Some of you said you were not going to watch last night’s debate, so I thought I’d share my opinion. In the past, I have live-drawn it from my television; last night I did not. It was such a chaotic two hours on stage, but that has not stopped me before! I just felt uninspired by the lot, and unsure of the value of live drawing events like this. However, I wish I had. Drawings with key sound-bites, as I try to do, provide a unique take. Next debate, expect to see my live drawings (here is one such debate in 2020 that I drew)
But for now, I share words and a few sketches done before the debate yesterday.
Christie didn’t do himself any harm, but he did not stand out as much as I thought he might. He was there to go after Trump (thanks god someone is), and Trump was not there.
Ramaswamy took a lot of air out of he room through sheer arrogance and white teeth. He loudly bulldozed over his rivals, although they were left standing. He will get a bump out of this, but his positions are Trump-like and scary, as is his lack of experience.
Pence was less milquetoast that I expected, but his santimonious Christianity was too much for me. I think Ron DeSantis got lost in it all, fading into the background with Scott, Hutchinson and Burgum (not to be petty, but how can we elect someone with that last name?)
For me the stand-out was Nikki Haley. She was impressive in her strong show of intellect and moral foreign policy chops. I don’t agree with her stand on abortion, but she seems more moderate than some Republicans on the issue. She displayed a toughness last night, which I know she has but it was good to see her loudly go head-to-head with Ramaswamy and Pence.
One last thing: the audience was so pro-Trump and pro-Ramaswamy, it was disarming. The FOX moderators only once or twice admonished the audience, but they were booing and cheering in a way that was wrong for a debate, I believe.
I will not vote for any of these people, but if I had to, I would would probably vote for Christie or Haley.
More later!
My tolerance to the type of “discussion” of this party’s members is something I don’t look forward. They are so transparent in their positions and lack of intelligent thinking that is appealing to watch, So, yes, I didn’t watch it. More of the usual political garbage for the exception of those two that you mentioned who exposed some truths with strength and some sense of conviction. Very surprised that many support a person with such a disgraced history as a political person of importance. Does not make any sense in a logical world. Great sketches, as always. I was somewhat unwell last night and the so call ‘debate would have taken me down the hill.
Not surprised you got their expressions so perfectly. (Actually caught some clips Rachel Maddow highlighted in group discussion). Doubt any of these candidates have a chance in hell. There must be a mark on a doorway somewhere that notes: “Must be this pedantic to get on stage”