Column & commentary: 2024 GOP Debate

Time to hand over the reins to a new generation

Aug 26, 2023

The race for President of the United States is on! A pre-debate look at the field of candidates, Democrat and Republican. In 2024 it's time for a new generation instead of Grumpy Old Men: The Sequel.

The video includes emails received prior to the debate and my commentary after watching the debate. Excerpt from the post-debate commentary:

”Nikki Haley made the biggest leap in support, from 30.2% to 46.7%, a gain of 16.5 points and has a high favorability rating. On that basis it seems fair for her to claim she won the debate. She was strong, clear and confident.

Tim Scott gained 2 points to 43.1%. He was calm and unflustered.

Ramaswamy gained 5.5 points to 46.3% but he also increased his unfavorability rating the most. I like some of what he says, and he adds an energy to the debate stage, but he’s not ready for political prime time.

DeSantis gained 4.5% points to sit at 67.5%. He was solid, although it seemed a bit odd to me that he addressed his remarks like a speech to the crowd rather than to the debate itself. It made him sound a bit detached.

Doug Burgum made the best constitutional point on the principle behind the Supreme Court decision on Roe v Wade. He pulled his copy of the constitution out of his jacket pocket and reminded everyone the states created the federal government, not the other way around.

Donald Trump, who arrogantly declined to participate in the debate, dropped 4.8 points and trails DeSantis with other candidates moving up. Trump’s unfavorable rating increased by 2 points, he lags behind Haley, DeSantis, Scott and Ramaswamy and he’s tied with Burgum, Those are trends I project will continue as people start to realize they have other choices.”