# 12/15/15 The final Republican Debate. **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 15, 2015, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529 "2015-12-15T14:05:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/101 "2015-12-16T13:55:41Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Did Carson actually say he would be able to order military strikes that could kill children because, in the past, he has operated on children? What the hell did I miss in that exchange? I think the logic was something like: I had to be tought and tell the kids things and do things to the kids that they didn’t want me to do…but then they came around and liked me in the long run. Maybe he thinks that the kids he kills will come around to his point of view and realize the necessity of what he had to do once they are up in heaven? ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/102 "2015-12-16T14:14:31Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > The argument is that he did not, by any definition of the term, a “decent” night. He was repeatedly and completely humiliated by the TRUMP and utterly pulverized much as what happens when a squirrel gets run over by an entire armoured division. > > TRUMP was being quite smart here in all seriousness considering it was a ridiculously specific question. Nobody outside of the military and the think tank people know the pros and cons of each part of the nuclear triad and thus whether to focus on improving ballistic missiles, bombers, or submarines. A President’s job isn’t to micromanage this decision but to appoint the right expert to make that decision for him while speaking of the broader principles involved, as TRUMP did. Nonsense. Trump wasn’t just unclear on the DETAILS, he simply didn’t know what the nuclear triad is! ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/103 "2015-12-16T14:19:13Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > When Trump and Bush were going at it, and the camera showed both of them, split screen, Trump looked like a confident bully and Bush looked like he was always trying to decide whether to keep confronting the bully or run away in fear. I did not see much of the debate, but I did see this. While Jeb was talking, you could see sTrumpet spooling-up, like he was getting ready to take Jeb’ s lunch money. As Trump was responding, Jeb looked at him instead of forward to the camera, which made him look very weak, like he was expecting to have to dodge a fist. I, too, wish there was instant fact-check, via Watson, maybe. It would be great if every time a “fact” was stated, if it were untrue, they’d get a loud BZZZT and red flash. Sorta like Family Fued. Fiorina would probably get the most buzzing, which would be good for her, as I think she needs it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/104 "2015-12-16T14:20:27Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I was struck by the ardor of the crowd welcoming Rubio, it seemed on a par with Trump and Cruz, little more, maybe, little less. And wondering why? The applause sign lit up. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/105 "2015-12-16T14:20:42Z")
On Putin about his intervention in Syria: “Frankly, it’s time we punch the Russians in the nose. They’ve gotten away with too much in this world.” I was expecting that from Trump and not from Kasich, but as there was hardly any objection I have to assume that once again the whole Republican field is ok with starting WWIII. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/106 "2015-12-16T14:33:40Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Nobody outside of the military and the think tank people know the pros and cons of each part of the nuclear triad and thus whether to focus on improving ballistic missiles, bombers, or submarines. A President’s job isn’t to micromanage this decision but to appoint the right expert to make that decision for him while speaking of the broader principles involved, as TRUMP did. Sorry, but this does not help, Trump right now is a complete incompetent when one looks at the people he is kowtowing right now on his run to become the Republican nominee. Add to that a gross ignorance of what the nuclear football does and the less I would want to see him getting close to it. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/107 "2015-12-16T14:41:19Z")
I knew what the triad was and I’m not even in office, running for anything, or a military groupie. I think if you aspire to be commander in chief you might have brushed up on that in your first few months of the campaign. Trump shows the ignorance in intellectual laziness of W. It seems to me that the only one on the stage who has any sense of rationality about foreign policy is Rand Paul. Christie wants to shoot down Russian fighters, Cruz wants to carpet bomb territory until the sand glows, Carson has no qualms about killing innocents because he’s seen people bleed. Of course they all think there are easy answers that Obama and Clinton have simply not bothered to do. I believe the big winner last night was Hillary. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/108 "2015-12-16T14:45:06Z")
It’s like they’re badly-programmed Turing bots. “Keyword ‘nuclear’ detected. Insert rant about power of nuclear weapons and Iranian nuclear program”. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/109 "2015-12-16T14:59:03Z")
The debate was generally what I expected. Trump swatted away whatever weak attacks came his way. Bush was more focused, but still too weak to stand out in this crowd. Cruz had a good performance, other than talking way too much. Rubio was very good. Again, not sure if it’s enough to stand out. Carson is toast. I will say that he got the dumbest questions, but he’s just too boring. Christie was actually really good. I laughed at his remark about our eyes glazing over during the exchange between Rubio and Cruz (or was it Rand?) and “this is what it’s like on the senate floor.” Kasich, Rand, and Fiorina didn’t do much for me. I expect Rand to drop out soon. > [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > I’m wondering when one of the establishment candidates will have the guts to say “Trump is a fucking nutcase, and if he is nominated I will do everything in my power to help the Democratic candidate win, because I care more about my country than about my party”. … See, Kasich tried that. I mean, he didn’t say he’d support a democrat, but he did try to paint Trump as a loony toon and it kind of blew up in his face. The best strategy is still to leave Trump alone. Cruz knows this and he’s playing it perfectly. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > I’m confused-Is Obama running for President _again?