# The Republican Debate of 9/16/15. What are your expectations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 16, 2015, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473 "2015-09-16T14:35:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/121 "2015-09-17T11:56:51Z")
I took the Xanax and fell asleep. The morning show seems to think Carly was the winner and from the little I saw, I agree. They are also giving Christie high marks. I hear Graham did pretty well in the mini debate. The lies about Planned Parenthood and the way they talk about “Illegal Immigrants” just makes me want to throw something at the TV. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/122 "2015-09-17T11:59:16Z")
I thought Rubio and Carly were the clear winners… but that’s what I thought in the first debate, and it didn’t seem to do Rubio much good. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/123 "2015-09-17T12:00:18Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Carson needs to take a 5-hour energy. Soft-spokeness works in the doctor’s office, but it’s a serious snorefest in a presidential debate. If you’re going to be as wrong as he is on so many things, you might as well be loud and wrong. He’s close to the lead in Iowa and New Hampshire. Why should he change what’s obviously working? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/124 "2015-09-17T12:02:53Z")
Yep. The quiet is appealing to a lot of people. Mainly because of the contrast with Trump. Plus he speaks plainly. He makes no secret of the fact that he’s learning about the issues by talking about what he’s learned and from whom. ---
**Author:** ![CGav8r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@CGav8r](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CGav8r)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/125 "2015-09-17T12:37:58Z")
Some of the chattering class say Carly was the big winner and landed blows on Trump for his remarks about her. I’m thinking his followers don’t care if he makes sexist comments (and probably laud him for it). Of course, the race is wide open…Bill Kristol: > [@](#): > > Prediction: Neither party will nominate either of the top two candidates in the polls. Not Trump or Carson, not Clinton or Sanders. Like all if Kristol’s predictions, this is made up of shitty thinking and idiocy. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/126 "2015-09-17T12:48:23Z")
> [@CGav8r](#): > > S > Like all if Kristol’s predictions, this is made up of shitty thinking and idiocy. Perhaps so, but explain why he’s wrong. I happen to agree that neither Trump nor Carson will be on the ticket. ---
**Author:** ![John\_D\_Adamo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ed8c4c/32.png) [@John\_D\_Adamo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_D_Adamo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/127 "2015-09-17T13:22:53Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Perhaps so, but explain why he’s wrong. > > I happen to agree that neither Trump nor Carson will be on the ticket. I’m not\*\* CGav8r\*\* but will take a crack - Bush isn’t gonna just go away with his 100 million dollars. And he is really ramping up the energy and excitement to the point where I think he outdid the Donald in that department last night. On the Dem side, Biden is the only other candidate I can see winning (O’Malley, Chafee, and Webb will be stuck in indefinite single digits) and he really, really looks unsure that he’s running from his Colbert interview. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/128 "2015-09-17T13:22:55Z")
> [@RickG](#): > > BTW, did Cruz accuse John Roberts of having a thin resume pre-SCOTUS and of being a liberal? Seriously? Didn’t the Chief Justice work in the Reagan Administration and clerk for Rehnquist? That was…stunning. Cruz also clerked for Rehnquist, and [recruited Roberts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Cruz#Bush_Administration) (still in private practice at the time) to the George W Bush campaign legal team. But then Roberts betrayed Cruz’ trust by upholding Obamacare. Obviously a closet liberal. ---
**Author:** ![CGav8r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@CGav8r](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CGav8r)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/129 "2015-09-17T13:27:16Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Perhaps so, but explain why he’s wrong. > > I happen to agree that neither Trump nor Carson will be on the ticket. I agree with you-Trump will not be on the ticket, and neither will Carson. But the idea that Clinton will not be on the ticket, when there is no one poised to usurp her and her $$ or campaign infrastructure is laughable. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2015, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/130 "2015-09-17T13:28:59Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Reading the comments here, I see that my earlier predicition that Jeb! would do something to stand out from the mob did not appear to happen. I wouldn’t say that; his line about how his brother “kept us safe” got the biggest laugh of the night from me. ---
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/131 "2015-09-17T13:31:06Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Paul impressed me with his sane approach to war and diplomacy. But he’s nuts on everything else. > > Compared to the rest of 'em, Kasich strikes me as the one I would be least likely to be afraid of if he were to win the presidency. > > Walker really needs to get those droopy eyes fixed. > > Cruz might as well have stayed home. > > Rubio had a couple of shining moments. But just a couple. > > Trump needs to work on his posture. And stop moving around so much. His shallowness as a candidate was definitely apparent, but I don’t think his fan base will notice. Paul did come across as sane on diplomacy and foreign relations. Unfortunately all of that is at odds with the [actual position](http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/rand-paul-against-iran-deal-120111) he’s taken WRT the Iran deal. His efforts to somehow placate non-interventionists and hawks alike are doomed to failure. Walker looks like he’s been lobotomized. It’s beyond me how he was ever viewed as top-tier material. And his constant invoking of the fabled face-off with the unions is becoming pitiable to watch as it serves only to show how little else he can point to in the way of accomplishment. Kasich comes off by far as the most reasonable and