The first Republican debate Wednesday evening was a jaw dropping experience. The hopelessly disorganized Fox hosts let the combatants argue, interrupt and scream at each other off the grid, ignore the established time constraints and shamelessly pontificate their not-so-humble personal opinions as established facts. They also masterfully changed the subject when asked a question they didn’t want to answer.

Trump didn’t want to be raked over the coals and so opted to have a few words with impeccably disgraced ex-commentator Tucker Carlson, a caught red-handed liar and false witness, but still seemingly embraced by the faithful. Trump had nothing new to say other than the usual fare. 

Those candidates that made their careers on Trumps coat tails deftly avoided directly criticizing him, except for Chris Christie, who, BTW had some of the most intelligent comments of the evening, including the following:

“Whether or not you believe that the criminal 

charges are right or wrong, the conduct is 

beneath the office of president of the United States,” 

Surprisingly, candidate Nikki Haley also came out with a few relatively perceptive quips, but then landed this whopper:

“If you want something said, ask a man,’” 

quipped Ms. Haley, “If you want something done, 

ask a woman.”

She neglected to follow this up with a Madeline Albrights classic:

“If you want to see a world run by women, 

watch how they treat each other in high school.”

Other candidates ranged from the overbearing ecumenical bully (Pence), the sad, question-dodging demagogue (DeSantis) to the quiet, refuge seeking also-rans.  

Very notable, however, is the slick Trump clone Ramaswamy, who obviously spent a lot of time rehearsing the moves that made Trump what he is. Ramaswamy went out of his way to hit ‘em all, guaranteed to get cheers from the crowd: Cutting funding for Ukraine’s war effort (in full view of Taiwan and South Korea), promising to pardon Trump, accusing Christie of auditioning for an MSNBC contract, Haley of fishing for lucrative private-sector jobs and the big one, “climate change is a myth”. 

But enough of this muddle I could spend hours on. 

Let’s have a brief look at Trump’s surrender, arrest and booking in Atlanta.  Curiously, the Trump caravan from New Jersey to Atlanta included enough vehicles to stock several big GM dealerships, including enough police motorcycles to put a scare in the Hells Angels. All this for a FORMER US President that was voted out of office?  Then the famous “Mug Shot” portraying Trump in fighting mode. I’ve never seen a true police mug shot like this. Most portray the subject bolt upright with lights everywhere, obviating shadows and a lateral shot as well. Trump’s mug looks like a mafioso don. 

But it is what it is, a blink in American History. A former US President arrested for criminal activity. Not just any criminal history, Racketeering! As a purely practical matter, even though Trump enjoys a fairly wide popularity, most if not all of that is among Republicans. The same species of Republicans that joyfully applauded crafted Trump clone Ramaswamy, who’s not qualified for anything. These accolades are not necessarily shared by most of those that will be voting in 2024.

Trump is old history and it’s highly unlikely any candidate with four criminal trials hanging over his head will be elected president. He’s 77 years old. He’ll spend the rest of his life in and out of court, paying lawyers millions and shouting loudly to no one in particular that he’s a victim of political witch hunting. He’ll sink in that mire. 

That leaves possibly one of the eight we saw perform Wednesday evening. Some of those eight are simply clown acts, loud and strident but really going nowhere. Others now fighting previously good reviews now sagging on the basis of poor performance in front of an audience. Others simply standing and watching.  

To my mind, only two of the eight stood out much. Chris Christie has come out several times with reasonable comments about the presidency and he isn’t afraid to call Trump out. Although she’s said some pretty stupid things to Fox commentators in the past, Nikki Haley managed to assign blame for much of what’s happening in American politics to Republicans as well as Democrats and she has the most reasonable thoughts on the abortion issue. She’s not there yet, but she’s closer than the rest. 

We’ll see how the polls react now. 

DWC