GOP Debates

Good news and bad news. First the good news: Last night’s GOP debate was probably the last one. The bad news: Last night’s GOP was probably the last one.

The GOP debates became a national embarrassment on a few occasions. Far too many of the GOP candidates this cycle should have never been taken seriously by one of our two major parties.  Meanwhile two thoughtful ex governors , Buddy Roemer and Gary Johnson were excluded. Why? To make room for Michelle Bachmann and Herman Cain? Both Bachmann’s and Cain’s campaigns were stunts that degraded the process.

On the other hand: There was something remarkable about many of the debates. Our politics tend to bounce from center- to center-right, then stop. Ron Paul threw ideas into the GOP mix on those stages that were far closer to Dennis Kucinich than Dick Cheney. Gingrich –  who is unelectable, thank heaven – nevertheless did, in fact, raise the bar on a number of occasions. With a schizophrenic’s level of denial he railed against the media. It was absurd coming from him, but it was still enjoyable as hell to watch. And, in those moments, he was more right than wrong. And, in those moments, he spoke for many of us who have had it with the media’s dereliction of duty.

The second tier aspect of the GOP debates also helped the content. The debates were often messy. The Clinton/Obama debates of 2008 (There were others on stage, I just can’t remember who they were.) were largely about whether one should think or feel. The two candidates agreed on most issues. This time the GOP debates had genuine moments of policy disagreement. Gingrich leaned left on immigration. Paul’s foreign policy positions leaned far left by traditional measures, and he never flinched when the family values trap was thrown his way. Romney was tasked with defending his “big government” healthcare and, surprisingly, did so. Huntsman played the role of moderate Democrat on the GOP stage. At times when Paul or Huntsman were speaking  I had to check the TV guide to make sure I was watching a Republican debate.

In many debates we saw a white woman, a black man, two Mormons, and two Catholics on stage. I’m not big on the diversity fetish – but even I must say that’s a pretty good line up for the WASP addled Republicans.

I’m glad the debates are over. After all the drama we’ve landed were we started: Romney versus Not Romney. I’m bored with this storyline. It’s time to start act two.