COMMENTARY | The GOP debate Wednesday was heralded by the press as the “Rumble in the Jungle.” Big expectations were set, and somehow the candidates fell short. While there were a few quick and fast jibs, jabs, ducks and dives, there was little in the way of a real contender emerging.
Rick Perry, the “sure thing” front runner in recent polls, came off a lot more like a boxer with a glass jaw than a guns-a-blazing Texan last night, taking more jabs than what he dished out, especially from Mitt Romney. Perry took a beating on everything from his radical stance on abolishing Social Security to his failed Gardasil vaccination initiative and poor Texas education policies. Perry’s camp was evidently preparing its self-professed show pony to do a lot more Obama-bashing than debating with his fellow candidates.
Romney, on the other hand, was poised to strike, not just at Perry and his base of supporters, but also in posturing himself to win over some crucial independent voters.
Clearly Gingrich is trying to position himself for a cabinet appointment should our next leader of the free world be of a Republican persuasion. His answers were often overworked and hackneyed, more in support of a Perry/Romney regurgitation than his own personal thoughts or viewpoints. Truly, as I watched, I saw most of the candidates fall into the background, as the debate quickly became the Romney/Perry show.
Yet, Tea Party darling Bachmann had her moments, although — from my point of view — they were moments that made little to no sense. Bachmann’s stance and logic on gas prices is beyond reasoning; she is convinced she can get gas down to $1.79 a gallon if elected. Her ramblings made America shake their heads in united disappointment and confusion, mine included.
Let us not forget, however, that the main issue affecting the American public right here and right now is jobs — or lack thereof — and the candidates took a fair amount of time tackling this issue. Huntsman tried to gain some ground here by reminding everyone that during his reign of the state of Utah, they were number one in job creation compared to Texas’ top 10 ranking and Romney’s rather unimpressive 47th in New Hampshire. Regardless, all three had decent proposals for job creation — proposals Obama is going to have to beat in his speech Thursday night, and will most likely fall short on.
Perhaps the most striking observation I could write about the GOP debate is that we, on the conservative side of the house, are still waiting to see a real contender materialize.
When questioned about the death sentences carried out in Texas, Perry’s reply was “Americans understand justice.” If you ask me, this was the one thing that Perry got right — stick with me here, people — because Americans do understand justice. But they also know when they are getting more politics as usual. Unfortunately, in this debate, politics as usual reigned supreme, and it appears as if we are all still desperately seeking a contender for 2012.