So the first GOP debate is in the books, and as it is, I have to say at the very least, it was very entertaining.  I don’t normally watch debates very often, but like most people, I watched to watch what Mr. Trump would do.  This is my rundown, candidate by candidate and my thoughts on each one.  I will also give a quick prediction as to how long they will be in the race. (Final number of when they fall out)

Before we get to the candidates, let’s break down Megyn Kelly and FOX News.  I have to say, I think she came across very snarky.  I get the feeling that she thinks she was the smartest person in the room and genuinely was trying to create controversy.  The entire first hour was, here’s where you suck, tell us how you won’t suck as president.  I don’t think that was a very good place to start.  Now if that had been in the second hour, it may have worked.  That strategy was aimed at putting every person on stage on the defensive, and most people don’t perform well while on the defensive.

Donald Trump: Of course this is what most people tuned in for, and I don’t think he disappointed any of us.  He didn’t have any pre-planned answers like almost everyone else.  No scripted responses, and I think that’s what set him apart, and what has set him apart up to this point.  As far as the first question in regards to supporting whomever else on the stage got the nomination, I respect his open and honest answer. This was intended to put him on the spot right away, and I thought his answer was right on point.  He’s not part of the GOP establishment, and he made that obvious and will continue to do so.  I don’t care what party you claim to be a part of, that doesn’t mean you have to 100% back the candidate that party is backing if you don’t like them.  America is broken, and with his background, he genuinely feels that he can fix it and make it number 1 again.  He was right on point when speaking how we lose on trade, we lose on immigration etc.

In for the long haul, will be in the race for at least thru early next summer at the very least. (2)

Jeb Bush:  He obviously had several pre-planned statements he wanted to make and continued to pretty much only talk about what he did in Florida.  How many times did we have to hear those numbers?  Honestly, as I look back, that’s all I heard from him.  Enough already Mr. Bush.  I don’t recall one good statement from him the entire debate.  If it wasn’t for big money behind Jeb, he wouldn’t have even earned a spot on the stage. I give him credit for sticking to his guns and not going after Trump.

He will be in this fight for a while, but he’s not the right man for the job. (3)

Scott Walker:  Walker’s best moment was when speaking about the police, and he was exactly right on.  We need to focus on the training these officers are getting before we can tackle the abuse of power etc. that we have been seeing.  I also respected how he pointed out that he has been attacked within his own state 3 times, and won every single time.  The full frontal attack by the unions was a huge victory for him and it shows me that he is a man behind his words, and will not back down to pressure.  A kind of man we need leading this country.  I can trust this man to do what he says.

Mr. Walker deserves to be heard and will be in the last 3 or 4 before he drops out. (4)

Ted Cruz:  His final statement laid out exactly what he would do on day 1 ,and everything is exactly what we need.  Rescind every illegal action and executive order taken by Barack Obama….Yes!  Instruct the DOJ to open an investigation into Planned Parenthood…Yes!  Cancel the Iran deal…Yes!  Mr. Cruz seemed like one of the only ones who actually said what he would do.  What his plan was.  Again, a man who stand behind what he says.  He has a consistent record of standing up to the GOP establishment and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, take backlash from the media and doesn’t back down.  “I will keep my word.”  When was the last time we had a president that did that?  Refreshing…  “We will not defeat radical Islamic terrorism so long as we have a president unwilling to utter the words, radical Islamic terrorist.”  Exactly Mr. Cruz.  His following comments regarding ISIS were also right on point.  Megyn Kelly attempted to get him on the question of the ideology of Islam, but he was able to handle that question brilliantly.  “If you join ISIS, if you wage Jihad on America, you are signing your death warrant.”  This man deserves to be in the White House.

Any ticket that has Ted Cruz on its name, has my full support.  Mr. Cruz will be the last 2 or 3 in the race, if not the winner. (1)

Mike Huckabee: “The Military is not a social experiment.”  Right on here sir.  He made some good points here on our military. In speaking about Social Security he really went off here, “..because the money paid at consumption is paid by everybody. Including illegals, prostitutes, drug dealers.  All the people that are freeloading off of the system now.”  Great points here sir, but not sure if you chose the right words here.

I respect this man, but I give him another two months, and he will be out.  He doesn’t have the funding or the backing to continue much past the second debate in September. (9)

Dr. Rand Paul:  Mr. Paul came out swinging.  An early back and forth with Chris Christie over NSA spying was awesome, Rand stood behind exactly what he said earlier this year in his filibuster to not renew the Patriot Act.  “Here’s the problem Governor, you fundamentally misunderstand the Bill of Rights.  Every time you did a case, you got a warrant, from a judge.  I’m talking about searches without warrants indiscriminately of all Americans records.  That’s what I fought to end.  I don’t trust President Obama with our records.  I know you gave him a big hug, and if want to give him a big hug again, go right ahead.”  I loved that one.  Rand Paul has been standing up for the Bill of Rights and the American people for a long time which I have deep respect for.  He has been one of the only candidates doing so. Rand had some up and down moments, but I will say I don’t recall him ever going past the 1 minute time frame he was given, whereas many of the others did not abide by the rule.

Rand Paul deserves to be heard.  Deserves to be in this for a long time.  It’s sad but true, I don’t think he will last to the very end. (5)

Marco Rubio:  I knew I would hear about his Cuban parents.  Enough already sir.  I’ve heard that story every time I hear you speak.  Enough about him.  (6)

Dr. Ben Carson:  Very smart man, very respected man, and great ideas, but I think he was out of place last night.  He just doesn’t have enough experience when it comes to political things which is both his strong point, but will also e his downfall. I loved his comments about why he doesn’t talk about race. “I said its because I’m a neurosurgeon.” I will paraphrase the rest, the hair doesn’t make them who they are, their skin doesn’t make them who they are and it’s tiem for us to move beyond that.  Again, great words from a great man.

I don’t see him lasting much longer, even though he has a lot of people behind him. (8)

Chris Christie:  This man is in favor of NSA spaying on America. He thinks we need a stronger military to stay out of war, (we have been at war for 60+ years straight)  Good night, thank for playing.  He’s done.  He had his chance in 2011, and he didn’t run, and then he hugged Obama and helped him win.

Won’t make it until the end of 2015. (7)

John Kasich:  Irrelevant, even though I do like him.  He just doesn’t have a chance.

(10)

Bottom line, it was very entertaining.  I heard some very good things and genuinely like most of the men on stage.  I did not watch the JV debate, so I have no comments on that.  No one lost out of the race with this debate, and no one seemed to jump higher than they were, with the exception being Walker and Cruz.  I would guess that most Americans haven’t seen and/or heard much about these 2 as they have Trump, Rubio, Bush etc.  And that may not mean anything, because my guess is that they haven’t heard of them at this point, they probably were not watching last night.

Jeff