The Best Republican Candidate Is the One Who Can Get Elected

Unlike in past presidential elections, I have not picked out a favorite candidate in the race of the Republican nomination – because the most important thing is not this Republican versus that Republican¹ but actually winning in November 2016.²  Two weeks ago I wrote about what the “Freedom Caucus” in the House of Representatives doesn’t seem to get about 2016.  Next week I hope to post something on foreign policy.  Today let me comment on the Republican debate Wednesday night.

First, while I don’t think Ted Cruz would be a good candidate – because he wouldn’t get elected³ – I did like his response to the question as to why he isn’t a problem solver and why he still beats his wife (or something like that).  (Obviously, that wasn’t the exact question, though it was pretty close to that in spirit.  You can see the actual question and Senator Cruz’s response here.)

I also liked Marco Rubio’s comment about the mainstream media being Hillary Clinton’s super PAC.  If you don’t think the MSM is in the bag for former Secretary Clinton, why did the MSM tell us that the Benghazi hearings last week didn’t disclose anything new when we found out Secretary Clinton privately emailed her daughter the night of the Benghazi attacks saying the attacks were done by an “al Qaeda-like group” while she was publicly blaming an Internet video for the attack – and even told the father of one of the people killed in Benghazi, three days later, that they would arrest the guy who did the video and “was responsible for the death of your son.”

But perhaps the best response of the evening was Chris Christie’s response to a question about the federal government regulating fantasy football sites:

“Carl, are we really talking about getting government involved in fantasy football?  [laughter]  We have – wait a second, we have $19 trillion in debt.  We have people out of work.  We have ISIS and al Qaeda attacking us.  And we’re talking about fantasy football?  Can we stop?  How about this?  How about we get the government to do what they’re supposed to be doing – secure our borders, protect our people, and support American values and American families.  Enough on fantasy football.  Let people play.  Who cares?”

Right on, Chris
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¹ Donald Trump is not a Republican, in spite of what some “Trump-ettes” might think, so he doesn’t count.

² Of all the Republican candidates, Jeb Bush might be the best president.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like he would be a good enough candidate to get elected.

³ Rand Paul wouldn’t get elected, either, plus he is perhaps more of a libertarian than a Republican.  Carly Fiorina and Ben Carson also can’t win because you need experience in politics to win.  Some people might wish that was not true, but it is.  I can assure you the Democrats, and the MSM (see “Truth,” the movie), are already getting their opposition research done on both of them.  If either of Ms. Fiorina or Dr. Carson were nominated, they would get wiped out in the general election by the combined Democratic/MSM opposition.