thegreekdog wrote:I was going to create a new politics thread just to annoy AoG, but I thought this was a good enough place.
I watched most of the debate last night. Loved it. Absolutely loved it. A couple of observations (having not read any commentary on Twitter, CNN, etc.):
- Donald Trump did a bad job, but that was to be expected since he doesn't have the national security or international relations chops as compared to anyone else other than Ben Carson.
- Chris Christie made a couple of ridiculous comments. The first, and the one that will get airplay, is his insistence on going to war with Russia. The second, which will get less airplay, is his idea that these concepts are simple. He made a comment about the senate being too complicated. Well, it fucking is complicated! You need to have good judgment to be president. I would direct that at Kascich (who seemed hawkish) and Trump as well.
I thought some combination of Rubio and Cruz did the best jobs. I would put Rubio ahead of Cruz since he seems to be a better public speaker (even though Cruz should be the best up there given his background). I thought Fiorina did well, but she didn't get much airplay. I also thought Rand Paul did well, although I'm obviously biased. Bush seemed like a jackass. I know his anti-Trump comments will get a lot of airplay, but it just seemed bad.
So...
Winners: Cruz, Rubio, Paul, Fiorina
Losers: Trump, Bush, Christie
Ties: Kascich, Carson
I agree for the most part. Rubio had a strong night; there were times when he was attacked from multiple sides and he kept responding with "Okay 3 things..." and he'd list off, point by point, the discrepancies in their arguments. He is always calm, confident, and quick witted--highly impressive overall. Cruz is also a strong communicator and debator, although I've always felt he gives off a smarmy impression--always seems like the snake-oil salesman in the room. Much as I try to like him and I agree with his stance on intrusive government intelligence gathering methods, I just can't get used to him. Oh, and I think Rubio has the most reasonable approach to illegal immigration (seal the border, send any lawbreakers home, and in time move towards amnesty for the peaceable, productive aliens who remain) and Syria (we need boots on the ground, but they must be Sunni Arab forces). Cruz shows his radical side by cozying up with Trump's crazy immigration policies and promising to carpet bomb the desert til it glows. Seriously, ISIS isn't like the Iraqi forces in the first gulf war--there are no convoys of armored divisions to destroy or squadrons of aircraft to bomb.
I agree that Paul had a great night as well, and sometimes gave the impression of being the only adult the room. This was emphasized by his position juxtaposed against Christie's warmongering rhetoric against Russia, which was ridiculous. I don't understand why Paul doesn't have more support; I would expect him to gain all the old Ron Paul supports while adding to that because he's young and talks coherently rather sounding like an old grandpa on a rant (no offense to Ron Paul).
Fiorina I didn't even notice in the debate. She's been eclisped by others who are stronger than her and by those who make flamboyant statements.
Trump was Trump as always. I thought it was unbelievable how he got a free pass on so many of his statements such as "going after" the families of terrorists or after saying Cruz was a maniac, changing his mind in three days. It just shows how unserious he is, and I can sort of understand Rubio's view who, when asked why he didn't attack Trump, said that it was worth his time--Trump's ideas can't be taken seriously.
Christie did well...for those who agree with him. I thought it displayed how unqualified he was when he bragged about shooting down Russian planes and, as you mentioned, dismissed the detailed parts of the debate as being part of the problem of Washington.
Jeb Bush put on his big boy pants, did his best to take on Trump, and had his best performance so far but still didn't come across as a leader. He seriously needs to be freed from the primaries.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/t ... b-petitionCarson was clearly out of his depth, as has been evident for a long time; and Kasich should've been gone after the last debate.
So overall:
Winners: Rubio, Cruz, Paul
Losers: Bush, Carson, Kasich
Meh: Trump, Christie, Fiorina