I mean this as a legit question; I promise I'm not trying to be a troll.
Why are we pretending that policy means anything in this? The GOP has become a cult of personality where policy positions are irrelevant and grievance is king. What has Trump said/done that makes anyone think that his VP choice will be based in any way on their policy strength? What makes anyone think that the majority of GOP voters care at all about actual policy? How many different examples are still necessary to prove that they don't care?
Policy is also not, really, a part of primary debates. On 95% (or more) of stuff, all of the people on stage agree on policy. Primary debates are primarily about personalities and moments.
Surprised that you gave Tim Scott a "W" on his performance.
While he held his own in the "screaming food fight," he was mostly unserious in his assertions. Especially embarrassing was the bee in his bonnet about Nikki Haley's curtains in the American U.N. Ambassador's office.
A winner you didn't include, Chris, was Gavin Newsom, who looked more presidential answering questions in the "Spin Room" than the childish posturing that took place on stage.
Thank you for hosting the chat last night! My thoughts:
Doug Burgum: Ugh, this guy is useless. He comes across like a know-it-all and it felt like he was at a completely different debate. Can they raise the polling requirements so we can finally get him out of here?
Chris Christie: Aside from the sleeping with a teacher joke, I thought he came off very well. The problem is he's a one-issue candidate, so I just don't care what he has to say about anything since he's not going to president and his kamikaze mission isn't working.
Nikki Haley: Haley is really good at this, is able to express her policies well, got one over on Scott, DeSantis and Ramaswamy and comes off like a top-tier candidate. I just don't see where this candidacy is going. It's like Rubio in 2016 or Kloubacher in 2020, what's the path to victory here besides a bunch of third place finishes? Trump would be insane to not pick her as a veep.
Ron DeSantis: I gotta disagree with you here, Chris. Creepy smiling aside, I thought DeSantis came off pretty well. He hit his talking points, dinged Trump a few times and got to tout his record. It wasn't the gamechanger he needed, but I thought he was better in the first debate.
Vivek Ramaswamy: Ugh. He needs to fire the image consultant he hired and just be himself. He attracts attention and notoriety because he's an obnoxious little shit who gets under the skin of his opponents. That's part of the fun of his candidacy. No one wants to see this guy medicated, I want to see Mike Pence have to be restrained from hitting him. This was a big misfire from him, and I want the old Vivek back in November.
Tim Scott: I think he belongs in the loser column, Chris. The Happy Warrior stuff only works to a point and it's clear he's never ran a serious race in his life. He's horrible at lodging attacks and the riff on the Great Society was awkward.
Mike Pence: I don't know if Pence was tired or sick or what, but he was off his game. I got the vibe he just didn't want to be there.
I really hope for the next debate, it's just Christie, Haley, DeSantis and Ramaswamy. Then I think we can have a good mix of fireworks, pettiness and possibly policy discussion?
Also, the moderators were terrible. It's not about you. I really hope the next debate is on CNN or MSNBC (ha!), to get rid of all the leading FOX questions
The bright spot of the evening, being in chat with Chris and the participants. It was such a shit show and downright pointless. The moderators lost control very early, the candidates shouting over each other made it just not engaging. It was hard to watch. Chris Christie is not liked (hated) amongst the GOP, which I think is a shame. NJ was where I was born and raised, he was an okay governor but I think he has what it takes for the GOP presidential nomination, at least as far as in the group of candidates we have now. Nikki Haley would be the next one, after that...ugh. However, the mess of last night, the needle will not be moving. It’s Trumps nomination to lose. They all needed to understand that they are trying to not only win the nomination, but to get there they must attack Trump. No questions on the 91 indictments? The fraud liability in NY? General Milley? The candidates not saying a word about these things even if not asked. They need to be saying, hey, look at me, I want to win this and this is why. Trump is a danger to our democracy and say why. As far as the moderators, I give a nod to Dana Perino (last question aside) as I could understand her and she seemed poised and ready to go. I had a hard time understanding the other 2 moderators, some of it could be due to all the shouting going on. All in all, they lost control at times and it was just overall a mess. These candidates seem to play to the wanting that sound bite, that zinger. It does nobody any good to learn about these candidates.
Gee, Chris, not sure about praising Dana Perino after she lobbed the all time winner for embarrassing questions: "who would you vote off the island?" I was relieved when DeSantis said , in essence, "hey, even we won't sink that low." I too thought Haley acquitted herself well and my instinct tells me she would be a really tough opponent for Biden. I disagree, however, with those who think she's running for VP or that Trump would pick her. We may think her critiques of Trump are mild, but as sensitive and vindictive as he is, he'll never pick her.
Trump would not choose Nikki since she has the balls Marionette Mike Pence keeps safe in Mother's purse.
