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Quick Take on the GOP Debate
I’ve just watched a 90-minute undercard debate followed by a three-hour mainstage debate. I never want to hear the terms “birthright citizenship,” “shining city on a hill,” or “yuge” ever again. However, as your faithful servant, I will offer my quick takes on the winners and losers of tonight’s debate.
Winners
3. Gov. Chris Christie
The normally brash New Jersey governor was thoughtful, self-deprecating, thorough, and seized his moments with aplomb. He ranks in third place for my winner’s list.
2. Sen. Marco Rubio
Wow, does he shine at these things. Utterly unflappable, polished without looking plastic, and connects with the audience on a heart level. A second solid performance.
1. Carly Fiorina
“Lady Liberty” wins the night in a walk. Coming into the primaries I wondered why she was even running. But Carly exudes gravitas. She’s compelling. Even when I don’t agree with her, I want to hear her out. That’s political star power.
Losers
3. Gov. Scott Walker
Walker didn’t do anything wrong, but he didn’t distinguish himself either. With his numbers plummeting in Iowa and his money-men getting nervous, he really needs to step up and soon. (I almost chose the somnambulent Ben Carson for the three-spot, but his fans seem to like his low-key style.)
2. Gov. John Kasich
In the first debate, Kasich seemed to be seizing the squishy moderate crown of Nerf from Jeb. But the Ohio governor spent most of the second debate defending Democrats’ programs and failures. Out-of-step with the national mood, not to mention the GOP.
1. Donald Trump
Wishful thinking on my part? Perhaps. But the frontrunner always enters a debate with the most to lose. Standing amid the accomplished GOP field with Reagan’s jet as a backdrop, The Donald looked petty, small and out of his element. He improved as the night wore on, but I’m wondering who sat through until the end.
Beyond the candidates, the biggest loser of the night was CNN. What a shameful, disorganized, and unserious presentation. The majority of questions were directed to Trump. Those that weren’t, were questions about Trump. And often when another candidate responded, even on a non-Trump topic, CNN had a split-screen showing Trump’s dramatic reactions to their answers.
CNN’s intention was not to inform voters or discuss ideas, but to toss scorpions in a bottle and watch them fight over side issues. I’m quite shocked that the normally excellent Jake Tapper and Hugh Hewitt agreed to this silly format.
UPDATE: Interesting Twitter stats…
Published in GeneralTwitter’s debate data pic.twitter.com/JkVwk9y6Mo
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) September 17, 2015
Hold him to what? Sticking his finger in the air to see what he thinks?
Carly’s 30 seconds on planned parenthood were the most powerful and moving words that I have seen from a politician in a long time.
I think that she will acquire a lot of the dedicated pro-life voters. Sure, everyone on the stage says they are pro life. But only Carly explained herself with such conviction and power that we dream she could move the dial with the American people.
Here’s the debate results.
Winners:
Carly Fiorina (I love it and might put a ring on it).
Chris Christie (Been down on him all year, but great tonight).
Marco Rubio (Most Reaganesque).
Jeb Bush (Came more alive and trustworthy, but still too canned)
Lost ground:
Ben Carson (Great highs cancelled out by great lows)
Gained no ground:
Ted Cruz (Love his policies, but quirky)
Rand Paul (he just won’t protect me from terrorists)
Big Losers:
Trump (got his butt kicked several times and made pouty face)
Time to pack it in:
Huckabee (love him but feel like I’d have to watch him)
Kasich (He can’t get me to know him; but we do need Ohio)
Walker (I’m sad, because he was my man all year)
No need to mention that second tier in the first debate.
Loser:
Rand Paul who insulted our intelligence with his medical marijuana hoax and failed to explain what condition the hemp oil in his hair was treating.
I don’t understand the notion that Carly lacks experience. Nobody running has experience being President. Carly and the Governors have experience managing big operations but only Carly on a global level. All have political experience because it’s all about understanding power and human nature and willingness to make tough decisions. Carson and the Senators on the stage have the least experience, but anyone who operates at this level is part of the establishment and knows how to operate within it. Carly and Rubio are extraordinarily impressive, not just because they are so articulate but because they seem to nail the issues and accurately describe the challenges and problems. Carly in particular masters the sound bite, seems to know how they fit together and if pushed beyond them is even better. Most of the others don’t get all the sound bites right. That’s all we can get in this setting. Speaking of setting, why did Republicans agree to CNN and then not try to control who interviews? That was a predictable travesty.
I will be interested to see if Trumps many eruptions of ‘pouty face’ get any coverage, or generate any discussion as to the temperament necessary for the job he’s seeking.
In the past, I’ve said he behaves like a schoolyard bully. I was wrong. That’s an insult to school-age children.
When he’s not the center of attention, he behaves like a two-year old until he gets it back.
I’m glad Carly Fiorina put him in timeout. At least for a couple of minutes.
Ugh. These faux “debates” have to be the worst possible way to pick a serious, qualified candidate for President. It’s the perfect format for sound bites and theater, the worst for substance and actual competence.
If you painted him green during pouty face he could double for the Grinch.
Carly Fiorina: “I have great admiration for Hillary Clinton.”
Loser: Reince Priebus
He continues to let liberal media outlets hostile to Republicans control GOP debates.
Best bone he could throw to conservatives was a single, moderately conservative token panelist (not even a moderator) who got to ask a couple questions over three hours.
It was insulting.
I agree. They’re designed by the “sponsors” (read Democrat operatives) to elicit useful tripe that will be dumped on whomever the eventual Republican – or third party – candidate will be. If these CNN bobbleheads are actually intelligent enough to know what they’re doing, they’re even worse – they’re evil.
