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 ...
Doesn’t really matter, Everyone I know as well as my own family will be voting for TRUMP.
Actually Ramaswamy did. But he was attacked by the Warhawk Haley, and Reverend Pence
Anyone who expect that circus to be anything other than the circus it was is an abject buffoon.
That’s the best the GOP can do? That’s exactly why TRUMP is where he is... folks are tired of the nonsense.
IF the GOP had any clue where the electorate was (or more honestly, weren’t owned by men who make money destroying this country) Trump would have had no lane to run in back in 2015, let alone now.
But they are owned by folks who want illegals, want open borders, want free trade, etc etc etc... so not one person in the establishment could speak about those issues because if they did they were instantly defunded.
The establishment GOP last night, showed they are no different than they were in 2015... all that matters is what matters to their money men... what you or this country need, gets lip service at most, and often not even that.
Just like Trump crushed the field in 15, he’s going to obliterate them in 2024. The primary will be effectively over by March 5th or March 12 at the latest... and Trump will have run the board to that point by multiple double digits against. all comers.. Sure it won’t be “technically” over, there will still be never trumper’s claiming some statistical path of probability still exists for their candidate, whoever it may be... but it will be effectively done.
Trump is far from a perfect human being, but he’s head and shoulders above everyone in that 3 ring circus act that went on last night.
I liken Vivek to Alan Keyes.
Even then they will never win until fraud is at least limited. Venezuela should tell you everything you need to know. Once fraud is used to give tyrants control you can never vote them out of power. Fraud has always been present in elections but never to the extent that computers have made possible. Now it seems we have slept while the courts have been corrupted as well. It should have seemed obvious when the Trump Supreme Court selections refused to even look at the fraud that was so obvious. Trump interrupted their cash flow and that is the only reason the uniparty hates him.
No what he’s saying is... its a stupid and unwinnable argument that Desantis is making...
Hey you, yea you, the 60-70% of the primary voter who approve of Trump... hey you, yea you.. come on.. look over here... now listen.... listen to me now... I’m just like that guy you really like and want... really, really I am.. but I am also “better” somehow... so vote for me.
That’s Desantis’ campaign messaging, and it’s the dumbest and lamest messaging I’ve ever seen and has zero chance to work.
Hey you, loyal Coke Drinker... you’re happy with your Coke right? Great, now I want you to abandon coke and drink Pepsi from now on, because I tell you its better.
Stupid, and no way its going to win.
Trump is the nominee folks, you can play denial about that all you like, but he will, when the dust is settled, be the nominee with well over 60% of all primary votes cast.
Trump has fought the fight like no other national politician has done, not a single one... and He’s been persecuted for it since day one.. but you think that folks are just going to abandon him because someone says so? Stupid.
Trump has the loyal following he does because he’s earned it, whether you agree with that assessment or not, doesn’t matter. Folks are not going to abandon Trump, just because some establishment backed suit tells them... hey man, you really want me, not him.
Thanks for bringing a little levity to the discussion.
This “race” which was always a figment of the Democrat/communist media’s imagination, is over.
Troll whether paid or “true believers” will not change the fact that DeSantis is now in the Hillary Clinton class of candidate - the more people see of him the less they like him.
Wasn’t he close to Trump with about 35% at some point? Now he struggles to keep ahead of Krispy Kream.
Bye bye Ronnie.
:: But Trump did cede the platform. ::
Spoken like a true Legacy Media shill.
Trump gave you and your Mudoch employers BOTH middle fingers last night.
No way was he going to fawn over our corrupt media and give them the honor of having him on the stage with also rans.
And then, only to prop up the also rans and Fox ratings.
Face it, America would have tuned in if only to watch Trump wipe the stage with their pathetic attempts to campaign.
You and your Murdoch employers are simply BUTTHURT.
There is a form for that around here; please request one form the Mod.
I did and here is my take fwiw.
Hutchison: Sound like your typical old-line politician. Lists his accomplishments as governor but presents no vision or agenda for the country. Just a lot of ‘well I signed this bill’ stuff and has no natural constituency that I can see. Not sure why he was there. Next
Christie: Everything everyone hates about NJ. Loud, combative obviously hates Trump. Will never forget the picture of him and Obama having a bromance moment after Sandy. Made a few good points but going nowhere. Again, no natural constituency.
Pence: A company man who wears his religion on his sleeve as a badge of honor. Reminds of the Pharisee in the bible. Look at me I’m more religious than you. Comes across as a deadly serious televangelist. Even has the good hair. Never smiles. Tries to paint himself as a Reagan clone, mentioned him twice last night. Loved Reagan, but this isn’t 1980. Always a follower. Reached his peak as a Representative. Wasn’t even a very effective governor. Pretty much did what the party leaders told him to do. Again, no vision for the country.
