Thread by @martyrmade

Let’s live tweet the GOP primary debate. THREAD.

Ron DeSantis has a very tough job. After the 2020 election shenanigans and the unprecedented institutional abuse against Trump and his supporters, Trump voters see their guy as the incumbent, and they see RDS’s candidacy as a selfish outside disruptor trying to primary the incumbent before a tough election. Maybe that’s not fair, but that’s how it is.

He has to do several things to be successful, and even if he does them all perfectly it may not be enough. His policies aren’t much in question, and he’d be wasting his time on the mic touting them. GOP primary debate watchers know he’s good on policy. It would be nice to see him firm up an anti-intervention stance on Ukraine, but otherwise his time will be better spent elsewhere.

I was just in a Space where @JackPosobiec made an important point: there is only one candidate the regime hates and fears enough to throw out every norm and standard to defeat, and that’s Trump. I’ve seen RDS supporters ask a good question: If Trump couldn’t stop them from rigging the election in 2020, when he was President, how’s he going to do it now? A fair question, but a good (if somewhat evasive) answer is that, at this late hour, what’s the point of nominating anyone the regime won’t pull out all the stops to defeat?

RDS has to thread a difficult needle. He has to condemn the unprecedented abuse of the system against Trump (Christie might be his best foil here), but every time the subject comes up it hardens support for Trump with his base. If he tries to frame himself as Not Trump, he has no chance; he has to make the make case that he’ll be a better Trump than Trump himself. GOP voters aren’t looking for a President, they’re looking for a war general, and RDS has to convince those people that he’s going to burn Washington DC to the ground.

I don’t think his personality would allow for it, but Trump should say something like: “Look, I know a lot of you guys don’t like me. And to be honest, I get it. I know I can be obnoxious. I’m not a typical politician, and my style can be off-putting, and I get it. But this is bigger than me.” And go from there.

RDS is coming more aggressive than usual, feels a little unnatural, but it’s good overall.

Vivek wasted no time calling down the fury of Lord Shiva on his enemies. He’s the one bringing the entertainment, and Trump taught us that that should not be underestimated.

Nah, Vivek can’t be ended. Just like with Trump, people don’t even listen to someone attack him, they’re just looking forward to seeing what he’ll say back.

Nikki Haley has to overcome a major disadvantage: people want to stick a screwdriver in their ear whenever she opens her mouth.

Haha “SILENCE, SHUDRA SCUM!”

There are too many literally who candidates on stage. Tim Scott shouldn’t be allowed to speak. Being CEO of Godfather’s Pizza doesn’t qualify you for the Presidency.

Nobody cares about the candidates’ policy positions. We all know what everyone except Vivek would do - be a regular Republican President. 🎉 🎈 😭 People want someone who is going to walk around the White House with a boot knife and who might make Nancy Pelosi the next Charles Sumner if she tears up how SOTU speech.

Oh, settle down, we’re all having fun here. You have to admit that there’s some irony in the GOP being against affirmative action, yet elevating people like Whaley and Scott miles above what their talent merits just because they check a box.

To the question of whether they’d support Trump if he’s convicted, only Vivek raised his hand right away. The rest of these cowards sheepishly put their hands up after the crowd started cheering. Disqualifying cowardice.

Only Vivek immediately raised his hand when the candidates were asked if they’d be against increasing funding and support for Ukraine. RDS started saying something about making Europe carry more of the load, but all the rest kept their hands down.

No reason to have anyone but Vivek and RDS at the next primary debate.

Haley called Ukraine a “pro-American country…” That might have something to do with the fact that we overthrew their government for being pro-Russia.

HOLY SHIT LOL Haley just said that “Putin has promised that after he’s done conquering Ukraine, Poland and the Baltics are next!” That is a blatant, whole-cloth warmongering lie.

This pic sums it up.
Vivek: Yes
RDS: Sort of
The field: No

Vivek is RDS kryptonite, and the DeSantis campaign needs to figure out how to deal with it fast. It’s not that Vivek is landing any kill shots on him, but he makes it hard for RDS to differentiate himself from the field. Vivek comes across better and stronger than RDS on all the issues that should be separating RDS from the rest of the field. Has the effect of making RDS blend into the crowd even though he’s better than them on most issues.

Anti-Trumpers don’t want to hear this, but the decision not to participate in the debate was brilliant. The fact that he’s getting arrested tomorrow automatically makes him the focus, even when he’s not there. If he was there, Vivek would look like a sycophant as the candidates attacked Trump and Vivek kept talking Trump’s side. Instead, Vivek is doing Trump’s work for him.

Tim Scott: “These teachers unions are standing in the door-house of our kids…”

She’s probably pretty popular among the Poles, actually.

This is exactly right, and the best argument for Trump. No more sleep walking into an inevitable Demolition Man rainbow dystopia. Bring the matter to a head and force the American people to decide whether they’ll tolerate tyranny.

Little-known fact: Mike Pence was based on Cotton from King of the Hill.

Haley: Putin said he wants to invade Poland.
Me: That’s a lie, he never said that.
This person: It’s not a lie. He never said it, but everyone knows he means it.

There’s really no way to puncture a deflector shield this robust.