# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![LonghornDave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/141 "2015-09-17T15:06:06Z")
It’s about time to drop Walker and Huckabee from the race. They add nothing. Fiorina is incredibly sharp and her HP defense (her biggest weakness) came across well. Her weakest moment for me was her rehearsed speech at the end about lady liberty. I thought Rubio had the best night. My prediction is a Rubio/Fiorina ticket. Carson is just too much of a nice guy. He had such a softball with the vaccine stuff, and he just refused to bury Trump. They gave him multiple opportunities, and he just wouldn’t take the shot. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/142 "2015-09-17T15:07:55Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > Ok, the secret code names were pretty funny. > > Trump is Humble! Hah > > Jeb! is High Energy, Donald! If I’da had the windows open last night when Rubio chose Gator, I think I’d have heard Gainesville go _schwing_! ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/143 "2015-09-17T15:17:08Z")
I’m hoping we’ve seen the last of Bobby Jindal. His “Obama is a socialist” shit is getting old. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/144 "2015-09-17T15:20:15Z")
“Secretariat?” Really? Regardless of her overall performance, you can stick a fork in Fiorina just for that alone. Now everyone’s either going to associate her with a secretary or a horse. Or a secretary-horse! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/145 "2015-09-17T15:22:49Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > 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. Trump has got in public Twitter beefs with comedy writers and NBA ex-stars. He is constitutionally incapable of ignoring Paul. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/146 "2015-09-17T15:23:51Z")
I was just going to note that in all I’ve read about the debate (LA Times today, CNN online, mostly), I haven’t seen Jindal’s name even _mentioned_. I predict he’s the next one gone. ---
**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, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/147 "2015-09-17T16:14:41Z")
> [@Truman\_Burbank](#): > > I was just going to note that in all I’ve read about the debate (LA Times today, CNN online, mostly), I haven’t seen Jindal’s name even _mentioned_. That’s because he was in the other debate, the kids’-table debate. But [here’s](http://www.salon.com/2015/09/17/bobby_jindals_breathtaking_descent_how_he_went_from_bright_gop_hope_to_hysterical_town_crier/) a bit of coverage. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2015, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/148 "2015-09-17T16:20:24Z")
> [@](#): > > It seems likely that Ronald Reagan’s rule -– never speak badly of a fellow Republican –- will be violated several times in his own presidential library. It’s almost enough to make you want to believe in poltergeists. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/149 "2015-09-17T16:36:04Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > That’s because he was in the other debate, the kids’-table debate. But [here’s](http://www.salon.com/2015/09/17/bobby_jindals_breathtaking_descent_how_he_went_from_bright_gop_hope_to_hysterical_town_crier/) a bit of coverage. Interesting article, thanks\*\* BG\*\*. I guess I’m still not paying _much_ attention… At this point, if I had to cast one of these clowns as the GOP nominee, it would be _Fiorina_, and we rejected her pretty soundly here in Calif when she ran for Governor. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/150 "2015-09-17T16:36:46Z")
> [@LonghornDave](#): > > It’s about time to drop Walker and Huckabee from the race. They add nothing. Agreed. And to think Walker was the GOP candidate I was most worried about, until just the past couple of months. Boy, did I call that one wrong! > [@](#): > > Fiorina is incredibly sharp and her HP defense (her biggest weakness) came across well. Her weakest moment for me was her rehearsed speech at the end about lady liberty. > > I thought Rubio had the best night. My prediction is a Rubio/Fiorina ticket. No matter how well she did, she’s got no business having even a remote chance of being on the ticket. And I say that with full awareness of the quality of the competition here. If the GOP had any interest at all in being a governing party, they’d regard the fact that Fiorina won their little talent show last night as incontrovertible evidence that their nominating process was totally FUBAR, and they’d be having an anxious debate over how to fix it ASAP. ---
