Posted on 08/24/2023 6:16:03 AM PDT by Reno89519
Only two questions mattered going into Wednesday night’s GOP primary debate.
Number one: Would any one viable candidate stand out among the crowd?
Number two: If the answer to the first was “Yes,” would our champion distinguish themselves by acting as the absent Donald Trump’s proxy or by setting up a favorable contrast with the frontrunner?
Trump’s decision to sit out the first forum of the 2024 primary season has been cast as a cautious, cowardly decision.
It was undoubtedly the latter, but despite the illusion of political safety, the choice also came with considerable risks.
If another candidate was able to command the stage, it would be a strong sign that the race is not predestined to end with Trump atop the ticket as so many pundits have suggested.
By not showing up, Trump risked ceding centerstage to a younger, less fearful rival.
Of course, not everyone on stage represented a genuine threat.
...
DeSantis answered the first with a resounding yes.
And even if he didn’t go for the kill on Wednesday, DeSantis demonstrated a willingness – and ability – to take Trump on.
He’s playing for the top prize, not a place in Trump’s Cabinet, or more likely his court at Mar-a-Lago.
With his performance, DeSantis cemented himself as the man best suited to unseat Trump as the undisputed champion of Republican politics.
While so many of his colleagues onstage replied to questions with a decided lack of purpose, DeSantis spoke both fluently and passionately.
...
Judging from Wednesday night, DeSantis alone appears to have the stuff to beat Trump.
It may remain an uphill battle, but by beginning the climb, he may have the man at the top of the mountain second-guessing his decision to sit Wednesday out.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
“Cult of Personality”
Stalin “Cult of Personality” is not the same thing as George Washington “Cult of Personality” IMO.
Ron DePathetic couldn’t unseat a chimp. He had to seek the prevailing wind before raising his hand on a simple choice of whether he would honor his pledge to support the winning nominee. Go home Ron. 😆
Vivek was the only one with balls on that subject. Most everything I read around the web this morning was that DeSantis "underperformed" or was a chief midget amongst midgets. I didn't watch it as it holds no interest for me -- once you see it is a dumpster fire your attention turns to important matters instead of the trash burning in the container.
Ron was out of his league...obvious to all but those that cling to his drone.
I take it you did not watch the debate?
The debate format really doesn’t fit Ron’s personality, but I think he did fine.
DeSantis will never, ever 20% in a national poll again. His only support is from donors and those that pay to post for him online.
Meanwhile, Tucker's interview with Trump is up to 196 million views.
Being 40 points behind, DeSantis needed a homerun, not a small turnaround. I guess you could say Vivek won as everybody was going after him, quite an honor. DeSantis was angry and nervous. His voice was forceful and lacked modulation, which made it hard for viewers to distinguish his most important points.
The had no debate winners it was a Fox yawn fest with their answers and few important questions.
Yeah, that’s probably true.
But to make serious gains, DeSantis has to do more than beat the low single digit candidates that were on that stage - the numbers just aren’t there. He has to win over Trump supporters to his side - and there is a serious problem with doing that:
Any self-respecting Republican voter should be furious about the stolen 2020 election, the bogus impeachments and the ongoing political persecution of this Republican President. Meanwhile, the current occupant of the White House is literally guilty of treason and there are no consequences! If there ever was a threat to the Constitution or to the Republic, this is it. This political weaponization of a DOJ is the existential threat of of our lifetimes.
But where is the outrage among the Republican candidates (including DeSantis)? Nowhere to be seen. They are running against Trump, so they are just as happy to see him get sidelined. This is a terrible political misstep and a huge insult to every voter - certainly Republican voters.
Trump supporters will need to hear DeSantis and the others express outrage over this gross injustice, or they’ll be considered just part of the cover up.
I watch it in it’s entirety. DeSantis suffered greatly with drone and non-sense.
Faux Snooze was the loser.
Moderators were horrible, again.
The format sucked, the questions sucked. But I suppose it’s par for the course for them. I watched it via Steven Crowder, so at least I didn’t give Faux the hit.
So, the intramural teams showed up and had a tournament...
And it had ZERO impact on the pro league whatsoever.
The entire circle jerk bukake last night was a laughable circus.
What? 8 or 10 folks, who have ZERO shot at being the nominee, rearranging the deck chairs on their failing campaigns. Watching them fight over who will get the maybe 30-35% of the primary vote at most is just comical.
Trump ceded the nomination because he didn’t bring an audience to Fox’s ratings? Okay you keep telling yourself that.
Desantis will almost certainly be out of the race before Florida even has their primary vote.. unless he wants to be the first sitting governor in history to lose his home state in a presidential primary by multiple tens or points.
Trump is the Nominee, he was the nominee as of Jan 1, 2021 provided he decided to run, he has.
Also I find it interesting how you try to tear apart the viewership, but then present everyone who likes a video must clicks the like button or must comment on it. Can’t play it both ways.
When the dust settles, Trump will be the nominee with well over 60% of all the votes cast... You are welcome to advocate for your candidate, and believe otherwise, but come March 19th, when Desantis loses the primary in the state he is the sitting governor of by multiple double digits, (assuming of course, he hasn’t dropped out before then to avoid the humilation) we will see who’s correct.
Calling what they televise “DEBATES” at all is an insult and a joke, not just Fox News, but all of them.
They are just attempts to get a “Sound bite” to try to get a news cycle or two by the various folks... nothing more.
I am sooo sick of the fake interruptions, talking over each other, hey my name was mentioned, my name was mentioned, ugh.
6 topics, 2 minutes each person and only that person has a hot mic. NO moderators, time keeper only. You feel you want to attack someone or correct something, use part of your two minutes.
Agreed. He didn’t need to do anything more than he did. He answered like an experienced executive who is well suited to the office.
I am very concerned that conservatives who put all of their eggs in the Trump who I voted for twice and would again) basket will be left in a lurch with few options if the unthinkable happens and President Trump is unable to serve or execute the office of the presidency.
It reminded me of the “House Of Representin’” from Idiocracy.
Democrats are laughing their asses off at what they saw last night.
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