To the credit of the Republican party (and to the financial credit of Citizens United which affords 17 candidates to run) they are a strong field. Ten times stronger than the last cycle. Although the system is pretty much broken and the election is almost 450 days away, which is crazy, the debate was lively.
Watching as an open-minded liberal with conservative tendencies, this is how the debate played out in terms of likability, electability and not being too extreme.
These are the 10 Republicans not to dislike after the first debate.
10. John Kasich
Gov. Kasich seemed the most honest, uplifting, positive guy on the stage. He came off as polished and professional. He seems like he could unite. And honestly, his resume is literally the strongest of all 17 candidates.
9. Donald Trump
Trump is going to be Trump.
He probably hurt himself to conservatives with his fiery bombastic bullying tone, and he will take a hit in the polls, but it's still refreshing to hear a non-politician tell like it is without a politically correct filter. Problem for him is when juxtaposed against 16 other politicians it's tense at times and his lack of specifics really stands out. Not to mention his awkwardness, sexism and ego. But, that's Trump. It was awesome when he told Sen. Paul "you're having a hard time tonight."
8. Ben Carson
Dr. Carson when given a chance to elucidate really came off as the mild-mannered articulate thinker that he is. It's hard to imagine he's ready for the role of the presidency, but he certainly was worth listening to. Problem is he's just not schooled or experienced enough on the issues.
7. Jeb Bush
Although rusty, Gov. Bush is most likely the strongest Bush in his clan. He's articulate on policy and seems willing to unite rather than divide. It's hard to think another Bush could get on the ticket, but he's likable.
6. Rand Paul
Sen. Paul was feisty and literally looked like a bit of a puppet. He was also burned a few times but surfing the line of being a libertarian and conservative is not easy.
5. Ted Cruz
Super extreme guy who can never win a national election, but Sen. Cruz is smart, experienced and if you follow him, sort of creative and interesting, just too extreme.
But he's sincere at least.
4. Mike Huckabee
Another super extreme candidate who could never win a national election, but at least he is sincere in his values and beliefs. He didn't do anything to harm himself.
But he didn't do anything too endearing either.
3. Chris Christie
This guy's boat so obviously left four years ago; he has zero chance and did nothing special to help himself. He's so disliked in his own state right now he's basically a joke.
2. Marco Rubio
A lot of pundits said Sen. Rubio excelled at expressing himself as the voice of the future and that it resonated. But, to me, he just seemed so contrived and phony. He didn't say anything new. I covered his announcement in Miami, young people don't like Sen. Rubio. He's not ready to be president. And he's very extreme.
1. Scott Walker
Every time his face popped up on the screen I cringed. However subjective this may be, this guy just seems like the most extreme, contrived, bought for puppet.
Totally fake and phony. Yuck.
One debate down and several to go.
Yay!
Only 450 something days until the election.
What a country.