Republican Presidential Debates (CNN)

Jesus christ Carson that dude is just evil.

Trump sodomizing Jeb in this debate is fantastic, I hope someone makes a Youtube compilation later.

Kasich just condemned all of Islam on stage.


Ooo pot talk

I will be so fucking ecstatic if that $120 million Jeb raised all goes to waste.

Huckabee: elect me. I'll cure cancer

By Dipro Go To Post

He looks like a bearded dragon.

The Illuminati should've at least found a less reptilian looking candidate.

Trump is killing with his Ivanka and humble jokes

there's not a single candidate i would be comfortable giving my vote. i really try to 'get' the other side but damn, it's impossible.

That clown show last night was better than the UniverSoul circus.

was legit shook hearing so much applause for Bush's bullshit reign

It had to be intentional that they went from questions on Planned Parenthood and then right into anchor babies. The hypocrisy and outright racism on display was in lights.

"I'm pro life and want to save the children."

"Fuck paying for these poor, mostly brown babies who show up here looking for handouts for life."

By Dipro Go To Postthere's not a single candidate i would be comfortable giving my vote. i really try to 'get' the other side but damn, it's impossible.

Rand Paul would take a step forward. And then three steps back. He gave the only rationale answer to the Iran question, but is still a climate denier playing the jobs card, so he can do one.

Reagan armed Afghan juhadists. Bush was an absolute disaster. There's a bad history of Republican foreign policy in contemporary history--Rand Paul was the only one on the stage last night willing to admit it

Christie tried to hard with the "it's all about the people" shtick.

By Dark PhaZe Go To PostReagan armed Afghan juhadists. Bush was an absolute disaster. There's a bad history of Republican foreign policy in contemporary history–Rand Paul was the only one on the stage last night willing to admit it

My favorite part with that was their constant bashing of the Iran deal... On Ronald "Iran-Contra" Reagan worship night... From Carly "I sold computers illegally to Iran" Fiorina.

Christie's "911 victims wanted revenge and i'm proud we gave it to em" shtick was terrifying as well

Bush's "my brother kept us safe" line was so mind-numbing that it drove me to drink

I'm starting to worry that Carson will win this nomination.

Every Republican I know LOVES this guy, it's fucking weird.

By IWMTB19 Go To PostI'm starting to worry that Carson will win this nomination.

Every Republican I know LOVES this guy, it's fucking weird.

He says nice fluffly things republicans want to hear. Like Obama is driving wedges and Carson wants us to come together. He's a calmer version of Trump. Fiorina trips me out more. She's plastic, says little of substance and has a background that's easily picked apart. Her big comment of the night blasted Hilary for lacking a track record. It's like she's the least self aware person ever. She looks like she's had a face lift too. Just weird that anyone gravitates towards her. She was the media darling of the night too.

None of what these asshats are saying is being challenged right now either. Like Bush saying his bro kept us safe got one of the biggest round of applause of the night. He presided over Katrina and 911.

I also thought the 10$ bill thing was a joke and so was the name they would want the SS to give them. Trump's responses had me rolling though. Dude is a professional troll.

I feel Carson is playing for a spot in the actual Republican candidate's cabinet.

Yeah, I just don't know what the media is smoking about Fiorina. She basically endorsed endless war while constantly lying about Planned Parenthood and about Iran.

Also, she purposed massive government spending hikes while complaining that Obama was spending too much money (when the deficit is smaller than it ever was in the W era).

She's as loony as anyone else, she's just also a terrible CEO that illegally sold computers to Iran.

Also, Scott Walker is as close to death as you can get in this race:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/09/17/scott-walker-donors-anxious-for-change-in-campaign-leadership/

Carly is liked for appearing strong and presidential, even if she is saying nothing. By doing this, she was able to more effectively dig into Trump. She is the bark behind the bite the rest of the party wants to take at their current toupee leader. Having Donald say Iraq was a mistake is a win for the other candidates. As bad as that sounds, it's true. Their plan is to have Donald look like a Democrat.

Politics are just sports that actually harm collectives of people. Having Donald say Iraq was a mistake is like having a Lakers GM say Kobe scared Free Agents away.

I could see the GOP flocking behind Fiorina as opposition to Trump and later to Hillary. Nothing gets off some of these people more than a conservative woman shitting on her own gender. I'm sure if Schlafly would have ran in the past they would have endorsed her too.

I'm not sure why they think racing each other to the far right is the smartest way to get nominated.

The guy that stands up there and says "Yea, I'm a right leaning moderate, but that's the only way to beat the left", and sticks to that message--it's literally the only shot they have in the GE.

So far nobody has really gone there. I thought it was Kasich, but he started pandering last night to the base.

By Dark PhaZe Go To PostI'm not sure why they think racing each other to the far right is the smartest way to get nominated.

