Can I watch the debate, blog, and catch up on work at the same time? Let’s see. Your comments welcome in the meantime.
Cruz starts with the 10 captured sailors, and the fact that Obama ignored this in the speech, and is ready to release the $100 billion to Iran. “I give you my word if I am electd president. . . any nation that captures our fighting men and women will feel the full force of our fury.” Obama economy has left people behind. . .
Kasich — G_d I wish he wasn’t on that stage. . .
Christie: when should a president use military force? When absolutely necessary to protect American lives.
Blah blah blah from Bush. Not doing well with multitasking.
Commercial break over.
The Natural Born Citizen issue. Cruz asked “do you want to close this topic once and for all?” Lots of boos when Q raised and when Trump claims he’s winning per the polls. Trump claims he personally doesn’t care but “very fine constitutional attorneys” say otherwise. “What if Democrats sue?” More boos. Trump says, “you should get a declaratory judgement.”
Cruz: “I’m not going to be taking legal advice from Donald Trump.” The chances of any litigation succeeding are zero. The people saying this is a legit question are leftist Democrats.
Trump: “Yes, I am angry”
Are Clinton’s discretions appropriate fodder? Is HRC an enabler of sexual misconduct? Carson: Is this America anymore? Do we still have values and principles? But then he rambles.
Gun rights: What is the harm in tightening restrictions? Dylan Roof. Jeb: the FBI made a mistake; shows we should implement current laws properly. Bigger issue: not law-abiding gun owners. In Florida, if you commit a crime with a gun, you go away for a long, long time. Also: mental health. Keep guns away from the mentally ill by legislation, not executive order.
Trump: no restrictions. “I am a second amendment person.” Would have prevented San Bernadino, Barclan killings if victims could have fought back.
Rubio: I am convinced that if this president could get rid of the 2nd amendment, he would. But none of his proposals would have made a difference because criminals get their guns on the street, not from a gun show. The 2nd amendment is our way of defending ourselves against ISIS.
As a speaker, Cruz is good — coming up with specifics where Rubio could only give generalities. If the election were based on debating skills or speaking skills in general, he’d win. But it’s not.
Now Cruz says, “Trump has ‘New York values,’ and acknowledged such in a past interview.” Socially liberal. Trump defends New York by pointing to 9/11.
Q to Bush: on military. Need to rebuild – e.g., navy is half the size it once was. We’re gutting military and China, Iran, etc., don’t take us seriously as a result. Also need to reimpose sanctions. Move embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Get back in the game with respect to Arab nations and alliances.
To Kasich: what about Saudi Arabia? Rambles about energy independence & supporting fracking. Then gets back to topic: make it clear to Saudis they have to stop funding radical clerics.
to Carson: should we send 20K ground troops? Admin doesn’t recognize seriousness. Ask military what they need, and don’t tie their hands. Take their oil revenue from them.
To Christie: how important to remove Assad? A. Obama called Assad a reformer. Russians + Iranians working to prop up Assad. Syrians should stay in Syria. You’re not going to have peace with Assad in charge.
On the Muslim moratorium: Trump: My Muslim friends said “thank you very much.” We have a serious problem. Bush: but what about our allies? Need to tighten up visa system instead.
Trump: “I want security for this country.” Radical Islam a problem all over the world.
Everyone’s lining up against unvettable Syrian refugees.
Rubio: we’re discussing this in the first place because the President has underestimated threat of ISIS by calling them “guys in pick-up trucks.”
I’m getting tired. . .
Trump: we’ve lost anywhere between 4 and 7 million jobs because of China.
Meh. I have other things to do. What’d you think?
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