How did Carly Fiorina do in the 9/16 Presidential debate, in your opinion? Is she a contender in the election for President?

Not yet. They need to eliminate some contenders first.

It was a pretty sad spectacle. Her closing remarks were rehearsed and could be considered inspirational, but the serious contenders couldn’t get a word in edgewise.
If it were a real debate, scoring points John Kasich probably scored the most content points, but his delivery wasn’t as memorable as you need to be to feed the bottom feeders that currently dominate the republican conversation. This whole thing makes me doubt that democracy has a chance at surviving when the most serious, experienced, and qualified contenders don’t even get heard because they’re not entertaining enough. I think America is stuck in High School and the most popular gets elected. Style is prevailing over content and it’s pretty scary.
I think the big loser was Carson. He is way to mild mannered to survive the long haul in this party, but I might be surprised.
I think Paul got people looking at him again. He had been forgotten by the media for a while.
So when are the Democratic debates?
And the $10 bill…. “My wife” or “My Mother?” Sick lazy answers.

@Judi All the closing remarks were scripted and rehearsed and at this stage of the game IMO one should take any inspiration with a grain of salt. I also would argue that the Republican party did field 16 passionate candidates for a debate when the Dems are scrambling to field even 2 to me is a telling contrast as to just how large the passion, wants and needs that exist between both parties and the people they represent. Tonight served it’s intended purpose of giving the front runners and the up and comers a chance to reveal who and what they are all about. I saw a lot of ships sinking and even more candidate rise to the occasion that invite more to take notice of their message and what they can offer our country as President.

@Cruiser, I agree that the Democrats need a debate. I, as a democrat am still undecided. I’m angry with the press for ignoring Bernie Sanders. MSNBC had pictures of 4 possible democratic candidates on the screen the other day and not one of them was Bernie. We need to have democratic debates soon but I yhink everyone is waiting to see if Joe Biden gets into the race.
The contenders I would like to see debate on the democratic ticket:
Clinton
Sanders
Biden
O’Mally.

@Judi could you imagine a Bernie Sanders /Elizabeth Warren ticket? That would be so cool.

About the Democrats. Clinton’s in a tough spot going up against Sanders. If he continues to gain momentum, attack ads are going to be required, but she dare not be associated with any of them. There will be no ” I approved of this message” from her when it’s time to trash Bernie. Sanders on the other hand can let the Republicans work Hillary over for him, with all the sea of accusations and non issues they’ve been howling about for the past 7 years. Were it not for the fact that she’s going to be very rich regardless of the outcome, I would be inclined to feel sorry for Hillary.

Nope. It is clear she is looking to establish the US strength by sending more military abroad. I’m afraid she is barking up the wrong tree. The american public isn’t thrilled at the idea of going to war when we aren’t even done paying for the last one.

As for Cruz he should bow out completely. When every candidate was introduced they were each applauded except for Cruz. I think the more he talks of government shut down the less popular he is becoming. It’s not that they are opposed to his idea of closing planned parenthood but they think for now it is an issue that can’t be won and shutting down the government would only hurt the Republican party in the long run.

Fiorina was over-compensating for being a woman.

She had a chip on her shoulder. She wanted to prove that she can start wars like any old man can.

Her foreign policy of “not talking to them at all” is insane.

I thought on the whole she came off well, but I’m troubled by her misrepresentation of the Planned Parenthood videos and by her own work history. She was masterly in her potent (if scripted) put-down of Trump over his nasty face remark. If Trump had a brain in his head he would have kept his mouth shut, but of course he couldn’t help himself and his reply made me laugh out loud.

@cazzie, I think it might be Biden/Warren

I think she’s a top primary contender. Perhaps the top primary contender. But she would have no chance in a general election if she is chosen as the candidate. She spoke confidently, but got a lot of her facts wrong, and has no government experience whatsoever.

@Pandora, I SO agree about Cruz. Such a scary guy!

Her presentation was good; her content was sketchy and mis-leading. I’m sure she scored points with the base, but I find her hawkishness alarming.

Kasich would have looked good if it had been a general debate, but I doubt he helped himself much with the base.

I predict we saw the beginning of the end of Trump’s campaign. Anyone care to agree or disagree?
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@Judi I’d really get behind a Biden-Warren ticket.

They are all sort of clowns, on both sides.
So I guess one is as good as the other.
To be serious for a moment, I don’t see a big problem with Carly Fiorina as a candidate. I like her more than most of the others, and less than some of the others.

@Pachy “I predict we saw the beginning of the end of Trump’s campaign. Anyone care to agree or disagree? ”

Agree. This and the fact that his big foreign policy speech the other night contained no foreign policy and was cut much shorter than expected. He is really not even trying – there’s only so long he can keep spouting platitudes like “Trust me!” and “I will win against all our enemies!” before people demand to know what he intends to actually do. Eventually, it will be clear that he has no actual plans beyond winning the trophy that is the presidency.

