The only thing worse than Jeb Bush's performance in the Republican debate was the disgraceful partisanship exhibited by the CNBC's moderators. The entire thrust of virtually each and every question from the moderators was to start an MMA cage match among the Republican candidates. CNBC's reputation, such that it was previously, managed to find its way closer to total cable TV obscurity.
Back to Jeb for the moment, since it will only take a moment to describe his fall into political oblivion. Not once, but twice, Jeb tried to attack Marco Rubio. Not once, but twice, Rubio skewered and then eviscerated Jeb for his effort to smear and denigrate Marco. Jeb demonstrated a pettiness and petulance that surely will turn off his campaign financiers. Face it, Jeb is a policy wonk and when he tries to come across as some rough and tough political tiger, he comes across as plain silly, if not weak, in trying to be someone he's not.
Moving on, in my opinion Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz sparkled, despite the idiotic CNBC moderators and their shameful performance. Rubio and Cruz took it to CNBC and the MSM as the Democrat's largest PAC, much to the delight of the audience. Rubio has always demonstrated an equanimity in all the debates as has Ted Cruz. who actually began to assert himself and his political policy positions. I think Rubio helped himself with his performance which was again, solid. I think Cruz actually did a little better, but then again, Cruz had more to prove in the debate, since his polling numbers have not been anything to brag about up to now.
Actually, Chris Christie came across very well for the time he had and most certainly helped himself for the future of his campaign. Much the same can be said of Mike Huckabee, but Huckabee seems to be "old school" with a limited appeal to evangelical voters. The problem for Christie and Huckabee is that they are so far behind in the polling that they have to reach up just to touch bottom in the polling.
On to Dr. Carson. Dr. Carson did not seem to help himself a lot in the debate, but he didn't particularly hurt himself either. I expect that Dr. Carson will do well in comparison to Donald Trump, who, with each debate, reveals more of his lack of understanding of the political issues of the day and simply has no substance to back up his outrageous attacks on everyone, Republican and Democrat alike.
Mr. Trump has always been long on telling people what he would do, while failing miserably in telling anyone how he will effectuate the changes he envisions in such rhetorical flourishes as he throws out on a daily basis.
Essentially, Trump's appeal is to those who feel disenfranchised, and rightly so, but are oblivious to the political realities of what can or can't be done by someone like Donald Trump. We call these people low information voters who operate on a visceral and emotional level, rather than substantive facts that correspond to a consistent political philosophy.
Carly Fiorina had a very good debate, but the problem is that Republicans don't seem to be ready for a woman as their presidential nominee, unlike liberal progressives, who salivate at the prospect of Hillary wining the Democratic nomination and facing off against whomever the Republicans nominate to face her.
In conclusion, we come to the angry John Kasich and Rand Paul. Kasich has sound political credentials, which are broad and have proven to be successful at the federal level and, most recently as governor of Ohio, demonstrating a genuine turn around in the state's fortunes in streamlining state government. Kasich still comes across as angry.
Finally, we have Rand Paul, resident Libertarian leaning conservative. Paul comes up short for most Republicans on those issues dear to the hearts of Libertarians, which seem to be isolationism in foreign policy and unlimited individual freedom, especially in regard to drugs. I would be surprised to see Rand Paul around beyond the first two primaries next February.
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