It’s early in the presidential contests, but the whittling process has begun

The first Republican primary presidential debate, as well as a pre-debate forum for candidates registering low in an average of leading polls, was held on Aug. 6. Between the two venues, all 17 contenders had an opportunity to make the case for his or her candidacy. But some fared better than others on the debate stage.

Debates are often a tool for whittling down a crowded primary field. After the first face-to-face contest, are there any contenders you believe are unlikely to make it to the next debate? Which candidate’s performance proved he or she is unfit to be president?

I’d say no to Marco Rubio for being too nice a guy. It’s the opposite reason for a thumbs-down to Rand Paul. Plus, he’s just a little creepy.

Sorry, Jeb. We’re not ready for another Bush in the White House. Hey, Ben Carson, stay in the operating room and practice something you know.

How about the Donald? He’s hilarious, but I guess the presidency needs someone who’s halfway serious. There’s Scott Walker, but he’d rather a mother die than have an abortion.

The verdict for Mike Huckabee: He never should have quit his gig on TV, but maybe he can go back to preaching. By the way, who in the world is John Kasich?

A “no” to Chris Christie for being a bully and the lingering image of him hugging President Obama. Finally, a thumbs-down to the Tea Party puppeteer’s puppet we know as Ted Cruz.

So go to the reserves. Perhaps someone like Carly Fiorina.

— Patrick Jenkins, Arlington

None of the candidates is unfit compared to anyone the Democrats will likely nominate.

There are several, however, who are likely to be promoted from the undercard to the main event. Carly Fiorina is the most likely, and it would be great if she bumped Donald Trump so the issues could be discussed, instead of him. But he’s not going anywhere for a while.

Trump does make the event more popular for the under-informed. There’s hope in that for more voters to get off their couches this time.

It would be a better debate if Bobby Jindal replaced John Kasich and if Rick Santorum replaced Chris Christie. Rick Perry may not make it to either one, and Lindsey Graham is as much of a hypocritical embarrassment as Trump is.

— Ralph M. Gill, Gruene

The media, liberal and otherwise, are trying very hard to get Donald Trump out now, in spite of the fact that he has been very good at getting out issues that people are concerned about and the other pols are too PC to address straightforwardly.

Like him or not, he’s been good for this campaign, even if he doesn’t finish.

I’d like to see him continue to run. It isn’t the place of the media, Democrats or fellow debaters to control who can run. That’s for the people to decide.

— Eva Snapka, Arlington

America needs a leader to direct us out of our tragic decline.

Ben Carson is a good man who will consult with the best and delegate the best to lead us back to be the country that all respect and hold dear. Listen to him! He makes sense!

— Joan S. Nobles, Brownwood

Face it, the media has more to do with candidate selection than the debates.

The GOP has a unique combination of talent. Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina would be a formidable team, the GOP’s best choice.

— Jim Sanderson, Fort Worth

I’m amazed by the political pundits who fail to understand the popularity of Trump — even the “conservative” ones.

We, the over-taxed populous, watch them every night as they pontificate on how short-lived will be the Trump phenomenon. Are they blind or stupid or both?

It’s all about the Tea Party, dummy. Tea Party folks (I’m one) said they were tired of being lied to and the Republicans not doing what they promised.

I said after the last GOP sweep, “It’s their last chance.” They blew it.

So here we are in 2015: The one leading the race to be our next president and face down the Saul Alinsky socialists is a businessman, wearing a Republican label for sure, but not part (we hope) of the lying elite.

“The Tea Party is dead” is a wishful-thinking phrase of the terminally delusional who blather away each night on our propaganda boxes.

Go, Trump! But never forget, we’re taxed enough already and we’ll be watching you, too.

— Roger Latham, Fort Worth

I hope that all of our elected representatives, whether at local, state or national level, are paying attention to Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. There are reasons for their popularity.

Voting citizens are fed up with how our present “politicians” are running, or ruining, our government.

Let’s face it: Our government can no longer be referred to as “government by the people, for the people.”

Issues raised by Donald and Bernie are making our current elected officials and those who are running for governmental positions a bit uneasy! Politicians better take heed!

— Larry F. Kainer, Colleyville

This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 6:39 PM with the headline "It’s early in the presidential contests, but the whittling process has begun."