There is a new reality series on TV. It is the Republican debates. For the networks, this is great stuff. They have a reality TV star, they have emotional wrecks crying because their feelings have been hurt and unlike Star Trek, the show does not have to be on for a few years before there is a spinoff.
The debates are turning into sporting events, with power rankings. The next thing will be fantasy debate leagues. Like football, the debates even have a practice squad that slugs it out early, before the main event. And like the practice squad, the participants are hoping to be called up to prime time.
While the debates are great entertainment, something is being lost that perhaps the Republican Party, and certain conservatives should be concerned about.
The second Republican debate degenerated into a food fight early on. CNN’s Jake Tapper started with gotcha questions, then totally lost control of the debate. But control of the debate was never a major concern. Nor was informing the voters.
Republican establishment consultant Alex Castellanos called it right when he admitted the truth. He said of the debates, “This whole process is designed by the insiders for the insiders.”
Tragically for Castellanos, the insiders aren’t doing too well. But then again, that is the secondary strategy. The GOP establishment would rather lose than see someone like Ted Cruz or Donald Trump win.
While the Republicans are having their debates, where are the Democrats? The Democrat establishment is doing their best to protect Hillary, who is at the moment their only viable candidate for the general election. Some of the other Democrats, like cranky socialist Bernie Sanders are complaining to the Democrat National Committee headquarters about the lack of debates. Good luck with that Bernie. The DNC is about as concerned about your complaints as they are with the future of real Americans.
If the mainstream TV media were really objective, they would be doing stories every night about the lack of Democrat debates. Unfortunately, all six of the major TV news media outlets have an agenda and forcing Hillary Clinton to debate goes against that agenda.
While this would never happen, and to borrow another sports analogy, the greatest debate we could have at this point would be an “Interleague” debate. Put ten to twelve candidates on the stage from both parties and then let there be a food fight. Can you imagine brilliant Ted Cruz against cold, arrogant Hillary Clinton? How about billionaire Donald Trump against socialist Bernie Sanders?
That is a debate that would really benefit America. That is a debate that could be put on pay per view and make money. Tickets for that event would be the hottest tickets in America since the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. Who would pay to watch Hillary Clinton squirm as she has to answer questions about her server and about Benghazi and Iran?
Unfortunately for America, that debate won’t happen. Instead, the Republican Party is going to dutifully march forward to the next debate. Again, it will let a liberal network, with liberal hosts who cheer for the Democrats control the debate.
For those interested, the next segment of the fantasy political season is scheduled to air Oct. 28 on CNBC. now.
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