# Republican debate and Trump **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [August 23, 2023, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979 "2023-08-23T15:20:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/61 "2023-08-24T16:27:02Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > On climate change…did Vivek get booed for saying climate change is a myth? Or were the crowd booing the “bought and paid for” people who say climate change is real? I’m still not sure I’m parsing that bit correctly. Was he trying to say that he’s bravely standing up for Shell and ExxonMobil while the other candidates are in the pocket of Big Wind and Solar? ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/62 "2023-08-24T16:37:32Z")
Watch the first few seconds of this video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq9AERr0Vvg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq9AERr0Vvg) As to what he was saying, yeah it makes no sense, none of the anti climate change talking points do. The oil and gas companies are not exactly on food stamps. ExxonMobil made $60 billion in **a year**. Profit, not turnover. Some of which makes its way into the pockets of US politicians. And even countries with no significant green tech development of their own still acknowledge the science. As I say, Vivek is a lot more extreme than many appreciate. But completely in line with Trump and Tucker Carlson. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/63 "2023-08-24T16:44:07Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > that Vivek said it earlier and the part I saw was Christie throwing it back at him? That was it. But it kind of fell flat. Because to really zing it would have to be a “you’re no Obama” type strike, and at a Republican debate that is pointless. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/64 "2023-08-24T17:03:01Z")
De Santis apparently wants us to invade Mexico. 🤪 Seriously, he wants to send American troops in to control the cartels, get rid of drugs, etc. No mention seeming made of asking permission. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/65 "2023-08-24T17:18:34Z")
What I found creepy is that everyone except Haley was wearing a completely identical outfit. It was like they had a uniform. It made me think of the check-in area for a large airline: [![](https://d1i4t8bqe7zgj6.cloudfront.net/08-24-2023/t_f7135450bc204b0bb1411fcc806efec8_name_20230823_GOPDebateFC_THUMB_1.jpg) ](https://d1i4t8bqe7zgj6.cloudfront.net/08-24-2023/t_f7135450bc204b0bb1411fcc806efec8_name_20230823_GOPDebateFC_THUMB_1.jpg) Ramaswamy might as well be saying, “I can help who’s next, how many bags are you checking?” ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/66 "2023-08-24T17:20:12Z")
In general, most “experts” seemed to think that Haleye did the best. Christie did well also. DeSantis came in for some scathing criticism: > **[Opinion: The surprise winner of the debate | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/24/opinions/first-republican-primary-debate-roundup/index.html)** > > CNN Opinion asked a group of political contributors to weigh in on the first Republican presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle. _Time and again DeSantis came off as stilted. He consistently chose to ignore the question being asked and pivoted instead to overly rehearsed responses from debate prep that were devoid of passion or compassion and merely meant to check MAGA boxes. By adhering to those well practiced responses, DeSantis demonstrated a lack of political agility, missing opportunities to connect with the audience… Time and again, DeSantis was outshined and overshadowed by politicians on the stage with more charisma and stronger debating skills, several of whom delivered memorable moments, such as former New Jersey [Gov. Christie’s “Chat GPT” comment](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/chris-christie-likens-ramaswamy-barack-obama)._ ---
**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:** [August 24, 2023, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/67 "2023-08-24T17:27:02Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > What I found creepy is that everyone except Haley was wearing a completely identical outfit. It was like they had a uniform. It made me think of the check-in area for a large airline: In fairness, men have very limited options for business suits. The only thing they can really change is the color of the tie, maybe cufflinks, and “flair” (buttons). Of course, the only reasonable choice for tie color for this one is red. I am not sure what you expected - did you think DeSantis would do the whole Jimmy Buffett Hawaiian shirt thing to get more attention and connect more with average human beings? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/68 "2023-08-24T17:31:45Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > The only thing they can really change is the color of the tie, maybe cufflinks, and “flair” (buttons). The suits were the exact same color though; exact same shade of dark blue/grey or whatever it’s supposed to be. They all had red ties, solid red. (Although Chris Christie kind of wore a pink-ish tie, I guess he had to stand out.) Here is a picture from the Republican primary debates in 2015: [![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Politics/AP_GOP_debate_all_jef_150806_16x9_992.jpg) ](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Politics/AP_GOP_debate_all_jef_150806_16x9_992.jpg) They weren’t the same at all. Clearly, the options are _not_ limited. There had to have been a deliberate choice to dress them all the same for this one, which just strikes me as extremely bizarre. > [@snowthx](#): > > I am not sure what you expected I expected them to not clone each other, because they normally **don’t** do that. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/69 "2023-08-24T17:36:00Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I expected them to not clone each other, because they normally **don’t** do that. I think they were all just copying the Trump caricature. Dark suit, red tie. “Look, look! I’m the guy best suited to replace Trump! I even have the tie!” ---
**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:** [August 24, 2023, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/70 "2023-08-24T17:37:00Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > There had to have been a deliberate choice to dress them all the same for this one, which just strikes me as extremely bizarre. Yeah, that may be possible in this case, since it was on Fox News. Maybe they told each contestant “No blue ties. Not a single blue thread on you! No acknowledgement that the Demoncrat color is valid in any way!” ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/71 "2023-08-24T17:38:13Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > I think they were all just copying the Trump caricature. Dark suit, red tie. Holy crap you’re right. Compare the two images. Everyone in this debate might as well be wearing a costume for how Trump dressed in the older debate. (Well, the men at least.) ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/72 "2023-08-24T17:40:30Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > In fairness, men have very limited options for business suits. The only thing they can really change is the color of the tie, maybe cufflinks, and “flair” (buttons). I’m sure a nice tan suit would have helped someone stand out. I’d certainly have tried to do so; no publicity is bad publicity. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/73 "2023-08-24T18:13:00Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > What I found creepy is that everyone except Haley was wearing a completely identical outfit. What I find dangerous is the hypocritical lie is that FOX “news” put up the word DEMOCRACY behind these idiot traitors. ---
**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:** [August 24, 2023, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/74 "2023-08-24T18:20:28Z")
Come on guys, you can’t win the nomination unless your tie goes past your belt about six inches. Take your fashion cues from your Dear Leader. I didn’t watch, from what I read DeSantis was out of touch, Ramaswamy ticked off the most extreme views, Christie was on point, and nobody else made much of an impression at all. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/75 "2023-08-24T18:30:07Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Apparently at one point, Fucker asked Trump why THEY haven’t just killed him yet. Opportunity. That and we don’t have all that many murderous loonies on the left. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/76 "2023-08-24T18:45:12Z")
I’m idly curious about who’s the tallest candidate this time around. And from the little I’ve read, Haley said some unpopular things that needed to be said. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/77 "2023-08-24T19:10:02Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > In general, most “experts” seemed to think that Haleye did the best. In the clips I’ve seen, Haley talked about actual conservative policies. Naturally, traditional pundits think that makes her the winner. They have not yet realized that the debate was a reality TV show, and the winner is the player who gets in the sickest burn. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/78 "2023-08-24T19:27:02Z")
On the topic of the Trump/Carlson interview, it sounded about as loopy as you’d expect. A debate about who killed Epstein, why they haven’t killed Trump yet, who should own the Panama Canal, and why we can’t just get on already with the next civil war. > **[Tucker Carlson Floated Quite a Theory Last Night About What Will Happen to...](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/08/tucker-carlson-trump-interview-x-epstein-debate.html)** > > The host somehow made Trump appear levelheaded. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/79 "2023-08-24T19:36:18Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > who killed Epstein According to your cite, Trump says: > But a lot of people think that he was killed. He knew a lot on a lot of people. Which seems like it would have been a good moment for a journalist to point out that Trump and Epstein are known to have hung out together and to have both had zipper issues. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979/80 "2023-08-24T19:47:03Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > a journalist 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-and-trump/988979.md?page=5)