Ready or not, it’s that time of the political calendar. The presidential campaign, in some ways, officially kicks off tonight with the first GOP debate on Fox News. We know Donald Trump will not be present, but we will hear from the other leading candidates.
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This really is significant back-and-forth here, and it reflects a real debate. So much insincerity early on (Haley has never had to vote on federal budget, so she attacks those who have...Vivek has never served, uh, anywhere, so he attacks those who have), but this is a real debate.
Vivek really testing whether our politics has developed to the point where it will reward a candidate whose political imagination was shaped more through media debate culture than public service.
"Every second we talk about the past (Trump) is a wasted opportunity..." HE IS CURRENTLY BEATING ALL OF YOU IN THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN IN WHICH YOU ARE RUNNING THIS VERY MOMENT
Haley was great in this debate, I find Vivek’s brand of politics distasteful, but the “career on the boards of Lockheed and Raytheon” line was incredibly clever (I laughed out loud)
First question on the economy, featuring several videos including street interviews and the Rich Men North of Richmond song, which received a mention before Donald Trump received a mention.
Good start to this debate with Natalie Grant singing. We had her sing back when I was at The White House, and she is the real deal. A real champion in efforts to combat human trafficking as well.
The point on which the entire GOP primary turns: Is Trump a winner? If GOP primary voters think the answer is yes, then Trump will be the nominee. If serious doubt emerges on this point, then other candidates have a chance.
Let's see tonight how this aspect of the primary plays out.
Christie calling out Trump as inappropriate behavior/beneath the office could be a litmus test on how the Republican Party as a whole views that. If his numbers drop precipitately after this, the other candidates won't touch that again.
Clever of the moderators to get the "rule of law", "law and order", and pro-law enforcement rhetoric warmed up just before pivoting to Trump's crimes... 👀😲
Wow. Vivek pointing to issues that Millenials/Gen Z are concerned about, while Pence and the more establishment Republicans want to stick to traditional talking points.
Haley is a pretty remarkably talented politician.
Now this is an actual, substantive debate. Maybe the first real policy debate so far, and it's on abortion.
This really is significant back-and-forth here, and it reflects a real debate. So much insincerity early on (Haley has never had to vote on federal budget, so she attacks those who have...Vivek has never served, uh, anywhere, so he attacks those who have), but this is a real debate.
Wow. Really something for Fox News to say definitively that abortion has been a losing issue for Republicans since Dobbs.
Vivek really testing whether our politics has developed to the point where it will reward a candidate whose political imagination was shaped more through media debate culture than public service.
Haley says climate change is real and follows up immediately with critique of Biden to try to avoid getting booed. Pretty effective.
Christie mentions "truth and accountability" in response to a question on the economy. I think we'll hear those words again from him.
Country in decline: Trump, DeSantis, Vivek
Country has great future: Scott, Haley, Pence
DeSantis might be happy trying to hang around in second place, if he can, until the field gets whittled down a bit.
"Every second we talk about the past (Trump) is a wasted opportunity..." HE IS CURRENTLY BEATING ALL OF YOU IN THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN IN WHICH YOU ARE RUNNING THIS VERY MOMENT
Mike Pence is not going to let someone cast a dark vision of America while he's standing right there (unless he's asked to be his running mate)!
Very interesting for Pence to raise the issue of contrition
American cities are in decline? Is Atlanta the one exception? Am I delusional
Frustrating that no one really answered the Climate Change question. Lots of finger-pointing rather than ownership of the issues.
Vivek scares me with his foreign policy ideas. Too insular thinking. We live in a globalized world.
A couple of thoughts at this point:
- This is all good but then I remember that no one on the stage is polling higher than the teens and most single digits.
- I think Hutchinson and Bergum need to drop out unless they have more of a moment before this is over.
Ramaswamy somehow vibe that reminds me of both Trump and Obama.
Who had pocket Constitution on their bingo card?
Haley was great in this debate, I find Vivek’s brand of politics distasteful, but the “career on the boards of Lockheed and Raytheon” line was incredibly clever (I laughed out loud)
Vivek giving all the soundbites.
Christie tapping into the Reagan parallels.
I have to say that Haley and Christie both keep surprising me.
Pocket Constitution finally appears at 40'
You know Haley had that line in her back pocket ready for some point of the evening--and well deployed here, I think!
Turning into a free-for-all...
I won't lie, I'm finding Ramaswamy pretty entertaining!
Surprised with Haley coming in swinging at Republicans too--and receiving some cheers!
Chris Christie playing sober minded and serious
What did you think?
Burgum's politics are so North Dakota
Would Pence consider Christie as his VP?
Pence is running like a man who thinks he's just waiting for the electorate to get serious
Vivek is the Buttigieg of this GOP field...discuss
Republicans haven't traditionally been big supporters of the rhetoric of "revolution," but maybe times are a-changing, Vivek!
Hmmmm...skinny guy with a funny last name. Where have I heard that before?
Ah, Pence is going to try to use references to the Trump Administration to get more time.
First question on the economy, featuring several videos including street interviews and the Rich Men North of Richmond song, which received a mention before Donald Trump received a mention.
Good start to this debate with Natalie Grant singing. We had her sing back when I was at The White House, and she is the real deal. A real champion in efforts to combat human trafficking as well.
Christianity Today asked what I thought should be on Christians' minds as they watch the debate tonight: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2023/august/2024-gop-republican-debate-abortion.html
The point on which the entire GOP primary turns: Is Trump a winner? If GOP primary voters think the answer is yes, then Trump will be the nominee. If serious doubt emerges on this point, then other candidates have a chance.
Let's see tonight how this aspect of the primary plays out.
Real test here of who thinks they need to get "rude" and break in to get face time and, like, that's just a terrible test to have in a debate. 🗑️
I thought that was one of the best abortion answers I've heard on a debate stage from Haley
Did Chris Christie just come out as anti-teacher during his answer to a question about UFOs?
Hutchinson using "insurrection" to describe January 6! Surprising...
Christie calling out Trump as inappropriate behavior/beneath the office could be a litmus test on how the Republican Party as a whole views that. If his numbers drop precipitately after this, the other candidates won't touch that again.
Clever of the moderators to get the "rule of law", "law and order", and pro-law enforcement rhetoric warmed up just before pivoting to Trump's crimes... 👀😲
Hutchinson swinging at Trump undermining rule of law...
Wow. Vivek pointing to issues that Millenials/Gen Z are concerned about, while Pence and the more establishment Republicans want to stick to traditional talking points.