LOCKED: OT: Ben Carson had a good night.

[Bulldogg31]

I like.

 

[rem101]

What position does he play?**

 

[coach66]

He is impressive. I thought they all did

Pretty well. Loved the comment by one that said, "we have 12 good candidates and the Dems can't even find one." In before the lock.

 

[BossDawg78]

They all did really well.

 

[Will James]

Fox followed their marching orders to bring Trump down.

These debates are awful though. Choose the most important job in the world by their 1 minute responses every 30 minutes.

 

[dudehead]

Fiorina is the most competent of the whole bunch*

.

 

[Bulldogg31]

The way I see it, there's about 45% of voters in this country who will vote Republican and 45% who will vote Democrat no matter who they nominate. That leaves the election in the hands of about 10% of voters to decide the outcome.

If Republicans want to win they need a candidate that is palatable to that middle 10%, and who gives them a fighting chance in PA, OH, and FLA.

That's really all that's up for grabs.

 

[fishwater99]

I like Rubio, but we need to balance the budget, secure the border providing a path to citizenship for those who are here, reign in and reform entitlements, end the war on drugs, repeal and replace Obama care by allowing you to buy insurance over state lines, and have a flat tax and get rid of most of the IRS.

 

[rem101]

The way I see it, there's about 45% of voters in this country who will vote Republican and 45% who will vote Democrat no matter who they nominate. That leaves the election in the hands of about 10% of voters to decide the outcome.

If Republicans want to win they need a candidate that is palatable to that middle 10%, and who gives them a fighting chance in PA, OH, and FLA.

That's really all that's up for grabs.

which is why I think bush/kasich/Rubio is the key. Either as pres or vp candidate.

 

[QuaoarsKing]

Bush was lackluster and will get eaten alive by Hillary in the debates

Rubio unnecessarily wtf-flipped-flopped into an extremist position on abortion that only a minority of Republicans even support. That's going to hurt him a lot next year if he's on the ticket.

Kasich was sharp, although he was helped by "homefield advantage." I expect him to be Bush's VP, which is probably the best electoral map-oriented ticket they can put together.

None of the others really matter. 10 is way too many for a meaningful debate though. Should have limited it to 4 or 5.

 

[Bulldogg31]

So you see Carson as irrelevant?

 

[ckDOG]

Agree. Kasich would be attractive to a swing voter.

Trump, Cruz, huckabee would all be instant losses unless the dems simply don't show up to the polls.

I'm a left leaner that doesn't really care much for Clinton. I came out of that debate really thinking "I like Kasich, need to do my research on him". I was unimpressed with Jeb even though I was looking for reasons to like him. Rubio was solid, but didn't blow me away. Carson intrigues me, but he seemed a little out there. Plus I'm not a flat tax guy if we decide to reform.

 

[Will James]

The way I see it, there's about 45% of voters in this country who will vote Republican and 45% who will vote Democrat no matter who they nominate. That leaves the election in the hands of about 10% of voters to decide the outcome.

If Republicans want to win they need a candidate that is palatable to that middle 10%, and who gives them a fighting chance in PA, OH, and FLA.

That's really all that's up for grabs.

This conventional wisdom is hogwash. People stay home. People on both sides jump every election.

Reagan Democrats come to mind. Bush getting 40% of the Hispanics.

 

[philduckworth]

I like Rubio, but we need to balance the budget, secure the border providing a path to citizenship for those who are here, reign in and reform entitlements, end the war on drugs, repeal and replace Obama care by allowing you to buy insurance over state lines, and have a flat tax and get rid of most of the IRS.

Add legalize online poker and you've got my vote!!

 

[ShrubDog]

Rubio's ears made the biggest impression.

 

[Will James]

Add legalize online poker and you've got my vote!!

State by state on this and most other issues.

 

[philduckworth]

No ****.

 

[ShrubDog]

I can play online poker already. But I know what yall are saying.

 

[QuaoarsKing]

Yes, the GOP isn't going to nominate a doctor who's never held office, makes outlandish statements like comparing Obamacare to slavery, has no notable endorsements (link), and is way behind in fundraising (link).

But don't let me stop you from voting for him if he's who you like.

 

[mcdawg22]

I like Rubio, but we need to balance the budget, secure the border providing a path to citizenship for those who are here, reign in and reform entitlements, end the war on drugs, repeal and replace Obama care by allowing you to buy insurance over state lines, and have a flat tax and get rid of most of the IRS.

I always have been amazed at the hated of the IRS. As John Oliver put it It's like yelling at the cashier at Walmart because the price of corn is too high. They don't set the tax code, they just try to collect what needs to be paid. If you are pissed about taxes blame Congress. As a law abiding tax payer, I like the IRS, because I pay my share and I damn sure want everyone to as well. It's been reported that every dollar spent on the IRS yields 6 dollars of found revenue. I find that very unlikely, but I know that budgets have really hampered the ability of them to catch cheaters.

 

[BeardoMSU]

Ymakes outlandish statements like comparing Obamacare to slavery

Just one of many stupid things he's said.

 

[fishwater99]

If you have a flat tax you won't need the huge beauracroacy of the IRS that we have now. It can shrink drastically.

 

[fishwater99]

I agree.

 

[ckDOG]

Flat tax an ideal that can never be obtained.

As long as there are lobbyists and politicians of any flavor, we are going to have loopholes and preferential treatment.

 

[Crazy Cotton]

you forgot these **

I like.

.

 

[SSBGDog]

+1....I was thinking the same thing. Ever heard of Reagan??? Won two landslides being a conservative. When conservatism is articulated well, it's a winning formula.

 

[dawgoneyall]

Thankfully, they all are more competent that what we have.

 

[dawgoneyall]

Dems need to put Robert Gray on the ballet.