Nikki would be too intimidating for Trump's fragile ego. Time Scott would fit the bill as obedient, offering Trumpish outrageous statements, like fire striking workers, and he offers the "colored" aspect, as Trump would say.
I am delighted that Chris discovered the joys of the Central time zone. And I'm grateful for the summary because, alas, I had a three hour church committee meeting that kept me from seeing any of the debate. Of course, if I hadn't had the church meeting I would have had multiple other reasons for not watching the debate. I may be a political junie but I'm not going to risk my health and well-being by watching this group of GOPers on stage on Fox.
Central Time Zone is THE BEST. I lived on East Coast 44 years and then 4 on West Coast. Finally came to my senses and moved back to where I grew up -- Central Time Zone. My sister and I used to joke about at some point in our lives living in the same time zone. Since 2018, we've lived in the same ZIP-code.
Great summary - the debate format Fox Business selected did not help it be a successful or watchable debate. And yes, Central Time Zone is the real winner.
I think Haley has to be considered the frontrunner for the VP nomination. She has shown she is an able debater. And knows policy. And would round out the ticket -- from a diversity perspective.
She's extremely presentable, and she's totally sucking up to her former boss... invading Mexico. hmmm... who thought of that awful plan first? 🍊She just wants power. And is willing to sacrifice our democratic republic to get it. Please don't lose sight of that. This is not a normal election. This is either we salvage a vestige of our Constitutional government... or we go full blown fascist dictator. The only person that stage who gave two fuchs for this nation is Chris Christie. Man those magas really hate truth tellers.
I have been in a terrible, depressed mood since the debate ended, with only one question:
Is this really the best America can do, in terms of potential Presidents?
Thanks for the summary. There is no way I will turn my TV to Fox channel. But, shit show is what I would expect.
I do what I can!
I mean this as a legit question; I promise I'm not trying to be a troll.
Why are we pretending that policy means anything in this? The GOP has become a cult of personality where policy positions are irrelevant and grievance is king. What has Trump said/done that makes anyone think that his VP choice will be based in any way on their policy strength? What makes anyone think that the majority of GOP voters care at all about actual policy? How many different examples are still necessary to prove that they don't care?
Policy is also not, really, a part of primary debates. On 95% (or more) of stuff, all of the people on stage agree on policy. Primary debates are primarily about personalities and moments.
Surprised that you gave Tim Scott a "W" on his performance.
While he held his own in the "screaming food fight," he was mostly unserious in his assertions. Especially embarrassing was the bee in his bonnet about Nikki Haley's curtains in the American U.N. Ambassador's office.
A winner you didn't include, Chris, was Gavin Newsom, who looked more presidential answering questions in the "Spin Room" than the childish posturing that took place on stage.
I just think that Scott was relevant in this debate in a way he wasn't (at all) in the last one. Which is a win for him.
Okay, I see your point.
Start with an extremely low bar from Debate #1 ;-)
Thank you for hosting the chat last night! My thoughts:
Doug Burgum: Ugh, this guy is useless. He comes across like a know-it-all and it felt like he was at a completely different debate. Can they raise the polling requirements so we can finally get him out of here?
Chris Christie: Aside from the sleeping with a teacher joke, I thought he came off very well. The problem is he's a one-issue candidate, so I just don't care what he has to say about anything since he's not going to president and his kamikaze mission isn't working.
Nikki Haley: Haley is really good at this, is able to express her policies well, got one over on Scott, DeSantis and Ramaswamy and comes off like a top-tier candidate. I just don't see where this candidacy is going. It's like Rubio in 2016 or Kloubacher in 2020, what's the path to victory here besides a bunch of third place finishes? Trump would be insane to not pick her as a veep.
Ron DeSantis: I gotta disagree with you here, Chris. Creepy smiling aside, I thought DeSantis came off pretty well. He hit his talking points, dinged Trump a few times and got to tout his record. It wasn't the gamechanger he needed, but I thought he was better in the first debate.
Vivek Ramaswamy: Ugh. He needs to fire the image consultant he hired and just be himself. He attracts attention and notoriety because he's an obnoxious little shit who gets under the skin of his opponents. That's part of the fun of his candidacy. No one wants to see this guy medicated, I want to see Mike Pence have to be restrained from hitting him. This was a big misfire from him, and I want the old Vivek back in November.
Tim Scott: I think he belongs in the loser column, Chris. The Happy Warrior stuff only works to a point and it's clear he's never ran a serious race in his life. He's horrible at lodging attacks and the riff on the Great Society was awkward.
Mike Pence: I don't know if Pence was tired or sick or what, but he was off his game. I got the vibe he just didn't want to be there.
I really hope for the next debate, it's just Christie, Haley, DeSantis and Ramaswamy. Then I think we can have a good mix of fireworks, pettiness and possibly policy discussion?
