First GOP Debate for Election 2024

By Rich Kozlovich 

Okay, for transparency sake, I almost never watch these "gong show" debates, including this one. However, I do read all the commentaries, and it's a bit amazing how so many people can see the same thing and come away with such different views.  And whether I agree or disagree with them, I really do have to congratulate them for their fortitude.

As far as I can tell, there wasn't one question regarding the fraudulent election of 2020, and only one question about these banana republic indictments, and that was “If former President Trump is convicted in a court of law, would you still support him as your party’s choice? Please raise your hand if you would?”  Four candidates immediately raised their hands, DeSantis and Pence hesitated, and Hutchinson refused.  Vivek Ramaswamy made big points with that audience, saying “President Trump, I believe, was the best president of the 21st century. It’s a fact." During the debate both Pence and Christie were booed. 

So, before I publish my next piece on the GOP candidates, I will have searched out and gathered as much information as I can, linking those articles for my benefit as well as that of my readers, with "My Take" added.  Invariably I find a pattern emerges from such a collective effort, and I get a clear vision of what actually transpired. Let's start:

Some thoughts, all cynical and sour, about the Republican debate - August 24, 2023 By Andrea Widburg -  So, I sat through all two hours of the debate amongst the Republican primary candidates, although I was very irked by Larry Elder’s absence. Having said that, he didn’t miss much. It was like watching a junior high school debate, complete with the cool kids asking stupid questions and the geeks fighting on the stage. I hated every minute of it, thought it was embarrassing for all involved, and found it insulting to the American voters. If you want details about questions and answers, you’ll find them elsewhere. These are just my impressions.............Within that appalling format, I couldn’t be less impressed with Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum. Their questions were shallow and, considering that it was their format, they had no control over the candidates..........

My Take - While not seeing the debate, I can't comment on the format or the narrators, but I'm willing to accept her view since this has been the pattern forever.  Why would it be different now?  She, much like others, found Vivek Ramaswamy impressive with his views on climate and social dysfunction.  DeSantis came off well, but Pence has nothing to offer different than Trump.  He also takes credit for what Trump initiated, and it seems Carlson Tucker's claim he's "creepy" may be coming to the fore.  

As it turns out she felt all the candidates except Ramaswamy took the position big government has it's place if only "it's done right".  Which shouldn't surprise us even DeSantis has been waffling on this kind of thinking willing to be more "moderate".  She found Haley to be a shrill harridan, and apparently thinks She's a Vichy Republican.  For a former UN Ambassador, it appears she's a clueless globalist militarist, kind of like John Bolton.  As for Christie, it's clear he has the Ick Factor down pat.  Hutchinson wants Trump in prison, and Burgum did passingly well, but who cares?  Her conclusion?  Trump is irritating, but he won. 

Who won the GOP debate? President Trump - By Monica Showalter August 24, 2023 - A bit differently from my colleague, Andrea Widburg, I enjoyed the presidential debate. I found it intelligent, lively, not too destructively argumentative, and well-controlled in content. Bret Baier and Martha McCallum at Fox News did a terrific job of moderating, urging candidates to get their points across within the time so that they could cover all the topics. Right on. And they called out candidates who were not answering the questions, which was another point in their favor.  All the candidates had their moments, all displayed certain strengths............

My Take -  Monica must be one of the nicest people in the world as she praises Bret Baier and Martha McCallum.  Go figure.  She called Hutchinson and Christie for what they are, Trump haters, and again, Christie has the Ick Factor down pat, and was booed by the audience, and at one point Jim Hoft of Gateway Pundit reported Bret Baier had to tell the audience to stop booing him.  Amazing! She cited Laura Ingraham saying "the candidates were strong and most did well, but none were strong enough to make anyone want to switch their vote from President Trump" and then noted Trump drew 100 million views with Tucker Carlson, and that number has been updated to 200 million.

While no one else seemed to notice, she seemed to think Nikki Haley was "the brightest star" with "intelligent discussion" regarding foreign policy, family abortion, and the role of women in society.  Then goes on to say all that is with a bit of Neocon tinge.  And that Neocon twinge didn't bother her?  She does note that all she says is largely cliche.  That bothers her.  She goes on to rightly criticize her for just about everything and then claims she thought Haley came off as classy and presidential, and would be a great VP for Trump.  Given her history, just how cognitively dissonant is that?     

Both DeSantis and Ramaswamy did well, especially on education.  Ramaswamy, again, right on regarding global warming, which that slippery eel Haley hedged on.  A common factor in just about any real issue with her.  Tim Scott did very well, and his "disdain for Wokedom" is very real.  Pence again offers nothing.  She takes the view both Hutchinson and Burgum did okay, but who cares?  And again, Christie now owns the Ick Factor, and his rule of law rants ring hollow given he's famous for his bridge closure to get back at a political rival.   

Conclusion? Trump won. 

