The Issue: The first Republican primary debate on Wednesday night in Milwaukee, Wisc.
After listening to the Republican presidential candidates who debated Wednesday night, it’s obvious what an immeasurable and ineffable improvement any of them would be over the current occupant of the White House (“The right stuff,” Aug. 24).
To vote for any of those eight vs. a Biden/Harris ticket is a national no-brainer.
Include Trump in the fray, however, and that calculus changes dramatically.
Trump clearly can do two things to assure a GOP victory next year: Step aside and keep it buttoned. Those simple actions would go farther than anything to make America great again.
Anthony Parks
Garden City
So Trump skipped the first GOP debate of the 2024 elections.
He seems to think he had a successful presidency and is the front runner now. I know otherwise.
He did not “make America great again.” He lost the 2020 election by 11 million votes, and the GOP lost many elections because of him in 2022.
As a Republican, Trump is a non-issue for me. I am looking for a different, better leader with a vision for America — not the same old lies and conspiracies from Trump.
Clement Prabakaran
Sterling Heights, Mich.
Nikki Haley nailed it in the first Republican debate.
Trump has done some truly great things for the country. But as the most polarizing — if not hated — politician in America, there is no way the Republicans can win with him. She is absolutely right: Move on, America.
Is it really worth the good feeling of trying to get back at the Democrats only to lose and be saddled by another four debilitating years of President Biden?
Other candidates who are not saddled with Trump’s baggage can lead America back.
The theory that only Trump can be successful is ludicrous. He will only divide America more, and we all lose in the process.
Tim Ruef
Oakland, NJ
I’m glad Trump didn’t show up for the debate. It gave the other hopefuls a chance to show themselves to America without the specter of Trump overshadowing the proceedings.
As some of the candidates brought up, Trump might be so busy in the kangaroo courts that he might not have enough time to properly campaign. That makes it more important than ever to examine the other contestants carefully to see who would make the most viable replacement.
I am certain that any of the people standing at the podiums Wednesday night would be a better choice than the current muddled and incompetent president. We all deserve better, and hopefully we will get better.
Warren Goldfein
Mount Arlington, NJ
Viewing this debate highlighted one glaring issue: None of the candidates — including one absentee — demonstrated anything that would make them worthy of being president of the United States.
All as in Hamlet, they strutted their hour upon the stage, full of sound and fury but signifying nothing.
The party has no bench strength and relies upon a failed and morally bankrupt TV personality to carry the banner. Is that what the GOP has become?
Paul Alexander
Ontario, Canada
So let me get this straight — Vice President Mike Pence and almost all of the GOP candidates on the stage on believe Pence acted properly in refusing to upend the 2020 election on Jan. 6, thus thwarting a man who was ignoring his presidential oath to preserve and protect the Constitution.
But except for Govs. Asa Hutchinson and Chris Christie, they’d all vote for that man even if he was convicted of a felony in any one of his myriad indictments?
Call it hypocritical. Call it oxymoronic. I think I’ll just stick with moronic.
At the risk of sounding sexist, these folks — including the otherwise very admirable Haley — need to grow a pair.
Matthew J. Brief
Manhattan
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