Evaluating the GOP candidates for President
Evaluating the GOP candidates began with the first debate on August 6, 2015. We as individuals must understand the questions that were asked and the responses that were given. Debates can separate the good or great from the bad candidates and they often can put an end to any momentum for any individual running for elected office. At the least they can start a downward spiral.
I did not see the early debate at 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time but I have seen clips of some of the responses made by some candidates not the least of which was Carly Fiorina. She apparently took the debate by storm from all the reports. It is most likely that she will gain support for her candidacy and potentially will be in the next debate and who she would replace remains to be seen.
Commenting on the quality and substance of the debate it is quite clear that all if not most of the candidates are well qualified to be President some more than others. The substance of the responses to the critical issues facing our country was fantastic to get a glimpse of what each of the candidates would do regarding the critical issues which surfaced in the debate. The debate held at 9:00 P.M. was one of the best if not the best debates I have ever seen. The questions were right on target for each of the candidates and their responses for the most part were great if not fantastic in some cases.
This election cycle has seen a large field of candidates running for President which I cannot remember having not only the large quantity but the quality of most of the candidates. It was a make or break time for some candidates and for the most part they were able to present who they were, their positions on the issues and the actions they would take. While this was the first Republican debate the candidates made specific statements to resolve issues facing our country not the least of which was the current size of government and what they would do to change the culture in Washington.
I feel that each candidate for the most part had their moments and how those moments played out with voters remain to be seen. It is certain some on the stage will see a resurgence of support for their candidacy while others may see a downward spiral in their bid to become the nominee and the next President. Early on the focus appeared to be on Donald Trump but the time spent questioning each candidate was limited as a result of the number. Though there was limited time each candidate had the opportunity to present who they are to the voters. In some cases the candidates were not well known to the voters as to who they were and what they represent. A debate of this magnitude gave the voters to opportunity to learn who these individuals really were separate from the coverage or lack of it they received from some of the media.
It is hoped that future Republican debates or any debate will provide the same in depth questions to give any candidate the opportunity to better present themselves on the issues and the actions they would take. Some candidates do not have any political experience but this could be a good thing not discounting the experience and decisions candidates have made when faced with issues of principle. The principles of the next President will be important when analyzing the candidates and those principles should be the ones established by our founding fathers. Candidates can say many things but the one thing which must be considered is their political record and whether they have changed their position in some cases and the reason for the change. If they cannot adequately explain their change in position which is left to the voters to decide it could hurt their candidacy.
We need a President who will stand up for the Constitution and not circumvent Congress and their responsibility as one third of the government. The responses of each of the candidates to the questions which were asked of them presented their perspective on the issues. In their responses candidates clearly identified why some decisions were wrong and what they would have done or what they would do to reverse them. It must be remembered when a new administration takes the office of President he has the authority to cancel any executive decision that has been made. The key point to make is that any action by a President is only good when they are in office.
A new President can revoke any executive action made by a previous President which must be done or it is considered to be accepted if no action is taken to reverse them. Whoever is our next President they need to make tough decisions within the authority granted to them in the Constitution and be a real leader for our country? The responses of the candidates made tough statements to the questions and they either presented they have the capability to lead which in some cases should be based on their political record if they have one. Whether the candidates presented a perception they can lead is up to the voters to decide. The point of being a leader is that he must have the ability to convince others about his decisions/proposals if this cannot be done he is failing to lead. In addition the President must be willing to listen to other proposals which Congress may have on the issues
