can presumably thank the fact that the current field includes some interesting candidates.
Among the most interesting -- and in my mind the clear winner of the first debate -- was Carly Fiorina. She was optimistic overall, assertive without being aggressive, knowledgeable without being wonky, and clearly articulated the vast difference between progressivism and conservatism.
Fiorina, echoing Ronald Reagan and Jeane Kirkpatrick, was firm on foreign policy and articulated her understanding of the importance of American leadership: "When America does not lead, the world is a dangerous and a tragic place."
Channeling Margaret Thatcher, and her rise from a grocery girl, Fiorina talked about her background as a secretary, then translated the policy of conservatism into human rather than economic terms. "I am a conservative because I believe no one of us is any better than any other one of us," she said. "Progressives don't believe that. They believe some are smarter than others, some are better than others, so some are going to need to take care of others."
Finally, she laid out clearly the problem of too much government and the reality versus the intent of large government institutions. "We have arrived at a point in our nation's history where the potential of this nation and too many Americans is being crushed by the weight, the power, the cost, the complexity, the ineptitude, the corruption of the federal government."
The second debate, while dominated by Trump, provided Rubio a time to shine, and allowed Paul's acts of desperation to overshadow his libertarian leanings. Jeb Bush, the lead fundraiser in the race, intelligently flew under the cover of Trump's ego and managed to answer questions without misspeaking, which was all he needed to do.
A Rasmussen Reports survey, released this Tuesday, backs up what was seen on stage. The results: "Trump with 17 percent support among Likely Republican Primary Voters, down from 26 percent in late July before the first GOP debate." Rubio and Bush were in second place with 10 percent; Fiorina and Walker each earned 9 percent; and Carson and Cruz each earned 7 percent.
It will be interesting to see if the next debate, to be held September 16 on CNN, draws as large a crowd and provides as much drama. Again, the candidates will be split into two groups. The top group will be composed of the top 10 candidates -- as determined by an average of all qualifying polls released between July 16 and September 10.
Note that the time frame for qualification in the top 10 began before the last debate. This might help moderate the impact of large swings in the polls, but the shorter tiebreaker time frame might help those -- such as Fiorina -- who have recently gained momentum.
As always, as a candidate's poll numbers go up, so increases the pressure and scrutiny from the news media. It will be interesting to see if Fiorina can withstand the heat while using her new momentum to raise money and inspire others to join her on her quest to unlock the potential of America. Or perhaps Trump -- the man who thinks so much of himself that he has affixed his name to 268 businesses -- will continue to draw the lion's share of the attention by treating the debate as reality politics.
I totally agree, she is a well-rehearsed player loaded to the eyeballs with practiced answers. A successful businesswoman (in the corporate stratosphere) needs to have the optics down perfectly, and she has that ability.
Calling her a three-dollar bill might be stale, but in her case it’s hard to think up anything more fitting.
Trump would never partner with iCarly
Do not be played by ‘what is said’ rather follow ‘what has been done’.
As scripture says and Ted Cruz repeats “By their fruits you will know them”.
I keep hearing from newbies “I really like so and so’s POSITION”. And I want to shout “DON’T YOU REALIZE THAT SCRIPT WRITERS ARE A DIME A DOZEN AND WHAT THEY’RE WRITING IS RED MEAT FOR CONSERVATIVES?”.
Seriously, Fiorina and others such as Paul may ‘sound nice’ but look ‘what they’ve done’ and therein lies the real story about them.
Here is what needs to be heard over and over again:
Forward to time 1:12:40
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sznh5AjageI
She outcharmed the rest of the B-list debaters and the media is trying to hype her as overall debate winner
Sad desperate dishonest journalism
The establishment has seen her lose before and knows she is an easy take down
Talks good talk, never walked any walk to show she is capable of being the freaking US president
No, Trump would never pick Fiorina. He of all people can spot an empty suit.
She is a lot like Trump except she is much much less sucessful.
Oh, and she is a women. I think that accounts for most of her whatever percent she is in the race. Mostly disenchanted Hillary voters and no doubt Rosie Odingdong fans.
There is a strong tendency on the right, having had limp, fightless mush presented to us as candidates for so long, to stampede to support anyone who shows a willingness to oppose the leftist media’s framing of issues. That’s what first drove Christie’s brief popularity. It’s what is driving Trump’s. And it’s what is driving Fiorina’s.
I implore you, though, to hold tight the reins, wait, and take time to research the actual positions of these candidates re Islam, socialism, spending, immigration, ‘global warming’, size of government, Common Core, prosecution of outgoing administration crimes and many other issues.
Yes, relish their punching back at the press for the press deserves it, but do not embrace them willy-nilly without knowing what they believe. You may come to regret it.
Carly ran the printer-ink-extortion business named “H.P.”
That’s disqualifying.
Carly Fiorina: Islamic Civilization was “Greatest in the World”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3322666/posts
Carly Fiorina Attacks Cruz: ‘No Honor’ In Fight To Defund Obamacare
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3322644/posts
Carly Fiorina is open to legal status for adult illegal immigrants, citizenship for their kids
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3322641/posts
To sum it up:
She loves eternally murderous deathcult known as Islam,
she loves Obamacare (aka Rationed, Collectivized Deathcare),
and she loves illegal aliens invading our country.
Now I know for sure she’s a Dem (aka GOP-E, RINO).
You be’s right!
The only thing Carly can crush is beer cans on her face.
The woman needs to see a chiropractor.
Carly would make a good VP for someone, as she could serve well in the traditional VP roll of being the one who needs to be more on the attack against the opponent.
No, certainly not Trump/Fiorina, but maybe as the VP for Cruz, Walker or Rubio?
Not after Carly tweeted #IStandWithMegyn, nope.
“No to Carly. She is a GOPE ..”
I agree Carly is a GOPE. She seemed to sympathize with Boehner and McConnell and was against Cruz for filibustering against Obamacare.
Sadly, Carly also has exceptions for abortions, as do a few other Republican presidential candidates.
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.