@dappled_leaves I would like to believe that except for the fact that he has retained so much popularity makes me think that the sheeple who like him are thinking much at all. I wonder if he does go down if Christie will pick up his crowd.

@janbb No, I have a feeling they won’t go en masse to any one candidate. My guess is Paul and Fiorina will pick up most of them, but they’ll be spread around a bit. Hopefully, more of these people will have to drop out soon – you can’t keep running a campaign with 0–1% of the polls.

It’s a great race to watch this year as a liberal; not one of the Republican hopefuls stands a chance against any of the prospective Democratic candidates.

I wish I had your confidence.

I thought Carly did quite well and was obviously prepared. The one that I thought did the best was Rubio but Carly was a close second. CNN designed the debate to be a food fight and most of the candidates obliged. I was disappointed in that. I think Trump will begin to fade but slowly. If he does it will give the field a chance to start addressing real issues. At least I hope so. It would be good to hear a few questions that don’t sound like a personal attack in the asking.

I think Fiorina did better than many if not most. However, to me Paul seemed to be the one who knew what he was talking about on the widest variety of questions even if I don’t agree with much of what is said. At least he seemed to be informed beyond the required 10 second sound byte that seems to be the extent of most of the candidates knowledge on any given subject.

Not happy with the format, but I never am. I think the moderator should have more ability to call a candidate out on obvious obfuscation (perhaps a loud bullshit button) and I don’t like candidates being able to talk around a question or redirect it into a soundbyte moment for self-aggrandizement; stop them in mid-speech and go to someone else immediately.

And questions like who should be on a $10 dollar bill? Seriously? Are we discussing the views of the possible leader of the country or just putting together another “Top 10” list for Facebook? Just skip the bullcrap. ask the hard questions and go for substance.

Unfortunately, this is entertainment and we go were the money goes.

Incidentally, the little dust up between Trump and Bush over donations and casinos; I would bet that while Bush is not lying, technically, Trump is correct. I doubt that Trump, as Trump, ever offered money to Bush or Bush’s campaign. Now there are corporate entities that I am sure did; and remember corporations are people now so Trump would not be lying if he says it was not him. This is also why he can say “I never wanted casinos” with a straight face. I very much doubt whether an investigation would reveal Trump doing the deed or even ever actually speaking to Bush.

@rojo “And questions like who should be on a $10 dollar bill? Seriously? Are we discussing the views of the possible leader of the country or just putting together another “Top 10” list for Facebook? Just skip the bullcrap. ask the hard questions and go for substance.”

I know it’s easy to dismiss this question as frivolous, but it is another way of asking whether the candidates think any women have ever significantly contributed to American history or to the American way of life. As such, the answers say a lot about whether the candidates view women as equal to men. And the answers were telling – “my mom,” “my wife” – these are the responses of people who can’t even imagine why the question might be important to their voters, even if not to themselves.

@janbb “I wish I had your confidence.”

I am one hell of a lot more worried about our upcoming election than I am about your upcoming election.

@dappled_leaves How about asking a question along the lines of “What would you like to know about the upcoming election in Canada?” As a proud dual citizen of Canadica, I have a few I’d like to ask.

@Brian1946 That’s a good idea! I’m going to be quite busy over the next week or so, but when I can, I will.

Anybody want to wager? Twenty bucks to the charity of mine. (Doctors without Borders)

If the nomination goes to Carly (we don’t hate women) or Carson (we have black friends too) I will donate 200 dollars to whatever you want. I someone else gets it you give 20 to Doctors Without Borders.

Any takers? You can get 200 for a risk of 20.

Sure – I’ll take you up on it.

Yeah, what the heck, @johnpowell.
But will you deposit the $200 into my Kiva account so I can control it?

Crap and lies about Planned Parenthood though. How stupid do you have to be to share that stage?

The entire debate in 40 seconds.

@rojo Jeez louise! I didn’t watch but from what I read that sounds like it. Is this the best we can do?

Yep, Ahm a thinkin’ we kin all jes’ skip the remaining deebates and replay this.

That pretty much sums up the political atmosphere in the United States at this point, @rojo.

It’s exactly what Trump said when asked how he would rid the country of Muslims. I don’t believe the candidates are even computing the questions any longer.

@janbb was first so I will honor that.

But I am willing to do another @ibstubro for different odds. For @ibstubro I will do a 1:1 at $20 if you are interested.

I like the pasta a lot, just not enough to eat 400 dollars worth of it if I am wrong.

It’s a win-win for me as I donate to Doctors without Borders too.

“Any takers? You can get 200 for a risk of 20.” @johnpowell.

Pasta was not mentioned.

When you say “Any takers?” and you get one, that is usually the bet.