Trump aside, GOP field looks formidable
Chuck,
Like many Americans, I anticipated with great excitement the first Republican presidential debate this Thursday. I was in my car the entire time listening on AM radio, wondering if my reactions to the debate would differ from those seeing it live on television ala Nixon-Kennedy (they weren’t). And in-between the AM crackles I did make out most of the event. That’s what I get for not ponying up the money for XM radio. Siriusly.
While everyone is fixated on The Donald, let me give you my first reaction: The Democrats are in serious trouble this year. 24 million Americans – an all-time record for a primary debate – tuned in to the event where yes, they were treated to Trump being Trump. But they also saw something else, Chuck: A stage filled with a number of intelligent, experienced, formidable leaders who can appeal to a broad swath of Americans in the general election.
Marco Rubio, the popular senator from swing-state Florida, really stood out: Sharp, articulate, deeply knowledgeable. John Kasich, the popular governor of swing-state Ohio, also looked good. Scott Walker, governor of blue-state Wisconsin, didn’t hurt himself. Chris Christie looked good sparring with Rand Paul. And in the undercard event, Carly Fiorina – the former CEO of Hewlett Packard – looked extraordinarily good. You may not care for Ted Cruz, but the guy is extraordinarily sharp and a great public speaker. And Jeb? He did moderately well, which is probably his aim: Win the primary while being as moderate as is possible in a Republican primary.
So the nation tuned in to see The Apprentice – thank you, Donald – but got something else. 24 million Americans got an opportunity to see several candidates they can imagine as president. Trump aside, this was not the crazy or embarrassing lineup of elections past. This is a solid, substantive, fresh, experienced lineup of very strong candidates – one Americans will tune in again to see, and increasingly like.
How many Americans will say the same thing of the Democratic Party’s lineup come October? Not many, I’d wager.
- Lucy
~��b