I have about five minutes to write this post, so, if it doesn’t give you your awesome, detailed recap, I would encourage you to actually watch the replay on CNN or review any other national media outlet that will give you their ruminations, recriminations and line-by-line reporting.
That said, this debate is likely a game-changer. There was Marco Rubio’s correct assertion that our president has to be ready on day one to be commander-in-chief, Carly Fiorina’s superb knowledge of the state of our military and foreign policy concerns, “Jeb!’s” newfound sense of humor, and Scott Walker’s clear demonstration of why he’s won three elections in liberal Wisconsin over the past four years.
Sure, there were other “humble” (Trump) and memorable moments from other candidates throughout last night’s marathon, but, on this Constitution Day, we remember that the the President is to (Article II of the Constitution):
Section. 2.
….be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
Section. 3.
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
Section. 4.
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Of what I saw last night, we have winnowed the field considerably as to who can actually be our commander-in-chief and head foreign emissary. All other wishes and hopes we put in a president really can be summed up from “Grumpy Old Men”:
But to those of you who are appreciate isolationism, Rand Paul is your guy. If you believe that a social conservative needs to lead America to the promised land, Mike Huckabee lends a credible and strong voice.
All in all, an interesting debate. But if I had to put together my next debate card (re. The folks who really can be the nominee), it would be: Trump, Bush, Fiorina, Rubio, Walker, Huckabee, and Paul.
