This entire Republican campaign season has been a farce. From the very beginning when Reince Priebus, the Chairman of the RNC, decided not to allow all of the 17 candidates on one stage, but to schedule a ‘cocktail’ debate, a debacle had been created.

As Donald Trump’s poll numbers not only rose, but more than doubled those of his closest rival, a panic attack occurred within the Republican mainstream. In hopes of ending Trump’s popularity, Priebus conspired with FOX Noise President Roger Ailes. They would ask personal questions aimed at embarrassing the front runner. Not only did their plan fail, Trump’s numbers rose the following day.

FOX Noise hosted the first debate. Five others followed; one early in the evening and then the ‘real debate.’ None of them changed the status quo.

Thursday evening, when FOX hosted the seventh ‘debate,’ and the last before the Iowa Caucus, there were three events. The regular ‘cocktail’ ‘debate’ was held with Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, and Carly Fiorina. When the main ‘debate’ took place, the front runner was missing. Trump was holding a fund raiser for veterans. During that event Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum joined Trump on the stage, claiming support for veterans. For the seven clowns who were in the center ring, this was unforgiveable.

More vocal in their denouncement of Huckabee and Santorum were the right wing pundits. Eric Erickson claimed that it was the end of their campaigns.

“Like conquered kings paraded in a Triumph through the streets of Rome, Santorum and Huckabee were paraded through Drake University, now the vassals of Donald Trump,” Mr. Erickson said. “What a pathetic end to the last two men to win Iowa.”

Others chimed in, but not a word of truth was written or spoken. What this accomplished was more evidence regarding the division within the Republican Party and between its sad offerings for the presidency.

All seven debates have been virtually carbon copies of each other. The format was attack President Obama, attack Hillary Clinton, and attack the other candidates. There has been no discussion about ideas to solve our nation’s problems, only insults and damnation of each other’s past actions and statements; many of which were blown out of proportion.

None of them were intelligent enough to know that by their harsh words, they were campaigning for Trump. His supporters have shunned mainstream Republicans and their do-nothing attitude. By their own words they are endorsing every word spoken by Trump.

Less informed political writers constantly blame Trump for the division and likely demise of the GOP. The evidence is clear. These ten men and one woman have separated themselves from Republican principles and ideals. Republican is a title they hide behind, but in reality have no connection.

Donald Trump is the closest to the politics of Eisenhower, Reagan, and Bush 41. He believes in compromise after deliberation while the other ten have adopted the policy of ‘my way or the highway.’

It is possible that Trump could win in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada next month. If the does, pun intended, “the party’s over.”

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore

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