Thank you.
I try to be as logical and unemotional about this stuff as I can. I am not a fan of Trump because I don't believe he is a conservative, but I also make it a point to commend him when I think he is right and has explained his position. I agree with Trump on immigration, very much so actually - and am impressed with the plan he put out this weekend. I also like that Trump says things that no one else running now (or even in the past) have the guts to say. It's why I sometimes try to look at his statements (such as seizing the oil) and rather than just dismissing them, try to see if there is any way to flesh them out and present them to an audience outside his echo chamber.
I think at this stage it is worthwhile for us to debate passionately, play a bit of devils advocate sometimes, and try to demonstrate fairness - even candidates we may not like or have suspicions about. It is okay to be a harsh critic if such criticisms generate thoughtful arguments about the candidates and their positions.
I agree with you about Carson. I like him. More than I thought I would. And I thought his debate performance was quite good - but I worry that someone without political chops will get destroyed in Washington. Yes, that means I am wary of the non-politician so many people seem to want. Politics is an art, just like any other job. If you don't have the skills for it, you won't get very far or much done.
It's funny that way. People always say they want a "regular guy/gal like you and me", but the minute such a person emerges and makes the kind of mistakes and gaffes you 'd expect from a newbie to the political game, they are shot down mercilessly and made fun of to the point their candidacies are relegated to vanity status. So basically, like on so many issues, people say one thing but vote completely differently. It's like the old question you can ask the same group of people and get completely contradictory responses. Ask a group of people if they want someone that stands on principle and you'll always get a majority that say yes. Now ask the same group the next day if they want someone who will compromise to get along with the other side, and you'll also get a majority to say yes to that as well.
We have a long way to go. It should be a very interesting primary season indeed.
I enjoy debate as well even though I’m not on line and on FR as much as I would like.
I liked Trump’s immigration plan as well. But implementation of his plan? I see numerous problems. If the other candidates see, by his rising poll numbers, that is what the people want perhaps they will change their views. If so, that is a win. Originally, his immigration plan wasn’t quite so extreme. I was on board. I would like it to be his current stance but I don’t see it happening.
In any case...he has made it entertaining so far. Not that I would ever vote Dem...but that side is getting pretty interesting as well.