# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![toyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@toyo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toyo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/161 "2015-09-17T17:45:57Z")
> [@andros](#): > > “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! Carly Fiorina was a secretary and her “secretary to CEO” story is one that she is trying to sell. Besides, most people don’t associate “Secretariat” with just a horse, but one of the greatest. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/162 "2015-09-17T17:48:24Z")
> [@toyo](#): > > Carly Fiorina was a secretary and her “secretary to CEO” story is one that she is trying to sell. Besides, most people don’t associate “Secretariat” with just a horse, but one of the greatest. Wasn’t Secretariat also an underdog (underhorse?) who won in the end? A horse that “looked kinda funny”? That may have been quite meta of her on that answer… ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/163 "2015-09-17T18:14:35Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’m hoping we’ve seen the last of Bobby Jindal. His “Obama is a socialist” shit is getting old. On the one hand, he’s not a good candidate, he’s doing poorly in the polls, he’s not doing well in the debates, and I’m opposed to almost everything he stands for. On the other hand, his weird twitter war with Trump is [entertaining](https://twitter.com/bobbyjindal/status/642719686518398976). ---
**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, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/164 "2015-09-17T18:32:07Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Wasn’t Secretariat also an underdog (underhorse?) who won in the end? A horse that “looked kinda funny”? That may have been quite meta of her on that answer… I think she looks more like a camel than a horse, but perhaps that’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/165 "2015-09-17T18:32:39Z")
The worst part about the debate (outside of about 2/3ds of the candidates) was Jake Tapper. His smarmy 5th grade pipsqueak tattletale persona\* was so fucking annoying. I only watched about 2/3ds of it, but Every! Fucking! Question! was “So-and-so, this other person said you were funny lookin’. I think you should fight him.” Two or three questions like that? Fine. There’s been a lot of obnoxiousness between the candidates. But _every_ question? In _both_ debates? Geez. \*I’ve heard him elsewhere and he’s not normally like this. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/166 "2015-09-17T18:37:58Z")
CNN is reporting that one man in Peoria watched all three hours, non-stop. Services are pending. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2015, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/167 "2015-09-17T18:48:56Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I think she looks more like a camel than a horse, but perhaps that’s just me. There was a committee involved. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/168 "2015-09-17T19:19:38Z")
But why such a long face? ---
**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, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/169 "2015-09-17T19:39:06Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > But why such a long face? Nyuk nyuk. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/170 "2015-09-17T20:03:24Z")
I did not see much strange behavior or hard confrontations. The media is blowing way out of proportion, silliness really. The only time Donald Trump was childish was when he took a swipe at Rand Paul out of thin air. Other than that, he attacked others on their records, like Carly Fiorina, Scott Walker, Jeb Bush. I did not agree with what some were expressing, but no one was really childish at all. The moderators, like Jake Tapper of CNN tried to get Trump and Fiorina to go to blows, but neither did. Carly answered well when said that only Americans can decide if they trust Trump with nuclear weapons. Same with the face/persona thing, her answer was good, and Donald did not say anything bad about her either. I have read some headlines about how Carly really destroyed Donald, but that was not the case. The moderators and the media want to get Trump to say controversial statements but really he was mellow and only attack others on their records, which is way debates should be. I was so happy when Chris Christie and John Kasich took Jake Tapper to task on about discussing important issues, that was really needed. And Tapper kept vainly trying to have Fiorina attack Trump, but it was to no avail. Everyone was on their good behavior, and not disagreed. CNN tried to turn this to circus and they failed. I did not see the fascination with Fiorina at all, her answers to issues like the Iran Deal were similar to the others, nor did she demolish Trump at all. I think she is very unlikely to get the nomination, Donald Trump has a far better chance. Overall Donald did NOT screw up, nor did he let the moderators get him to say anything stupid. No one did a crap job, nor did anyone really run away with it either. Everyone did moderately well. Some needed more time considering it was a really long debate. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/171 "2015-09-17T20:05:36Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > The worst part about the debate (outside of about 2/3ds of the candidates) was Jake Tapper. His smarmy 5th grade pipsqueak tattletale persona\* was so fucking annoying. > > I only watched about 2/3ds of it, but Every! Fucking! Question! was “So-and-so, this other person said you were funny lookin’. I think you should fight him.” > > Two or three questions like that? Fine. There’s been a lot of obnoxiousness between the candidates. But _every_ question? In _both_ debates? Geez. > > \*I’ve heard him elsewhere and he’s not normally like this. I totally agree with this 100%, he tried to get Trump and Fiorina to go at it, and neither fell for it. Good on Trump and Fiorina, and for Christie and Kasich for bringing Tapper back to task and discussing real issues. Jake Tapper sucks! ---
**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, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/172 "2015-09-17T20:07:26Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I think she looks more like a camel than a horse, but perhaps that’s just me. Well, at least Fiorina is better-looking than everyone else on that dais with the sole exception of Rubio. And Trump (implicitly) calls her ugly?! Donald, this ain’t a beauty contest – and if it were, you would not win, you would not be the runner-up, and you sure as **Hell** wouldn’t get the “Mr. Congeniality” sash! ---
**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:** [September 17, 2015, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/173 "2015-09-17T20:15:07Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Well, at least Fiorina is better-looking than everyone else on that dais with the sole exception of Rubio. I’m not into the boyish Latin types myself, but whatever gets your castanets clicking! ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/174 "2015-09-17T20:15:35Z")
> [@Nema98](#): > > The moderators, like Jake Tapper of CNN tried to get Trump and Fiorina to go to blows, but neither did. Carly answered well when said that only Americans can decide if they trust Trump with nuclear weapons. I find this to be a really pathetic dodge. Fiorina’s a voter, isn’t she? Tell us what you think, damn it. > [@](#): > > I was so happy when Chris Christie and John Kasich took Jake Tapper to task on about discussing important issues, that was really needed. I don’t remember Kasich’s statement that you refer to here, but Christie was completely wrong. When we’re trying to choose a president, the candidate’s record is pretty frickin’ important. For Christie to pretend like this it was some minor diversion driven by Trump and Fiorina’s egos may have allowed him to pretend for a moment that he’s looking out for the common man, but it was patent nonsense. Overall, I liked that Tapper and CNN tried to get the candidates to debate more, rather than the serial specification process that these things often are. Obviously, there are places where it could have been better executed, but I’d rather debates be more like this one and less like the Fox News one a month ago. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/175 "2015-09-17T20:23:22Z")
> [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#): > > I find this to be a really pathetic dodge. Fiorina’s a voter, isn’t she? Tell us what you think, damn it. > > I don’t remember Kasich’s statement that you refer to here, but Christie was completely wrong. When we’re trying to choose a president, the candidate’s record is pretty frickin’ important. For Christie to pretend like this it was some minor diversion driven by Trump and Fiorina’s egos may have allowed him to pretend for a moment that he’s looking out for the common man, but it was patent nonsense. > > Overall, I liked that Tapper and CNN tried to get the candidates to debate more, rather than the serial specification process that these things often are. Obviously, there are places where it could have been better executed, but I’d rather debates be more like this one and less like the Fox News one a month ago. Really, Tapper wanted to Trump and Fiorina to go back and forth about what was said about her face and other petty stuff. Christie was right to take Tapper to task, or else everyone else would be standing there and the debate would Trump, Fiorina, and then Bush. As for Kasisch saying anything, he did not and could not. Again Tapper told him to hold on and gave Fiorina another chance to speak, after like the fifth time. I did not see Carly’s answer as a dodge, Tapper was wanting her to say something like “oh yes Donald Trump is dangerous, a maniac who will kill the world with nukes” and other nonsense. Her answer was great, she did not fall for the petty question. Same with the face/persona thing, her answer was good. Tapper wanted to her to say something about Donald’s hair and then Donald attack her and all that stuff. But he failed and Tapper sucks. To your logic Fiorina and Trump discussing what Trump said about Carly’s looks back and forth is the most important issue at hand. When Christie butted in, things changed. Or else we would have had a back and forth thing going on, but I guess that’s what you wanted? All candidates need to get a chance to speak. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/176 "2015-09-17T20:34:23Z")
> [@Nema98](#): > > But he failed and Tapper sucks. To your logic Fiorina and Trump discussing what Trump said about Carly’s looks back and forth is the most important issue at hand. When Christie butted in, things changed. Or else we would have had a back and forth thing going on, but I guess that’s what you wanted? No, I was referring to the segment where Trump was (legitimately) calling into question Fiorina’s experience at HP, Fiorina was lying through her teeth to defend it, and Christie butted in to exclaim how none of it mattered because of something about a blue collar worker. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/177 "2015-09-17T20:39:13Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I’m not into the boyish Latin types myself, but whatever gets your castanets clicking! I think Carson is the best looking, now that Perry is out. I don’t know why I wrote that, but since I did, I’ll hit submit. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/178 "2015-09-17T20:45:10Z")
> [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#): > > No, I was referring to the segment where Trump was (legitimately) calling into question Fiorina’s experience at HP, Fiorina was lying through her teeth to defend it, and Christie butted in to exclaim how none of it mattered because of something about a blue collar worker. Oh okay, now I understand. Yes Trump’s attacks on Fiorina and others such as Walker were great. This is what the debate was about. And I’m glad he did not say anything provocative or crude to her. To me it seemed like Tapper wanted them to fight about what he said about her face and all that nonsense. ---
**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, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/179 "2015-09-17T21:25:36Z")
> [@Nema98](#): > > Oh okay, now I understand. Yes Trump’s attacks on Fiorina and others such as Walker were great. This is what the debate was about. And I’m glad he did not say anything provocative or crude to her. To me it seemed like Tapper wanted them to fight about what he said about her face and all that nonsense. He really overstepped when he said that he thinks she’s a “beautiful woman”. The look on her face after he said that could cause a nuclear winter. ---
**Author:** ![2ManyTacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/3da27b/32.png) [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473/180 "2015-09-17T21:34:34Z")
As much as I love all of this GOP infighting, my goodness did I feel _dumber_ after watching this debate. There was nothing of substance revealed here beyond “Obama sucks, Hillary is incompetent, and Iran is evil!” What’s more, the candidates’ do-nothingism in response to the precious few climate change questions absolutely infuriated me. Apparently, the GOP shtick is no longer “I’m not a scientist,” but rather “Yeah, climate change is real, but we won’t do anything about it because reasons.” :smack::smack::smack::smack::smack::smack::smack::smack::smack::smack::smack::smack: Fiorina did the best, but I didn’t view it as the landslide win the media have striven to portray it as. She’s just really good at _debating_ people, even though she lies through her teeth and objectively [has no idea what she’s talking about.](http://www.vox.com/2015/9/16/9342761/carly-fiorina-debate) Trump didn’t LOSE the debate so much as he just didn’t WIN it in the way that Fiorina did. None of that will matter to his supporters, though, who don’t give a whit about the debates and like Trump because he’s (a) a businessman and (b) a tough-guy. I absolutely LOVED the pummeling Trump gave to Jeb!, however. As much as I’m more terrified by Walker for his policies, I despise basically everything about Bush 3.0. Jeb! thought he’d be entitled to the nomination when he came into the race, but now he can’t even register above 10% in any polls. The sooner he becomes untenable, the better. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-of-9-16-15-what-are-your-expectations/731473.md?page=10)