Gary Franks: First GOP debate goes to DeSantis and Haley — surprises for 3rd and 4th place

Republican candidates for president, tell us your plan for America’s future. How will you attack President Joe Biden or any other Democrat, and how will you win in 2024? Do this, and Republican primary voters will reciprocate by handing you the nomination.

Former President Donald Trump is leading largely because the GOP base feels he is the only one who can beat Biden. Trump’s message is simple: “America was better off when I was president.” Leave out the drama, and it is a strong argument.

The octogenarian Biden has no serious challenger in the Democratic Party because he is believed to be the only one who can beat Trump.

Both parties have the same problem. For Democrats, if not Biden, then who? For Republicans, if not Trump, then who? God has to be loving this man-made dilemma.

So, GOP candidates, your mission is to show you are the one who can beat Biden and deny Trump any oxygen. Do not allow the media to pull you down into the rabbit hole of talking about the Trump reality show. It brings in high ratings for media outlets, but nothing for America.

Thus, GOP presidential hopefuls Asa Hutchinson and Chris Christie need to recalibrate their campaigns or leave. If you are vying to be the most anti-Trump, you serve no purpose. Why? Because the Republicans want to beat Biden, and they do not feel anybody other than Trump can do that. Attacking Trump just makes these folks very angry. In their eyes you are tearing down the only person who can beat Biden. It may be convoluted, but at this point it’s true. The media understands that, but you don’t.

Christie and former Vice President Mike Pence are the most experienced prime-time debaters. Both displayed poise, substance and humor at times. Both will have other opportunities to truly shine.

Hutchinson and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum both had interesting moments, as they are polar opposites. Burgum could win the “Most Congenial” award, and Hutchinson would certainly not win that one. They are talented, and I hope both are back on the debate stage in September.

The winners? Top two? Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who spoke about his strong track record, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who displayed her domestic experience as governor and foreign affairs experience as U.N. ambassador.

DeSantis was the only candidate who repeatedly pushed the moderators of the debate to move past Trump and deal with the future. Only DeSantis went aggressively after Biden repeatedly. Both tactics achieved a positive result.

It was Haley who hit balls out of the park, however . She forcefully asked folks to be practical and realistic. Stop over-promising on the abortion issue — or any other issue, for that matter. This is the cardinal sin of a lot of politicians who quickly boast about what they want to do versus what they actually can do.

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott holds down the third spot. He was solid. Given more debate time, I expect Scott to thoroughly impress the American people.

The fourth spot goes to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Oh, wait, he wasn’t there. He still was better than the rest.

Did I leave out anybody? Oh, Vivek Ramaswamy. He clearly demonstrated that he is too young and too inexperienced for prime time. He is a “quick study” and glib.

He lobbed personal attacks at nearly everyone on stage, doubling down on personal criticisms of Haley.

The best punch of the night, however, came from Haley against Ramaswamy.

Among the many foreign affairs errors Ramaswamy made, not wanting to give financial support to Israel — America’s only true friend in a volatile region — was a big blunder. And then there is just his general lack of understanding of foreign affairs. Haley stated it best: “You have no foreign affairs experience, and it shows.”

Let us remember that it is only the first debate, and we are in the summer of 2023.