I am nowhere near ready to commit my vote on this, but my thinking is changing based on what I have heard and seen so far, and the two candidates most impressive to me are both in single digits in most polls, namely Mike Pence and Nikki Haley. Start with Pence. He can be like watching paint dry, but what is important is what he says, such as this in a recent speech in New Hampshire: “Republican voters face an important choice next year…will we be the party of conservatism, or will we follow the siren song of populism unmoored to conservative principles?” Bingo! This might be the most important question in the GOP primary, particularly if “national populist” isolationist tendencies drag the party off the world stage of leadership which seems what many in this faction of the GOP want to do, and which would not be good for the free world and America’s interests. As for domestic policy and social issues, he is solid.
Nikki Haley gets my award for the “adult in the room” during the debate, mainly by simply telling the truth about such items as Trump’s adding $8 trillion to our debt and Republicans asking for more than twice as much than Democrats in “earmarks” in the 2024 budget, while courageously noting publicly the inconvenient fact that Donald Trump is the most disliked politician in America. She also joined with Pence in discrediting Vivek Ramaswamy’s goofy comments on support for Ukraine and his posture on defending Taiwan “only until we don’t need its semiconductors”. She is also solid on the cultural issues and made reasoned comments on how the GOP needs to structure a consensus on abortion.
In short, long shots as they are, these two contenders, along with Ramaswamy (despite the goofiness), and maybe Chris Christie seemed to be the only debate participants who came solidly grounded in their core beliefs, while the rest of them are still working out the messaging with their handlers and consultants.
Pence may have solid points, but he does not deliver them inspirationally and that will certainly eliminate him from the circus that our elections have become.
Ramaswamy is not a genuine man.
DeSantis and Haley are the lead horses, and she has a more stirring persona than he, though his substance may be deeper.
I agree with you Jim, and I concede to my losing cause. In 2020 I told someone I preferred Rand Paul and Andrew Yang because I enjoyed intelligent dialogue. Trump has been the same egomaniac since the late 80s and will ruin the Republican party so at least we can start over. We have put ourselves in this position by not sticking to basic Christian principles or Judaeo-Christian ethics. I dread what either Biden or Trump will do to the financial and moral strength of this country.
Haley and Pence would be far superior to Trump. Unfortunately you are whistling dixie if you think Trump will not get the nomination. You should start writing on why you would vote or not vote for Trump over Biden. If you want a president who will spend 80% of his time on retribution Trump is your guy.
Well it looks like I’m gonna be with the majority and stick with the one we know can deliver results and that is Trump. Plus he is not a lawyer.
Pence & Haley would be my picked team after seeing the debate. Prior to the debate I would have thrown the dice for DeSantis & Scott. I still
would be delighted with any two of the four. Pence & Haley have the very needed foreign policy experience, & both are right to point out the flaws in the Republican party. I think I heard Rawaswamy use the word revolution twice, which if he did, is inflammatory. I’m grateful for Trump’s policies, but since he, too, is inflammatory, may conservatives choose reason.
Pence does not engender confidence in his ability to run this country. He may be a good solid Christian conservative but I haven’t seen anything in him that makes me feel he could turn this country around and repair the massive damage the Democrats hatred of Donald Trump and the American way of life has created. Pence doesn’t come across as strong and confident to me. There’s something off created by the role he played with Trump and what he’s presenting now. I can’t quite put my finger on it but I don’t like it. Much as zi hate to admit it I have basically lost trust in every single politician in Washington on both sides. I’m not sure what’s gonna save America but the morally bankrupt crew that’s in power now are not our saviors in any shape form or fashion.
Trump is ahead in the polls by a lot because the voters believe he is a strong leader on the issues that matter most to them.
And, guess what? It’s true.
Furthermore, he gains strength because most Republicans believe he is the victim of Democratic corruption.
And, guess what? That’s true, too.
Take the rhetoric aside. And only DeSantis has shown recent leadership in a government setting in any kind of comparable way to Trump. But, so far, he’s been a bit of a feckless campaigner.
Hailey has come on a bit, but talk about an uphill climb.
I think the rest of them are rather quickly running off the road. That is, unless Trump gets hurt or hurts himself in unlikely ways.
The lesson to take home: the American public generally wants to support the best available leader and will take a whole bunch of warts with the person who fits the bill.
I’d rather have an alternative to Trump, but I think, oddly enough, Ds and Rs are conspiring together without each other’s knowledge to make sure I do NOT get my wish.
A good summary of where we are and why, Sandy.
Meaningless debate this week. Being promoted as a “cage match” in trying to drum up viewership. Trump will be the nominee, and will never take the RINO debate stage. Michele O (and why not PBO and his disciples are running the playbook from within the white house whilst Biden stumbles and bumbles) will be his opponent. Populism should not be feared or derided, Trump will embrace and harness it as it cuts across racial and ethnic lines. Want to know why? Go to the grocery store. Inflation the insidious hidden tax cuts deep and people see and feel it weekly.
Good news – Trump wins, but only RINOs set aside their righteous indignation and do the right thing to save the country.
BTW: Did you see the Poles pulled the plug on Ukraine? What’s up with that?
I don’t think the Poles will be that stupid–they know they might be next.
I don’t think the Poles will be that stupid–they know they might be next.
My choice is DeSantis. He is conservative, served in the military, made straight “A”s at Harvard and did a great job as governor of Florida. . So if we want a smart conservative leader, without baggage, he is the choice.