Game Thread Third GOP Debate / CNBC / WEDNESDAY 5PM PST

[e_blazer]

Any ideas on how to make these debates better???

Better? How can you improve on perfection?

barfo

Nah, perfection would be an equally impartial (to the CNBC crew) Bill O'Reilly, Shawn Hannity, and Megyn Kelly moderating the next Democratic debate. Now, that would be interesting.

 

[magnifier661]

Any ideas on how to make these debates better???

Less people and have conservative moderators.

 

[barfo]

Less people and have conservative moderators.

Why have conservative moderators? The candidates barely answer questions as it is, would making all the questions softballs make a better debate?

barfo

 

[barfo]

Nah, perfection would be an equally impartial (to the CNBC crew) Bill O'Reilly, Shawn Hannity, and Megyn Kelly moderating the next Democratic debate. Now, that would be interesting.

That would be fine with me. There no reason a presidential candidate shouldn't be able to handle "hostile" questioning. I think the whining about moderators is a bit weak.

barfo

 

[MarAzul]

Why have conservative moderators? The candidates barely answer questions as it is, would making all the questions softballs make a better debate?

barfo

Perhaps not, but we could get answers to question that matter. I don't think anyone cares about Comic books or fantasy football.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Less people and have conservative moderators.

Just have two. Two former well respected members of both houses.

 

[magnifier661]

Why have conservative moderators? The candidates barely answer questions as it is, would making all the questions softballs make a better debate?

barfo

Oh you mean like how Hillary and Sanders were during their debate? So it's okay on your end but not ours?

 

[magnifier661]

Perhaps not, but we could get answers to question that matter. I don't think anyone cares about Comic books or fantasy football.

Exactly!

 

[barfo]

Perhaps not, but we could get answers to question that matter. I don't think anyone cares about Comic books or fantasy football.

You think fantasy football was a hostile question? Although I agree those two questions were pretty lame, there were lots of substantive questions, but not a lot of substantive answers.

barfo

 

[barfo]

Oh you mean like how Hillary and Sanders were during their debate? So it's okay on your end but not ours?

I think I answered that one a few posts ago. It's fine with me to have conservative moderators on Democratic debates, in fact I'd prefer it.

barfo

 

[Stevenson]

Jeb! is just so damn inauthentic. It's like he's been programmed to say that hope and optimism are key (hell, they all have), but he just spits it all out so robotically. Or that ridiculous take on Rubio. Rehearsed ad nauseum.

He reminds me of his dad. Remember? "Message: I care."

 

[magnifier661]

I think I answered that one a few posts ago. It's fine with me to have conservative moderators on Democratic debates, in fact I'd prefer it.

barfo

They should do a debate on Fox News with Hannity, Judge Judy and John Wallace

 

[Denny Crane]

Jeb! is just so damn inauthentic. It's like he's been programmed to say that hope and optimism are key (hell, they all have), but he just spits it all out so robotically. Or that ridiculous take on Rubio. Rehearsed ad nauseum.

He reminds me of his dad. Remember? "Message: I care."

I don't get it. See videos of W as governor and he came across as witty, smart, and coherent. Jeb looked like the smarter of the boys when he was governor. As presidential candidates they appear overly handled and programmed what to say that they lose their authenticity.

Compared to Hillary, who reverses position on policy based upon polling. That's not authentic, either.

 

[Stevenson]

Denny, I agree Hillary is equally programmed and inauthentic, she's just better at hiding it. That's all I'm saying. Rubio is the best of the GOP bunch. You guys would be dumb not to nominate him. Sort of like a Hispanic, Republican version of JFK. Very interesting race between her and Hillary.

 

[Denny Crane]

Denny, I agree Hillary is equally programmed and inauthentic, she's just better at hiding it. That's all I'm saying. Rubio is the best of the GOP bunch. You guys would be dumb not to nominate him. Sort of like a Hispanic, Republican version of JFK. Very interesting race between her and Hillary.

I'm not a republican.

Rand Paul is no Ron Paul. The elder got my vote, even as a write in. I voted for Gary Johnson in the last election.

 

[e_blazer]

That would be fine with me. There no reason a presidential candidate shouldn't be able to handle "hostile" questioning. I think the whining about moderators is a bit weak.

barfo

The Republicans at least we're willing to go to a less than friendly environment for this debate. The Democrats? CNN, CBS, ABC, PBS, Univision, NBC. Fox or Fox Business? Not a chance. That’s weak.

