The Republican Debate/Food Fight

Republican Debate/Food Fight

The View from the Middle

Charles Krauthammer called the Republican debate a “cage fight”.  My first impression was that it reminded me of the food fight scene in the movie Animal House.  I always feel comfortable when I roughly align with Charles.  I guess our only difference is that Charles would describe it as “bloody” while I am calling it “slimy”. 

There were some clear winners, however, and they were the candidates that were able to avoid the cafeteria when the jello and mashed potatoes went flying.  Ben Carson was his usual calm self.  I have to admit, I really like this guy.  I like his “everyone should have skin in the game” tax plan.  It’s not perfect, but it's good, and I really like Ben’s mission to attack political correctness and take common sense positions on things like “free” college, which he did in this debate.

John Kasich won by continuing to develop his position as a compassionate uniter with a moderate platform.  While all six candidates had good answers to the question of whether replace Judge Scalia, I think Kasich’s was best.  He recognized President Obama’s right to make a nomination, but suggested that would further divide the country and intimated that the President should put the country first (for a change) and not submit a nominee. 

Kasich also has a very centrist view on immigration.  His plan includes securing the boarder and a path to legalization (not citizenship) after paying fines and or back taxes.  I think John’s finest moment, however, was when he warned that the Republicans are flirting with losing the general election in November if they didn’t stop the verbal bludgeoning right now.  I agree with him.

But the big winner of the night was the third candidate to avoid a pie in the face, and that was Marco Rubio.  Marco came across as articulate, knowledgeable and composed.  He was actually able to dip into the food fight for a brief moment to point out Ted Cruz’s inconsistency on immigration, but popped back out fast enough to avoid even a splash of vittles on his suit.

Senator Rubio even came to the defense of George W. Bush twice, even saying that he “thanked God” that George Bush was President on 9/11.  This should insolate him from attacks by Jeb Bush in the future.  Slick move!  He invoked Ronald Reagan in both name and spirit.  He did this in spirit by avoiding personal attacks on his Republican opponents.  He actually named Reagan as the man he would love to seek counsel from if he became President.  He said he would ask Reagan how he inspired and united the country to lift us out of the mess he inherited from President Carter.  This was Rubio’s finest moment.

The remaining three candidates were co-losers.  Trump, Cruz and Bush spent so much time denigrating each other that they managed to damage themselves and blur whatever message they intended to convey to the audience.  They reminded me of three drowning men taking each other down as they tried to save themselves.  If they don’t stop this grade-school playground strategy, they will not only watch their own fates sink in a quicksand of their own making, but they could destroy their party’s chance at the White House altogether.  Congratulations!