http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2015/05/21/carly-fiorina-shows-the-gop-how-to-man-up/By Jennifer Rubin May 21 at 2:57 PM
First, she tweeted, “Glad @FoxNews released metrics for 1st debate. I’ll look forward to making the cut and making my case to GOP voters on Aug 6th.” Then her Super PAC issued a statement: “We are confident that Carly’s growing momentum and support will meet and exceed whatever inclusion criteria Fox News and the RNC set. Fox News has deep political expertise and we are hopeful that whatever criteria they settle on will accurately reflect both the state of the race and the realities of the nominating contest. The more people learn about Carly and her business, non-profit and personal experience, as well as her ideas to reinvent government, the more they express their desire for her to lead our country.” Her spokeswoman cheerily tweeted, “See you in Cleveland!”
Carly Fiorina, unlike some GOP commentators, is not whining about the limit of 10 participants at the first debate. She knows full well she is capable of making the cut and is not about to start grousing that others may be eliminated. Republicans should heed her example. If a candidate is a good debater (and it is hard to win unless you are), he or she does not want a crowd. The breakthrough moment for a candidate such as Fiorina may require more than a minute or two of air time. And if the candidates at the top of the polls never get put on the spot for very long, they are less likely to make a game-changing error. She does better with a 10-person debate.
She no doubt is confident in her ability to rise in the polls because she is putting in time and connecting with voters in Iowa, acting like a viable contender, not a long-shot. Her punchy jabs at Hillary Clinton, business-like rhetoric and life experience including that applicable to national security are drawing big crowds. Conservative and mainstream media are giving her high marks. She is upbeat and refrains from criticizing Republican opponents. In short, she’s got some momentum and may well rise in the polls.
With a series of GOP candidates bailing on the Iowa straw poll (e.g., Mike Huckabee, Jeb Bush, Lindsey Graham) the debates may take on out-size importance in the run-up to the first contests. If Fiorina can get in the initial debates, she is likely to do well and remain for a time, at least, in the field. It’s hard to see what the problem is if other pols think they can’t do at least as well as a non-lifetime politician. And maybe that is her point: She is likely to do better than some professional pols seeking the presidency.
There are lots of ways to prepare for a presidential run, and one of those may be to have a success story, a no-complaining rule, aggressive jabs and a strong foundation on the issues. The rest of the field should not take her lightly.
