Little California, But Lots of Fire at GOP Debate

First, as much as it pains me to admit, California was not directly addressed in Wednesday night’s first GOP presidential debate.

Mea culpa.

Indirectly, though, the hot button issues on the agenda could all be said to have had their germination or hit their full flowering here.

Border security – big California issue. Teacher’s union power – one of the reasons the state is in the shape it is in. Bad district attorneys who refuse to do their jobs – check, check, and double check. Trans issues – we’re a trans sanctuary state. The climate – just ask Gavin and the California Air Resources Board. Homelessness – LA did get a shout out as Fox chose to show pictures of the degradation of the city as examples.  Abortion – anytime, anywhere in the Golden State.

All that being said, the event was rather feisty, with the whipper-snapper (you could literally see that term going through former VP Mike Pence’s head) Vivek Ramaswamy going after one and all.

Ramaswamy said everyone else on the stage was bought and paid for, mocked former Ambassador Nikki Haley for waiting to angle for corporate board seats, and saying former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s campaign was all about “vengeance and grievance.”

After saying that – and after saying a bunch of other stuff – if Christie were standing next to Ramaswamy on the stage, this very well could have happened:

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott did bring up the state’s abortion up until birth stance “immoral and unethical” as the candidates split between being in favor of a federal law banning abortion after 15 weeks while others – the governors, for the most part – saying that it is a state decision.

For the most part, each of the candidates agreed for the need for secure border, a shrinking of the federal government, a tougher stance vis a vis China, and a much tougher stance on crime.

Pence deflected a question about whether the pandemic lockdowns led to the current surge in crime and homelessness, saying the “defund the police” movement was to blame for the demoralization of law enforcement around the country.  Christie said federal prosecutors should step in when local DAs – like LA’s George Gascon – do not do their job, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis went a step further noting he had fired to George Soros-backed DA’s in Florida already.

But it may have been Ramaswamy’s, say we say, exuberance that seemed to dominate the evening.  He and Haley, Pence, and Christie traded very direct barbs with the three targeting his inexperience as he shot back with the need for a newer generation to lead the nation.

Pence talked repeatedly about his time in DC and the Indiana governor’s mansion and how this was not the time for the “on the job training” of a president.

As to the pandemic, there was oddly not much on the subject, though DeSantis noted he re-opened Florida before almost any other state, allowing kids to get back in school and the economy to thrive.

All of the candidates also spoke forcefully against the “weaponization” of the federal justice system and the rule of law – well, all but one.  Ramaswamy said he’d abolish the FBI, Pence said Trump asked him to break his oath to the constitution, and Christie said that the message sent to the American people by the Hunter Biden plea shenanigans send the awful message that the law “does not apply to everyone.

The one who really did not was the laughably awful specter of a candidate was former Arkansas governor and federal factotum Asa Hutchison, who along these lines said he believes Trump is disqualified from holding office because of the “insurrection” of January 6.  No and wrong and stupid.

Additionally, Hutchison talked about his time in the Bush administration and how he made sure kids in Arkansas got more computer training.  Why he is running is a mystery and – if the debate showed us anything of the future – it will end badly.  What is less than a smattering of applause?  Whatever it is, that’s the best Hutchison could muster from the boisterous and engaged audience – they didn’t even really bother to boo him – what’s the point?

The same cannot be said for North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgham. The second to last guy to qualify for the debate, Burgham came off as a solid, smart, controlled candidate.  It may not propel him to the nomination, but the evening should push him above the “asterisk” level.

In general, the debate was – as noted – feisty and a masterclass in deftly ignoring “time’s up” buzzers.  

Pence may have impressed some and he was the most openly Evangelical candidate, shoring up his base, but came off a bit “inside” and a bit more annoyed with Ramaswamy than he should have let on.

Christie came off as Christie – comfortable and opinionated.

Haley seemed thoughtful and committed, as did Scott.

DeSantis was a bit stiff – not Al Gore stiff, but still clearly not terribly comfortable.  The text of his answers, though, was strong and while he may not have assuaged all doubts he may have stopped his recent slide.

Ramaswamy was frenetic, aggressively honest, and clearly not intimidated by anyone on the stage. However, at times he did come off as a bit too much and as he – in part – needed to show people he could realistically be president he may have taken things a bit too far; not necessarily from a policy standpoint but from a “vibe” standpoint.  

The next debate will be held at the Reagan Library in simi Valley September 27.