for those who missed last night's debate

[callmeslick]

....do yourself a favor and go watch some old Monty Python episodes. They used to do a bit wherein the Ladies Auxillary re-enacts a major historical event, but it just turns out to be a bunch of women on the beach yelling and beating each other with handbags. Funnier in drag, that was pretty much all you got out of the 3 childilsh participants last night. NONE OF THEM is fit to be President, no matter what shortcomings one may find in Hillary and Bernie. Once again, Kasich came off as competent and Carson had a valid complaint in that no one asked him many questions.

[Spidey]

Yea, you better talk to those who didn’t see it, because those of us who did may have a different opinion.

[callmeslick]

Yea, you better talk to those who didn’t see it, because those of us who did may have a different opinion.

which would be? Impressed by that classless, clueless and childish performance? For months, we've heard how 'deep' a field the GOP was presenting us with. You watched that debate last night and feel that? I know one's mileage may vary, but seriously? Do you think Mr and Mrs middle class America saw that onstage shouting match and thought anyone(save Kasich) was fit for the office of President?

[Lothar]

this wasn't the R-vs-D major candidate debate. This was the Republican primary debate. It wasn't about impressing voters for the general; it was about trying to hasten Trump's demise. Showing that Trump wilts when subjected to his own tactics.

Wouldn't you agree that the sooner Trump drops out, the better, from the perspective of having a reasonable chance of competent governance?

[Tunnelcat]

this wasn't the R-vs-D major candidate debate. This was the Republican primary debate. It wasn't about impressing voters for the general; it was about trying to hasten Trump's demise. Showing that Trump wilts when subjected to his own tactics.

Wouldn't you agree that the sooner Trump drops out, the better, from the perspective of having a reasonable chance of competent governance?

Oh, I agree. But there is a risk when someone confronts a bully like Trump and that bully makes you mad. If you're not reasoned and principled in your counter arguments when going after someone like him, you'll end up as looking like just an angry chump that's easily dismissed.

[callmeslick]

this wasn't the R-vs-D major candidate debate. This was the Republican primary debate. It wasn't about impressing voters for the general; it was about trying to hasten Trump's demise. Showing that Trump wilts when subjected to his own tactics.

Wouldn't you agree that the sooner Trump drops out, the better, from the perspective of having a reasonable chance of competent governance?

yes, I would like to see him drop out, but see no reason for him to do so, including what took place last night. Frankly, I think he, Cruz and Rubio made a solid case why all three should 'drop out' and give an adult a shot at the job.

[vision]

Finally got a chance to watch. Here are my notes...


Opening remarks: All were good except Trump. He is comical with his continued dumbing-down of speech to words of three syllables or less.

Immigration: Kasich was Sensible. Carson, also not bad. II appreciated Cruz and Rubio's remarks.

Rubio on immigration executive order: Wow, good form. Clear and well-spoken. I think they were trying to paint his position as controversial but it really isn't and he nailed his response.

Kasich on Hispanic voters: Sensible.

On the Supreme Court nomination and religious liberty: Cruz was a little ridiculous. Trump was a complete idiot. Kasich was smart with angling it toward commerce. Carson played safe, as usual.

Heath care: Such embarrassing garbage between Rubio and Trump. I really hated all the whooping and hollering. Disgusting. However, Carson was surprisingly thoughtful and seemed to be the only one who had a good answer. Cruz's input was a distraction.

Economy: I understand Trump likes to use simple language to appeal to his supporters, but he's really has no substance. I don't see how you can draw Independent voters with that nonsense. Kasich, strong again. Cruz, not so bad. I like Carson's unexpected twist saying we should eliminate the IRS.

On Israel: Rubio, holy crap, dude is on fire.

On N.Korea: Good stance by Kasich. I also like his idea of sliming bureaucracy in the DOD.

** At this point I'm disgusted with the amount of cheering for this shitshow.

On Apple: These guys are all wrong, but Kasich was at least interesting about it. Meh.

Final thoughts: Trump for all his smooth-talk was absolutely destroyed by the substance of actual candidates. I must say, a Rubio/Kasich ticket just might take the general election.

[woodchip]

Except now Christy has come out in support of Trump. Sorry guys, as much as you might want to bad mouth Trump and build up the other candidates...it won't work. Trump will be the nominee and the next president. Keep hoping tho.

[callmeslick]

Except now Christy has come out in support of Trump. Sorry guys, as much as you might want to bad mouth Trump and build up the other candidates...it won't work. Trump will be the nominee and the next president. Keep hoping tho.

still don't have the courage of conviction to wager on it, though, huh?

[callmeslick]

Except now Christy has come out in support of Trump.

so what? Oh, and by the way, the big fellas name is Christie. What the support of another proven liar and first-order slimy politician from greater NYC does for Trump eludes me. I think it is far more important to see that Donald Trump got THIS guy's endorsement, as it is an example of exactly what
Trump is selling. Too bad that Maine ended up with a racist, clueless boob as a governor:

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/politics/elec ... t/57491143

[woodchip]

Except now Christy has come out in support of Trump. Sorry guys, as much as you might want to bad mouth Trump and build up the other candidates...it won't work. Trump will be the nominee and the next president. Keep hoping tho.

still don't have the courage of conviction to wager on it, though, huh?

Refresh me as to terms of the bet. Trump vs Hillary?

[Tunnelcat]

Refresh me as to terms of the bet. Trump vs Hillary?

