Another Transformation In GOP Primaries: Fiorina

As the aftermath of the second GOP debate plays out, it is becoming increasingly clear that Carly Fiorina is no longer a fringe candidate but instead has joined Ben Carson and Donald Trump in their transformation of the race for presidency. Fiorina, who was upgraded to the main debate from the “kiddy debate,” has shown herself as a formidable speaker with the ability to take down Donald Trump from his current reign at the top of the polls. While other candidates had their moments in the spotlight, Fiorina was the only one who could really be called a winner and the effects of her performance are clear already.

Fiorina entered the race as one more candidate in the circus that is the GOP Primary. Her only political experience at that point had been a failed run for senator in California, and her main claim to fame was that she is the only female candidate in the GOP pool. Those who knew more about her pointed to her tenure as CEO of Hewlett-Packard, during which she caused the stock price to drop sharply and many employees to be laid off. Her first polling were so low that she couldn’t make it onto the main stage for the first debate. She performed well in that debate, managing to impress the media, leading to more attention, but she still just barely made it into the prime time debate this time around.

In this recent debate, however, Fiorina turned her formidable rhetorical skills into an impressive climb in the polls, taking second place in the recent CNN/ORC poll. Responding to a question about a misogynistic comment Trump had made about her attractiveness affecting her campaign, Fiorina succeeded in pulling the only clean shot against him, leaving him pouting like a grumpy elementary schooler on stage. All of Fiorina’s answers were clear and concise, if not factually accurate. Like Carson and Trump, while her inexperience as a politician originally caused her to be dismissed, the three of them are now dominating the polls, showing a desire felt for a change in the establishment by the Republican electorate. Her brutal attacks on Obama and Clinton regarding Planned Parenthood, although entirely factually inaccurate, also helped her surge in popularity. It connected her to the conservative base gunning for the defunding of Planned Parenthood and once more made her stand apart from the Republican establishment, which is trying to prevent a surely catastrophic government shutdown. It appealed to those in the Republican party looking for a strong leader willing to take on those who in their minds are in the way of morality.

At this point in the race, it’s facetious to try and predict who could win the primary. Fiorina’s jump in the polls is a clear indication of how volatile the favor of the Republican electorate is. Regardless of whether she can or will win the primary, Fiorina will have affected the race in a similar fashion to Trump. Her strong performance in two debates in a row shows that unlike the rest of the field, she has the ability to command attention without resorting to petulance, pettiness or flat out bigotry. She provides the outsider-appeal and strong persona of Trump, but with elegance instead of brashness. Her ability to take down Trump makes her the establishment and nation’s best shot at preventing his candidacy and/or presidency. Her presence in the field and her success allows the Republican party to use the “black friend” excuse when accused of sexism. While that aspect of her impact as a female Republican is disheartening, and the sexist comments made about her show that women are far from being treated with respect in politics, her success along with that of Carson is a refreshing change from the typical white male Republican. Her presence and success in the Republican field is a positive marker of change in this unusual election cycle, and it would do the Republican Party well to support her and follow her lead. ♥