With an ever growing GOP presidential candidacy field, debates for potential candidates were divided into two time slots. The most popular slot will be the two-hour debate held at 9:00 p.m. tonight featuring the top ten polling candidates based on an average of the five most recent national polls.
The candidates who are scheduled to appear are (in alphabetical order):
- Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush
- Dr. Ben Carson
- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie
- Sen. Ted Cruz (TX)
- Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee
- Ohio Gov. John Kasich
- Sen. Rand Paul (KY)
- Sen. Marco Rubio (FL)
- Donald Trump
- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
At present, the ten are polling in order as: Trump, Bush, Walker, Huckabee, Carson, Cruz, Rubio, Paul, Christie and Kasich. The debate tonight could change that order significantly.
The debates begin at 9:00 p.m. EST, hosted by Fox News in Cleveland. The event will be anchored by Bret Baier, Megyn Kelly and Chris Wallace.
I’ll be live blogging the event here. I hope to see you!
As we get started, here are a few things to watch for:
- Will Jeb Bush recover from his earlier gaffe? On Tuesday, the candidate stumbled in a question about funding for Planned Parenthood.
- Can Donald Trump make voters believe he can be presidential? He’s atop the polls but as has been pointed out many times, candidates often peak early and fizzle out.
- How many times will candidates be asked about or invoke voluntarily the name of Hillary Clinton?
- Will every candidate suggest doing away with Internal Revenue Service (IRS)?
It’s still early and anything can happen. To find out how the early GOP debates played out, you can check out this prior post. And let’s get started (latest news first – I know it can be hard to read after the fact but it’s easier for those following along contemporaneously):
11:04 p.m. Debate is over. Who were your favorites?
11:03 p.m. Trump opens by saying that our country isn’t winning anymore and “we can’t do anything right.” He says he will make it better.
11:03 p.m. Bush uses his closing statements to again call for unity, denounce Washington.
11:02 p.m. Walker offers his closing statements, touting his achievements in Wisconsin.
11:01 p.m. Huckabee starts his closing statement by alluding to (one thinks) Trump but cleverly shifts to Clinton. Gets lots of chuckles.
11:00 p.m. Carson jokes in his closing statement that he’s the only one who hasn’t said what he has done that others haven’t. He offers a list of medical procedures. Then says that he hopes all can agree to pick up the baton of freedom.
10:59 p.m. Cruz offers his closing statement. Says he will rescind every illegal Executive Order, prosecute Planned Parenthood, tear up Iran agreement.
10:58 p.m. Rubio offers his closing statement. Focuses on the American dream, says we can expand it to make America greater than it’s ever been.
10:58 p.m. Paul offers his closing statement. Says he’s a “different kind of Republican.”
10:57 p.m. Christie offers his closing statement. Also takes about his experience. Says we need to worry more about being respected.
10:56 p.m. Kasich offers his closing statement. Talks about his experience, gives a shout out to Ohio.
10:56 p.m. Closing statements.
10:55 p.m. Carson is asked the same Facebook question about God and also asked about race relations. Carson says he doesn’t talk about race because it’s time to move beyond that. He says that skin doesn’t make a person who they are.
10:54 p.m. Rubio is asked the same Facebook question about God but Megyn Kelly also asked him to address the veterans.
10:53 p.m. Walker says he doesn’t have a list from God but he would follow God’s will.
10:51 p.m. Kasich is asked the same Facebook question about God. He says that the country needs to be united. Kasich believes that God wants America to lead.
10:50 p.m. Another Facebook question, this one about whether any of the candidates have heard from God. Rubio is up first. He said yes, through the Scriptures. He emphasized that he would defend life.
10:46 p.m. Commercial break.
10:45 p.m. Christie agrees that we need to rebuild our military.
10:44 p.m. Paul is asked about Israel and military action. Paul notes that he has shifted his policy but that Israel should become more independent.
10:42 p.m. Huckabee is asked about improve our military. He notes that refunding should be revisited. Why, he asks, do we fund transgender surgeries in the military when planes are as old as he is?
10:41 p.m. Walker is asked about Putin and how he would react if Putin attempted to rebuild his strongpoint in the area. He says we need to show our enemies our “steel” instead of our “mush.”
10:39 p.m. Carson is asked about Syria’s use of chemical warfare and whether he would use military force in that situation. Obama has not. Carson says he would shore up military strength first.
10:38 p.m. Cruz fields a foreign policy question about Middle East. Reagan invoked again.
10:36 p.m. Moving to foreign policy. Question is asked about Iran leader traveling to Russia in apparent violation of existing sanctions. Trump calls Iran “a disgrace.”
