2016 GOP Presidential Candidates: Style over Substance!

Written by Frank Li

American presidential elections are more and more about style than substance. There is no better example than the current GOP nomination process, which just had the fourth debate for its Presidential candidates.

1. The fourth debate

There was one major change from the third debate: downsizing the Varsity team from 10 members to 8, as shown below.

Who are the two demoted to JV? Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey, and Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas!

Why the two governors? They both lack the style and fanfare to compete!

2. The first debate

Here is the varsity team for the first debate:

3. From the first debate to the fourth

Here is a list of major changes from the first debate to the fourth:

1. Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin, was the first gone! Although well accomplished (Scott Walker vs. Rand Paul), Governor Walker has all the flash of a dud!
2. Jeb Bush, former Governor or Florida, moved from the center to the left, putting the Bush dynasty in jeopardy, as it should be (America: Are We Still A Republic?).
3. Chris Christie and Mike Huckabee were demoted to JV, as highlighted earlier.
4. Carly Fiorina, former CEO of HP, advanced from JV to Varsity, thanks to her strong performance in the first debate. Having failed in her 2014 race to represent California in the U.S. Senate, she is now running for the President representing America!
5. Dr. Ben Carson moved to the center, despite the fact that, among other things, he can’t even tell the difference between Russia and China (The White House just shut down Ben Carson’s odd debate claim about Chinese involvement in Syria)!
6. Two first-term U.S. Senators, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, moved towards the center, thanks to their strong debating skills – Didn’t they look sharp? Blame Senator Obama for setting a bad recent example – Without much executive experience, he just talked his way into the White House!

In summary,

1. An overwhelming majority of GOP voters want an outsider. In other words, previous government experience is a detriment with the weary electorate.
2. Showmanship tops everything.
3. Doers, or Governors, just do not have it, especially the style!

As a result, the GOP is likely to end up with a second-class nominee, who is hopeless for the general election!

4. My Candidates

Although Governor John Kasich, my #1 candidate (The 2016 GOP Ticket: Kasich-Martinez!), is still there, he is “left out” without a clear message. So I am not optimistic for his chance.

Senator Rand Paul, my #2 candidate (Scott Walker vs. Rand Paul), is still there too, but he is on the right end. I am not optimistic for his chance either, although he did get one big message out, loud and clear this time, as shown below.

Unfortunately for Rand Paul, Republicans are just as bad as Democrats in out-of-control spending: Democrats spend to enhance Democratic Socialism, while Republicans spend to enhance Democratic Imperialism! Still wondering why we are $18 trillion in debt and growing rapidly? Wonder not – both parties are guilty! Here is a recent and outrageous example: Team Obama has spent $500M to train ‘four or five’ Syrian rebels.

5. Religion and immigration

Despite the recent terror attacks in Paris, the GOP must not be un-American on two critical issues: religion and immigration, in order to have any real chance in the 2016 Presidential election, by winning the swing voters in the middle!

5.1 Religion

Avoid a religious war between Christianity and Islam!

5.2 Immigration

America has the responsibility for both Iraq and Syria – We destroyed the former and we have ruined the latter – The world knows it! For more, read: Paris Was Attacked, Again!

6. Discussion

I may be incorrect in picking the winner in the 2016 Presidential election, but I am correct about Democracy in America! I have been highlighting the best Presidential candidates for America’s future, if we are ever to solve the serious and existential problems we face today. The fact that the GOP is failing to choose the best Presidential candidate for America further proves that American democracy is hopelessly doomed, just like Greek democracy, ancient or modern!

Experience matters! The American Presidency matters! While career politicians are mostly bad (e.g. self-serving in terms of getting re-elected ad nauseam), a certain amount of experiences in the public sector (e.g. governorship) should be mandatory for the American Presidency!

In short, can we really afford another amateur, or less than the best in America, in the White House?

Want real substance without any style? Elect John Kasich! For more, read: The 2016 GOP Ticket: Kasich-Martinez!

Want a good balance between style and substance? Elect Rand Paul! Senator Paul not only is the only true fiscal conservative among the candidates, but also offers the best chance for the GOP to win the general election, by winning the decisive swing voters in the middle! For more, read: Scott Walker vs. Rand Paul.

Unless the GOP can get its act together soon (The GOP Bible for 2016), it will be President Hillary Clinton in 2017, guaranteed!

7. Closing

Regardless of the final outcome in the 2016 election, the next American President will again prove to be no match against Russian President Putin or Chinese President Xi Jinping, either in style or in substance!