From fiery criticism of ObamaCare and the Iran nuclear deal to support
for Israel and the rights of the unborn, the top 10 Republican
presidential candidates did all they could to define and separate
themselves Thursday night during the Fox News debate in Cleveland, Ohio.
The governors on stage, notably John Kasich of Ohio and Scott Walker of
Wisconsin, touted their economic records. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz vowed to
scrap the Iran deal. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson reminded voters in
his closing remarks of the professional background that separates him
from the rest: “I’m the only one to separate Siamese twins.”
Throughout the debate, Donald Trump was the unrivaled lightning rod, but
the prime-time showdown made clear he’s not the only fighter on the
stage – or in the race. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie
reclaimed his reputation as a tough-talking executive, blasting his
rivals for their positions on domestic surveillance and entitlements.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul traded barbs with several candidates, including
Christie.
Meanwhile, one-time front-runner former Florida Gov.
Jeb Bush found himself on defense several times and largely avoided
tangling with Trump on the Fox News/Facebook stage.
Perhaps
the most fiery moment came in an exchange between Christie and Paul.
Long-simmering tension between the two exploded when Christie stood by
his criticism of the senator for opposing NSA bulk collection of
Americans’ phone data.
Paul said he’s “proud of standing for
the Bill of Rights,” but Christie called his stance “completely
ridiculous” – suggesting he wants to cherry-pick only some data.
“When you’re sitting in the subcommittee just blowing hot air about this, you can say things like that,” Christie said.
Paul fired back: “I know you gave [President Obama] a big hug, and if
you want to give him a big hug again, go ahead.” Christie said the hugs
he gave were to the families of 9/11 victims, and then accused Paul of
playing “politics,” by using videos of floor speeches to raise money.
The exchange was striking, even in a debate that was tense from the
start. Though several rivals stood out, Trump did not hold his fire,
either – making clear he’s not softening his approach to campaigning as
he picks up steam in the polls.
If anything, the debate
signaled the primary race is about to get tougher and is still wide open
as 17 candidates vie for the lead with months to go until the opening
contests.
Trump, the billionaire businessman front-runner,
sparred at the outset of the debate with Paul after refusing to pledge
to support the eventual GOP nominee if it’s not him and to swear off an
independent run.
“I will not make the pledge at this time,” Trump said.
Paul accused him of “hedging his bet on the Clintons.”
“He’s already hedging his bets, because he’s used to buying
politicians,” Paul said. (Trump later acknowledged he gave money to the
Clintons and demanded Hillary Clinton “be at my wedding” in exchange; he
called this a sign of a broken system.)
Trump also stood firm
on his vow to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. “If it weren’t
for me, you wouldn’t even be talking about illegal immigration,” Trump
said, blasting “stupid leaders” in the U.S. harboring illegal
immigrants.
Bush said a comprehensive solution is needed, including a “path to earned legal status,” which he said is not “amnesty.”
Moments later, Cruz said some on stage support “amnesty”, while he does not.
A big question going into the debate was whether Bush would aggressively challenge Trump and try to knock him off his perch.
But he would only go so far as to question Trump’s tone, calling his
language “divisive.” Hours before the debate, Politico ran a story
saying Bush recently told a donor he thinks Trump is a “buffoon” and a
“clown.” Asked about that report on stage, Bush denied it.
“It’s not true,” Bush said.
Trump then called Bush a “true gentleman.”
As for his tone, Trump said it’s “medieval times” in the Middle East, and, “We don’t have time for tone.”
But other candidates were able to stand out on the crowded stage.
Carson called Hillary Clinton the “epitome” of the progressive movement.
“She counts on the fact that people are uninformed. The Alinsky model, taking advantage of useful idiots,” he said.
Walker also blasted the Iran nuclear deal, as did other candidates:
“This is not just bad with Iran, this is bad with ISIS, it is tied
together and once and for all we need a leader who is going to do
something about it. It is yet another example of the failed foreign
policy of the Obama-Clinton doctrine.”
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio
landed laughs when, upon being asked about his faith in God, he said:
“I think God has blessed us, he’s blessed the Republican Party with some
very good candidates. The Democrats can’t even find one.”
Rubio also vowed to repeal and replace ObamaCare, and called the lack of
accountability after the Veterans Affairs scandal “outrageous.”
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee vowed to defend entitlements and
stood his ground on social issues. He blasted Planned Parenthood and
defended his pro-life views, accusing abortion providers of “selling”
fetal parts “like they’re parts to a Buick.”
Kasich, like Walker and Bush, tried to keep the focus on his record in his state.
“America is a miracle country and we have to restore the sense that the miracle will apply to you,” he said.
And Cruz vowed, if elected, to prosecute Planned Parenthood, cancel the
Iran nuclear deal and nix Obama’s executive orders. “I believe the
American people are looking for someone to speak the truth,” he said.
Trump was challenged several times on his conservative views. He
previously was pro-choice, but said he’s “evolved” on the issue.
Also, under questioning from moderator Megyn Kelly about past
disparaging comments he made about women, Trump interrupted to say,
“Only Rosie O’Donnell.” He then said, “Honestly, Megyn, if you don’t
like it, I’m sorry.”
The candidates squared off at the second
of two kick-off debates, hosted by Fox News and Facebook in conjunction
with the Ohio Republican Party.
The seven other Republican
hopefuls spent much of the first debate doing their best to hammer home
the message that Clinton represents four more years of Obama. In the
earlier debate, the candidates largely avoided sparring with each other
and instead trained their fire on the Obama years -- with promises to
roll back ObamaCare and undo the Iran nuclear deal.