I tuned into last night’s GOP debate fully expecting to see yet another three ring circus featuring Donald Trump. Much to my surprise I was treated to a substantive and dare I say historic conversation about our nation’s foreign policy.
I believe it is accurate to state that the Republican Party has always viewed itself as the foremost defender of the republic in times of war. Republicans believe that they hold that position over their Democrat peers because of their unwavering support of the military establishment and their unfettered willingness to unleash the country’s military might against our enemies. Republicans like to call it “demonstrating leadership through strength.” Democrats call it “ready…fire…aim.”
Last night the Republican candidate engaged in a debate over this “leadership” philosophy that we haven’t witnessed since the Cold War years of Ronald Reagan.
On the one hand you had Bush, Christie, Rubio, Fiorina and Kasich supporting the Bush 43 doctrine of regime change abroad while beating the neo-conservative war drums for military intervention against ISIS, Assad and Putin. Christie calling for a no-fly zone in Syria and promising to shoot down any Russian plane that dares to enter. Fiorina outlining a bold and dangerous military plan to put Putin in his place. Rubio and Bush calling for the invasion of the ISIS capital of Raqqa.
On the other side you had Carson, Cruz, Paul and Trump questioning the validity of that strategy given the disastrous results over the past fifteen years. I believe Trump summarized this position best when he said: “We’ve spent $4 trillion dollars (in the Middle East) and we have nothing to show for it but dead bodies…We de-stabilized the Middle East…We have done a tremendous disservice to humanity…I wish we had the $4 or $5 trillion dollars. I wish it was spent right here in the United States on our schools, hospitals, roads, airports and everything else that is falling apart.”
One side calling for American leadership to rid the world of the bad guys. The other questioning that strategy; saying that we tried it in Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya and have nothing to show for it but dead bodies and soaring debt.
It was stunning to hear several notable Republican leaders parroting what Barak Obama has been saying since the day he took office and finally admitting the truth about the Iraq war.
One other notable moment occurred when Donald Trump pledged his fealty to the Republican Party.
Trump has made it clear that he would run as an independent if he wasn’t treated “fairly” by the RNC. That threat has sent shivers down the spine of Republican leadership. An independent Trump candidacy would divide the Republican electorate and open a clear path for Hillary Clinton to win the White House. But last night Trump took his threat off the table saying that not only would he run as a Republican he would support whomever Republican primary voters chose to be their candidate.
Who won the debate? Donald Trump!
Trump did no harm to himself. In fact this was Trump’s best performance by far. His comments on our past failings in the Middle East were poignant and well versed. He seemed very genuine when he spoke of how fortunate he was to be leading the Republican field. His promise that if awarded the nomination he would do everything in his power to defeat Clinton warmed the hearts of the RNC leadership. They don’t want him as their nominee. But they are heaving a sigh of relief that he is staying in their camp.
The expected battle between frontrunners Trump and Cruz never happened. It was almost as if they had made a pre-debate pact to refrain from attacking each other.
Rubio and Cruz went at it hard over immigration. Both are skilled debaters and fared well. Christie and Paul also did well in a back and forth over military force. Paul responding to Christie’s threat to shoot down Russian planes: “Well, if you are looking for WWIII you have your candidate.”
And what of the $100 million dollar man…Jeb Bush?
Bush gave his strongest performance to date. He was the only candidate to go after Trump. Bush actually managed to get under Trump’s skin a time or two. Unfortunately for “Jeb!” it’s too it is too little too late.
Trump won the main event and immediately afterward showed why he is a masterful politician. While the other candidates ran off stage to be congratulated by their families and minions, Trump headed straight for the spin room where debate host, CNN, was airing its post-debate analysis. There Trump spent 5 unchallenged minutes in front of 15 million viewers framing the debate. Brilliant!
Let me close by saying that while Trump won the main event, the performance that stole the evening was authored by Lindsey Graham during his appearance at what he refers to as the “Happy Hour Debate.”
Graham’s heartfelt apology to all Muslims for the hateful rhetoric spewing from his party was truly moving. His acknowledgment that we are not at war with Islam but rather with radicals who would use a peaceful faith to further their perverted ideology should be echoed by every American. He spoke of how he was in Afghanistan to witness that country’s first democratic election. For his protection he was assigned a US military guard…an American born Muslim raised in Kabul. His account of how both he and his guard cried like babies as they watched the votes being cast moved me as well.
I do not agree with Lindsey Graham on many issues…particularly on his views for the use of military force. And Lindsey Graham’s poll numbers do not warrant him a place on the main event stage. But after watching Lindsey Graham’s genuine, heartfelt, thoughtful and salient commentary on that first debate; I must say that he deserves to be heard…
…and I am proud to have him serving in the United States Senate.
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