A preview of the second Republican debate

Following the first Republican presidential debate on August 6, 2015, I published my presidential Pick Six with a brief perception perspective on each of them. Here's how I saw it then:

Donald Trump. He takes non-political-correctness to a new level. I do not agree with his personal attack tactics, but that's his style. Ben Carson. He answered questions during the debate with surgical precision and clarity. He's not flamboyant, but his responses are compelling. Carly Fiorina. She surprised a lot of people with her specificity, clarity and controlled passion. Just ask Chris Matthews. Ted Cruz. Consistent conservative challenger to the congressional establishment. He supports replacing the tax code, possibly with the Fair Tax. Mike Huckabee. He got out of politics long enough to better connect with Main Street America. He supports replacing the tax code with the Fair Tax, knows the issues, and is articulate with a welcome sense of humor. Marco Rubio. Quick thinking and articulate on the issues. If he starts talking convincingly about replacing the tax code instead of "reforming" it, then his appeal as a presidential candidate could rise.

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I still see it this way today! And so do a lot of other people paying attention this early in the presidential race, which is a lot earlier than during the 2012 race. As I indicated from the beginning of this presidential race, like it or not, perception is 50 percent of a candidate advancing in the polls, and ultimately getting their party's nomination. Substance is important, but people have to dig it up on the candidates for themselves. This is because, as we have seen and will continue to see, the media would rather aim their lenses at political jabs, personal attacks, gaffes, oopses, "old dirt" on a candidate that may or not be true, and answers to what they hope would be the game-changing gotcha questions. With the second Republican primary debate coming up on Wednesday, I don't expect any game changing moments, but there will be some rhetorical fireworks. Donald Trump, the Republican front runner, will be attacked by most of the other candidates, and Trump will be Trump. Expect the unexpected. With eleven candidates in the main event and hopefully getting their fair share of about five minutes each, they will all be trying to give that "headline" answer worthy of the media's perception meter for follow-up news coverage. Candidates who are struggling the most in the polls will try the hardest to deliver that breakout sound bite. Natural delivery style is a big driver of perception. Some candidates who do not come across as naturally passionate may try "forced passion" in order to sound more inspiring. It won't work! People can detect sincerity or the lack thereof. Candidates might be able to dazzle people with fluffy ideas about their vision for our nation, and soft specifics on solving our nation's problems, but you can't fool people with faked passion. Instead, they should be bolder and clearer about how they would tackle the big issues. You will notice that Jeb Bush and Scott Walker did not make my original "pick six", and both have fallen in the polls since the first debate. Bolder and clearer solutions should definitely be their strategy, but don't hold your breath if you are Bush and Walker supporters. Just saying! You will also notice that Carly Fiorina is on my original "pick six" list, even though she was not in the main event for the first debate. She is on the big stage this time because of her rising popularity in the polls, and she could be the big story again this time, as she was before from the little stage. Just saying! As usual, I will give my analysis of the debate the next day on my radio show, which you can hear live on any digital device at this website. A commentary will also be posted right here in case you miss it! It should be interesting!