The Republican Debates, who's on your shortlist?

Walker and Rand

Trump will get eviscerated. He's all good and well ranting when no one is there to challenge is megalomaniacal ramblings , but once one of those to get ahold of him he's going to end up looking like the rambling blowhard that he is

Once it's debate time trump doesn't stand a chance, the guy has NO policies to back his rhetoric.

I've said it before, even if it got that far Sanders would mop the floor w him anyway

originally posted by: tothetenthpower
a reply to: Southern Guardian

I dunno which 10 they'll cram on that stage, but if the Don is one of them ,expect to have the others just basically sit there and look stupid while he runs his mouth.

Ben Carson said he's not opposed to running with Trump, which is scary in itself.

~Tenth

They're supposed to take the top 10 by poll numbers. So right now The Donald should be up there easily.

originally posted by: TonyS

originally posted by: Southern Guardian
Still you gotta admit... the GOP debates will be entertaining.

Oh, good grief.....you have to be kidding. Entertaining? With the possible exception of Trump and Rubio, they've got the personality of cardboard and the debates will be largely scripted.

I won't be watching any of the debates; they bore me to tears. Lying sycophants anxious to tell J.Q. Republican what they think he wants to hear.

They can't possibly be any less interesting than the Democrat ones which are basically a variation of "Who's More Socialist Than Thou."

I just realised Scott Walker announced his candidacy now.

Is that all? Can we close the GOP Bus and move on now to the primaries?

originally posted by: Southern Guardian
So August will be the first month for the GOP primary debates. Given that there's only so many candidates that'll be allowed to participate, who do you think will make the shortlist? Or who do you think should be on the shortlist?

There are 15 major Republican candidates running in these GOP primaries (if we are to assume Scott Walker is jumping in as well) so there will be at least 5 losers. Here's my shortlist:

Jeb Bush - The best bet thus far. Raised $110 million already in campaign money, carries the Bush name and the connections that come with it!

Rand Paul - The favourite for the Libertarian wing of the party. One of the tea party candidates.

Marco Rubio - Another favourite. If Jeb's out, Rubio is in as he can appeal to Floridians (Florida is a must for the GOP in 2016). He's also hispanic!

Ben Carson - Tea party favourite, gotta appeal to that wing of the party. He's also black so that's a plus. Good to have at least one in the GOP debates to appear inclusive folks.

Trump - Oh boy oh boy, he is a must. Need to appeal to that... other wing of the GOP.... not to mention, he'll be instrumental to the debate ratings.

Carly Fiorina - To be honest, she doesn't have much appeal to her other than the fact she's a GOP female counterweight to Hillary. Let's be real here.

Ted Cruz - Another Tea Party nut. Gotta make sure you appeal to that wing of the party. He's also got Texas. Gotta keep them Texans happy... not that it matters as they'll go GOP regardless. But still, just to be safe.

Scott Walker - Oh he's running, and he appeals to all bases of the GOP. Watch out for him!

Rick Perry - He's probably the one with the least of a chance to get the presidency but like it or not, Rick still carries weight in the GOP. He was a relatively popular governor and he has plenty of connections. As with Cruz, keep em' Texans happy. If Florida gets two, then Texas should get two as well!

Chris Christie - He barely makes my short list. Now I know, I know, what am I thinking? Chris Christie?! He doesn't have a chance in heck! But look understand, he's from a blue state. He's governor of a blue state. Yes, getting New Jersey in the GOP box is a pipe dream, but GOPers can dream can't they. He's going to be in the debates. Again, comes back to being inclusive as well.

Those who did not make it:

Rick Santorum - Has been. Nil appeal in the GOP. Teddy already fills the void in terms of evangelical appeal.

George Pataki - Who?

Lindsay Graham - He'll always be viewed as just a senator.

Bobby Jindal - No. Just no. Sorry but he's just not popular at the moment. Ben already fills in the minority gap in the debates. Louisiana is also not much of a factor state in the elections. Nah! out!

Mike Huckabee - Has been. We already have a Fox host for the debates as well.

That's a good thought out list. Hat's off to you. I'm just not sure that Carly Fiorina gets in as Bobby Jinal and Mike Huckabee are more well known but she's a woman and think your analysis is good, she's in.

You can make fun of Trump all you want, but..... he has the $$$$$'s to get the smartest people available to prep him for the debate. He is saying out loud many concerns held by the majority of the people in the U.S. and yes his message is resonating.
I could probably vote for him if he ran as an independent depending on what his plan is for improving our economy and putting people back to work, but otherwise I'll vote for the libertarian candidate.

a reply to: Southern Guardian

From what I understand they are going to take the top 10 candidates according to the latest polling.

Right now that puts Huckabee in the debate and Fiorina out. Next in is Santorum and next out would be Christie or Perry.

However, as we all know from the last time the Republican Primary Circus was in town...these numbers can change overnight. Front runners quickly become tainted and drop in the polls or just flat out drop out of the race.

But please...PLEASE...let Trump make it to at least one debate, the comedy gold is just too great to pass up.

originally posted by: fltcui
You can make fun of Trump all you want, but..... he has the $$$$$'s to get the smartest people available to prep him for the debate. He is saying out loud many concerns held by the majority of the people in the U.S. and yes his message is resonating.
I could probably vote for him if he ran as an independent depending on what his plan is for improving our economy and putting people back to work, but otherwise I'll vote for the libertarian candidate.

Correction, he is saying out loud concerns that are held by a small but loud portion of the GOP...not a majority of the people in the U.S.

