If neither dominant party represents you, consider the Libertarian Party.

Debate Watch

Hoping to avoid a repeat cage match, Trump v Biden, I will be following primary and general election debates.

 

GOP 4 – Dec 6, 2023

Finally!  A watchable debate. The NewsNation moderators led the best primary debate. There was minimal talking over compared to the previous debates.

GOP Candidate	My Ranking	Positive	Negative
Gov DeSantis	2nd	Constitutional lawyer … follow the Constitution  Inflation is a dire issue	Quick to sabre–rattle
Gov Haley	4th	On occasion mentioned local solutions	War Hawk
Mr Ramaswamy	1st	Lay off 75% of federal workers NO more coercion of other sovereign nations Gov't has too many secrets	Strong executive (Congress should lead)
Gov Christie	3rd	Possible Federal Attorney General	D–like in condemning President Trump

 

Red State / Blue State Debate – Nov 30

This event was unruly, but predictable. Both candidates repeatedly talked over each other for the first hour.
I'm NOT sure what happened after … I turned it off. Neither candidate acted presidential.

 

GOP 3 – Nov 8

The moderators did a better job keeping the debate focused and civil. The questions were repeats with a few new topics:

•   Anti–semitism
•   Tik Tok
•   Venezuela
•   Social Security reform … I see this as part of the massive federal debt
•   The politics/optics of Abortion – did NOT discuss the issue

My opinions of the candidates did NOT change.

 

GOP 2 – Sep 27

The "leading" candidates were unruly and talked over each other. The most restrained (and least heard from) Gov Doug Burgum again was calm and justly garnered my attention.

I heard very little about smaller gov't and even less about returning decisions to We The People.

Revise the Format

As moderator, I would:  (for 7 candidates)

•   Prepare 7 questions, to match the number of candidates
•   Encourage all candidates to speak about what they are FOR, and NOT waste time by squabbling or antagonizing
•   Microphones are OFF unless it is a candidate's turn to speak … a 2 minute timer visible
•   An opening statement from each candidate, #1 first
•   Offer the first question to 3 candidates
  •   Picked by lot, ¿ using Scrabble tiles D (DeSantis), R, H, S, C, P, and B (Burgum)
  •   After the 1^st round (1 question, 3 responses), 4 candidates would be eligible for the second question
  •   After the 2^nd round, 1 candidate is up with the other 6 eligible for the second and third responses
•   A closing statement, #7 first

This gives each candidate an opening statement, 3 topics, and a closing statement … a 10 full minutes. The debate can happen within 90 minutes.

Candidates NOT speaking to a question can submit a 250-word response within 2 hours of the end of the debate. The first 250 words of these responses will be posted on the host's website along side of the video recorded event.

If a longer debate is desired more questions can be prepared.

7	Gov Doug Burgum	Still calm and still talked States Rights. He was above the chaos.
6	Sen Mike Pence	Riding his role/accomplishments as VP, yet besmirching President Trump … curious
5	Gov Chris Christie	More likable than at GOP 1, but I'm still NOT in his camp.
4	Sen Tim Scott	NOT as calm as in GOP 1. He joined the unruly, a demotion.
3	Gov Nikki Haley	More combative than in GOP 1. Yet, mentioned Sovereign States.
2	Vivek Ramaswamy	Obviously, he was the target. He lost his calm and aloofness.
1	Gov Ron DeSantis	He looked more presidential. Yet, he jousted … even when he did NOT need to.
	President Donald Trump	His decision to NOT participate seems even wiser.

 

GOP 1 – Aug 23

My website directly (already) addresses most of the questions asked.

1.   Does the US have widespread problems?  I am a candidate because the federal gov't is severely BROKEN … as detailed throughout this website
2.   Out of control federal spending
3.   Inflation
4.   Several local issues
   •   Climate
   •   Abortion
   •   Homelessness and crime
   •   Education
5.   The (contrived) indictments against President Trump
6.   Do we continue to fund Ukraine?
7.   Is China a friend or a threat?
8.   What is the right policy for the border?
9.   Where does faith fit in governance?
10.   UFOs

In general, most candidates were too emotional. Kudos to the two that kept their cool.

8	Doug Burgum	composed (thank you!) … and thank you for showcasing Amendment X
7	Asa Hutchinson	you're off the island
6	Chris Christie	you're off the island
5	Tim Scott	composed (thank you!)
4	Nikki Haley	lives to fight another day
3	Mike Pence	lives to fight another day (barely)
2	Vivek Ramaswamy	great introduction!  the night's big winner
1	Ron DeSantis	still #2

Life, Liberty!, Property

Web Author - Mike Kolls