Two words: Tea Party.

By IWMTB19 Go To PostI'm starting to worry that Carson will win this nomination.

Every Republican I know LOVES this guy, it's fucking weird.

he makes me feel good about not caring for black people, it's all their own fault.
i can sleep better now.

Carly was such a try hard. She's hard line on everything. The Republican Party is a fucking nut house.

By etiolation Go To PostCarly is liked for appearing strong and presidential, even if she is saying nothing. By doing this, she was able to more effectively dig into Trump. She is the bark behind the bite the rest of the party wants to take at their current toupee leader. Having Donald say Iraq was a mistake is a win for the other candidates. As bad as that sounds, it's true. Their plan is to have Donald look like a Democrat.

Politics are just sports that actually harm collectives of people. Having Donald say Iraq was a mistake is like having a Lakers GM say Kobe scared Free Agents away.

Rubio and Cruz both sound as strong and presidential as she does. Maybe people feel she doesn't represent the establishment? BTW ... Donald has been saying liberal stuff for a while now without it hurting his polling. Iraq was a mistake and Rand hopped on that wagon as well. It's one of the reasons Trump is popular. He'll say what he wants and isn't beholding to donors. Like his comments about giving up his social security and his comments about taxing hedge fund managers. He appeals to the nationalist anti establishment demographic who seems to be giving him a pass on stuff normal GOP candidates couldn't get a pass on. Just shout America will be great again and fuck immigrants and all my competition are puppets.

I do agree that these things feel largely like sport teams, or identity politics. A GAFFER posted that he "feels" as though Carson is right and we need a different direction that Obama, but didn't post anything about policy or why he felt that way. I don't expect much of a policy discussion from Republicans though. My friend is a good example. Voted republican his whole life. Grew up with parents who've said things to me like, "Rush says things I agree with but in a way that makes it harsh and not agreeable". He claims he doesn't vote by party ID, but then starts talking about wealth redistribution is socialism and if we tax the job creators bullshit. Nobody wants to discuss the merits of a flat tax beyond how it's "fair". Nobody wants to propose a solution to the ACA but they sure do want to repeal it. People tend to not think about issues and when they do only do so in a very cursory way. It's kinda depressing if I think about it too much.

Next time I hear something about socialism from a person who's a senior citizen, on disability or likes paved roads I'm going to throw a shitfit.

Establishment GOP has to be scratching their heads right now

By Fenderputty Go To PostRubio and Cruz both sound as strong and presidential as she does. Maybe people feel she doesn't represent the establishment? BTW … Donald has been saying liberal stuff for a while now without it hurting his polling. Iraq was a mistake and Rand hopped on that wagon as well. It's one of the reasons Trump is popular. He'll say what he wants and isn't beholding to donors. Like his comments about giving up his social security and his comments about taxing hedge fund managers. He appeals to the nationalist anti establishment demographic who seems to be giving him a pass on stuff normal GOP candidates couldn't get a pass on. Just shout America will be great again and fuck immigrants and all my competition are puppets.

I do agree that these things feel largely like sport teams, or identity politics. A GAFFER posted that he "feels" as though Carson is right and we need a different direction that Obama, but didn't post anything about policy or why he felt that way. I don't expect much of a policy discussion from Republicans though. My friend is a good example. Voted republican his whole life. Grew up with parents who've said things to me like, "Rush says things I agree with but in a way that makes it harsh and not agreeable". He claims he doesn't vote by party ID, but then starts talking about wealth redistribution is socialism and if we tax the job creators bullshit. Nobody wants to discuss the merits of a flat tax beyond how it's "fair". Nobody wants to propose a solution to the ACA but they sure do want to repeal it. People tend to not think about issues and when they do only do so in a very cursory way. It's kinda depressing if I think about it too much.

Trump does have far more left leaning ideas than what is acceptable within the RNC base, but I think criticizing Bush and Iraq is a bigger no-no than the rest. Ron Paul did the same at a debate last election and got booed. Not that Paul is a good candidate or ever had a chance, but he says a lot of stuff that should rile the RNC committee, but tt's only the anti-war stuff that gets the boos. It's some huge taboo.

My republican friends like Carson as well. A lot of people key in on Carson being a black man who says boot-strap sort of messages, but I think the brain surgeon factor is huge as well. As much as the right gets pegged as racist, the more recent accusations are of the right being the bottom of the bell curve. To their (republican friends) credit, Carson sounds much better when giving his own platform. He just sucks in a debate because he's got that noble politeness thing down. (Which also makes him appear anti-politician/Washington/establishment in a totally different but as equally effective way as Trump.)

By Dark PhaZe Go To PostReagan armed Afghan juhadists. Bush was an absolute disaster. There's a bad history of Republican foreign policy in contemporary history–Rand Paul was the only one on the stage last night willing to admit it

And that was one of the less heinous foreign policy moves his administration made.