Trump knows his audience for the Republican Primary, he is running a scorched earth campaign...win the primary by any costs...and then fall flat on his face in the General Election.

a reply to: Krazysh0t

Bingo. The only question is who piles on the acid on Trump's record? Does one of the candidates like Jindal steel the lime light? Taking out Trump would help somebody like Jindal build there national profile and help the GOP political fortunes. Jindal actually has some policy ideas in the area of health care. He is also creating a very good political narrative. All of this is with 2020 in mind.

a reply to: SlapMonkey

Rand Paul does have a lot going for him starting with his genuine intellect. I think he is a genuinely decent guy. Like everyone in the GOP field expect for Trump and Bush he is looking to build his national profile with future election cycles in mind. I am not sure if Rand is interested in being president or just a key leader in the Senate.

Rand's incomplete foreign policy views concerning the situation in the Ukraine may catch him out. IMO the future of the Republican Party lies with Rand Paul and Paul Ryan. It doesn't lie with nutters like Ted Cruz.

I like Southern Guardian's initial projections given the motley crew cast of characters comprising the Party of "Lincoln". Poor Abraham, turning over in his grave at the thought of Donald Chump, err, Trump being his party's standard bearer. I'm with Bernie Sanders this time around, and hopefully he nudges Senator Elizabeth Warren (D) Massachusetts to be his potential running mate. America really needs to start anew and refrain from the same old same old...

originally posted by: JackKennedy
I like Southern Guardian's initial projections given the motley crew cast of characters comprising the Party of "Lincoln". Poor Abraham, turning over in his grave at the thought of Donald Chump, err, Trump being his party's standard bearer. I'm with Bernie Sanders this time around, and hopefully he nudges Senator Elizabeth Warren (D) Massachusetts to be his potential running mate. America really needs to start anew and refrain from the same old same old...

I would agree, except I don't think we can heal or start anew unless we get a leader from the left and leader from the right working together. I like both Sanders and Warren and think they are very anti establishement which is what we really need.

You are on the right track, Amazing, balance is key for genuine collaboration to exist.

How about a Clinton (Hillary)-Bush (Jeb) ticket? Pros? Cons?

Whatever is decided I just want more healing and less demoralizing news day after day after day. Less partisanship is a good start. There has to be a happy medium in there if all parties concerned wish to find it, rather than constant finger-pointing, which is so counter-productive long term.

originally posted by: JackKennedy
You are on the right track, Amazing, balance is key for genuine collaboration to exist.

How about a Clinton (Hillary)-Bush (Jeb) ticket? Pros? Cons?

Whatever is decided I just want more healing and less demoralizing news day after day after day. Less partisanship is a good start. There has to be a happy medium in there if all parties concerned wish to find it, rather than constant finger-pointing, which is so counter-productive long term.

They are way too much a part of the problem to work! In my opinion, of course.

I think anything would be better than Bush and Clinton and most everyone else running. I still think Paul would make a great running partner to Sanders.

Yes, "Amazing", the names Bush and Clinton have been in power in some way shape or form since the 1970's (Bush @ CIA, I believe Hillary also in a high profile position or an influential member of a pretty high profile case of some sorts during the same tme, but rather than blow smoke and write just about anything I simply cannot recall the specifics).

Weird too that Bush--since 1980 (Vice-President to 1989), then, of course, onto dropping the Vice in his new title from 1989-1993...toss in his son, 2001-2009, and now, Jeb looking for eight years of his own too...sheesh!

Bush, Sr. and Bush, Jr. already have a combined 20 years of federal Executive level influence (somewhere George Washington must be rolling over in his grave, wondering how quickly the people have given into a de facto monarchy).

I like Bernie Sanders, and though Paul wouldn't be my first pick to partner him with, as long as Bernie is the lead name on the ticket I can live with that.

Well, it looks like I was two out. Carly Fiorina and Rick Perry will not be in the debates. At least I got the others right:

UPDATE: 6:10 p.m. -- Fox News on Tuesday announced the 10 candidates who will participate in the first Republican presidential debate this coming Thursday. The candidates are:

Donald Trump
Jeb Bush
Scott Walker
Mike Huckabee
Ben Carson
Ted Cruz
Marco Rubio
Rand Paul
Chris Christie
John Kasich

www.huffingtonpost.com...

Ok I can understand Kasich.... governor of Ohio, a very important Republican State, a must. But Huckabee? Really? Me thinks Fox is just appealing to Huckabee as he is one of their own.

a reply to: Southern Guardian

Rick Perry is no loss to the debate. Based on his performance in the 2012 race the GOP should have had a quiet word in ear and sent him back to Texas. As for Carly Fiorina she has been over shadowed by the Donald Trump Show. I find it highly regrettable that the GOP gross failures has led to people like Trump and Cruz gaining so much traction.

Bobby is interesting, I'm surprised he is not in the running yet. Rand is kind of out there, but I would vote for him just on the idea he hates the Federal Reserve....

originally posted by: beezzer
a reply to: Southern Guardian

I know this may sound cynical, but, "At this point, what difference does it make?"

Exactly the need next leader has likely already been picked.

But pretending ones vote in America does matter here is what I have been thinking.

If you want a good left Candidate vote sanders.

If you want a good right candidate vote for Rand Paul

If you are a moron or banker and like the status quo with the wars and crony capitalism vote for Hillary or Bush (both are interchangeable)

If you are bat # insane and dont think crony capitalism has gone fair enough vote for Trump!

originally posted by: ManBehindTheMask
Walker and Rand

Trump will get eviscerated. He's all good and well ranting when no one is there to challenge is megalomaniacal ramblings , but once one of those to get ahold of him he's going to end up looking like the rambling blowhard that he is

Once it's debate time trump doesn't stand a chance, the guy has NO policies to back his rhetoric.

I've said it before, even if it got that far Sanders would mop the floor w him anyway

I don't know alot about walker and his war talk has put me off but he strikes me as one of the smarter candidates.

But Rand is a smart cookie and I think he would eviscerate trump with ease.