GOP Debate: Nobody held a candle to Trump - August 24, 2023 By Jack Hellner - I watched the first GOP presidential debate Wednesday, moderated by Fox News.  What was my first thought?  That all Republicans should first stop giving in to the media and other Democrats by calling limits on abortion a "ban" on abortion. Six-, 13-, 15-, or 20-week limits on abortions are not bans any more than moving pornographic books out of children’s sections in libraries is a "ban."  It appears that many people are giving Nikki Haley high marks for the debate because she appeared moderate and reasonable and willing to work with Democrats.........(Hellner wasn't impressed. RK).  

My Take - Hellner pretty much showed Haley is a Vichy Republican, weak on abortion and will break under leftist pressure. No guts, no brains.  Chris Christie fails in logic, history, values, and integrity, and continues to look like a fool, which I predicted.  He's a class act, only it's all low class.   Ramaswamy continues to look impressive, solid on the fallacious claims regarding global warming, Pence offered nothing.  He didn't discuss DeSantis, or the others, but it  was clear, the winner was Trump.  

Vivek Ramaswamy Attacked From All Sides in First GOP Debate Knives out - August 24, 2023 by Houston Keene - Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy took the most hits among candidates during Wednesday’s first GOP presidential debate.  Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was expected to be the lightning rod of attacks from his fellow presidential opponents, but Ramaswamy appeared to take the title.  From former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley to former Vice President Mike Pence, Ramaswamy fielded flak from all sides on the debate stage, and people took notice. “Mike Pence has had a strong debate. DeSantis has been strategically hiding while Vivek takes fire from all comers,” National Review executive editor Mark Wright said.  “Christie had a moment early, but has so far failed to land a knockout punch in his biggest opportunity,” he continued. “All of them clearly hate Vivek.” Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie went after Ramaswamy for his initial answer during the debate where he introduced himself as the “skinny guy with an odd last name.”.........

My Take - This writer is the first to claim they all fear Ramaswamy, and Christie is truly an obnoxious troll.  If any good comes out of these "gong show" debates it will be Christie's total ownership of the Ick Factor.  Pence had a strong debate?  Really?  Amazing, no one else seemed to notice that.  DeSantis was hiding, Haley attacked Ramaswamy, which was interesting since her views are globalist and militarists.  Ramaswamy implied the rest of the candidates are bought and paid for. 

Trump interview explodes online, closing in to 200 million views 'I hope it was enjoyed by everyone'  - By Bob Unruh August 24, 2023 -  President Donald Trump's interview with Tucker Carlson, prerecorded and released Wednesday night just as the first GOP primary debate was airing, is being called a "blockbuster" and its traffic is expected now to surpass 200 million.  It is the Daily Mail that pointed out Trump was celebrating the "blockbuster" event, and a little more than 15 hours after being released, the official Twitter count for views was at 194.1 million......

This piece by Jim Hoft, regarding Steve Bannon, who I really don't like,  claims in this video, “If You Support FOX and Watch FOX You Should Be Ashamed of Yourself – The Old Republican Party Ended in Milwaukee Last Night” ,  Hoft goes on to note: 

So true. What does the Old Republican Party have to offer you? The Marxists have taken over the elections, opened our borders, and they are currently indicting the leading opposition candidate – FOR THE FOURTH TIME! The Old GOP is not up for this fight. We all know it’s true.

Trump wins, DeSantis struggles, Haley shines, and everybody hates (or loves) Vivek -  By Byron York, Chief Political Correspondent August 24, 2023- Going in, former President Donald Trump's view of the first Republican debate was that it would turn into a bunch of people fighting over second place, while Trump remained untouched and far ahead of the pack. The idea in the Trump camp was that if the former president skipped the debate, his absence would inevitably lead the other candidates to attack each other, bringing themselves down while Trump, and his big lead, remained unscathed.  That's pretty much what happened.  

My Take - DeSantis failed to take the bridle, and the discussion regarding supporting Trump is explained very well in this article, and neither DeSantis or Pence come out of it looking like contenders.  DeSantis refused the hands up silliness on climate change saying "the candidates should debate the issue like adults and “not school children.”  I'm not sure what that means, but Ramaswamy was right on about it.  Haley attacked Ramaswamy on foreign policy, which I find rich given her globalist positions.  Christie bloviated, unendingly, and Ramaswamy implied corruption by the other candidates.  So, all those who wrote he was so wonderful, might have been leaving something out.  According to the author by the end of the debate the other candidates despised Ramaswamy, but he also notes, the public liked him.  Conclusion? 

According to Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL)....."Vivek won the debate,"............."Ron DeSantis lost the debate, and probably President Trump does the best coming out of it because you saw nothing in this debate that is going to reshape the fundamental contours of this race — nothing at all."

Final real conclusion?  Trump won! 

Meanwhile, Biden was declared the Democratic nominee by Democratic National Committee senior adviser Cedric Richmond.  No nominating process, no primaries, no problem.  Amazing!