WINNERS:
Marco Rubio - He came off understanding the problems facing the average American. He has talked in the past about his own student loans as one example but the main takeaway was the compassion he seems to feel and show towards helping the average American. He spoke with mostly a positive tone and offered a plan for the economy that makes sense (although he didn't have time to go into much detail). It includes tax reform, regulatory reform, fully utilizing our countries energy resources, repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act and modernizing our countries higher education. He also defended his proposed tax credit for families with children to help raise them in the 21st century. The problem I see with him is that he does have good ideas and a clearer vision of America's future and a wider path to it but his understanding of financial matters and his ability to gain a consensus has me worried that he may not be able to push forward with his vision if elected.
Ted Cruz - Much like Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz came in with a vision for what he wants America to look like. He did it in an off the cuff way but with ideas that he has clearly had for sometime now. He got most of his opportunity to speak about taxes and how he would balance the budget. The section where he eliminates five government agencies including the IRS, Department of Energy, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Commerce and one other he didn't name along with twenty five programs might be a little overkill but at least he has a clear vision for America's future and a vision that includes a balanced budget and lower taxes.
Carly Fiorina - Without Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina was the lone adult on stage last night. She came off very confident in her views and offered up a clear way to do whatever it was she talked about. Whether it be fix the economy (do five things - 0 based budgeting, reform tax code to 3 pages, review regulations, pass the Reins Act and hold government officials accountable for their performance) or solve healthcare (repeal the Affordable Care Act , have states manage high risk pools, open up healthcare to the free market and make health insurance companies publish costs, prices and outcomes) she offers real fixes to real problems facing the economy in a well thought out and easy to understand way.
LOSERS:
Ben Carson - He had very little time to speak compared to the other candidates and when he did talk it took him a while to get out his thoughts. He wasn't helped by the first question he was asked directly about his past (which didn't relate to the economy) and he tried to use it to attack Hilary Clinton in a roundabout way.
Rand Paul - I like Rand as a person but as a candidate for President I just can't get behind him. He comes off as a philosopher trying to be President. He gets his shots in on the Democrats but most of his attacks on the other candidates just don't stick. He clearly has a strong understanding of the Federal government, the financial system and most foreign affairs but his ideas on what should be done and how to do it just don't seem concrete enough for me.
Donald Trump - He didn't really do much but stand there and say (as he always does) that he is the best and that he will fix whatever problem there is in the best possible way and spending the least amount of money. He spoke the most about national security but again offered very little in substance.
Jeb Bush - He was more aggressive and alert, attacking President Obama and Hilary Clinton numerous times. But the problem is it all felt forced. The Jeb Bush on stage last night was not the man that declared his candidacy for President of the United States. He has clearly shifted his tone and rhetoric to what the party wants to hear. However, the stage is crowded with candidates that have been saying all the same things Jeb said last night for the past three months or longer.
JURY STILL OUT:
John Kasich - I like John Kasich. When he announced his bid for the Presidency I felt he would be a calming and uniting voice for the country. I fear though that he has been drowned out by the crowded field and it showed last night. He got very annoying every time he interjected himself into someone else's question. He was acting like the runt of the bunch that no one listens too. But when he did get a question he (much like Carly Fiorina, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio) presented a clear vision for the future of America. He understands the way Washington D.C. works and knows how to get things done. When he talks about his success in Ohio it is hard not to get excited about him but the crowded field may keep the best candidate for President out of the White House.
Sincerely,
Silence2DoGood
Marco Rubio - He came off understanding the problems facing the average American. He has talked in the past about his own student loans as one example but the main takeaway was the compassion he seems to feel and show towards helping the average American. He spoke with mostly a positive tone and offered a plan for the economy that makes sense (although he didn't have time to go into much detail). It includes tax reform, regulatory reform, fully utilizing our countries energy resources, repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act and modernizing our countries higher education. He also defended his proposed tax credit for families with children to help raise them in the 21st century. The problem I see with him is that he does have good ideas and a clearer vision of America's future and a wider path to it but his understanding of financial matters and his ability to gain a consensus has me worried that he may not be able to push forward with his vision if elected.
Ted Cruz - Much like Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz came in with a vision for what he wants America to look like. He did it in an off the cuff way but with ideas that he has clearly had for sometime now. He got most of his opportunity to speak about taxes and how he would balance the budget. The section where he eliminates five government agencies including the IRS, Department of Energy, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Commerce and one other he didn't name along with twenty five programs might be a little overkill but at least he has a clear vision for America's future and a vision that includes a balanced budget and lower taxes.
Carly Fiorina - Without Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina was the lone adult on stage last night. She came off very confident in her views and offered up a clear way to do whatever it was she talked about. Whether it be fix the economy (do five things - 0 based budgeting, reform tax code to 3 pages, review regulations, pass the Reins Act and hold government officials accountable for their performance) or solve healthcare (repeal the Affordable Care Act , have states manage high risk pools, open up healthcare to the free market and make health insurance companies publish costs, prices and outcomes) she offers real fixes to real problems facing the economy in a well thought out and easy to understand way.
LOSERS:
Ben Carson - He had very little time to speak compared to the other candidates and when he did talk it took him a while to get out his thoughts. He wasn't helped by the first question he was asked directly about his past (which didn't relate to the economy) and he tried to use it to attack Hilary Clinton in a roundabout way.
Rand Paul - I like Rand as a person but as a candidate for President I just can't get behind him. He comes off as a philosopher trying to be President. He gets his shots in on the Democrats but most of his attacks on the other candidates just don't stick. He clearly has a strong understanding of the Federal government, the financial system and most foreign affairs but his ideas on what should be done and how to do it just don't seem concrete enough for me.
Donald Trump - He didn't really do much but stand there and say (as he always does) that he is the best and that he will fix whatever problem there is in the best possible way and spending the least amount of money. He spoke the most about national security but again offered very little in substance.
Jeb Bush - He was more aggressive and alert, attacking President Obama and Hilary Clinton numerous times. But the problem is it all felt forced. The Jeb Bush on stage last night was not the man that declared his candidacy for President of the United States. He has clearly shifted his tone and rhetoric to what the party wants to hear. However, the stage is crowded with candidates that have been saying all the same things Jeb said last night for the past three months or longer.
JURY STILL OUT:
John Kasich - I like John Kasich. When he announced his bid for the Presidency I felt he would be a calming and uniting voice for the country. I fear though that he has been drowned out by the crowded field and it showed last night. He got very annoying every time he interjected himself into someone else's question. He was acting like the runt of the bunch that no one listens too. But when he did get a question he (much like Carly Fiorina, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio) presented a clear vision for the future of America. He understands the way Washington D.C. works and knows how to get things done. When he talks about his success in Ohio it is hard not to get excited about him but the crowded field may keep the best candidate for President out of the White House.
Sincerely,
Silence2DoGood