Debates No Longer Matter

Anyone who watching the debate in South Carolina on Saturday night knows that it was a tough night for The Donald. He was booed by the audience multiple times, got steamrolled by Jeb(!), Rubio, and (debatable) Cruz.

But debates no longer matter in the race for the presidential nomination in the Republican Party.

If we voted for people by debate performance, Marco Rubio would be on top, most likely followed by Ted Cruz, and (arguably) New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. If debates actually influenced voters at all, Trump would be the one that dropped out, and Fiorina, Christie, Paul, and Graham might still be in the race.

Instead, the debates have turned into a poop-slinging contest between the candidates like howler monkeys.

Ouch.

There's no longer any point to hosting the debates. It just gives the Democrats (who have had wonderful and engaging debates) more and more traction with voters, who see Republicans as the bully that steals your lunch money on the playground.

Granted, this isn't all Republicans. Ohio Governor John Kasich has prided himself on staying above the insults (which he has mostly done), and no one is more famous for his calm demeanor than retired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson.

The Republican candidates have turned their (mostly) hawkish foreign policy ideas into a hawkish debate strategy, and it will end up hurting their bids for the Presidency far more than any of them can imagine.

If the WWE Smackdown between the candidates doesn't stop soon, I feel almost as if we will have a Democratic President for 2016.

Bummer.

The Establishment is Done for 2016

With the primary results finished for New Hampshire, it's obvious that 2016 is the year of the anti-establishment.

With Donald Trump taking second in Iowa, and first in New Hampshire by almost 20 percentage points, he seems to be an unstoppable force in the Republican race for the presidential nomination. Even if Trump doesn't win the nomination, Ted Cruz, the next most likely nominee, is one of the most hated by Republicans in Congress.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton, who was the expected favorite to win, is withering under the enigmatic campaign of Bernie Sanders. Who ever thought we would see the day when a Democratic Socialist would beat a member of the Clinton dynasty? She "won" (Coin flips? Seriously?) Iowa by 0.29%, and lost in a landslide in New Hampshire.

Businessman Donald Trump and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, the two front-runners in the 2016 race. 

So is this the end of the establishment?

Well, not entirely. But this year, maybe.

The top establishment candidate who won in Iowa was Marco Rubio, and he placed third behind Ted Cruz and Donald Trump. In New Hampshire, Rubio placed fifth, with Trump gaining the top spot.

It looks more and more like we're going to have a Trump vs. Sanders race, and the establishment in both parties couldn't be more afraid.

What's the future for the establishment Republicans and Democrats? Maybe some lofty paid speeches? (I'm looking at you, Hillary.) Only the voters can tell, and this year, it looks like they've made their choice.

Why Chris Christie Won the Debate, But Won't Win the Race

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had a stellar debate performance last night, probably his best so far. He mainly attacked Florida Senator Marco Rubio, but didn't pull punches for anyone else on the stage besides Donald Trump. With every attack, he got cheers, whoops, and yells, but here's why he won't win the votes necessary to win the election, or even New Hampshire: Governor Christie is pure entertainment.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie

We all know everyone loves a good fight on stage, and that's the only reason Chris Christie was getting cheered on last night. But look at the polls in a few days, his numbers won't go up more than 5%, because he's just a good person to put all the Republicans in their places, but he won't win the race.

I know we all said the same thing about Donald Trump (Or as a good friend of mine likes to call him, Tronald Dump) a few months ago, but that didn't work out. He was able to take the anger and rage of the people and turn it into support. Chris Christie won't be able to do that for two reasons: 1. Trump's already galvanized the angry voters, and 2. He's brought on his bombastic tactics too late in the game. Sure, he has been tough and loud before, but he's never had such a showing as he did last night.

Long story short, I love Governor Christie and think he's a great guy, but he should have started "Telling It Like It Is" awhile ago.