By Mercy A. Kuo and Angelica O. Tang
Our Rebalance authors offer their thoughts on the candidates in the first Republican debate.
Like Roman gladiators in a grand spectacle, 17 GOP contenders battled for campaign standing and survival in two tiers. Tier one included the top ten based on aggregate polling average: Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, Mike Huckabee, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Chris Christie, and John Kasich. Tier two for the remaining seven: Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal, Carly Fiorina, Lindsey Graham, George Pataki, and Jim Gilmore. We offer 17 takeaways from the first round and implications for our Asia audience:
Trump True to Form. Billionaire Donald Trump remained true to form in his first debate. When all candidates were asked by the moderator to pledge support to the eventual GOP nominee and not run as an independent, Trump was the only candidate to decline a pledge – predictably delivering his brand of bravado and brashness. In taking shots at China, Japan and Mexico as well as the U.S. government, Trump effectively channeled the anger and angst of average Americans.
Bush “Own Man.” Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, held his own in distinguishing himself from his father and brother – Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. His repetition of conservative principles in his track record yielded focused messaging, but not the stellar performance needed to distance himself as leader of the pack.
Walker on Script. With high expectations as fresh blood of GOP presidential leadership, Scott Walker, governor of Wisconsin, gave a solid performance by sticking to his talking points on foreign policy issues – building coalitions with Arab allies, restoring missile defense in Poland, and standing up to Iran. Walker has yet to demonstrate strategic thinking beyond his highly scripted debate delivery.
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