The Star Wars - GOP Debate 5.0
- Details
- Category: Politics
- Published: Thursday, 17 December 2015 01:51
- Written by Attorney Camara Williams
By Attorney Camara Williams
Can you believe we are five debates in and we still do not know if the Trump shield of invincibility will finally come down long enough for other candidates to expose his weakness, at this point Trumps aura is the deathstar, and his opponents are the rebel faction tasked with fighting him. With the tragedies happening in both Paris and then San Bernardino, it was easy to predict that National Security and the topic of terrorism will take center stage tonight.
Up until now, none of the lower polling candidates has been willing to blink, and forgo their hopes of being the 45th president of The United States. Our last debate of 2015! Lets get to it!
(If you have not figured out by now, I am going to be using Star Wars quotes since this is officially-
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unofficially Star Wars week...yes I'm a nerd)
Sen. Rand Paul:
"Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force"- Darth Vader
The Senator from Kentucky has had a hard time making a true footprint in this GOP Primary. Up until 72 hours ago viewers weren't even sure he would make it back to big table considering his low current low polling. Part of his reason for not gaining traction comes down to two reasons. 1. He is considered part of the EMPIRE (establishment), and 2. His message does not register with GOP faithful. In particular his message to cut military spending and the environment. Hence the reason for the quote. He needed a big night tonight in order to stay politically relevant. I thought tonight might have been his game changer. For a person who scored the lowest polling position, he received FaceTime comparable to his colleagues who are scoring in the double digits. His highlight of the night came when he spoke about the 1st Amendment and the Geneva convention. I'm not sure what it do for his poll position overall, but I expect a bump nevertheless.
Gov. Jeb Bush:
"I sense great fear in you, Skywalker. You have hate… you have anger… but you don't use them."-Count Dooku
Poor Jeb did not think he would be in this position at the end of the calendar year. He was once The Empire top pick, but they have felt a shift in the force and has started to back the kid from south Florida. Part of the reason he has failed to register is the perception (and reality) that he is not energized enough corral the faithful, and not angry enough to pull the right wing extremist. He is deemed part of the Empire establishment, and his debate performances have yet to generate buzz. Tonight I think he took on the challenge of putting more energy in his campaign, by having a spirited debate performance. He went after Trump early and often. Not backing down even when Trump threw barbs his way. Unfortunately I'm not sure it will be enough to garner the support he had early on. His best moment of the night came when he rebuffed Trump by saying "you cannot insult your way to the White House" that generated the applause. Will it generate buzz and votes is another question.
Dr. Ben Carson
"Lando's not a system, he's a man"- Hans Solo
Although it would be obvious to tie Dr. Carson together with Lando seeing how one is the black person in GOP Galaxy (not really but roll with it). The TRUE point of the quote is point out how little is know about Lando, and how little we've heard from Dr. Carson. His debates have been terrible, his interest in the campaign is waning, and despite polling in 3rd place, he no longer seems like a legit threat to win the nomination. I've always doubted he truly wanted to be President. For a debate that centered on foreign policy the entire night-a weak spot for Carson-you just felt this was gonna be a forgetful night for the neurosurgeon. Carson main answer for stopping terrorism, domestic safety and international leadership is political correctness.
Carly Fiorina:
"Here goes nothing" -Lando Calrissian
Our second Lando reference! FUN FACT: did you know that it was Lando who popularized that saying. Before Return of the Jedi, that saying didn't exist. The saying signifies or is synonymous with attempting something amazing in face of huge odds.
Carly for all intents and purposes is the embodiment of that saying. Not only did get herself a spot at the big table, but she has stayed there despite not considered by anyone as a legitimate presidential threat. Tonight you just knew she was going really prove to the world how tough on terrorism she really is. Outside of one debate, she hasn't really made a mark. Tonight was more of the same from Carly. She didn't get much camera time tonight, and when she did...flat! Her lack of charisma is being displayed in every debate, as is her lack of a true candidacy.
Gov. John Kasich:
"The force can have a strong influence on the weak minded"- Obi Wan Kenobi
Gov. Kasich has consistently tried to sound the drum that right wing extreme thinking is not going to save the party but rather sink it. This obviously in direct response to Donald Trump (and even Sen. Ted Cruz) rhetoric on the campaign trail. The Star Wars quote I feel best embodies what he feels is happening to his party, hence he keeps asking everyone to "Wake Up!!!". Unfortunately what seems to be asleep is his polling. Because despite being the loudest objector to Trump both on the campaign trail and in the Debates, his impact on the ears of the voters is quiet. Tonight he was the forgotten man on the musical chair debate stage. His presence was not felt, and CNN obliged but not forcing questions his way.