Also, the moderators were terrible. It's not about you. I really hope the next debate is on CNN or MSNBC (ha!), to get rid of all the leading FOX questions
The bright spot of the evening, being in chat with Chris and the participants. It was such a shit show and downright pointless. The moderators lost control very early, the candidates shouting over each other made it just not engaging. It was hard to watch. Chris Christie is not liked (hated) amongst the GOP, which I think is a shame. NJ was where I was born and raised, he was an okay governor but I think he has what it takes for the GOP presidential nomination, at least as far as in the group of candidates we have now. Nikki Haley would be the next one, after that...ugh. However, the mess of last night, the needle will not be moving. It’s Trumps nomination to lose. They all needed to understand that they are trying to not only win the nomination, but to get there they must attack Trump. No questions on the 91 indictments? The fraud liability in NY? General Milley? The candidates not saying a word about these things even if not asked. They need to be saying, hey, look at me, I want to win this and this is why. Trump is a danger to our democracy and say why. As far as the moderators, I give a nod to Dana Perino (last question aside) as I could understand her and she seemed poised and ready to go. I had a hard time understanding the other 2 moderators, some of it could be due to all the shouting going on. All in all, they lost control at times and it was just overall a mess. These candidates seem to play to the wanting that sound bite, that zinger. It does nobody any good to learn about these candidates.
I missed the first debate...THAT was Ramaswamy "toned down"?!?
Amazingly, yes!
It would be interesting to see Smarmy Rice-a-Roni square off with the Narcissist-In-Chief on a debate stage.
The moderators would pass out from lack of oxygen on the set.
Gee, Chris, not sure about praising Dana Perino after she lobbed the all time winner for embarrassing questions: "who would you vote off the island?" I was relieved when DeSantis said , in essence, "hey, even we won't sink that low." I too thought Haley acquitted herself well and my instinct tells me she would be a really tough opponent for Biden. I disagree, however, with those who think she's running for VP or that Trump would pick her. We may think her critiques of Trump are mild, but as sensitive and vindictive as he is, he'll never pick her.
I mean, someone told her to ask that question...I don't really hold that against her.
As for Haley: I don't know. I could totally see Trump picking her.
Trump would not choose Nikki since she has the balls Marionette Mike Pence keeps safe in Mother's purse.
Nikki would be too intimidating for Trump's fragile ego. Time Scott would fit the bill as obedient, offering Trumpish outrageous statements, like fire striking workers, and he offers the "colored" aspect, as Trump would say.
I am delighted that Chris discovered the joys of the Central time zone. And I'm grateful for the summary because, alas, I had a three hour church committee meeting that kept me from seeing any of the debate. Of course, if I hadn't had the church meeting I would have had multiple other reasons for not watching the debate. I may be a political junie but I'm not going to risk my health and well-being by watching this group of GOPers on stage on Fox.
Wayne, glad to be of service!
Central Time Zone is THE BEST. I lived on East Coast 44 years and then 4 on West Coast. Finally came to my senses and moved back to where I grew up -- Central Time Zone. My sister and I used to joke about at some point in our lives living in the same time zone. Since 2018, we've lived in the same ZIP-code.
I get the best of both world's living 20 miles east of the Illinois border with sunsets later in the evening.
Working out of the home makes it no difference for a later sunrise.
Hell of a lot better than living in Boston where I was awakened by the international Red Eye flights landing at Logan at 6:00 am. ;-)
See you were in Little Rock for the debate. If you ever get to Fayetteville, up in northwest Arkansas, I'll buy you a beer -- or drink of your choice.
Great commentary (per usual) on debate. I did think Chris Christie nicknaming Donald Trump "Donald Duck" was priceless.
Great summary - the debate format Fox Business selected did not help it be a successful or watchable debate. And yes, Central Time Zone is the real winner.
:)
"This debate was, pardon my language, a shit show."
YES!!!!!! This, exactly.
They're ALL losers. If Trump didn't exist, none of them would be thought of as "presidential timber."
Yeah! You summed it all up perfectly, Sigh. A sad little shit show.
And yet... might be time to start looking for the veep candi amongst them all.
Rump/Haley vs Biden/Harris? That’s my guess.
What do you think, Chris?
I think Haley has to be considered the frontrunner for the VP nomination. She has shown she is an able debater. And knows policy. And would round out the ticket -- from a diversity perspective.
She's extremely presentable, and she's totally sucking up to her former boss... invading Mexico. hmmm... who thought of that awful plan first? 🍊She just wants power. And is willing to sacrifice our democratic republic to get it. Please don't lose sight of that. This is not a normal election. This is either we salvage a vestige of our Constitutional government... or we go full blown fascist dictator. The only person that stage who gave two fuchs for this nation is Chris Christie. Man those magas really hate truth tellers.