 

[magnifier661]

The Republicans at least we're willing to go to a less than friendly environment for this debate. The Democrats? CNN, CBS, ABC, PBS, Univision, NBC. Fox or Fox Business? Not a chance. That’s weak.

Yep because they are weak sauce. Hillary or Bernie refuses to do any Fox shows. Trump, Carson, pretty much any republican candidate goes to CNN, MSNBC, CBS, whatever...

 

[barfo]

The Republicans at least we're willing to go to a less than friendly environment for this debate.

I think they lose whatever credit they got for that (CNBC is 'less than friendly'? Really?) by whining about it. All of them chose to be there, and knew who the moderators would be.
It seems like stagecraft to whine about it. Not that I mind if Republicans act like whiny babies. It's their campaign, they can mismanage it as much as they like.

If a Republican debate is just too tough to handle, how are you going to do in the general?

barfo

 

[magnifier661]

I think they lose whatever credit they got for that (CNBC is 'less than friendly'? Really?) by whining about it. All of them chose to be there, and knew who the moderators would be.
It seems like stagecraft to whine about it. Not that I mind if Republicans act like whiny babies. It's their campaign, they can mismanage it as much as they like.

If a Republican debate is just too tough to handle, how are you going to do in the general?

barfo

Oh give me a fucking break. The liberal party are the world's whiners. They scream racist, bigot and promote hate and segregation. They are the "political correctness whiny police" for the cherry on top.

Pot meet fucking kettle...

 

[barfo]

Oh give me a fucking break. The liberal party are the world's whiners. They scream racist, bigot and promote hate and segregation. They are the "political correctness whiny police" for the cherry on top.

Pot meet fucking kettle...

Two wrongs don't make a right, Mags. Other people's failures, as you perceive them, don't excuse the failings of the Republican candidates.

barfo

 

[magnifier661]

Two wrongs don't make a right, Mags. Other people's failures, as you perceive them, don't excuse the failings of the Republican candidates.

barfo

I am only responding to your dog on the conservatives, when the liberals are a whiny bunch.

 

[barfo]

I am only responding to your dog on the conservatives, when the liberals are a whiny bunch.

I know what you are saying... but I fail to see the relevance of your response. I wasn't dogging 'the conservatives', I was commenting on specific things specific people said last night. 'the liberals' are not running for president, and I am not the appointed representative for 'the liberals'. If you think Hillary, Bernie, and/or O'Malley are whiny, or if you think I am whiny, you are of course free to say so - but that does not mean that some Republican candidates were not whiny at the debate last night.

barfo

 

[magnifier661]

I know what you are saying... but I fail to see the relevance of your response. I wasn't dogging 'the conservatives', I was commenting on specific things specific people said last night. 'the liberals' are not running for president, and I am not the appointed representative for 'the liberals'. If you think Hillary, Bernie, and/or O'Malley are whiny, or if you think I am whiny, you are of course free to say so - but that does not mean that some Republican candidates were not whiny at the debate last night.

barfo

Well, you are the last person I would think is whiny, so let's just shut that down.

I agree that there are many conservatives that are whiny, but the liberals are just as or maybe even more whiny. The statement used to put them in this negative light for being whiny is silly because every politician from both spectrums are whiny.

 

[magnifier661]

RNC pulling out of NBC hosting their debates.

Letter from RNC Chairman Reince Priebus to NBC News
Mr. Andrew Lack
Chairman, NBC News
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112

Dear Mr. Lack,

I write to inform you that pending further discussion between the Republican National Committee (RNC) and our presidential campaigns, we are suspending the partnership with NBC News for the Republican primary debate at the University of Houston on February 26, 2016. The RNC’s sole role in the primary debate process is to ensure that our candidates are given a full and fair opportunity to lay out their vision for America’s future. We simply cannot continue with NBC without full consultation with our campaigns.

The CNBC network is one of your media properties, and its handling of the debate was conducted in bad faith. We understand that NBC does not exercise full editorial control over CNBC’s journalistic approach. However, the network is an arm of your organization, and we need to ensure there is not a repeat performance.

CNBC billed the debate as one that would focus on “the key issues that matter to all voters—job growth, taxes, technology, retirement and the health of our national economy.” That was not the case. Before the debate, the candidates were promised an opening question on economic or financial matters. That was not the case. Candidates were promised that speaking time would be carefully monitored to ensure fairness. That was not the case. Questions were inaccurate or downright offensive. The first question directed to one of our candidates asked if he was running a comic book version of a presidential campaign, hardly in the spirit of how the debate was billed.