Gov. Chris Christie:
"You can't win, Darth. Strike me down, and I will become more powerful than you could possibly imagine."- Obi Wan Kenobi
This is probably an exaggeration regarding Gov. Christie, no he is not more powerful, but it has to be encouraging that 5 weeks ago it seemed like his campaign was on its last leg (thus banishment to kiddies table debate-last time). However, here he is fighting for his political life after already being "struck down". Tonight he came out angry, and diligent on being the "tough plain speaking candidate-who makes the most pragmatic sense". He consistently reminded viewers that he has the Executive experience that Both Sen. Rubio and Sen. Cruz lacked. Right now what Christie is doing is projecting. He does not believe Trump will last, but he sees Cruz and Rubio as the true poll leaders and he attacked fervently, trying to distinguish himself. He had the most disrespectful line of the night (surprising with Trump on the stage) calling our POTUS a "feckless weakling".
Sen. Ted Cruz:
"Great Kid, Don't Get Cocky" – Hans Solo
"Luke, you can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your destiny. Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy as father and son."- Darth Vader
Senator gets two quotes. It has been fairly obvious and widely noticeable that prior to tonight Cruz has unwilling to engage both Trump and Carson, simply because he never believed in their sustain ability however he wants to syphon of their voters. The "cocky" quote goes in line with Cruz being heard saying as much. The Senator unwillingness to engage the front-runner ties the fact that he can remain a viable option for his voting base. Senator Cruz spent most of the night distinguishing himself from Rubio. They sparred with each other over bill sponsorship and immigration. His job tonight was too look presidential, I'm not sure he pulled that off cleanly. His strategy of avoiding Trump and gunning for Rubio is so obvious that Stevie Wonder is rolling his eyes. Some may argue he did well, with everyone seemingly attacking him, I would argue he did just enough to continue poll well in Iowa.
Senator Marco Rubio:
"The Force is strong with you. A powerful Sith you will become"- Darth Sidous AKA The Emperor
"The force is strong in this one"- Darth Vader
For a moment the Empire was feeling down about their prospects of challenging the "outsiders". The golden pic of Jeb fluttered before he got out of the gate. However now they have a "New Hope" in Senator Rubio. While he is technically third and fourth in primary polls. The national polls this week show him edging Hillary Clinton in a general election. Tonight is his opportunity to close the gap to his GOP comrades. I believe he had the strong moments tonight, but between the attacks from Cruz, Trump and Christie, I felt he started to get tired later on in the night. He undoubtedly looked composed and quick in his rebuttals, however his deductions came when discussing his voting record and experience. He will continue to be the Empire darling, but if he wants to continue his upward trajectory he must find an answer to his voting and lack of experience.
Donald Trump:
"Who's the more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him"-Obi Wan Kenobi
"So this is How liberty dies, with thunderous applause" –Padme
"The ability to speak does not make you intelligent"- Qui-Gon Jinn
"Fear is the path to the darkside" – Yoda
"There is good in him. I've felt it."-Luke Skywalker
The Donald gets five quotes (I could have given him more) had it not been for time. Last week Trump came out with a quote banning (until further notice) ALL Muslims from entering the country. It was at this time the Empire struck back and condemned his comments. The Donald has been impervious to backlash. The one quote that I think embodies Trumps base is the quote from Luke Skywalker "feeling good inside of him". That essentially is what most of his "moderate" supporters are saying in defense of his comments. It has not escaped Trump that Cruz (and Rubio) are his biggest threats. Tonight. He stayed away from Cruz but willingly engaged everyone else. He stuck to his points, no matter how inarticulate, and at this point even he knows his debate performances are not import to his base. He creates buzz off his campaign trails not policy discussions.
Conclusions:
"Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."- Yoda
"Your eyes can deceive you; don't trust them" - Qui-Gon Jinn
"Many of the truths we cling too; depends on our point of view"- Obi Wan Kenobi
Last night's debate surely focused on the issue that Americans are most scared about. The issue of national security is for all intents of purposes a GOP stronghold. Americans feel that between the two parties, it is the Republicans that garner the most support in the are of safety. If this theme continues, Democrats will face a hard time arguing strength on national security in the general election.
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