GOP FORUM FOR CANDIDATES; THE FIRST DEBATE

I watched the CSPAN Republican candidate forum (aired Tuesday). I was much more impressed with the (obviously rehearsed) answers, than I thought I would be. They had been given topic areas. The forum was on CSPAN. They knew the TV audience would be educated and critical. They didn't devolve into their usual lowbrow FOX B.S..

The answers demonstrated some candidates had put thought into some major issues.

Perry was strong on border security, and a couple of them hit this issue well. It is true Obama and this administration, as well as Bush, have failed on this.

I thought Carson and Rand were clear on health care delivery-health care savings, indigent and insurance. I don't agree with anything he proposes, or his basis, but he obviously had ideas.

Rand Paul was OK on military, foreign policy and ESPECIALLY on privacy issues. Rubio was absolutely idiotic on NSA and et al., overreach. Imbecile.

For disclaimer, I am a Centrist Democrat, and often a Progressive Liberal. I thought they would be a clown show, but some of them were actually talking about issues and solutions.

Christie gave some reasonable and meaningful answers that actually gave a blueprint on how he would handle things. A few others also had some interesting ideas on guest workers, border security and health care. I found many of the comments and answers thought out and seemingly practical, even if I do disagree.

Further, it is impossible not to agree that all of us, on both sides of the aisle, have failed on border security, guest and farm worker issues, farm economics, keeping marijuana illegal and fanning the flames of Central American cartels with our silly drug enforcement. We fail in tracking visas, health care delivery and costs and a flagrant disregard for the 4th Amendment and privacy. These GOP folks had input on all of this. At least awareness.

Bush, Rubio and Graham were whack jobs on foreign policy, and somewhat on economics. Graham and Rubio need to go. Also, the ex NY governor and, if that Ohio guy keeps talking about requiring immigrants to be "God fearing" then him too. (Huckabee is probably the most dangerous, because he is totally nuts, but can sound like he is normal, until someone challenges him on the age of the planet, or something). Please teach Sunday School elsewhere.

Some were incredibly scary on foreign policy. Scary without real ideas, except beating war drums and suggesting, 100% is the percentage of chances of war. Fiorina is a whacknut. Cruz not worth paying attention to. Jindal ? Complete bozo. Arm the stateside military? All of them? Jesus.

I encourage you to give it a look. I am sure it is online.