And so the 2nd Republican debate ends – (well, 4 hrs later for me)
first off - none of this is to be taken as an endorsement - I did this for my Republican friends - Go Bernie! - (well, maybe but anyways) - read my previous post for my reason to watch tonight's debate.
My initial takeaway is there are going to be a lot of hedge fund managers who are going to be crying in their chardonnay and caviar tonight – no one likes a special tax break for a guy who just manages other people's money, apparently.
But this was about the Candidates – Here's what I remember mostly off the top of my head – in the order I remember them from left to right
Rand Paul – solid guy – firm in his convictions – I can admire him but I don't see the base ever letting him become president – he attacks too much of what they've paid good money to politicians to buy in the first place, things like regular military conflict to feed the Defense budget and tax loopholes for the rich. Can't go shaking up the status quo that badly.
Huckabee – man...that guy was all kum-ba-ya – he's playing nice – not a shot – maybe he had a shot in 2008 but not now. I didn't even remember he was Governor until halfway thru the debate – I just thought he was a Christian Fox News host – but he was Milquetoast tonight.
Rubio – on fire – sharp, and on point – he has some tics about him that don't exactly play well – corny intro and outro – but I felt like he was the sharpest tool in the shed by far. I think he especially dominated on Foreign policy when Trump fumbled things like how to deal with Putin and Syria
Cruz – nah. Just an Ass – speaks to the camera and oozes smarmy – he attacks Roberts as being a Liberal? Somewhere Roberts is in a drunk barroom saying “I gave you unlimited amounts of non-profit unaccountable Citizen United SuperPAC money by re-interpreting a law, and I can take it away too you little prick!”
Carson – I really didn't know much about him other than my Christian Friends like him – I can see where he gets the evangelical vote – and even is a contender in Iowa – but I don't see enough there to elect someone with NO government or even Corporate executive experience.
Trump – I think he fell hard – I think his answers were the weakest, and I think his disdain on the split screen wasn't beneficial. His answers felt vapid, and almost everyone wanted a piece of him – But he did it to himself – so much snark and sniping. The highlight of the night was the end of the first Hour when Carly used his words against him about how women will hear what he says – Trump looked like he wanted to crawl into a hole and die and quickly tried to make nice.
Bush – got a lot of gusto in him – I just don't know if the country wants a 3rd one – but he wasn't the weak guy I had been hearing about – he had some teeth to him – props for him for admitting he smoked weed, dude. I think he had to start fighting – and I think he picked it up a bit tonight.
Walker – I know he's supposed to be great – and maybe in the Midwest he passes – but he reminds me of Pawlenty – just not enough - I got friends that are excited about him but truth is, I think his growth doesn't compare to Minnesota's. That and he attacked teachers - you should never attack School teachers, cause they have a tough job because your kids are assholes - you should be licking their boots in gratitude they take the little monsters off your hands 7 hrs. a day.
Carly Fiorina – this is the breakout – she deserved to be on the stage with the big boys, and she rocked it – I think she has the capacity to be firm and a fighter without appearing like a mean smarmy ass. The one thing that did stick in my craw a bit is some of her stuff seemed to be fairly pre-canned – when talking about foreign policy – she had a line she tried to deliver and was cut off- “we've been talking 10 minutes...” and when she managed to squeak in the last word on the subject she was “we've been talking for 12 minutes” so this was rehearsed and ready to go Great Presentation – great style – not the most smiling person in the room but she gets my props for a fighter.
Kasich – he tried SO hard to be in this and to be heard and to be paid attention to – it's fitting that him and Huckabee are at opposite places on the stage – I expect to continue to see him in near last place – not enough charisma there.
Christie – he makes my top 3 – I think that charisma broke thru over everyone else – sure he could be surly, but he looked like he was having a lot of fun – had a lot of lines about “involving you, the voter” though – maybe it tested well with focus groups but I noticed it 4 or 5 times – I'm the vessel and you're the change” - Still, I expected Rubio and Fiorina to do well – I didn't see Christie coming onto my radar. I can see why the Koch's and Kissinger tried so hard to woo him in 2012.
So if I had to make a top 3 – no ONE candidate scares me the way Obama scared Democrats – but here's what I have
Rubio for his extensive knowledge of foreign policy and 1/2/3 points/delivery
Fiorina for her incredible comeback and fast and dangerous wit
Christie for his Charisma and presence on stage.
Bush will move up a bit because I think Trump will start bleeding support.
You know I thought Paul and Carson did ok - I don't see them losing support - they might even pick up a few Trump supporters who are diehard tea party libertarians or evangelicals.
Walker, Huckabee, Kusich, Cruz – I think u are dead men walking.
Trump – I think we can almost stick a fork in this guy – not quite yet – but man....what a terrible performance – will his die hard supporters care? I think a FEW might...we'll see
and there you go
RB