Friday, March 11, 2016

Nothing changes

I watched most of the debate last night. It wasn't the usual clown show and I suspect that is because Jake Tapper was at the helm. For the most part, the discussion stayed on the issues. Very quick impressions:

  • I guess John Kasich is from Ohio.
  • Marco Rubio, having seen the damage done, backed off his Fozzie Bear shtick and went back to his favorite place, Soundbite City. If he doesn't win Florida on Tuesday, he's toast. In other words, he's toast.
  • Ted Cruz was the same as always. He's still the smartest guy in the room and yet he still has a difficult time connecting with people. I believe the term is "emotional intelligence," and it's most likely going to be his undoing. He'll continue to win some states, but unless some external factor changes the trajectory of the race, he's not going to make it.
  • The Donald was relatively subdued. At this point, that's what he needs to be. You either buy his song and dance or you don't. I don't. 
The central question of this campaign remains -- do you believe that Donald Trump can find and reassemble the Reagan Democrats? Or are they gone now, gone forever. At least on the Republican side, that's the crux.

8 comments:

Brian said...

Half of the Reagan Democrats are dead, and the other half are Republucans.

Mr. D said...

Half of the Reagan Democrats are dead, and the other half are Republucans.

So you're saying no, then. ;)

Bike Bubba said...

I still am of the view that the best explanation for "The Combover" is that he's yet another Clinton dirty trick that got traction.

3john2 said...

Half of the Reagan Democrats are dead...and have gone back to voting Democrat.
(Sorry - that was too easy).

I don't know how much of an issue emotional intelligence is. Hillary is certainly tone-deaf and unlovable; without the super-delegates she'd be struggling in what was supposed to be a coronation.

Mr. D said...

I don't know how much of an issue emotional intelligence is. Hillary is certainly tone-deaf and unlovable; without the super-delegates she'd be struggling in what was supposed to be a coronation.

True, and I think that buttresses my argument. If the Republicans put up a more likable candidate, they will have a big advantage. The problem is what the Republican primary electorate likes is generally at significant variance with the rest of the population.

Gino said...

Trump can put it back together, IF his party doesnt continue to damage him. no other GOPer would be able to pull the numbers Trump has.

Brad said...

I heard Trump praise cops last evening which means he's probably now dead to Gino.

Gino said...

i wasnt going to vote for him, anyway.