_ That seems to be who they think their opponent will be in November. Bashing the current administration was successful in '08, not sure why you wouldn’t expect republicans to do it now. > [@bengangmo](#): > > I remember in the Obama Romney debate, they did an “on the spot” fact check about the Rose Garden terrorist statement - > Why can’t some of these more blatant lies and distortions be called out by the moderators? Ah yes, how could we forget Candy Crowley fact-checking Romney in the middle of a town hall debate? It was a big boost for Obama, who hammed up the moment brilliantly. Of course, Crowley was wrong, Romney was right, and she admitted as much after the debate. But the damage was done. It’s a good example of why real-time fact-checking by the moderator is not always a great idea. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/110 "2015-12-16T15:04:05Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Fiorina would probably get the most buzzing, which would be good for her, as I think she needs it. [insert your own gratuitous sexist joke here] 😃 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/111 "2015-12-16T15:05:26Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Fiorina would probably get the most buzzing, which would be good for her, as I think she needs it. I invoke Rule 34. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/112 "2015-12-16T15:29:40Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > I, too, wish there was instant fact-check, via Watson, maybe. It would be great if every time a “fact” was stated, if it were untrue, they’d get a loud BZZZT and red flash. Sorta like Family Fued. Fiorina would probably get the most buzzing, which would be good for her, as I think she needs it. An electric shock would be more effective. 🙂 > [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Christie was actually really good. I laughed at his remark about our eyes glazing over during the exchange between Rubio and Cruz (or was it Rand?) and “this is what it’s like on the senate floor.” Yeah, Christie had some very good moments, but I thought Rand Paul took some air of his balloon, so to speak, when he called him the WWIII candidate. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/113 "2015-12-16T15:37:47Z")
I was very much amused by Paul slapping Christie with the bridge closing controversy. Very well played by Paul. Christie was a federal prosecutor. Did he mention that at all? ---
**Author:** ![OffByOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/45deac/32.png) [@OffByOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OffByOne)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/114 "2015-12-16T15:49:45Z")
Here are my observations: Wolf Blitzer did a pretty good job of keeping things moving, even managed to overtalk Cruz when Cruz just wouldn’t shut up. The audience was something I might expect at Wrestlemania, not at a Presidential Debate. Carly Fiorina looked like an animatronic robot gone off her programming. Something in the way she moves Distracts me like no other talker… Jeb reminds me of a younger brother whose older brother terrorized him as a kid. Jeb doesn’t actually _like_ being a victim, but it is the role I believe he is most comfortable with and the role he is destined to play. Ted Cruz belongs behind a pulpit, not in the White House. This is why he scares me so much. Carson: “You’ll have to ask them.” Meaning, “I wasn’t listening.” When Casich was telling us we needed to punch Russia in the nose, he was near tears, he was so emotional. Rubio was the clear winner, in my opinion. He was articulate and responded intelligently to remarks about him. If I were a Republican, he is who I’d like to inhabit the White House. Rand Paul had his own cheering section. It didn’t matter – no one else talked about him. His only bright spot was a dig at Christie about closing a bridge. Chris Christie had what I think is his best performance so far. He was a Federal Prosecutor for seven years. Trump dialed back the outrageousness a bit and tried to make sense of his remarks from the past week about closing down the Internet and not allowing non-American muslims into the US. It almost sounded reasonable, but I believe he still believes in those prior statements. After the last debate, I felt like I was watching the reality TV show _Survivor_. We lost Jindal later that week. After last night, we could lose Fiorina, Rand, or Carson. Probably won’t, though. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/115 "2015-12-16T16:06:26Z")
> [@OffByOne](#): > > After the last debate, I felt like I was watching the reality TV show _Survivor_. Hah! At one point I remember thinking: This is sort of like a Tribal Council where Trump and Cruz have a secret alliance. And I think we heard Jeff say: Ben, give me your torch. The tribe has spoken! ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/116 "2015-12-16T16:12:43Z")
Of course the crowd was more enthusiastic for the establishment candidates. Those debates are packed w/ establishment people. I was at the Milwaukee debate (as a Dem) and had Rand fanboys right behind me and that was as obnoxious as you’d expect. Every time Trump would talk, the crowd would start to giggle. The thing is, Trump’s supporters aren’t the people that end up in a debate crowd. You can’t infer a damned thing about the electorate or how the candidates performed in the debate from the crowd reactions. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/117 "2015-12-16T16:15:05Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > I’m looking forward to JEB! attempting to deliver his “knockout punches” to Trump and Rubio. His handlers are stressing to him right now how vitally important it is to the future of his campaign. It will be hilarious! Sting like a butterfly; float like a bee. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/118 "2015-12-16T16:19:32Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Marco Rubio is very stiff and robotic. Surely he fails on the “I’d like to have a beer with him” scale. I’m ashamed at not having thought this through before, but – Chris Christie is the one shooting for that _“I’d like to have a beer with him”_ role, isn’t he? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/119 "2015-12-16T16:27:34Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > I’m ashamed at not having thought this through before, but – Chris Christie is the one shooting for that _“I’d like to have a beer with him”_ role, isn’t he? I don’t think Christie has to try. He’s got that type of personality already, as long as you don’t mind a good measure of NJ brashness! ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529/120 "2015-12-16T16:30:06Z")
I’m surprised Rubio comes off to some as the most robotic when he shares a stage with Carson and Jeb. Even Carly and Kasich were a little more dialed back than usual. But as I said, Jeb was improved last night. Rubio, to me, seems most presidential. He’s articulate, confident and very well prepared for these debates. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529.md?page=7)