And I can’t understand why, with all this big deal about “outsiders” being “inexperienced,” and therefore potentially ineffective, that somebody hasn’t pointed out that it’s the “experienced” politicians who got us into this mess in the first place, and have proven worthless (or worse) at getting us out, or even slowing our demise.
Losers:
Trump: He ought not be on the stage. He is ill tempered, unprepared, ill mannered and arrogant. Please drop out now.
Carson: The mild mannered disposition is a nice contrast to Trump but people do not want someone they think will over capitulate on principles.
CNN: Get a bell or something. “Thank you, Governor….Thank you Senator” is terrible.
Ann Coulter: C’mon. We all know you are there and despite your vast intellect, we do not get the sycophantic Trump support. It would be nice if you’d come to your senses.
Fox: For the love of God, please stop the Trump worship. You are better than this.
Winners:
Carly: I need to know more about her more “nuanced” positions but I like a lot of her Iron Guts tendencies. She also should smile at the right times. Don’t be a frowner like Trump.
Rubio: Same thing on the nuance. He is young, smart and answers forthrightly. Stop with the water references. We get it.
Christie: I voted for Mr. Christie. Not with him on the climate change bilge. If he can wrestle the straight talker mantle from Trump, he might hang on a bit longer.
Notes:
*CNN loses many points for not allocating time fairly. We listen to an arrogant bully ruminating on things he knows nothing about while principled conservatives are kept silent.They must be terrified of Cruz.
*Kasich, Huck, Graham and maybe Paul can go. Move Jindal up to the main stage.
Not Carly’s most shining moment. But didn’t this come when either it was clear Obama would get the nomination, or already had gotten the nomination? Praise of or sympathy for Hillary in this context is more like a sneak assault on Obama and the way his campaign behaved. Carly was working for McCain and she made a political play for his side.
I wish she hadn’t done it, but I think context can be useful. Do you have any further info on when and how this video happened?
Arrgg! Sorry, my comment in response to #72 sans video:
Not Carly’s most shining moment. But didn’t this come when either it was clear Obama would get the nomination, or already had gotten the nomination? Praise of or sympathy for Hillary in this context is more like a sneak assault on Obama and the way his campaign behaved. Carly was working for McCain and she made a political play for his side.
I wish she hadn’t done it, but I think context can be useful. Do you have any further info on when and how this video happened?
I also did not watch. I can find it online and watch if I really feel I missed something. Otherwise I will just read all the analysis and watch clips.
My husband and daughters and I scored a Redbox copy of “Cinderella” and spent the evening enjoying it. very well done, btw. Kenneth Branagh was an excellent choice to direct.
So much for the RNC taking control, or even exerting influence, over the primary debates.
A portent of things to come in the general that doesn’t augur well.
American Woman to put on money? Easy. Jeanette Rankin! The only woman to vote to give women the right to vote.
I didn’t watch either. I’m just here to take a blade to the wounded.
Can we find a woman who voted not to give women the right to vote?
Its too bad I can’t embed Steyn on Hannity last night — he has two video embeds on his website and he had some very astute observations on how Trump understands there’s a reaction camera on him so he deliberately plays up the reaction shots.
I watched about 2/3rds of the A-Team debate (and smatterings of the B-team) with a group of liberals (including two “anyone-but-Hillary liberals). Carly and Rubio were big winners (this in spite of the fact that all were pro-choice). Trump has long since become a parody of himself; if he doesn’t lose after this performance, maybe we really do deserve Hillary?
Maybe I missed it…when was Rubio pro-choice? I think he’s been pretty clear that he’s pro-life and would vote, like other pro-life senators and members of congress, for any legislation that puts limits on abortion.
Sorry, Brian, I wasn’t clear: those watching with me were pro-choice. In other words, they were impressed by Carly Fiorina in spite of/because of her passionate declaration of a pro-life position.
Rubio was very impressive – natural and knew his topics. I thought he was No. 1 with Carly #2 – Trump was not that impressive – he knows how to talk – and he knows the issues – but his lack of experience was obvious – a good businessman yes – but temperament means something – Rubio was very good. I like Cruz but he talks too much like a politician who has rehearsed his lines – Ben Carson – what a sweet demeanor – not sure he has enough strength to stand up to the mess we are facing. Christie was better than I expected.
Thought everyone understands what we are facing and is on the same page. Questions horrible and the commentators did not direct the evening – too much time taken up on bantering.
Mike – I loved the content of Cruz’s remarks. He is clearly brilliant and a dedicated conservative down to his marrow. But…
His style turns me off. My wife felt the same way. And a conservative buddy said he & his spouse reacted that way to Cruz, also. I have to wonder if he has the personal charisma to win the election. Unfortunately, a little charm goes further than a lot of brains with much of the electorate.
Might one assume that Trump’s supporters rang the bell for him a lot?
Might the same people have cast multiple votes for the same person?
I actually went to Drudge and asked for the results. It seems apparent that those who rung the bell for Trump were watching a different “debate.”
Agreed. I’m sure she had a lot of 1st-time viewers last night but I hope she used it for the last time.
The two phone call line is a double winner. It tells you that she knows who are our friends and who are our enemies and knows how to stick it to an enemy, and it tells you that she understands an important part of the GOP base. Why would she drop it?
I’ve heard the line several times now. It’s sounding too prepared. But I realize a lot of folks have not been following Fiorina as closely as have I. It’s a great line – but like a good joke – once you’ve heard it, you’ve heard it.