I'm starting to think that's going to be the match-up for the final showdown. There's also no guarantee that Hillary will win in the general election either, despite the polls and I'm pretty sure it's going to be Hillary on the Dem side because the Dem Party insiders have got all those superdelegates wrapped up like a present just for Hillary. Idiots. I'm pretty sure Bernie isn't going to get many of those and he can't win without them. The only reason Hillary might win in the general is because Trump has pissed off every Hispanic in the U.S., legal or not and quite a few women see Trump as a womanizer, 3 time adulterer and divorcee and just a plain old lecherous jerk.

[woodchip]

and quite a few women see Trump as a womanizer, 3 time adulterer and divorcee and just a plain old lecherous jerk.

Didn't seem to hurt ole Billy Bob.

[vision]

One thing that worries me about the GOP nomination isn't that Trump will win, it's that Rubio, Cruz, and Kasich are all looking very strong now. The polls don't favor Kasich, probably because he isn't simplistic enough in debates, but all the lifetime conservatives I know prefer him. As much as I think Cruz is good, Rubio proved to be better during the last debate and really changed my opinion of him. That last sentence is important. Rubio changed my opinion of him. I think this is important when part of the nomination process is determining who can pull people from the center or left. As an Independent I'm feeling more and more like Rubio should be the nominee.

[Krom]

On the other hand there is this:
https://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Rub ... ary-136385
Rubio and Cruz basically just turned the whole of the internet generation against the GOP. You can bet that if either of these guys win the election they will appoint people to the FCC who will go out of their way to put our internet related economic development a decade or more behind the rest of the world.

Just when we are finally starting to crawl out of the dark ages of telecom anti-regulation.

[callmeslick]

Refresh me as to terms of the bet. Trump vs Hillary?

Trump will be President, yes or no. I stated no, and offered you odds against him. Loser donates to charity of winner's choice. IIRC, I offered 3-1 against my $500, but will go back and check on it.

[callmeslick]

As an Independent I'm feeling more and more like Rubio should be the nominee.

why? He wants to expand, at great expense, the military, and hasn't shown ANY savvy about the world. He seems determined to waffle on immigration reform, is determined to screw up social security and has ZERO plan for medical insurance programs going forward. He also offers no plan as to how to balance the budget, or worse, avoid massive debt from his ideas. Further, as evidenced the other night, he is a smirking little snake, ready to dish out invectives(previously, the targets were Obama and Clinton) and find himself amusing. Is THAT your vision of a President of the US?(no nickname pun intended).

Not going to argue the point about Kasich. He seems level-headed enough, although extremely conservative in some ideas, but at least doesn't behave like a rude child on the public stage.

[Ferno]

On the other hand there is this:
https://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Rub ... ary-136385
Rubio and Cruz basically just turned the whole of the internet generation against the GOP. You can bet that if either of these guys win the election they will appoint people to the FCC who will go out of their way to put our internet related economic development a decade or more behind the rest of the world.

Just when we are finally starting to crawl out of the dark ages of telecom anti-regulation.

you ever notice that when republicans mention freedom, they usually mean the exact opposite?

[Tunnelcat]

and quite a few women see Trump as a womanizer, 3 time adulterer and divorcee and just a plain old lecherous jerk.

Didn't seem to hurt ole Billy Bob.

It should. He makes Trump look like an angel in the bed department. As a woman, why do you think I dislike Bill Clinton? Bill Clinton is a serial sex predator who needs to get the hell out of politics and keep his pants zipped. I also think men who go out on their wives while they are married, then dump said wife for that younger mistress are lowly cads as well. Trump is a dirty old horny cad.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fac ... omanizing/

[vision]

Not going to argue the point about Kasich. He seems level-headed enough, although extremely conservative in some ideas, but at least doesn't behave like a rude child on the public stage.

Right, I'm not saying I agree with any of his policies, but I think he captures popular conservative ideals fairly well. He's a little short on plans, but then most of them are to varying degrees. What I most like about him is something I mentioned on another forum, that perhaps he is someone the GOP can get excited about, especially if he continues to perform well. The party needs to get excited about someone and they need direction.

Now, about the bratty behavior, all three of those guys were horrible. But here is the thing, Rubio and Cruz were treating Trump exactly how Trump treats everyone else. They were completely dismissive of him because, really, the guy is a clown, and for all the crap he spews he doesn't deserve to stand on the stage with actual Republicans with values. Trump is an opportunist, not a leader.

Didn't seem to hurt ole Billy Bob.

Bill Clinton is a serial sex predator who needs to get the hell out of politics and keep his pants zipped.

Seriously, why are you two so fixated on Bill Clinton's sex life? One of you two mentions it in nearly every thread.

[Ferno]

[removed]

[Spidey]

If Rubio and Cruz were smart they could make a little back room deal that could go something like this…

The two of them stop any attacks on each other and bring all guns to bear against Trump, then when the convention begins the one in third place can give all of their delegates to the one in second place (assuming Trump is in the lead) in trade for the VP position.

My guess is between the two of them they will probably have enough to get the nod.

Two Latinos on the ticket, and some of the right things said can easily get 40+ percent of the Hispanic vote, they are not locked in like the black vote. (disclaimer….what hell am I saying!!!...Republicans saying the right things...I must be crazy!!! )

[Nightshade]

they are not locked in like the black vote.

Bernie should have added more "I'll give away more free sh** than Hillary" to change this.