A fun guide to the 10 Republicans who made the debate
Welcome to the first US presidential primary debate – the first round in the longest electoral game show in the world. Ten lucky Republican candidates have managed to squeeze in enough name-recognition to win a spot on stage.
Since politics in the US is a spectator sport, we’ve added some tips on how to play along at home.
Divide the candidates among your friends, and see who gets the highest score.
Now let’s meet our contestants. Come on down…
Donald Trump
Who is he? Billionaire, reality television star, golf and real estate mogul, rider of golden escalators. The Donald is the one man who really needs no introduction. He exists whether you acknowledge him or not. He’s at the top of the polls in the Republican Party, and the establishment’s attempts to strike him down have only made him more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
Expected strategy: Trump will be Trump. If he’s attacked by one of the other candidates, expect him to hit back. Donald says he doesn’t start fights, he finishes them. Maybe he’ll say something crazy, and everyone will laugh. Maybe he’ll stay serious, and everyone will be impressed with his gravitas. Either way, he comes out ahead.
Win a point if: He promises to “make America great again”. He believes he’s the man to do it, and he’s got the hat to show it.
Win a million points if: He wears the hat on stage.
Lose a point if: He says “you’re fired”. That Apprentice catchphrase is so 2004.
Jeb Bush
Who is he? Former governor of Florida, son of one president and brother to another, the man with 99 problems but having enough campaign money isn’t one. Bush started the year expected by many to emerge as the clear frontrunner, but that hasn’t happened. Jeb! – as his logo exclaims – is just one of several upper-tier candidates getting lapped in the polls by Trump.
Expected strategy: Bush will likely try to be the grown-up in the room. If other candidates get mired in a slug-fest with Trump, he can try to stay above the fray and pitch himself as the mature, presidential alternative. It was a plan that worked (eventually) for Mitt Romney in 2012.
Win a point if: He vows to boost US growth from 2% to 4% as president. Call it the “seven-minute abs” campaign promise. Who wants two when you can have four?
Win a million points if: He says he agrees with his brother on anything. “George W Jeb” is getting hammered on his familial ties to the 43rd president, and proving he’s “his own man” has been one of his most daunting tasks.
Lose a point if: He mentions his campaign “swag store”, as he did in New Hampshire Monday night. There are a lot of words that can sound presidential. “Swag” isn’t one of them.
