Well after tonight's debate, despite the talking heads strident propping up of Rubio, I saw a few things.
Kasich is done, Bush is done. Neither have figured it out, and both should head to the kiddie table where they belong until they hit the door. Hopefully Iowa and NH give them sub 1% numbers so they'll figure it out.
I'm not sure if Carson needs to go there yet or not. His biggest problem is he doesn't like interrupting people, which makes him look hesitant and well...lost in the gaggle of strident people desperate to be heard. I think he'd do better with a smaller format where he gets to talk more. Regardless he should probably end up with the Surgeon General posting, I think he'd probably be more comfortable with that in the long run.
Everyone on the undercard should call it a day, despite Huckabee having the best speaking voice of any of the candidates, he's just been painted it too small a corner to get out. Fiorina is probably angling for a cabinet post, or an outside shot at VP candidate...Honestly I can't see her getting it, but that doesn't mean she can't see a way.
Santorum should have quit months ago, I have no idea why he's still there, history isn't going to repeat itself...and he still lost to Romney.
Christie just flat smashed Rubio when he got called out. HINT: Rubio stick to going after Bush, Christie's out of your league head to head.
Trump/Cruz I'd call a draw as the winners. Both got in their shots.
Christie was 3rd. He's hit his stride in these debates and he's figured out how to play it.
Rubio 4th, had a great moment early, but when you start with a TD and give up a pick 6 right after, they forget about the TD pretty fast.
Carson, Bush, Kasich....bleh. All had a few good things to say, but weren't terribly memorable.
I swear if I hear Kasich talk about that fictitious balanced budget he brags about I'll puke.
I think that's all in all a competent summary 9aces.
Happy to meet you by the way.
I thought Rubio had one of his best nights, but he still has a speaking style that sounds like he a school kid reciting from a script. It sounds staged and not at all spontaneous or coming from true conviction.
I agree Bush and Kasich haven't figured it out. They are both campaigning old style thinking their experience qualifies them so they both keep reciting or inferring their resumes instead of letting us know they understand that we are all angry and why we are angry. People aren't interested in their resumes. Among those who will likely vote GOP, they want tough, angry, competent, and effective and somebody who will actually make a difference to start turning things around. Trump figured that out day one, and that light bulb seems to have come on for Cruz. Christi countered the charges against him as well as anybody has ever done.
I thought the pre-debate was great though, and liked what all three candidates said and thought all three accomplished themselves. But I think you're right that most of the electorate has now dismissed them as viable candidates. Rand Paul really shot himself in the foot throwing a hissy fit and refusing to participate. I adore Huckabee except for his fair tax plan that he is so committed to. I like Cruz's flat tax much much better.
Ben Carson by himself is brilliant, compelling, persuasive, and likable. But up against the pit bulls of politics, he just looks out of their league. And Carly Fiorina is hamstrung by our American natural sexist attitudes. She hasn't quite figured out a Margaret Thatcher or Jeanne Kirkpatrick style of being female, tough, strong, and likable all at the same time. That is a burden the guys don't have.
In the end, I would not have to hold my nose to vote for any one of the candidates, but I am now leaning toward Trump, Cruz, Rubio, and Christi as the ones I most want to win the nomination and that I believe can be both viable candidates against Hillary and will do the best job as President. And I am leaning toward believing Trump and Christ will do better against Hillary than any of the others.
And Hillary, Trump, and Christi are all essentially New Yorkers for all practical purposes.