Game over.

 

[dawgoneyall]

Yep, that is one stupid man****.

One can only shake their head.

 

[121Josey]

I always have been amazed at the hated of the IRS. As John Oliver put it It's like yelling at the cashier at Walmart because the price of corn is too high. They don't set the tax code, they just try to collect what needs to be paid. If you are pissed about taxes blame Congress.

But when you yell at the automated checkout machines, they don't yell back.**

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

Christie gets my vote although he didn't have a great night. I'd be happy with most except Rand Paul.

 

[dorndawg]

Correct, plus when people figure out that flat tax is gonna be about 25-40% (plus will inevitably lead to a VAT on goods), they'll chill out about it.

As long as there are lobbyists and politicians of any flavor, we are going to have loopholes and preferential treatment.

 

[mcdawg22]

But when you yell at the automated checkout machines, they don't yell back.**

And there is a greater chance of people not paying for their stuff.

 

[QuaoarsKing]

Reagan was conservative?

• Union leader
• Huge deficits
• Shady foreign entanglements (Iran contra, supporting both sides in Iran-Iraq War, etc.)
• Abortion was illegal in all 50 states until Gov. Reagan signed the law making it legal in California.
• Opposed banning gays from teaching in schools 40 years ago (many Republican candidates would support this in 2016!)
• Cut the maximum tax rate, but set it in the mid-30s, which is a liberal/Democratic position today. Also raised taxes repeatedly as governor and 10 times as president.
• Gave amnesty to illegal immigrants
• Supported Apartheid government of South Africa (not that this is liberal of course, but it's not "conservative" to prop up a brutal racist regime in another country)
• Supported assault weapons ban and mandatory background checks on guns
• Promised to kill the Departments of Energy and Education but didn't really try once in office and added a new large Department (Veterans Affairs)

Any one of these things would have gotten Reagan skewered in yesterday's debate, and Reagan did all of them. Reagan is far to the left of today's Republican mainstream, but less Tea Party and "Reagan conservatives," a label which makes no sense.

Reagan would never get a Republican nomination in today's world. If he were already elected, he'd be the Tea Party's top target. A Republican in Congress with his positions would be the most liberal Republican there, and to the left of some Democrats too.

Just like Lincoln and T. Roosevelt, in a few decades, it will be Democrats who remember Reagan well. Today's Republicans like him because they remember him being a good speaker who made them feel good. Once the Republicans are dominated by people born after he was president, they'll look back on his record, declare him a liberal, and find someone else to idolize.

 

[Will James]

We need an adult to lead other adults on entitlement reform and I'm glad Christie hit on this last night. It's disgusting to watch politicians demagogue on this issue saying "X will take your money away, vote for me"

It will be at a point very soon where the money won't be there at all and the elderly and sick will truly suffer and it can be so easily avoided. Raise the retirement age 2 years to start. Keep the promises to those 50 and over. And start the phase out and draw down for everyone else. I will never see an entitlement most likely and the fact that I can't take that money and invest is theft.

 

[mstateglfr]

Fox followed their marching orders to bring Trump down.

These debates are awful though. Choose the most important job in the world by their 1 minute responses every 30 minutes.

1- Trump was never and will never be a viable candidate. He is an attention *****. He is no statesman. He is no leader of the people. Seriously, when you think Trump, do you in any way think 'leader of the free world'? Of course not. No joke of a new channel could hurt his chances since they were never real to begin with. Its Trump for goodness sake, Trump! I grew up in the Trump era since he has been in the news over the last 30 years- I cant think of him being in the national news for anything selfless and benefitting to society. He is continually in the news for the following- bankruptcy, housing development fights over the height of a flag, real estate development, and television.
I weep for those who look at Trump and think 'man, now he is a leader of the United States'.

2- All debates are awful. 'Winning' the debate is held as some important thing, but is it really? It sure as hell shouldn't be. What you complained about is exactly how 80% of debates work- its a total joke and the candidates go along with it because they are screwed if they don't. Nothing is accomplished, nothing is sorted out, and very little is learned in such large debates.

 

[GloryDawg]

Everyone of them said things I like but everyone of them said things I did not like. I guess I will wait and see who is left standing when the primary come to Mississippi.

 

[drt7891]

You hit on a very interesting point that every republican presidents since Carter's term ended have all significantly increased deficits far beyond their democratic counterparts (including Obama), at least as a "percent growth." Mainly because of defense and military spending.

 

[Dawgbite]

Social Security is not an entitlement, that's money that I have put into the system over the last 32 years. I want it back, whether it is in one lump sum so that I can invest it or a monthly check that I receive after a certain age, it matters not. I agree that the entitlements have to stop, they were implemented as a short term solution to what should be a short term problem, but when entitlements became "enough" for a segment of society to live on, the incentive to find a job and better your situation diminished. I have always said that anyone who is on welfare shouldn't be able to vote because it is a conflict of interest. For years politicians, mainly liberals but conservatives as well, have used the entitlements to buy votes. The following quote has been taped above my computer screen at work for over 10 years, I don't remember who said it or when but it become more prophetic each year:

" Friends, you cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody. When half the people get the idea they don't have to work because the other half's going to take care of them, and when the other half get the idea it does no good to work because somebody's going to get what I work for. That dear friend, is about the end of any nation."

Think that ********? Become a small business owner supporting not only your family but the families of your employees and get back to me!!

 

[patdog]

Kasich was sharp, although he was helped by "homefield advantage." I expect him to be Bush's VP, which is probably the best electoral map-oriented ticket they can put together.

Yep. It's going to be Bush with either Kasich or Fiorina as VP on the ticket. And that's about the most electable ticket the Republicans are going to be able to put together.