Thursday debate thoughts

BlueBirdMB

Weirdly, I thought Rand Paul had the best night.  I remembered why I love him so much!  *sigh* I wish he had a prayer. 

Bush seemed more relaxed, but he just. can't. talk.  It's painful.

I thought Kasich also had a good night.  I liked him more than I usually do.  

Cruz... shot himself in the damn foot.  I mean, WOW.  We're all tired of the "media is sooooo mean" routine.  Especially when it's FOX NEWS.  No news station will be kinder to you, dude.  Chill out.  You don't like being the front runner and getting the most questions??  Cry me a river.  Also, he also came out looking like a flip flopping, egotistical, ass about immigration/amnesty.  Rand totally won that exchange.

Still like Rubio, but I thought he had a weak night, although I was watching Frank Luntz's focus group and they thought he won and he had the highest rated moments of the night.

Carson makes me sad.  He seems so sweet, but then borders on incoherent when he talks...

Christie I also still like, but he's sounding very one note.  I'm getting bored and a little annoyed listening to him answer every question the same way.

I didn't miss Trump one bit.  It was nice to not have to deal with the bull.

smerka

I haven't seen Carson speak in a while except through the filter of the Daily Show. And Trevor Noah's impression of him is pretty spot on. I didn't watch the whole thing but I did see the part on immigration. Christie won that part by saying it is okay to change your mind on things but own it.

vlagrl29

Once again I'm reminded why I like Rand - I so wish he was higher in the polls.  I much prefer him over who we have at the top.  I too though cruz was being a baby - wha!

BlueBirdMB

smerka said:

I haven't seen Carson speak in a while except through the filter of the Daily Show. And Trevor Noah's impression of him is pretty spot on. I didn't watch the whole thing but I did see the part on immigration. Christie won that part by saying it is okay to change your mind on things but own it.

I don't think he won the exchange, but it is a good point.  I feel that way about everyone.  I'm fine with people changing their minds, but the difference between someone who has changed their mind and someone who has flip flopped is this- why did you change your mind?  What was the pivot point?  What piece of information helped you change your mind?  If a politician can't answer those questions *cough* Trump *cough*, then they are flip flopping for political gain.

vlagrl29

I honestly didn't think I would vote in the primary this year in our state because I'm un moved by the DEMS and REPs this year but after last night and Rand being back in the debate it's made me realize I'm going to vote for him in the primary.  I don't care if he doesn't have much of a chance - he's the most logical in my mind.  He is a Libertarian or Republican?

BlueBirdMB

He has libertarian tendencies (although not strictly speaking), but he's runs as Republican.  When is your primary?  I'm not sure Rand will be in that much longer.

vlagrl29

BlueBirdMB said:

He has libertarian tendencies (although not strictly speaking), but he's runs as Republican.  When is your primary?  I'm not sure Rand will be in that much longer.

March 15th - that's too late huh?  They will take his name off the ballot?  

BlueBirdMB

vlagrl29 said:

BlueBirdMB said:

He has libertarian tendencies (although not strictly speaking), but he's runs as Republican.  When is your primary?  I'm not sure Rand will be in that much longer.

March 15th - that's too late huh?  They will take his name off the ballot?  

Not sure how it works.  That's not terribly late.  I think that's super Tuesday (or maybe it's the week before, not sure) and I don't think he's dropping out before then.  You can always write him in.  Or look into voting Libertarian for Gary Johnson.  If you like those policies, you might like Johnson.

BlueBirdMB

@vlagrl29 I think we're pretty aligned- socially liberal, economically conservative- and I like Paul and Johnson

vlagrl29

BlueBirdMB said:

@vlagrl29 I think we're pretty aligned- socially liberal, economically conservative- and I like Paul and Johnson

I will have to look into Johnson as well

MommyLiberty5013

I was thankful the "elephant" was not there. And, I enjoyed Paul during the debate. I won't vote for him, but he did do well. I agree that Cruz was annoying. Christie sounds like a broken record. Bush did the best he's ever done, but he's too "establishment" to win. I just cannot get behind Rubio. The whole Gang of 8 thing bothers me and when Megyn Kelly showed his video clips, he just seemed dishonest to me and slimy. Like PPs have mentioned, it's fine to change one's views, but I think admitting a switch is far better than trying to talk out of or side-step one's past remarks. It seemed too "D.C. as usual" and I am not at all interested in "D.C. as usual" in this election. Kasich = blah. I agree that Carson sounds too out of the loop in his remarks; however, I trust his character and integrity, his love for country, the Constitution and the people. I trust him above all the other candidates and right now, I feel like whom I trust the most is what's informing my candidate selection. MN doesn't vote until Super Tuesday, so maybe he won't be in any longer. But, he has been campaigning in Iowa and other states far longer than other candidates, so he may be an underdog now that rises up.

short+sassy

BlueBirdMB said:

smerka said:

I haven't seen Carson speak in a while except through the filter of the Daily Show. And Trevor Noah's impression of him is pretty spot on. I didn't watch the whole thing but I did see the part on immigration. Christie won that part by saying it is okay to change your mind on things but own it.

I don't think he won the exchange, but it is a good point.  I feel that way about everyone.  I'm fine with people changing their minds, but the difference between someone who has changed their mind and someone who has flip flopped is this- why did you change your mind?  What was the pivot point?  What piece of information helped you change your mind?  If a politician can't answer those questions *cough* Trump *cough*, then they are flip flopping for political gain.

Sigh, wouldn't that be refreshing?  I'd love to have a politician say (just picking an issue at random) "I used to be for the death penalty, because (blah, blah, blah).  But then (insert story, insert reason) and now I am against the death penalty."