Posted on 02/14/2016 3:52:35 AM PST by reaganaut1
I feel like we’re back in the pre-Iowa period when no one could figure out whether Donald Trump skipping the Iowa debate would hurt him–by the normal rules, of course it would hurt him; by the Trump rules, it wouldn’t make a difference and maybe even help (by demonstrating strength).
By the normal rules, Trump embracing a blood libel about George W. Bush (he knew there were no WMD in Iraq), saying Planned Parenthood does great things, and often swinging wildly and angrily would hurt him a week out from a primary in Bush-friendly, hawkish, socially conservative South Carolina.
But we’ll see. Certainly Trump’s behavior reinforces the idea that he’s disruptor and not just another politician, and Republican voters might not mind so much that one of the candidates is outspokenly anti-Iraq war (even if he takes it too far). Trump continues to be able to interrupt everyone else with impunity and act the Big Man on stage, with no one really able or willing to assert themselves against him.
Jeb is trying the hardest. He continues to improve–he seems a bit more relaxed and authoritative every debate– and did better against Trump than ever before. But some of his strongest moments were defending his family and although that is honorable, I’m not sure how much that gets him. He has still not figured out how to clearly best Trump, even when he has the better of the argument.
Rubio was very good. A little sharper, a little more conversational. He probably got in more telling jabs against Trump in the Iraq debate than Bush did (although I doubt anyone cares much that Bush was enforcing U.N. resolutions).
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...
Trump wasn’t just half crazed. He is a certifiable lunatic. No surprise he has the highest negatives in history. He is not going anywhere, least of all the White House.
It was a terrible night for Trump. Now the Trumpsters don’t care, but Trump did nothing to expand his support.
Trump is right about the good things PP does...if he could totally strip them of their abortion business and leave in place the other things, it would be good for woman....especially the less affluent women that really do use those services.
This is a better approach than shutting them down and then trying to put something else in place...they have the buildings, the people in place and women seeking those services are comfortable going there.....just no abortions
After that Debate performance last night, I’m done with Trump. Hillary will demolish him in Debates. Dude was unhinged last night. I’ve always known in my heart he’s a Liberal, but, he caused the Establishment grief so I backed him. But, IT’S TIME TO FACE REALITY. TRUMP, WHO HAS NO PROBLEM WITH PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION, AND IS UNHINGED, IS NOT THE MAN TO RUN AGAINST HILLARY!
Ok National Review lies so let me ask you, Will Trump continue to fund planned parenthood?
Not me. Jeb! Marco and Johnny Ohio are THE PROBLEM.
Jeb was such a CRYBABY! Hope mommy was there to wipe his tears and his butt.
“Trump haters are writing their articles under the guise of objectivity.”
And fooling no one.
I thought it was a given now - everyone knows there were WMD’s in Iraq.
Just like blaming GW Bush for 9/11 when everyone knows Clinton allowed OBL to attack the Twin Towers and still escape the crosshairs (literally).
“Bush doesn’t want to be President.”
You’re probably right which makes him the only sane candidate. Some wise person said that anyone who REALLY wants to be president should be automatically disqualified on grounds of insanity!
Rich Lowry is unhinged.
To be expected—he wants the check to clear from the RNC and Fox News.
Trump took on all comers and handled every lie thrown at him and came out on top, while Cruz and Rubio were talking Spanish to each other, Kasich was singing Kumbaya, Ben Carson implored people to see his website in his swan song debate, and Jeb Bush was on his tippy toes looking for Mommy.
What surprised me was Cruz’s lies about Trump and the Second Amendment, and appointing liberal judges, when Trump named two conservative picks.
I guess desperate men do desperate things.
Why are they debating the Iraq War? Why not debate the Spanish-American War, too? At least that would show they studied some history.
I agree with all the incoming Trump was up against,, the moderators, the audience wouldn’t let his speak with booing him out and the other candidates
my opinion has always been
George W Bush was a decent man but a very average President,, Iraq was a disaster of monumental proportions, he was for open borders, ran the national debt to kingdom come and was the bail out king,,
its also just a joke for Yeb to keep saying his brother kept us safe,, well the worst attack in our countrys history happened on his watch whether it was his fault or not.. ,, the CIA was saying before 911 that Al Qaeda was going to hit us in the homeland and almost nothing was done.. those are the facts that Trump was throwing out there..
I think the average voter gets it when say a father with a family in the neighborhood gets warnings from the cops that some bad gangs are in the area so take certain measures.. and when the father fails to lock the doors of his house and some gang members break in and rough up his family you can honestly say he didnt protect his family
the Bush administration WAS WARNED that Al Qaeda was going to hit somewhere and soon ,, afterwards they denied having any idea,, they were totally caught off guard .. thats the lie Trump is speaking about,, he isnt saying Bush was responsible hes saying they were warned something like that is going to happen possibly soon and they did practically nothing
It is another time we had a President with a spine.
Planned parenthood’s only business is abortion.
I believe Jeb Bush has become an official synonym for pathetic.
And he is still the dream candidate of NR and Lowry, who burned all their powder with their ‘Against Trump’ tantrum last month and are now consigned to sit in the bleachers, throw peanut shells and meekly criticize since they have nothing new to say.
I got a load of emails from NR congratulating themselves after Iowa but they aren’t as brassy now.
I agree with your analysis, but disagree that he came out looking sane. Calling everyone on the stage liars at one time or another made him appear like a kid on the playground. Saying Cruz was using the same tactic against him as was used against Carson was a stretch and a half. Trump stated that 2 people have claimed to receive these notices.
“Trump did nothing to expand his support.”
You are wrong.
Many independents who don’t like Bush and his war will turn out for Trump.
South Carolina has open primaries and anybody can vote.
I was watching Meatloaf on youtube. I've already picked.
I'll take a full crazy Trump over all the other candidates.
And Trump's don't fund Planned Parenthood as long as they do abortions is brilliant. PP and liberals have spread the lie that PP does more for women's health than abortions. So rather than combat the lie directly, Trump side steps it.
If PP isn't willing to give up abortion they get defunded, and conservatives win. If liberals believe the lie, then Trump has avoided a direct confrontation with them, which makes it more likely he gets their votes. And if PP does give up abortions and there is anything left, again conservatives win because it's about abortion not PP.
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