What Happens In Vegas..........

It has taken me almost a week to figure out what to write about the latest G.O.P. debate in Las Vegas.  I'm still not sure I've got the angle right.  Judging by the ratings, viewers seem to be hooked on these sessions.  Are they truly trying to decide - or hoping for a possible train wreck?  The sheer number of televised debates leads me to quote Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. " Less is more", he famously said about his style of architecture.  I think I can agree with this sentiment after having watched all the debates from day one.

While "familiarity breeds contempt" (Aesop) is far too strong, "absence makes the heart grow fonder" (anonymous) may come closer to the truth.  Some of the candidates are becoming less likable and others are becoming less believable as  presidential material.  The spot light is fading  their strong points and highlighting their weaknesses.  A no-win situation for all.  In fact I think the biggest winners last week were Jon Huntsman, who chose to go to New Hampshire instead, and Herman Cain whose book jumped onto the New York Times best seller list at number four.

By far the biggest loser was CNN whose sloppy moderation allowed some pretty petty exchanges to occur.  Since when do the candidates have to remind each other of the rules?  That's the job of the moderator.  Although maybe they did it on purpose. Here is one scenario:

Borrow Andy Cohen from Bravo and have him stage "The Real Candidates of the G.O.P Reunion".

  Watch what happens now - There can be a screaming match featuring Mitt Romney inappropriately touching Rick Perry.  Newt, Paul and Santorum can gang up on Cain and quiz him mercilessly about world geography and current events.  Andy himself can chide Michelle Bachmann about her manicure as a distraction from her words - and does she care, and does it matter?
And will Andy visit her husband's clinic for a "conversion"?

What do you think?  Emmy winning stuff?  Move over NeNe, Ramona and Vicki.  Here come the new reality show leaders.