Pundits getting it wrong on debate

It's getting tiresome listening to the DC chatterboxes who are swooning over Vivek Ramaswamy, whose main goal Wednesday night seemed to be kissing Trump's backside, perhaps in his attempt to be Trump's running mate. Whatever his goal was, he pretty much failed except with the DC chatterboxes. He was the know-it-all on stage when he wasn't getting upstaged by Nikki Haley on foreign policy.

The question that pundits aren't asking is the obvious question. Do the candidates not named Trump come across as credible presidents. Can you picture Vivek Ramaswamy a heartbeat away from the Oval Office? Can you picture Tim Scott or Nikki Haley delivering the State of the Union Address? Can you picture Gov. Ron DeSantis delivering on the reforms that DC needs?

The answer to the Ramaswamy question is 'Definitely not.' The answer to the Haley/Scott question is 'that's fairly believable.' The answer to the DeSantis question is 'Without a doubt. He's already gotten so much done in Florida.'

This article, written by Bob Maistros wrote this about Gov. DeSantis:

But the night’s big winner? Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose candidacy was last seen circling the drain after a series of missed opportunities, missteps and miscues. One such misfire – his ultra-lame "Great American Comeback" slogan – was displaced by his Great Republican Comeback. The Sunshine State’s chief executive displayed the energy, enthusiasm, confidence and, most of all, competence that earned a record re-election margin – and an initial spot atop the 2024 presidential polls – bursting from the gate with pitch-perfect talking points that offered, finally, the right focuses.

The plight of Americans victimized by a "country … in decline." Making Joe and Hunter Biden the issue.

Then Maistros wrote this:

And most of all, his accomplishments in Florida – and taking them nationwide.

The economy and COVID: "Why are we in this (fiscal and economic) mess? … a major reason is how this federal government handled COVID-19, by locking down this economy…. (W)e kept our state free and open."

Contrasting himself from Biden on national disasters like Maui (after deliciously upbraiding the moderators on having candidates raise their hands "like schoolchildren"): "You’ve got to be there, you’ve got to be present."

Abortion: "You've got to do what you think is right. I believe in a culture of life … we’re better than what the Democrats are selling."

Crime: "When we had two of these district attorneys in Florida, elected with Soros funding, who said they wouldn’t do their job, I removed them from their posts. They are gone."

Education: "We need education, not indoctrination … we had schools open during COVID … I stood for our kids … we have to make sure our schools are standing on solid academics" (versus critical race theory and gender ideology).

While for once neatly side-stepping the trapdoor of taking on the absent Donald Trump and his fellow White House wannabes: “I know what the Democrats would like to do. They want to talk about all these other issues [i.e., Jan. 6] but we’ve got to focus on your future … on reversing the decline of our country."

Unlike other candidates who stooped to annoying and artificial confrontations and cheap shots that distracted from otherwise creditable performances.

Here's Gov. DeSantis looking presidential and authoritative about the U.S. border:

Finally, there's this:

Guv Ron soared above it all. Despite this commentator’s previous misgivings on the gambit, he also managed to relate his background as a "blue-collar kid" who "worked minimum-wage jobs to be able to make ends meet." A "dad and a husband" who "understand(s) the importance of protecting parents’ rights and the well-being of our children." And an Iraq veteran "who knows what it means to put service above self" and that "it’s about focusing on the mission above all else."

Above all else, DeSantis’ mission in Milwaukee was to rescue his flailing campaign. The verdict here: mission accomplished – and then some.

"Guv Ron" was the only candidate who showed gravitas on the debate stage Wednesday night. Mike Pence blew his chance at looking presidential when he foolishly started sniping with 'Boy Toy' Ramaswamy. The end result of the debate was that it started the elimination process. I don't think people drop out immediately but I do think the fundraisers have already started figuring out whose funds dry up the quickest.

Donald Trump will be one of the finalists. So will 'Guv Ron.' When it gets to that stage, the question should immediately become 'which of these gentlemen is best qualified policywise and temperamentally?' Trump has a loyal base so he can't be counted out. That being said, Gov. DeSantis is the best fit in terms of temperament, policy and discipline. He's already shown that he's got a plan and that he's disciplined enough to stick to that blueprint.