Only a few months ago, many voters would have assumed that Jeb Bush was the obvious Republican party nominee. Times have changed. There are currently so many contenders for the coveted nomination that the New York Times has made an interactive chart to ensure that they do not miss one.
At least 17 candidates have declared their intentions to become the next President of the United States. As the caucuses in Iowa and New Hampshire have drawn nearer, it is crucial to begin to build their image in the national spotlight.
On 3 August, 14 out of 17 candidates met in Manchester, New Hampshire in an attempt to distinguish themselves from the pack. The topics for discussion were predictable in form. Candidates weighed in on national security, the Affordable Care Act and immigration reform. Topical issues included federal funding for Planned Parenthood. A second key issue was President Obama's nuclear agreement with Iran.
However, the event provided little insight into the candidate's talking points. Some have even described the event as "speed dating". This event provided little information, focusing instead on well rehearsed talking points.
Notably absent from the event was candidate Donald Trump. Mr. Trump continues the overwhelming leader in the polls. He declined to attend the event, stating that he would gain nothing from attending. He also has high name recognition on a national level and continues to surprise pollsters by holding on to his lead.
Will this evening of exciting entertainment, as interesting as psychic readings, translate into a fascinating debate? Some might say that the entertainment value will depend on the attendance of Donald Trump. It is also possible that Trump will continue to steamroll over the other candidates. The press will chase their coveted sound bite. Yet, it seems certain the this debate garner the same productivity as the meeting in New Hampshire.
At this point, few Republican candidates have offered any solutions to the nation's woes besides 'cut tax' and 'repeal Obamacare'. While their rhetoric is both predictable and well rehearsed, the main Republican strategy seems to be to grind the government to a halt to furnish their own agenda.
This agenda becomes most visible in the discussion of the Iranian nuclear deal. The heartfelt belief that national security would be better served by bullets than diplomacy continues to be a talking point. Alongside combatting Donald Trump's abuse, Graham's platform against the Iranian nuclear deal has become a major campaign stump.
Graham has positive relationships with both John Kerry and Vice President Joe Biden. This has not stopped him from undermining this historic deal at a time when he needs to distinguish himself conservative voters.
Alas, the 2016 election seems to be a new election furnished with the same rhetoric. If a willing Republican candidate is able to step out of Donald Trump's shadow, voters can hope that it will be to provide valuable leadership to a Congress in desperate need of direction.