Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
August 23, 2023 5:20 PM EDT
The first 2024 Republican presidential debate from Milwaukee, WI is coming up on Fox News in a few hours. Normally, I tell people, I watch so you don't have to. DO watch. DO tune in tonight at 9 PM EDT.
A few pre-game thoughts:
The RNC has screwed conservative political commentator and one-time candidate for governor of California, Larry Elder. Apparently he had the requisite qualifications to appear on tonight's debate stage, but for whatever reason, he is not being permitted to appear. I like Elder and he is in my top five of the 13 announced GOP candidates.
I'm glad President Trump will not be participating. Make no mistake, if Trump is the GOP nominee, I will work hard to help get him elected, and vote for him in the general election.
Trump's presence would suck the oxygen out of, not just the debate stage, but all of Wisconsin. The eight candidates appearing tonight on the debate stage should collude to not answer a single question asked about Trump. Something like: "President Trump is not here tonight. I am running for the office of President of the United States, and am happy to answer any question about my candidacy, my policies, my plans for the future of our great nation."
As much as I like Newsmax, and I do, (probably a 50-50 split with Fox) I think they were wrong to criticize Fox for seemingly, initially, barring Trump surrogates from appearing during the post-debate Spin Room. They should be barred. If Trump is a no-show, not putting in the work, his people should not be rewarded with free media time.
Vivek Ramaswamy may be the "flavor of the month," and he has a future with the GOP, but he is painfully naive, and while he may be ready for prime time (remains to be seen), he is not ready for the White House. (I don't want to hear about how Richard Nixon was elected VP at age 39 - sworn in at 40 - he had previously served as an elected Congressman and Senator.) Ramaswamy must get his head straight on Israel. He also needs to answer for his link to the Soros family - something just doesn’t sound kosher in his explanation: https://www.newsmax.com/politics/2024-vivek-ramaswamy-donors/2023/08/22/id/1131678/
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum tore his Achilles tendon during a pick-up basketball game last night. He WILL appear on the debate stage tonight. I like Burgum, he’s done a very good job as ND governor, and hope he can stand for the two hour debate. Burgum will, as they say in the Peace Garden State, “Cowboy Up!”
All eight GOP debate participants MUST be genuine, MUST explain what sets them apart from the other candidates, especially Joe Biden, MUST explain how they will accomplish any goal they mention, and MUST NOT whine about anything - especially about being shorted 10 seconds compared to their competitors.
Going into tonight's debate, how I rank the GOP candidates - not electability, just my opinion:
Amb. Nikki Haley
Sen. Tim Scott
Gov. Doug Burgum
VP Mike Pence
Larry Elder
Gov. Ron DeSantis
Pres. Donald Trump
Vivek Ramaswamy
Perry Johnson
Gov. Chris Christie
Rep. Will Hurd
Gov. Asa Hutchinson
Mayor Francis Suarez
PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII.
Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN. He would like to serve as the next Secretary of Education.