By DominicanPower Go To PostCarly was such a try hard. She's hard line on everything. The Republican Party is a fucking nut house.

She looked like she wanted to cry every time she said anything. Especially during the speech when she misled people about the Planned Parenthood videos.

Wonder if there's some veiled racism at play with Rubio. He seems to be saying all the right things, is a good speaker, quick on his feet in regards to debating, relatively youthy, has the potential to bring the hispanic vote/etc.

But after two relatively strong debates, he's just creeping along.

I feel Rubio is in a good spot. It's too early to peak. His campaign is set up to rise after the Trump factor falls.

My money bet is this: RNC uses Carly to tear down Trump. Carly is consumed in the fire. Jeb has nothing to say other than "I AM A BUSH". Carson stumbles due to talking like Mr Rogers. Cruz is already out. Chris Christie is Sarah Palin without the female vote. The other governers are C tier. Rubio appeals to base and has appeal to other types of voters, steps in to rise after the early wreckage.

Rubio is actually who I've picked if Trump and his anti establishment schtick doesn't hold.

I don't think Carly is capable of beating out Trump though--her record is trash and if she proves herself as a threat to Trump, he'll shred her to pieces.

I tend to agree. If the base chooses anti-establishment it will be Trump and not Carson or Fiorina. Curious to see if the base eventually "settles" like they did with Romney.

Fiorina will get buried once the spotlight moves on her and the media, pundits dig into her business record. She has no chance.

I think Rubio is also setting up to appeal to some of that anti-establishment sentiment. His answer to why he rarely showed up to vote in the Senate was basically "because fuck the system".

Fiorina was firm and clear. Batshit crazy, but she sounded every bit of the ceo she ended failing to be.

Carson looked and sounded as if he has a huge meal right before stepping on to the stage.

By Dark PhaZe Go To PostWonder if there's some veiled racism at play with Rubio. He seems to be saying all the right things, is a good speaker, quick on his feet in regards to debating, relatively youthy, has the potential to bring the hispanic vote/etc.

But after two relatively strong debates, he's just creeping along.

Yeah, him not getting any traction while Walker and Bush blow themselves up is just really strange.

By IWMTB19 Go To PostYeah, him not getting any traction while Walker and Bush blow themselves up is just really strange.

His support base overlaps almost completely with Jeb's. They're splitting that segment of the donors and vote. Jeb benefits from his name and status as establishment darling.

I'm pretty sure Jeb actually has better favorability numbers among hispanics too.

By Forever Go To PostHis support base overlaps almost completely with Jeb's. They're splitting that segment of the donors and vote. Jeb benefits from his name and status as establishment darling.

I'm pretty sure Jeb actually has better favorability numbers among hispanics too.

But combined they have 10% which seems really low for Rubio alone.

By IWMTB19 Go To PostBut combined they have 10% which seems really low for Rubio alone.

All the career politicians are on the shitlist as far as the base is concerned. Why do you think Trump and Carson are one and two?

By Forever Go To PostAll the career politicians are on the shitlist as far as the base is concerned. Why do you think Trump and Carson are one and two?

It really seems like running their 2014 campaign on a straight up lie ("We'll repeal Obamacare, we promise!"), while helpful then, is going to end up costing the GOP in the long run.

By IWMTB19 Go To PostIt really seems like running their 2014 campaign on a straight up lie ("We'll repeal Obamacare, we promise!"), while helpful then, is going to end up costing the GOP in the long run.

2014 was supposed to be some sort of wave election that representing a shift to the right across the political and public spectrum for the base. They were promised results that were never going to be delivered. They were promised the repeal of the ACA as well as impeachment of Obama if he dared used executive action to grant "amnesty". They were against debt ceiling increases and wanted shut downs. It's actually pretty how big of a monster the base created.

I think the biggest joke about the GOP was this idea that they have to pander to the Tea Party subset. In reality, the Tea Party was always their base and the difference between them and the establishment never existed. A moderate Republican calls themselves and independent.

By reilo Go To PostI think the biggest joke about the GOP was this idea that they have to pander to the Tea Party subset. In reality, the Tea Party was always their base and the difference between them and the establishment never existed. A moderate Republican calls themselves and independent.

I don't know if that's entirely accurate, there's always been a disconnect between the Northeast Republican establishment (rich people who don't want to pay taxes) and everything south and west of that. When Reagan won the nomination he was considered a radical westerner; the nomination of Bush senior as VP was meant to placate the establishment. That's why the Bush family can even be a dynasty despite being consistently terrible. They've been able to unify segments of the party that otherwise have no real basis for working together.

Problem is that this time the Teabags aren't having it.