The LuLac Edition #3008, August 7th, 2015

GOP DEBATE RECAP

EVERYBODY GETS A TROPHY

Republican presidential candidates from left, Chris Christie, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, Scott Walker, Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and John Kasich take the stage for the first Republican presidential debate at the Quicken Loans Arena Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

The 10 top Presidential candidates on the GOP side that squared off in Cleveland last night pretty much survived the pre game tom foolery of the Fox panelists. Chris Wallace, (his father had to be spinning in his grave) Megyn Kelly and Brett Baer reminded me of Judges on a bad American Idol/Voice competition. Their bantering of the candidates before the debate landed like a lead balloon.
In the critical debate itself, no one did any harm to themselves so they’ll all live for another day. It reminded me of a kid's event where every candidate got their trophy. In this case it was every candidate that had their moment.
And here they were:

TRUMP

Right out of the box, he raised his hand when asked if any of the candidates would promise not to launch a third party. Raising his hand he indicated he could not make the promise. Trump later challenged Megyn Kelly’s question regarding his past comments on various women he deemed unattractive saying America had bigger problems. That was Teflon like to me. Trump was prepared, combative but embraced the environment.

BUSH

Jeb Bush touted his record as a Governor, walked the fine line between saying he’d do things in Iraq differently as well as saying he felt the soldiers who died in that Iraq War did not die in vane. Bush seemed to stay above the fray and while he did not have a true break out moment, he maintained.

RUBIO

Rubio stood out because he made the case for his generation. Let’s face it, America has been successful because we always look ahead. Rubio seemed to capture the essence of that with his using Amazon as one of the biggest employers in the United States. His call for a new generation to lead is powerful given the three top Democratic candidates being mentioned, Clinton, Sanders and Biden, all are over 70. On the God question, he was great saying, "He has blessed the Republican Party with some very good candidates. The Democrats can't even find one."

WALKER

Made a good impression and held more than his own. Advised he governed in a blue state, took on the unions and won three elections in six years. Walker never zeroed in on any of his foes but focused on what he could bring to the top of the ticket.But seemed to blend into the woodwork.

HUCKABEE

Had the best close of the night when he advised that the GOP candidate was all about someone with a lot of money and leading in the polls with no clue on how to govern. He then said he was speaking of Hillery Clinton, not Trump. He championed pro life but hen said a user tax would be great so that even pimps and their prostitutes would have to pay it.

PAUL

He seemed way to willing to engage for a fight. Took on Trump and Chris Christie. Rand Paul said he opposed the deal on Iran but adds that he's not always opposed to negotiation. "President Obama gave away too much too early."
Paul took on Trump for refusing to say he would not support the GOP nominee. Trump shot back that he, Paul was having a bad night. Paul took on Chris Christie regarding privacy issues.

CHRISTIE

Touted his experience as a prosecutor. He got into it with Paul about his embracing President Obama after Hurricane Sandy. Also was not afraid to mix it up with the others but I think he took relish in the fact that he had Paul as an anti Washington target.

CARSON

He didn’t seem to get a lot of time but was both smart and engaging. His allusions to his Medical practice hit home especially in the recently charged racial issues in the Unite States. By saying that he took care of patient's brains and not their skin color, that was a plus. But many time he seemed like an afterthought. He was too polite and needed to make a breakthrough.

CRUZ

Had some powerful moments on ISIS and Foreign Policy. If there is such a thing as a Conservative conservative, he did try to get that niche. What he did seemed to mute the extreme positions. His answer on God was kind of scary to me but I'm sure it helped him with his base.

KASICH

Kasich had the home town advantage and did very well in the debate. Here’s what he did that resonated. He spoke about accepting same sex marriage because it was the law. He separated himself from the majority of candidates who want to try and repeal it. He was reasonable passionate and talked about his roots in a way that few did on the stage.

Talk time: 

1 Trump 5:06

2 Bush 4:29

3 Cruz 3:30 

4 Rbio 3:00 

5 Chrstie 2:50 

6 Carson 2:45 

7 Kasich 2:11 

8 Huck 2:03 

9 Paul 2:01 

10 Walker 1:54 (from NPR)

WINNERS

Rubio on changing the course of the party with new generation..

Trump on bombast.

Kasich on presenting a middle of the road alternative that can wear well in a general election.

Here's our take on the debate with WBRE TV's Valerie Tysanner on PA Live.