Desantis: Said some good things last night, stumbled a few times. Biggest problem for me, he doesn’t look or sound presidential. Not quite Jeb Bush, but often sounds like he’s asking you to like him. I like much of what he’s done in FL, but DC is a different ballgame. Not sure he has the moxie to take on the Left and their media allies.
Ramaswamy: Tried too hard to connect to the Trump voters. Probably angling for a VP gig or a cabinet post. Came across as a little arrogant. Had some good ideas, but his presentation is going to wear on a lot of people quickly. At 38 probably not ready for prime time.
Haley: GOPe to the max. Did have a couple of good points, but basically sounds like she was scripted by Mitch and the boys. Even said out loud that yes, climate change is real, a disqualifier for me. If she wasn’t a woman, she wouldn’t have been there. There are better women in the party if we want a woman candidate.
Burgum: Probably one of the best on the stage, but no name recognition from a small state, so probably won’t be around long. Self-made man, governor of an energy state, a border state (yes, I know it’s the northern border, but still) and the state with one of the largest arsenals of ICBMs in the world. Understands the China threat, ardently pro-life, signed bill restricting gender surgeries. Signed numerous tax cuts, strong proponent of fossil fuels, banned the teaching of CRT in public schools and supported Trump twice.
Sounded like one of the few adults on the stage. Made reasoned comments when given the chance. Got little airtime. Would like to hear more from him but doubt I will. Yes, I liked him a lot, but seriously doubt he’ll be around long.
Scott: Seems like a nice guy but has the same problem all senators have. You’ve been in the senate for years but have really done nothing to correct all the problems you are now saying the country faces and you can solve. Comes across a lot like a Black Mike Pence and that’s not a compliment. I agree with the Post if he wasn’t Black, he wouldn’t have been there last night. Brings nothing to the table that others don’t.
So, in conclusion I’d like to see another ‘debate’ with DeSantis, Burgum, Vitex, Maybe Haley and Mr. Trump if he would grace us with his presence. Fewer people more time for each candidate to speak and answer questions.
Watched both on Rumble this morning. The numbers of views from people like me must have been huge. But....Ugh, what a snooze fest for most of the candidates.
Having actually watched it, here are the ones that I think did the best.....
Vivek almost always knocked it out of the park. Refreshing, energetic, fully MAGA, got the gist of what most here see as the problems and the solutions. I know, I know......you hate him, but probably because he clearly outdid everyone there, outshining RDS by a lot. You also try to repeat the inane attacks on him by the professional influencers in the GOP, which are partial truths at best.
I didn't think RDS did poorly. His responses were mostly good. He just didn't do as well as Vivek in any way shape manner or form. Which is why he lost. He didn't do enough to bring his campaign back from the grave.
I had to stop watching most of the others, and fast forward after a while because it was so painful.
But President Trump is coming from a place of presumption. (eg. “I don’t have to work and earn this.”)
MAGA isn’t about Trump. MAGA is about making America a great country again not about stuffing Trumps resume’. The cult of personality is strong in Trump supporters.
DeSantis did OK, but no stand out. He didn’t dominate the stage of political also rans. Ramaswami was good and aggressive—he gave the best performance of the lot. He took unpopular stands Like cut the cash flow to Ukraine and Israel. Pence did OK but lacked soul. Hallee was just shrill, Tim, seemed out of his league, nice guys finish last.
Debates are never debates with our press. They are vehicles for attacking conservatives. Participating in debates is a selfish act that only benefits Democrats.
May not like it, but those are two issues that are HUGE to millennials and Z’s.
Cult of Personality is the same whoever it is directed at. It makes people look past the warts and only see what they want to see in a person. The person can do no wrong in their eyes. That type of blind loyalty is scary and often leads to poor outcomes for the true believers and others if the target of the Cult uses it to gain power.
Never heard of Doug Burgum, but glad he hear he did well:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Burgum_2024_presidential_campaign
And if you’re correct, and I’m guessing you are, we will have 4 more years of Obama rule. I voted for Trump twice and would begrudgingly again if he is the nominee, but independents and suburban women won’t. 60% of the republican primary electorate works out to about 35% of the general electorate. Not a winning number.
Oh, I've stated my issue with him. I can understand
why he's doing it (people are ignorant) and yet it
still irks me to no end.
He calls America a democracy when America is a Constitutional Republic.
Without that foundation nothing stands.
* * * *
Ron is being advised by the wrong people, and he takes their America-destroying advice!
There, fixed it.
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