competent of the bunch. Unfortunately he also comes off like he’s suffering from the early onset of Parkinson’s. He really needs to fix his facial twitching and wild hand movements IMO. In the first debate, I thought Trump was pretty funny and entertaining despite the odious nature of most of what he said. In this one, it wasn’t funny anymore. He really did just come off as a fucking asshole, especially when he said Fiorina has a “beautiful face,” which managed to be more insulting than the original dig he was supposedly apologizing for. I wonder if he may have finally peaked. Rubio as always comes off as articulate, optimistic, and well-prepared, but (as I read on some tweet last night) every time he speaks it sounds like a Model UN speech. As for Bush, there would be no reason to view him as a plausible frontrunner if it weren’t for his current fundraising advantage, which at this early stage could dry up pretty fast. Given his utter shittiness as a candidate I think the odds are against him being the nominee. In the near term, I’d expect his poll numbers to continue their freefall post-debate. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/132 "2015-09-17T13:40:04Z")
> [@Donald\_Rump](#): > > Kasich comes off by far as the most reasonable and competent of the bunch. Unfortunately he also comes off like he’s suffering from the early onset of Parkinson’s. He really needs to fix his facial twitching and wild hand movements IMO. He [literally imitated](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrNPevPxEH4&t=6m2s) a Parkinson’s patient in one of his state of the state addresses. He was demonstrating the effects of some kind of treatment but it was still bizarre (as many of his speeches are). ---
**Author:** ![John\_D\_Adamo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ed8c4c/32.png) [@John\_D\_Adamo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_D_Adamo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/133 "2015-09-17T13:51:58Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I wouldn’t say that; his line about how his brother “kept us safe” got the biggest laugh of the night from me. The applause he got FROM that line got the biggest laugh from me… ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/134 "2015-09-17T14:06:11Z")
Did the debate change the GOP race? It’s too soon to tell. CNN made money, though. \*CNN is asking 40 times its normal rate for commercial time in the next Republican debate. The cable news network is charging as much as $200,000 for a 30-second spot in the prime-time brawl taking place on Sept. 16, according to a media buyer. This is on par with the cost of buying commercial time in some broadcast prime-time series. Typically, an average prime-time spot on CNN costs about $5,000, buyers said.\* > **[CNN Charging 40 Times Its Usual Price for Spots in Republican Debate](https://adage.com/article/media/cnn-charging-40-times-usual-price-commercials-republican-debate/300185)** > > CNN is seeking 40 times its normal rate for commercial time in the next Republican debate. Trump was kind enough to throw Rand Paul a lifeline by attacking him early. I suspect that Trump knows the media outlets would talk about Paul’s positions if they could also mention Trump’s attack. Trump could have chosen to ignore Paul. Fiorina held her own. She fought for her share of CNN airtime, didn’t play the victim, and when she had something to say, she said it. Carson was still low key, and on point, which works for him. Bush proved to be more energetic, which is a plus for him. Christie repeatedly tried to bring the CNN-style confrontational-candidate vs candidate format back to the political issues the voters/viewers are concerned about. Something CNN’s Jake Tapper couldn’t/wouldn’t do. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/135 "2015-09-17T14:08:27Z")
Ok, the secret code names were pretty funny. Trump is Humble! Hah Jeb! is High Energy, Donald! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/136 "2015-09-17T14:11:17Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > CNN made money, though. Well, this is why there are so many debates. It makes money for the news networks, and it gives them something to talk about instead of showing us actual, you know . . . news. We don’t _need_ umpteen debates to understand where candidates stand on the issues, or to separate the wheat from the chaff. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/137 "2015-09-17T14:20:44Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > What strikes me most about this debate is the differences in style between the professionals and the amateurs. The pros know exactly what points they need to hit and do so, while the amateurs just sorta wing it. I don’t penalize the amateurs for doing that, because frankly it’s not an apples to apples comparison. The pros get coached on what to say. They are just the front end of a hive mind, saying things they memorized that others wrote for them, whereas the amateurs are on their own. So, which is Trump in this analysis? He’s a political amateur, but a television professional. ---
**Author:** ![John\_D\_Adamo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ed8c4c/32.png) [@John\_D\_Adamo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_D_Adamo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/138 "2015-09-17T14:24:03Z")
I mean if there’s anyone who personifies the expression “wing it” it’s Donald Trump. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/139 "2015-09-17T14:50:06Z")
Graham almost convinced me he isn’t a total nutcase. He pulled out a couple good points, then shit on them. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/140 "2015-09-17T14:51:04Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Well, this is why there are so many debates. It makes money for the news networks, and it gives them something to talk about instead of showing us actual, you know . . . news. > > We don’t _need_ umpteen debates to understand where candidates stand on the issues, or to separate the wheat from the chaff. Political debates are news. And they can show how the various candidates operate under pressure (wheat from the chaff). Might as well settle that issue now and not later. It’s common for the top political debates to make money for the networks that host them. I find it interesting that the recent FOX and CNN GOP debates made a lot more money/attracted more viewers due to the presence of Trump. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473.md?page=8)