GOP Debate: Talking Tough and Saying Little

Trump hotel (Las Vegas) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A lot has changed since Donald Trump and the other Republican presidential candidates last took the stage to debate the issues.  The terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino happened.  National security became Topic A.  And Trump's lead in the polls just keeps getting bigger in spite of his desire to keep Muslims and Mexicans out of the country.  He is overshadowing every other candidate (even the Democrats) in media coverage.

The last GOP debate of the year was held Tuesday in Las Vegas.  It was broadcast on CNN, where 18 million of you chose to forsake "NCIS" and "The Voice" to watch nine people discuss national security and foreign policy.

Amid all the babble that was worthy of a Robert Altman film, we heard Trump defend his controversial plans while making faces at the cameras when others were speaking.  Former HP executive Carly Fiorina was implying that the use of technology since 9/11/01 has evolved past government's ability to keep up with it in fighting terrorism.  New Jersey Governor Chris Christie sounded like he was saber-rattling with Russian president Vladimir Putin.  Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz mixed it up over modernizing the military and bombing the hell out of Islamic State.  Governor John Kasich continued to use his state of Ohio as a reference point.  Jeb Bush is still making strides in trying to convince folks that he really is a contender, despite having a familiar name and a really big campaign war chest.  Senator Rand Paul is still hanging in there despite reports that he might soon drop out.  And Dr. Ben Carson is probably still wondering what he's doing here.

Add to that the number of times we heard the candidates use the phrase "radical Islamic terrorists", blaming President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for the ills of the world, and denouncing political correctness.  It's as if these guys want to be the next one to start a war, instead of finishing the ones we already have.

There are a few weeks remaining before the primary and caucus seasons begin.  Trump has again promised not to run as an independent if the GOP doesn't nominate him.  But that doesn't mean the party is any more comfortable with the lack of candidates that are mainstream enough to compete with Hillary Clinton.  Their new motto ought to be:  We might not win many votes, but we sure know how to scare the hell out of people.