If neither dominant party represents you, consider the
Libertarian Party.
Debate Watch
Hoping to avoid a repeat cage match, Trump v Biden, I will be following primary and general election debates.
GOP 4 – Dec 6, 2023
Finally! A watchable debate. The NewsNation moderators led the best primary debate. There was minimal talking over compared to the previous
debates.
GOP Candidate | My Ranking | Positive | Negative |
Gov DeSantis | 2nd |
Constitutional lawyer … follow the Constitution
Inflation is a dire issue |
Quick to sabre–rattle |
Gov Haley | 4th |
On occasion mentioned local solutions |
War Hawk |
Mr Ramaswamy | 1st |
Lay off 75% of federal workers
NO more coercion of other sovereign nations
Gov't has too many secrets |
Strong executive (Congress should lead) |
Gov Christie | 3rd |
Possible Federal Attorney General |
D–like in condemning President Trump |
Red State / Blue State Debate – Nov 30
This event was unruly, but predictable. Both candidates repeatedly talked over each other for the first hour.
I'm NOT sure what happened after … I turned it off. Neither candidate acted presidential.
GOP 3 – Nov 8
The moderators did a better job keeping the debate focused and civil. The questions were repeats with a few new topics:
My opinions of the candidates did NOT change.
GOP 2 – Sep 27
The "leading" candidates were
unruly and talked over each other. The most restrained (and least heard from)
Gov Doug Burgum again was calm and justly garnered my attention.
I heard very little about smaller gov't and even less about returning decisions to We The People.
Revise the Format
As moderator, I would: (for 7 candidates)
- Prepare 7 questions, to match the number of candidates
- Encourage all candidates to speak about what they are FOR, and NOT waste time by squabbling or antagonizing
- Microphones are OFF unless it is a candidate's turn to speak … a 2 minute timer visible
- An opening statement from each candidate, #1 first
- Offer the first question to 3 candidates
- Picked by lot, ¿ using Scrabble tiles D (DeSantis), R, H, S, C, P, and B (Burgum)
- After the 1st round (1 question, 3 responses), 4 candidates would be eligible for the second question
- After the 2nd round, 1 candidate is up with the other 6 eligible for the second and third responses
- A closing statement, #7 first
This gives each candidate an opening statement, 3 topics, and a closing statement … a 10 full minutes.
The debate can happen within 90 minutes.
Candidates NOT speaking to a question can submit a 250-word response within 2 hours of the end of the debate.
The first 250 words of these responses will be posted on the host's website along side of the video recorded event.
If a longer debate is desired more questions can be prepared.
7 | Gov Doug Burgum | Still calm and still talked States Rights. He was above the chaos. |
6 | Sen Mike Pence | Riding his role/accomplishments as VP, yet besmirching President Trump … curious |
5 | Gov Chris Christie | More likable than at GOP 1, but I'm still NOT in his camp. |
4 | Sen Tim Scott |
NOT as calm as in GOP 1. He joined the unruly, a demotion. |
3 | Gov Nikki Haley |
More combative than in GOP 1. Yet, mentioned Sovereign States. |
2 | Vivek Ramaswamy |
Obviously, he was the target. He lost his calm and aloofness. |
1 | Gov Ron DeSantis |
He looked more presidential. Yet, he jousted … even when he did NOT need to. |
| President Donald Trump |
His decision to NOT participate seems even wiser. |
GOP 1 – Aug 23
My website directly (already) addresses most of the questions asked.
- Does the US have widespread problems? I am a candidate because the
federal gov't is severely BROKEN … as detailed throughout this website
- Out of control federal spending
- Inflation
- Several local issues
- The (contrived) indictments against President Trump
- Do we continue to fund Ukraine?
- Is China a friend or a threat?
- What is the right policy for the border?
- Where does faith fit in governance?
- UFOs
In general, most candidates were too
emotional. Kudos to the two that kept their cool.
8 | Doug Burgum | composed (thank you!) … and thank you for showcasing Amendment X |
7 | Asa Hutchinson | you're off the island |
6 | Chris Christie | you're off the island |
5 | Tim Scott | composed (thank you!) |
4 | Nikki Haley | lives to fight another day |
3 | Mike Pence | lives to fight another day (barely) |
2 | Vivek Ramaswamy | great introduction! the night's big winner |
1 | Ron DeSantis | still #2 |
Life, Liberty!, Property
Web Author - Mike Kolls