WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2015
But They’ll Probably Just Smolder in Boulder
This morning at The Conservative Agenda, Political Insiders were asking Beloved Whistleblower Publisher Charles Foster Kane what to expect watching tonight’s so-called Third 2016 Republican Presidential “Debates” in Boulder, Colorado.
“It could be lively,” Kane predicted. “Right now it’s fun thinking about whom candidates will be attacking —each other, Hillary, or Biased Liberal Members of the News Media.”
Host CNBC promises a heavy focus on business issues and economics, but, whatever the CNBC hosts would like to talk about, the real issue is a Republican electorate that is increasingly unsettled.
Fox News says it’s less than two weeks until the Fox Business Network’s “debate,” and the race is entering a new phase. Voters are starting to get serious and candidates are passing the point where concerns can be addressed by saying “it’s still early.” The latest poll on the race shows, only 28% of Republican voters said their minds were made up about their candidate choice. That’s not surprising. At this point in the 2012 cycle –96 days before the Iowa caucuses – there had already been six “debates.” Republicans need more input from their prospective leaders.
Donald Trump’s supporters want the agent of disruption they met this summer, flinging insults and delivering laugh lines. Trump has been trying to behave himself of late, sometimes… That would be a Yuge mistake. Trump people are looking for an aggressor who taunts opponents and disrupts the status quo. The Blower certainly would like to see him keep doing that.
Ben Carson (sharing center stage with Trump) is hoping to be your new frontrunner in the GOP race, but can Carson hold up to the scrutiny, tougher questions, and incoming attacks from rivals that will surely be coming his way? Carson needs to appear “presidential.” His gentle voice and relaxed demeanor are what appeals to his supporters, but they also give an impression that he’s not fully present.
He needs to help voters imagine a Carson presidency. He’s going to find himself on the receiving end not just from Trump but probably second-tier contenders and the moderators. Carson can’t take the bait. He needs to pick his battles wisely. Engaging with Trump would be pointless. Carson should instead focus on pushing back against his questioners behind the desk.
No one on tonight’s stage will be under more pressure to deliver than Jeb Bush. We’re approaching make-or-break time for the former GOP frontrunner.
Will John Kasich finally follow The Blower’s advice and stop being polite? USA Today reports Tuesday, Ohio’s Governor treated guests at his “debate” send-off rally to a moment of vintage Kasich. No more tentatively attacking. “I’m done with being polite and listening to this nonsense,” Kasich said. CNN decribed it as Kasich’s “Bulworth”/Howard Beale moment when he said, “What has happened to our party? What has happened to the conservative movement? We’d better be careful that we don’t turn this country over to someone who’s not capable of running it… somebody with wild ideas who thinks they can scream and bluster or operate their way to success. It’s my kids that are going to be at risk, and your kids, and your grandkids, and all of us. So why don’t we grow up? Why don’t we get a reality check on what the heck needs to be done in this country?”
Marco Rubio comes into tonight’s debate as arguably the GOP establishment’s new favorite, but after some recent rough news coverage about his day job as a U.S. senator, the Florida Sun-Sentinel called on him to resign if he longer is casting votes.” If you hate your job, senator, follow the honorable lead of House Speaker John Boehner and resign it. Let us elect someone who wants to be there and earn an honest dollar for an honest day’s work.” Wow. Don’t be surprised if some GOP candidates not named Jeb (John Kasich, Chris Christie) go after Rubio here.
Rand Paul needs to make his promised filibuster of the pending budget deal the center piece of his “debate.” Paul’s high-profile opposition to the bipartisan Budget deal is the last chance for his struggling campaign, but it’s not a bad last chance to have, since Paul can use this “debate” to set up a Mr. Smith moment when the legislation comes to the floor. . But there’s just one small hitch, per NBC’s Frank Thorp: The rules will allow him to speak for just one hour, and only more than that if another senator yields him time. Bottom line: It won’t be a situation where he gets to speak for hours-on-end.
Ted Cruz needs to avoid getting into dustups with his fellow candidates. Being the heir apparent for Conservative voters (if and when Ben Carson’s rise reverses) means not publicly attacking Carson or Trump.
Carly Fiorina must prove she’s in it to win it.
Mike Huckabee may have been best debater of the 2008 cycle, but he’s become almost an afterthought in the previous two debates. It’s hard to see how it will be any different tonight when Republicans are looking for more excitement.
Meanwhile, Hillary’s Campaign sent out a fund-raising e-mail asking which one of the Republicans her donors would like to see Hillary take down in a one-on-one debate. No kidding. That’s what it said.
