'Jeb's dead' and Other GOP Debate Observations from Matt Welch on HuffPost Live

This morning I appeared on HuffPost Live's Political Junkies, hosted by Alyona Minkovski, to talk about last night's contentious GOP presidential debate. Joining me were Fordham University professor Christina Greer, New York Republican guy John Burnett, and Rowan University adjunct professor Blanca E. Vega. There's some CNBC bashing, discussion of Federal Reserve policy, various Jeb! prognostications, and defenses of Ben Carson from some surprising quarters. Enjoy:

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

This morning I appeared on HuffPost Live's Political Junkies...

Well, this is the first I'm hearing of this.

[Mike M.]

Hey, slimebag Weigel, I know you're out there reading this like you always do. Are you still standing by your guns and going down to the bottom of the ocean floor on the Jeb Bush Titanic?

[Raven Nation]

If I'm remember who's who among the commentariat, he created a somewhat elaborate explanation on a thread last night (?) that explained why Jeb wasn't going to get the nomination but his prediction wasn't really wrong. As expected, he also insulted half the country and made racist statements.

[Gray Ghost]

You actually read the Plug? No point in arguing with people who argue in bad faith. FWIW, I don't think it's Weigel (though it'd be pathetic as hell if it were) or a bot.

Allow me to introduce you to the wonderful Chrome extension known as Reasonable, courtesy of long-departed (just from here; I think he's still alive) poster "Amukadari" (PBUH!)

There's a greasemonkey script for Firefox that does much the same thing, AIUI.

[Raven Nation]

Thanks. I never engage with it and I don't normally read his comments. But I skimmed one or two last night - I like to have a little bit of context for the creative invective hurled at him by some in the commentariat.

But, my role is strictly eating popcorn and watching the circus.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Welch mouthed "Hi FOE" during the introduction!

[Fist of Etiquette]

Greer tells us that the average American voter can't possibly understand the economy like, I guess, she can.

[__Warren__]

Bush is getting waxed!

[Sapient Mulch]

Full Brazilian, just like Christie.

[Troy muy grande boner]

Can't wait to read the Sugarfree version.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Wait, are GOP primary voters looking to eat the rich?

[Fist of Etiquette]

Minkovski doesn't see the value in simplifying the tax code. Apparently she has stock in H&R Block.

[wareagle]

I'm just glad to see bullshit questions called out. What's your biggest weakness. Really? Having limited tolerance for idiots who ask stupid questions, but I'm working on it.

[__Warren__]

Are you?

[wareagle]

not very hard.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Chad zinger alert!

[Fist of Etiquette]

Vega isn't concise enough for television (or whatever you call this).

[Fist of Etiquette]

I'm not a Carson fan, but why was it so difficult for Minkovski to follow what he said about same-sex marriage. I'm not saying she needed to agree with it, but she couldn't seem to wrap her head around it.

[Crusty Juggler]

Yes. That was just strange. Her opinions were vapid throughout the entire video.

[Fist of Etiquette]

She generally is when talking politics.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Vega equated same-sex marriage with affirmative action. Ouch.

[paranoid android]

Rowan University adjunct professor Blanca E. Vega

Her parents were waaaaaay too into Street Fighter.

[Hugh Akston]

The "E" stands for "E. Honda"

[GILMORE?]

I larfed

[Palin's Buttplug]

Time to get rid of all moderators. These shitty candidates refuse to answer a question anyway.

They were all complaining thus:

QUIT AKSING ME ABOUT THE STUPID SHIT I SAID!

[juris imprudent]

Dude, you really should get in front of those candidates, ask them the tough questions and post it to YouTube.

[Swiss Servator]

+24

[Crusty Juggler]

Welch had the best points while also having the second-best hair.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Behind Burnett. I agree.

[Warren]

Damn Matt. Are you sure it's advisable to surround yourself with that much stupid. That just can't be good for your health. I question whether it's good for your image. Being see with these idiots isn't doing your credibility any favors.

[Almanian's Rusty Woodchipper]

+1 Medieval on your ass

[juris imprudent]

It's a chopper baby.

[David Emami]

"You came close, Jeb, but you never made it, and if you were gonna make it, you would have made it before now."