My First Presidential Debate - Exciting, Disappointing & Energizing



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I walked away Monday Night from the Presidential Debate right here in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina knowing a little more about each candidate seeking his party's nomination for the Presidency.  I also learned that manners really do matter and there were quite a few in attendance that should be taken out back behind the tool shed and taught some.  The setting was grand.  Lots of star power with Fox News, the Governor and of course, the five candidates. 

Even though I share few of the ideological beliefs that the five candidates do, I was impressed once again in how great our nation is.  I really felt a part of our democracy at work.  It really does matter that we participate in this exercise every four years.  I would not have missed the opportunity for anything, well, maybe an evening with my best friend.  It was a special experience for me even though I am not a Republican.  I enjoyed the back and forth between the candidates and I learned more about their views and what is important to them.  The questioning by the panel was excellent.

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There were two significant revelations for me on Monday Night.  One, Mitt Romney is concerned about releasing his tax information.  Two, Ron Paul is out of touch with the reality of living in a dangerous world.  Romney was non-committal about his tax returns and today, we see first-hand the media latching on to this very issue.  Paul thinks we can ignore a nation like Iran as well as relieve ourselves of any international involvement. 

In the end, I'm not sure it matters much what Ron Paul thinks or says.  He has a solid group of supporters but not nearly enough to lead him to the nomination.  Romney on the other hand, will need to take the release of his tax returns seriously. 

Based on Newt Gingrich's performances in the debates, especially here in Myrtle Beach, I'm already saving my money in hopes of grabbing a ticket to Newt's dream of debating President Obama should he somehow win the nomination.  He is absolutely a great debater and I suspect an Obama-Gingrich debate would be record-setting television.  How much fun would that be.  Wow!

Rick Santorum is indeed the true conservative.  He has convinced me.  Just a little too much ideology for me.  Rick Perry just needs to return home and run his great State of Texas.  He seems to be hanging on in hopes of fashioning a future run perhaps.  He should be just a little more careful about what he may have to back away from in the future.  Some of his ideas are out there.  I must admit that I was disappointed that Jon Huntsman had resigned his quest.  I would have enjoyed the opportunity to hear him speak. 

I arrived at the convention center not knowing if I would be able to sustain myself for the entire evening.  I had slept all day trying to fight the effects of having the flu.  I took my seat not with chills of anticipation but the chills associated with a high fever.  I just couldn't miss the opportunity that I worked so hard to grab a ticket for.  Although disappointed in the crowd's behavior, I left the convention center that evening feeling excited, exhilarated actually by being a very small part of our nation's history.  It really is great being an American.