The third republican national debate was held last night at University of Colorado in Boulder hosted by CNBC
There were 3 moderators and 11 candidates with questions for 2.5 hours. This debate was supposed to focus on economic policy titled “Your Money Your Vote” but it really turned out to be “Our bias is ready for Hillary and that’s going to be your problem”
This debate was competing with the world series so I guess the ratings will be a little lower than the previous 2 debates. But as I watched I kept saying to myself the same thing over and over. There is no way these questions would be asked in democratic debate. For 2 reasons. First; why bother asking the current democratic field substantive economic questions? When the answer would be we need to grow the government, spend more and tax more. No thought needed. Second: The media would never think about asking got cha questions to Hillary. It’s just a fact that republicans have to deal with andtonight I think they did very well.
And away we go….
Put this music on in the background when you read this….
Trump: Better, firm, vague, on point, funny all the same time. Trump needs to get past the platitudes and this was his chance. Instead of telling us who thinks his tax plan is so great why not tell us more about the plan and let us decide. It’s time Trump, we’re less than 100 day to Iowa, we’re past the it’s going to be great just trust me part of the campaign. Trump destroyed Kasich when he told him there’s a reason you’re at the far side of the stage. Going into the remaining debates Trump just needs to not make any major mistakes and he’ll still most likely stay the front runner. Question is will people actually vote for him or just use him to be the sounding board of the pissed off republican base until someone like Rubio or Cruz takes over? Interesting that Trump went after super PAC’s? That seemed out of place, but it is a swipe at Bush who has the largest super pac of the bunch. Trump will continue to be hit hard on his filing for bankruptcy 4 times. It’s really one of the few things he can get hit on. But his answer of hey everybody rich files at one point or another so what’s the big deal is a cop out, but it’s also hard to argue with.
Bush: Weak, unsteady, confused, time to go but he won’t. Bush it turning into what he truly is a has been ex-governor with no chance of getting elected. Bush tried to portray himself as the establishment outsider???? Oh I’m an outsider who’s going to Washington to shake things up. Does anyone really think that Bush would go to Washington to shake things up?? NOT. Watching Bush I don’t get the feeling that he believes in what he is saying. I think his heart is just not in this. He tried to take a swipe at Rubio but it just felt rehearsed and stiff. Like I was given this line by my handlers and I’m just waiting to use it. He has nothing to offer the base and my guess is he’s has the money to stay in it with the hopes of waiting out the competition. However, I kept asking myself why is he still running? Bush gave me nothing to answer that. Need to drop but won’t because he is establishments last hope.
Huckabee: Calm, direct, googly eye. Yes he has a googly eye and that’s all I could focus on when he was talking. No chance of winning so I’ll stop right there. Let’s face it he’s one of 6 that should drop out because after last night there are only 4 people with a chance on the nomination and he’s not one of them.
Carson: Humble, on point, direct. Carson is getting to be a better candidate with each debate, he had to look strong last night and he did. One can understand why he is growing and leading in some polls. By his nature he is a problem solver who would make a great secretary of health and human services. However, if he was president I don’t think Putin would know how to deal with him. Carson has the confidence of a leader without the arrogance of Trump. The left would not know how to deal with him as president as well and that would be fun to watch. An African American who’s not a democrat and a conservative no less??? WWWWHHHAATTT? Carson best line is when he said he believes that the constitution protects all people but he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman and there’s no reason you can’t be fair to the gay community. OH MY GOD!!! The question from the moderator was basically how can you be on a gay friendly companies board and still be a republican? Look for him to be called a homophobe all day today.
Cruz: Strong, steady, confidant. Cruz is a flat taxer which I like a lot. He is a fighter who has gone toe to toe with his own party in ways that no other candidate has done. Last night he took the media to the woodshed by calling out the moderators for the blatant bias they showed during the debate. I would like to see a president Cruz go after the democrats and make the establishment squirm at the same time. If you want someone to truly shake up Washington elect Cruz. I haven’t endorsed anyone yet but Cruz could be my guy. Cruz did address so called income inequality which is a touch point for the left. He knows the constitution better than anyone on stage and if elected there is no way he would be pulling the stuff Obama did or as Hillary defiantly will. Last night proved he’s in the top 4 and here to stay. He’s the dark horse in this race. Cruz scares both parties because he would actually try to reduce the size of the government and both parties know it.
Rubio: Serious. On point, confident, dare I say Presidential. Last night Rubio took it from all sides and came out ahead. He stamped down questions about pulling out retirement money to pay off loans as being immature. Fail. Lots’ of normal Americans face those same decisions every day and it only makes them look bad for asking. The Bush tried and failed to call out Rubio as an absentee senator and asked him to resign. Rubio schooled Bush, making Bush look foolish and that’s about the 3rd time I asked myself why is Bush still running? Rubio is the tortoise in this race and is onl getting better in each debate. I really don’t think Rubio get any lower in the polls then he is now. If/when Carson & Trump fall in the polls and Bush looks like he’s done Rubio stands to win the most. Rubio is my other choice as winning my endorsement.
Paul: Who cares. Sorry but you need to drop and focus on the senate where you can do the most good
Christie: Likeable, personable. Christie’s comment about why are we talking about fantasy football when were 19 trillion dollars in debt and ISIS is trying to kill us was a great line. Christie always looks directly at the camera, trying to talk over the moderators and talk directly to the American people is endearing but not very effective. Reagan was the only politician to pull that off and Christie is no Reagan. But he should drop soon. Most likely after Iowa or after super Tuesday.
Kasich: Grumpy. Kasich is trying to be the most reasonable guy in the room. Look all you people I’m the only one who knows how Washington works so you better elect me. Everything else is just a fantasy. Trump pretty much shut him up when he said Kasich was a boss at Lehman brothers that almost took the whole country down. In other words sit down and shut you because no one cares what you say. What Kasich is really saying is I’m a go along republican to “get stuff done” the democrats like him which is all I really need to know about him. Although he may be the middle of the road candidate some people may like because they just can’t support Bush so he may be in longer than I would like. Plus I hate his mannerisms. The arms flaying about is weird and distracting.
Fiorina: Strong. Direct. Specific. As usual Carly did not disappoint however, she did nothing to stand out either. Her best line was when she said bigger government leads to bigger crony capitalism which leads to hurting of rest of the country. So true. She has a lot to offer and it would be fun to see her debate Hillary but as president? I just can’t see it. She’ll get hit hard on her tenure at HP if she’s the nominee like the left hit Romney as a rich out of touch job killer. We’ve lost before with someone like this and the base will not let it happen again. She’ll be in past Iowa into super Tuesday but not long after that.
Big Winners and my final four: Trump, Carson, Rubio & Cruz
Push: Fiorina, Christie
Losers: Kasich, Paul, Huck
Big loser: Bush
The next debate needs to take a hard look at who really needs to be on the stage and who doesn’t .
My guess is about 5-6 of these need to drop and the second tier needs to altogether drop now.
Until the next time…..
Next Republican debate: 11/10
Next Democratic debate: 11/14