While debates are meant to include tough questions and contrast candidates’ visions and policies for the future of America, CNBC’s moderators engaged in a series of “gotcha” questions, petty and mean-spirited in tone, and designed to embarrass our candidates. What took place Wednesday night was not an attempt to give the American people a greater understanding of our candidates’ policies and ideas.

I have tremendous respect for the First Amendment and freedom of the press. However, I also expect the media to host a substantive debate on consequential issues important to Americans. CNBC did not.

While we are suspending our partnership with NBC News and its properties, we still fully intend to have a debate on that day, and will ensure that National Review remains part of it.

I will be working with our candidates to discuss how to move forward and will be in touch.

Sincerely,

Reince Priebus Chairman, Republican National Committee

GOPRNC Announcements

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[barfo]

RNC pulling out of NBC hosting their debates.

Letter from RNC Chairman Reince Priebus to NBC News
Mr. Andrew Lack
Chairman, NBC News
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112

Dear Mr. Lack,

I write to inform you that pending further discussion between the Republican National Committee (RNC) and our presidential campaigns, we are suspending the partnership with NBC News for the Republican primary debate at the University of Houston on February 26, 2016. The RNC’s sole role in the primary debate process is to ensure that our candidates are given a full and fair opportunity to lay out their vision for America’s future. We simply cannot continue with NBC without full consultation with our campaigns.

The CNBC network is one of your media properties, and its handling of the debate was conducted in bad faith. We understand that NBC does not exercise full editorial control over CNBC’s journalistic approach. However, the network is an arm of your organization, and we need to ensure there is not a repeat performance.

CNBC billed the debate as one that would focus on “the key issues that matter to all voters—job growth, taxes, technology, retirement and the health of our national economy.” That was not the case. Before the debate, the candidates were promised an opening question on economic or financial matters. That was not the case. Candidates were promised that speaking time would be carefully monitored to ensure fairness. That was not the case. Questions were inaccurate or downright offensive. The first question directed to one of our candidates asked if he was running a comic book version of a presidential campaign, hardly in the spirit of how the debate was billed.

While debates are meant to include tough questions and contrast candidates’ visions and policies for the future of America, CNBC’s moderators engaged in a series of “gotcha” questions, petty and mean-spirited in tone, and designed to embarrass our candidates. What took place Wednesday night was not an attempt to give the American people a greater understanding of our candidates’ policies and ideas.

I have tremendous respect for the First Amendment and freedom of the press. However, I also expect the media to host a substantive debate on consequential issues important to Americans. CNBC did not.

While we are suspending our partnership with NBC News and its properties, we still fully intend to have a debate on that day, and will ensure that National Review remains part of it.

I will be working with our candidates to discuss how to move forward and will be in touch.

Sincerely,

Reince Priebus Chairman, Republican National Committee

GOPRNC Announcements

Good luck being president and never facing any 'gotcha' questions.

If I were Trump's campaign manager I would be trying to get debates with more 'gotcha' questions, as they don't seem to bother Trump at all, and the others can't seem to handle them.

A watered down debate will favor the momma's boys most - Jeb! in particular.

barfo

 

[magnifier661]

Good luck being president and never facing any 'gotcha' questions.

If I were Trump's campaign manager I would be trying to get debates with more 'gotcha' questions, as they don't seem to bother Trump at all, and the others can't seem to handle them.

A watered down debate will favor the momma's boys most - Jeb! in particular.

barfo

I do agree that there needs to be "gotcha" questions and a bit of the pressing, but not with "insults".

I could imagine a question to Bernie saying "You had involvement with many communist countries, even saying and I quote "Cuba has a wonderful social system in place". So if you are elected, how many US citizens will you imprison and kill like joseph Stalin?

 

[magnifier661]

Or here's a good one for Hillary. Since your role as Secretary of State and that department ignored the 600 requests for more security in Benghazi, does this prove that you are a heartless pig that doesn't have appreciation for American life?

 

[barfo]

Or here's a good one for Hillary. Since your role as Secretary of State and that department ignored the 600 requests for more security in Benghazi, does this prove that you are a heartless pig that doesn't have appreciation for American life?

Didn't we spend 11 hours exploring that exact question recently?

Asked and answered...

barfo

 

[barfo]

I do agree that there needs to be "gotcha" questions and a bit of the pressing, but not with "insults".

I could imagine a question to Bernie saying "You had involvement with many communist countries, even saying and I quote "Cuba has a wonderful social system in place". So if you are elected, how many US citizens will you imprison and kill like joseph Stalin?

Which questions in the debate do you think were "insults" of that nature? I assume the 'cartoon candidate' question, but which others?

barfo