And They're Off !! The First GOP Presidential Debate Proves the Party Will Have a Strong Presence in 2016 | Eastern North Carolina Now

    One of the highlights of the debates was listening to the answers that former Governor Mike Huckabee gave. He clearly exceeded expectations, in my book. His first question was whether he opposed or supported allowing transgender persons to serve in the armed services. He answered: "The military is not a social experiment. The purpose of the military is to kill people and break things." He explained that he didn't see how investing money in transgender surgery for men/women in the armed service furthers the goals of our military and helps to keep us safe and secure.

    Huckabee was also strong in his responses regarding the Iran Deal ("We got nothing and Iran got everything it asked for"), the Right to Life, and the scandal with Planned Parenthood. For example, in response to a question addressing his stance on abortion (he favors a constitutional amendment banning abortion except in the limited case where the mother's life is at stake), he responded: "We need to change the culture in this country to Pro-Life. We need to protect children instead of ripping up their body parts and selling them like their parts to a Buick."

    Another favorite was Ted Cruz. Ted Cruz is so damn smart. And he's a proven leader, as judged by his conduct in the US Senate. He told the story of his father, who battled demons. His addiction to alcohol caused him to abandon he and his mother. He was a very young boy at the time. Thanks to the intervention of a friend, his father eventually found Jesus, converted, and became an evangelical. Cruz explained that once he converted, he got on a plane and rejoined he and his mother and his family was reunited. "I have been brought to stand and fight for religious liberty."

    In this closing remarks, Cruz told us what he would do if he were elected President. "Let me tell you what I would do on my first day as President. I would rescind every illegal and unconstitutional executive order signed by Barack Obama. The next thing I intend to do," he continued, "is instruct the Department of Justice to open and investigation into these videos and prosecute Planned Parenthood for any criminal violations. Third, I would direct the DOJ and the IRS to put an end to the persecution of religious liberty. Then I intend to cancel the Iran deal and move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem ... I will keep my word...I will fight to defend liberty because my family knows what it's like to lose it."

    My third favorite of the night was Senator Marco Rubio. Rubio had several great moments and it seems that many believe him to be the winner, or break-out, of the first debate. He referred often to the American Dream, believing that government must make it possible for more people to achieve it. In one of his strongest and most memorable lines of the night, he said: "Who is Hillary Clinton to lecture me about living paycheck to paycheck ... who is Hillary Clinton to lecture me about repaying students loans?"

    In his closing remarks, he acknowledged God and commented that "He has blessed the Republican Party with several good candidates.. The Democrats can't even find one."

    All in all, this first debate showed that the GOP will have a strong and formidable candidate to pit against the Democrats next year. Any of the candidates - but mostly Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio (No one can know yet about Donald Trump) - will offer a strong and refreshing alternative to the absolute disaster of an administration that has been destroying our country for the past 7 years.

    Of course, Trump wants the nomination and believes he will get it... "as long as he is treated fairly," he says.

    As the debate came to a close, the candidates were asked to incorporate this young man's question into their final remarks.

    It is refreshing to see God embraced in Republican events. In Democratic events, He is villified or intentionally ignored.

    Each of the candidates, conducting themselves with dignity and respect and avoiding the various opportunities to attack one another (even when prompted by the moderators; except Christie), gave a short closing statement. Rand Paul closed with these words: "I'm a different kind of Republican!"

    And so concluded the first GOP Presidential Debate concluded.

Click link for the full debate.

    Publisher's note: Contributor Diane Rufino also serves of co-publisher for Pitt County NOW.

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