Republican Primary

We are well into the throes of the campaign season, with the Republican Presidential Primary becoming more interesting every day. After having watched the first two debates, here are my thoughts about the candidates:

Top Tier:
Carly Fiorina--One of the best in the last debate. Had the best moment by far when she talked about the abominable abortion practices of Planned Parenthood. A rising star, Washington outsider, smart, well-spoken, well-informed and fearless. Would pay big money to see her debate Hillary Clinton (or any other Democrat); it would be a bloodbath. I need to know more about her political stances, but like what I've heard to date.
Ben Carson--Simply a great man. Doesn't do well in this debate format because he's too polite. Loves this country and the Constitution and is extremely intelligent. Has a solid moral foundation. Thoughtful and unflappable. The Democrats could never lay a glove on him. The question will always be, "Are you qualified to be President?" The voters will decide.
Marco Rubio--Brilliant, concise and knows his stuff. Solid conservative, has repented of his earlier immigration fail. Would love to see him anywhere on any ticket.
Ted Cruz--Love everything he says. Can't put my finger on why, but he comes across as too scripted even though I don't think he really is. Attorney General?

The Muddy Middle:
Bobby Jindal--Was by far and away the best in the JV debate, but doesn't have a lot of name recognition and for some reason isn't catching on. His answers were stellar.
Scott Walker--Really like him. Proven in his principled leadership. Not connecting with the voters for reasons I don't understand.
Chris Christy--A brilliant politician. Great at debating. He plays the political game very well, but I think Republican voters are done playing that game. Too moderate for most conservatives.
Rick Santorum--Solid conservative but really unlikable. Comes across as sanctimonious. Not electable in a national election.
Rand Paul--Great on the Constitution. Am hot and cold about him all the time. Just when I start to like him, he says something monumentally stupid about foreign policy or marijuana and turns me away. Prefer he stay in the Senate.

Bottom Tier:
Mike Huckabee--Extremely likable and gifted politician. Too much history for me to forgive--a progressive, sneaky submarining of Romney with McCain. Big government Republican. The Jerry Falwell of this generation. No thanks.
John Kasich--Can't express how much I hated him in the last debate. Give Iran a chance?! Weak on foreign policy and way too scripted. Playing to the middle; I can't stand pandering.
Donald Trump--See below.
Jeb Bush--Mealy mouthed, pandering career politician. So sick of his type I could scream. Not his fault he's a Bush, but that fact alone makes him unelectable.
George Pataki--So many people I know have been clamoring for a Pataki Presidency...whatever.
Lindsey Graham--Doesn't have an icecube's chance in hell of being elected. I suspect he really wants to be SecDef in the next administration since national defense is his one note symphony; is the only thing I tend to agree with. His domestic policies are a gigantic turnoff; his exchange with Jindal about the do-nothing Senate exposed him buck naked. Eww.
Jim Gilmore--Who?

In general, I am far less interested in their records than I am in their future plans. I know their records. I want to hear about solutions and returning America to her former greatness. Stop attacking each other and taking the media bait and go after the Democrats. Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton are the easiest targets the Democrats have ever given us. One thing that is apparent so far is that business as usual isn't happening this time. The Republican voters have given the politicians the House followed by the Senate and they have lied to us, used us and spit in our faces. We are done. That is the only explanation needed for the top three candidates being Trump, Carson and Fiorina. Washington outsiders have the inside track for the nomination because conservatives are so fed up with what Ted Cruz calls the Washington Cartel. The Congress on both sides of the aisle is run by big money and special interests. We, the People, have had enough.

The low boil we are experiencing will continue to build and is manifest particularly in the popularity of Donald Trump. He's running on his own money; taking no donations from anyone. A tough New Yorker, he's not afraid to stick his thumb in the eye of the press, the pundits and political correctness. If he succeeds in nothing more than demonstrating the Republican Party doesn't have to play by the Democrats rules, I will be forever grateful to him. However, I'm not ready to hand him the reins of the highest office in the land. What do we really know about Trump? He's been quoted as supporting liberal policies all his life, particularly when it suits his purposes. Is he actually a Conservative? What are his moral and Constitutional underpinnings? What about conservatism has compelled him to change his politics? Does he really believe in anything other than The Donald?

I hate the Washington insiders just as much, if not more, than the next voter. But I have some serious and legitimate concerns about Trump that need to be addressed. Trump will never see this column, but I'm sure that if he did, he would call me a bimbo and a so-so writer for even asking questions. We made the grievous mistake, as a nation, of electing an essential unknown because he was cool, in form of Obama, with disastrous consequences. We can't survive another four or eight years of the same from a guy who claims to be a Republican. So here are the other questions I need answered: Is this about making America great again or about Trump's ego? Does he intend to work with the Congress and influence them through leadership or govern through executive fiat? When things get ugly in Washington, will his solution be name-callling? or telling people they're stupid? Do we want this thin-skinned narcissist negotiating with our allies or foes? He doesn't get to "fire" Putin or Kim Jong-un. Who are the advisors he relies on for his knowledge deficits? Does he understand the Constitution and what does it mean to him? How would it determine his policies? Maybe I am misreading Trump and maybe all these questions will be answered, but until then I have grave concerns. Trading one gigantic narcissist parading as a Republican for the current Narcissist-in-Chief will not yield better results than the last seven years. Are Republican voters really shallow enough to accept such quality Trump campaigning as "We will have so much winning if I get elected, that you may get bored with winning"? Wow. That's genius on display. His attack on Carly Fiorina was tacky and juvenile. She responded perfectly. He should have just shut up, but he made it worse by pandering to women and telling her she was beautiful. My great fear with Trump is that the two things he loves most are Donald Trump and the Almighty Dollar, in that order; not exactly my dream candidate.

We need a revolution in the Republican Party. Boehner and McConnell must go. In fact, most of the whole stinking bunch in Washington needs to go, but it all starts at the top for this election and we cannot afford to have one more year with a liberal of any flavor in the Oval Office. Trump is an unknown entity. If we go down that rabbit hole, it may very well be the worst thing we have ever done. At the very least we must ask him the hard questions he doesn't want to answer. If we can't nail him down and be sure of what we are getting then we cannot go there.