Like many Americans, I didn't watch the
first Republican candidate presidential debate. To paraphrase a
certain notable Democrat, “at this point in time, what difference
could it make?”. Seriously, for those paying attention, we know who
we like and who we don't. For the undecided, I doubted there was much
they could say that would make a difference.
Besides, I reside in Virginia, a
pivotal state for the actual election. Even with that, the way the
primary game is played, the people of Virginia will have virtually no
say in who will eventually be on the Republican ticket. By the time
we have our primary election, the die will be cast. How do I know
that? Not a single candidate has deigned to visit our great state to
campaign. In fact, I’d venture to say they have not even set up
campaign offices in our state. After all, why spend money where it
doesn't matter – at least not for now. Is my bitterness over this
showing through – damn right!
That being said something notable
happened in that debate. I though, 'hey, as long as I am going to
start writing again, I might as well write about that.' So I am.
At this point everyone knows the notable thing that happened. Forest
of virtual trees have been harvested and beaten into bits so the
Internets pundits could pontificate on the happening. So I’ll rake
over it one more time to freshen your memory.
Apparently the candidates were asked to
raise their hands to indicate that if they did not win the
nomination, they would not run as an independent. Now first lets
consider the question a little. Raise your hand? Seriously? What are
they, six year olds squirming in their seats desperately trying to
get the moderator's attention so they could get to the bathroom
before their abject failure at bladder control is pasted on their
pant fronts for the swarmy second graders to point at and make fun
of? Is this what the potential new leaders of the free world are to
be reduced to? Pissy first graders?
Next let's consider the why of the
question. Was there anyone on the stage besides Trump who would even
be considered a potential for an independent run? Ok – maybe Rand
Paul, but he is not his dad. He has been active in the Senate,
working within the Republican organization to try to make a
difference. He is not just going to throw all that away for an
independent run. So yes, the only one there they were asking was
Trump. So why bring that up? I see no spontaneity in that question.
If I had to guess, i'd say Trump asked them to pose that question
himself.
Why would he do that? I'd say that this
campaign is not a chess match for Trump – it's a game of high
stakes poker. What he wanted to do is to send a message to the party
– ditch me at your own peril. That forces them to let him play as
long as he wanted unless they can think of some other way to steal
his underpants. The down side for him is they are incredibly inept at
the game and his campaign has succeeded to the point that he remains
a distinctive lead candidate. I'd say that no one is more surprised
by that than him. A true accidental candidate – I really believe he
was just trying to get some leverage to build some buildings and sell
some books. Ooops! If we are lucky, the coming months will be notably
different than what has come before. If we are really fortunate,
we'll get what we need in the oval office – an change we deserve. Not
because whomever that it is planned to be that, but because that is what
is compelled by history.
