Yawn: The third Republican debate
The debate stage is now down to four candidates, but the race is about one person—and he's not debating.
I’d planned to write about the last Republican debate, which took place a week ago yesterday, but got sidetracked working on another piece that you should be able to read here soon. My assessment of the last debate is perfectly summed up in one word: Yawn.
Yes, Nikki Haley continues to appear as the adult in the room amongst a group of whiny, annoying kids, but what does it matter? Even if she continues her rise—she’s now topping DeSantis in early polls of upcoming primary states—she still has to (a) clear the field and (b) get past Trump to receive the nomination.
I was not a math major in college, but last time I checked 60% beats 9%. The only hope she, or anyone else on the stage at the debate, has is if Trump goes away, some way, somehow. Short of that, he likely gets the nomination, lest some of the pundits are right about the former president seeming less appealing as a binary choice.
To that I say maybe. The collective action problem would still exits, however: Haley likely trounces Biden in a general election, but were Trump to drop out, it’s most likely that DeSantis receives his votes based on GOP voters’ support of him as their second option. DeSantis might still top Biden, but it’s likely a closer race.
Candidly, I’m ready for a thinning of the field in these debates. There are way too many people on stage who have no realistic chance of winning. After Haley and DeSantis, the support for Christie and Ramaswamy (Scott is out) is paltry, which leads one to think they aren’t really running for the presidency.
Haley and DeSantis are the only viable candidates for U.S. president in 2024. Let’s get on with the real race.
About Tim Scott
I like Tim Scott. I like the cut of his jib. He’s a plainspoken Black Southerner whose deep faith and conviction are palpable at a time when many politicians have neither. In much the same way that I was drawn to former Republican congressman J.C. Watts Jr., after reading his book What Color is a Conservative: My Life and My Politics, Scott’s style appeals to this fellow Southerner.
Like Scott, Watts, a Black Republican from Oklahoma, spoke often of the importance of faith and family and the role both played in Blacks realizing America’s promise. This is a message many Black boys and girls need to know and hear, and Scott is the perfect tribune to deliver it.
But his messaging isn’t what the party is looking for now. (I predicted this in June.) He’s not angry enough or woke warrior enough to meet their needs. That’s just fine with me. Both parties have their share of outrage, nuttiness, and extremism. I’m proud that Scott doesn’t play that game.
Whenever his name is on the ballot for president, Scott wil have my vote.
If you read nothing else
Joe Manchin, Democrat U.S. senator from West Virginia, on why he won’t be seeking re-election. [WSJ]
“The U.S. has a lot of problems that desperately need solving. Our economy isn’t working for many Americans, who face rising costs of food, fuel and everything else. There are immigration and border crises with drugs illegally entering our country and killing Americans every day. Our national debt is out of control, and Americans don’t feel safe in their own communities.
“There are enough votes in Congress to solve or at least make headway against every one of these problems. A genuine commitment to legislating would put America on firmer footing for the next 20 years. But the Democratic and Republican machines have no interest in solutions. Instead, they stoke outrage because doing so brings them fame and funding. Today, the business of politics is about monetizing anger and getting paid for it. And business has never been better. …
“We need to reaffirm that country should always come before party, but there are real structural issues to get there. Today, the incentives in politics reward bad behavior and demand party purity at the expense of problem-solving. Too much money flows to too few candidates, who stay so long in their offices they are no longer responsive to the people. … It’s time to give power to more people and hold our elected officials more accountable.
“I know our country isn’t nearly as divided as Washington wants you to believe. We share common values of family, freedom, democracy, dignity and a belief that we can overcome any challenge together. We want leaders who will fight to unite Americans instead of fighting each other. It isn’t too much to ask for.”