The Kids Are Alright - For Now

Oh, what a terrific debate last night – a focus on things that actually matter – like the economy and what the hell to do about ISIS. And while I seldom agree with the four gents who tossed around ideas in Preliminary Republican Debate #2, it was nice to hear from folks who at least sounded somewhat informed. As opposed, say, to some of those idiots in the main event who seemed consumed with how rich they are, how great they are or how pesky to the others on the dais they are.

You have Donald Trump who continues to speak in platitudes that only the dumb (that would be 99% of the nation) are willing to try and pretend to understand.

You have Carly Fiorina who keeps saying that Hillary Clinton lies, lies, lies as she – Fiorina – lies, lies, lies.

You have Ben Carson who is basically a scientist who doesn't believe in science, and continues to speak as though our nation was founded on the principle of a faith-based government.

And you have the rest of the bunch that appear to be so jealous of the time the first three are getting that they act like children tugging at mama's skirt just to get a word in.

Yeah, it took those at the kids' table – George Pataki, Rick Santorum, Piyush "Bobby" Jindal and Lindsey Graham – to make those who followed sound like a bunch of children.

That said, there may be hope yet for those at the kids' table as today's numbers show that interest in Trump is dropping, as he slowly reveals that he doesn’t really know anything about the economy at all. (Does he really think his trade policy of raising tariffs would HELP farmers who depend on agriculture exports?)

As The Donald fades away, all we can hope for is that the rest of the Tier 1 elephants learned a little bit about adult behavior from their cohorts at the kids' table.