Replies

Am I the only one who fails to grasp the logic of these candidates attending this “debate”? First of all, it's not actually a debate but rather a candidate's forum, put together by one of the most anti-Republican networks in existence. Do any of the potential nominees think that they are NOT going to be subjected to “gotcha” type questions, designed to disparage the two or three front runners? It's way too early to worry about building momentum with a primary season that's still almost eight months away. And what can they talk about besides how much better they each are than each of the other “debaters”? It's almost impossible to keep from letting some criticism about the others slip out which will probably release any inhibitions the others might feel about talking down about their fellow Republicans. To me, it's such an obvious set-up that I'm stupefied that any of these candidates would even think of participating.

The only way I can imagine this not turning into a disaster for at least some of them was if they all surreptitiously got together beforehand and set up some ground rules to prevent the chaos and embarrassment NBC is undoubtedly hoping for. I certainly hope I'm proven wrong but we've all been burned over the last few decades by seemingly intelligent, experienced men and women walking blindly past gigantic warning signs into a minefield they should have known better to avoid.

This is a Republican National Committee debate, with media exposure by Fox News Channel. Facebook is also a sponsor.

Anyone in the early states has seen or can see hours of these candidates in all kinds of interviews and forums.

The ‘debates’ are just a kind of reality show. Little or no information will be forthcoming.

The NBC debate will be at the end of February.

While I am having fun watching the scrum, unless you live in Iowa, New Hampshire, or South Carolina getting emotionally attached to any of the candidates is kind of futile. Those three primaries will winnow the field down to maybe the top three or four. While I like Cruz, I am not investing much energy in this until March. I sent Cruz a little money, that’s it.