**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, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/151 "2015-09-17T16:49:49Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Perhaps so, but explain why he’s wrong. On the Dem side, he’s wrong – Clinton and Sanders have so much momentum already that I really can’t see any path to nomination for O’Malley or Biden, and the rest are hardly worth mentioning. On the Pub side, he’s right – the establishment will find a way, some way, to keep Trump or Carson from representing their party in 2016, because if they don’t the establishment is toast and the party is a laughingstock. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/152 "2015-09-17T16:51:35Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Agreed. And to think Walker was the GOP candidate I was most worried about, until just the past couple of months. Boy, did I call that one wrong! IMHO it makes one wonder what the majority of voters in Wisconsin were smoking all these years. ---
**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, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/153 "2015-09-17T16:54:11Z")
> [@Donald\_Rump](#): > > Kasich comes off by far as the most reasonable and competent of the bunch. Indeed he does. He might as well drop out now. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2015, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/154 "2015-09-17T16:57:43Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > IMHO it makes one wonder what the majority of voters in Wisconsin were smoking all these years. Maybe they should rethink serving beer in the voting lines. ---
**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, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/155 "2015-09-17T17:08:24Z")
> [@Donald\_Rump](#): > > 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. The richest bit was when he boasted of beating the recall despite all the people who came in from out of state to defeat him – perfectly true, but there were at least as many out-of-staters supporting him and funding him. And now he’s the Kochs’ pet, and Wisconsinites they ain’t. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/156 "2015-09-17T17:16:46Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > On the Dem side, he’s wrong – Clinton and Sanders have so much momentum already that I really can’t see any path to nomination for O’Malley or Biden, and the rest are hardly worth mentioning. On the Pub side, he’s right – the establishment will find a way, some way, to keep Trump or Carson from representing their party in 2016, because if they don’t the establishment is toast and the party is a laughingstock. We’re still a year out from the conventions and a good six months from the first primaries. NO ONE has unstoppable momentum at this point. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2015, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/157 "2015-09-17T17:25:54Z")
I was able to get through the first hour of posturing, character assassination, and demagoguery before I started feeling ill and had to turn it off. The majority of these people have no business being in the White House. Impulsive behavior is not a positive trait, particularly in a president. Happily, most of the wackos will not get within an arm’s length of the job. What is with Rubio and the flop sweats? Whenever the camera was elsewhere, he was furiously mopping his face and gulping water. I do love Walker’s shiny bald spot, which he tries unsuccessfully to block with his “young stud” haircut. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2015, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/158 "2015-09-17T17:26:02Z")
> [@CGav8r](#): > > 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. The shitty thinking and idiocy are richly seasoned with desperation in its attempt to equate the Republican clown-car show with the Democratic contest. As [one commentator put it](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/10/1420143/-How-bad-are-things-for-the-GOP-Imagine-if-the-Democratic-primary-looked-like-this#), imagine a world where the Democratic contest actually _was_ a mirror image of the Republican one: Bill Maher 32% Dr. Oz 19% Ed Rendell 9% Dennis Kucinich 7% Keith Olbermann 5% John Hickenlooper 5% Wendy Davis 3% Bernie Sanders 3% Martin Heinrich 3% Jay Nixon 2% Steve Beshear 2% ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/159 "2015-09-17T17:37:03Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > That’s because he was in the other debate, the kids’-table debate. But [here’s](http://www.salon.com/2015/09/17/bobby_jindals_breathtaking_descent_how_he_went_from_bright_gop_hope_to_hysterical_town_crier/) a bit of coverage. Here’s my favorite sentence from that article: > [@](#): > > Basically, Bobby Jindal is less popular in Louisiana than hurricane season. ZING! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/160 "2015-09-17T17:45:48Z")
I watched a fair bit of the debate, about what was expected. Boy, those people really really hate the Iran deal, for totally unspecified reasons. It was morbidly hilarious when they got into a “who defunded Planned Parenthood the mostest and the firstest” contest. Donald Trump did impress me once, by clearly and unapologetically stating that the rich should pay more taxes than the poor, as opposed to whoever he was arguing with at the time (Huckabee), who was saying “I don’t see why we should punish them for being successful” or some such nonsense. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473.md?page=9)