10:33 p.m. Commercial break.
10:32 p.m. Walker was asked about aggressive policing and #blacklivesmatter. He says that training is paramount. He also says there should be consequences for those who do not police appropriately and that those consequences should be enforced consistently.
10:31 p.m. Another Facebook question. This question focuses on whether government should be allowed to interfere with religious beliefs. Paul said he doesn’t want his “guns or his marriage registered in Washington.”
10:29 p.m. Kasich is opposed to same-sex marriage, supporting traditional marriage. The courts have upheld same-sex marriage and he says that he respects that and has attended a same-sex marriage. When asked how he would treat his children if they were gay, he said he would love and support them.
10:27 p.m. Bush was asked about whether he has slammed Trump. He says he did not call names but that he has said that Trump was divisive. He says that Obama and Clinton do the same thing every day.
10:26 p.m. Trump is asked when he actually became a Republican. Another invocation of Reagan. He says that he has evolved from pro-choice to pro-life. He then criticized the former President Bush’s presidency and says that’s what resulted in an Obama presidency.
10:24 p.m. Do you believe in exceptions for rape and incest? Rubio says that he never said he would support those exceptions.
10:23 p.m. Questions shift to Planned Parenthood. Bush asked about why he sat on the Bloomberg Foundation which supports Planned Parenthood. Bush says they did not go through the budget line item by line item. Instead, he says that he is pr0-life and that Florida defunded Planned Parenthood.
10:18 p.m. Commercial break.
10:14 p.m. Flash back to the 5:00 p.m. debates, showing Perry and Fiorina answering questions about the Iran deal. Both Walker and Paul say they would tear up the Iran agreement. Paul says that he would negotiate – but from a position of strength. Paul invokes Reagan as does Huckabee.
10:13 p.m. Facebook question (from Philly!) about how the candidates would help entrepreneurs. Rubio says we need to even out Tax Code for small businesses. Regulatory budget should limit regulations on the economy. Repeal or replace Obamacare. Repeal Dodd Frank.
10:10 p.m. Trump is asked about his corporate track record, especially the bankruptcies. Told Forbes “I’ve used the laws in this country to my advantage.” With his record, why should we vote for him? Trump says that used the laws to his advantage, just like everyone else. Since then, he has built a net worth over $10 billion. Trump says that “virtually every company” in Atlantic City went bankrupt, he’s glad that he left when he did and he’s “very proud of it.” Says that the country owes a lot of money and needs someone like him to straighten it out.
10:05 p.m. Huckabee and Christie are asked about entitlement reform. Christie suggests raising the age for benefits and means testing for Social Security is important. Huckabee says we need to keep those benefits and pay for them with a Fair Tax. Christie says that the problem is bigger than just stopping Congress’ retirement (which Huckabee suggested). Huckabee retorted that the Fair Tax would be paid by everyone including illegals, prostitutes and drug dealers.
10:04 p.m. Walker is asked about his promise to create jobs in Wisconsin (he created fewer than half of those he promised). How would he translate that into bigger job growth in the nation? He says aim high. Eliminate Obamacare. Lower tax rate, reform Tax Code.
10:02 p.m. Bush has claimed he would generate 4% growth and create 19 million new jobs. Asked how he would do it, he says we need to fix a convoluted Tax Code and take away regulations that stifle jobs.
10:01 p.m. Dr. Carson gets the same question: GOP nominee will likely face off against Clinton, how would you take her on? Clinton, he says, takes on those who are uninformed. He says he wants to educate people.
9:59 p.m. “Mini round” question for Kasich: GOP nominee will likely face off against Clinton, how would you take her on? Kasich says the nominee needs to come out as pro-growth. “Economic growth is the key to everything,” he says.
9:55 p.m. Commercial break.
9:52 p.m. Rubio is asked where Bush is wrong. He agrees that education curriculum should be set at state and local levels. His criticism of common core hinges on federal controls. Bush retorts by saying that states should set standards so long as they remain high.
9:52 p.m. Bush is asked about his stance on common core. He says that federal government should stay out of setting curriculum and standards.
9:51 p.m. Carson addresses the same question by supporting what is essentially a flat tax (he likens it to a tithe).
9:49 p.m. Another Facebook question: would you abolish or cut funding for EPA, IRS, etc.? Huckabee is asked about big government. He says there is a lot happening at the federal government that should be at the state level. He adds: Get rid of IRS and pass the Fair Tax.
9:48 p.m. Trump is asked about donations to Clinton and Pelosi. He is asked what he got for his donations. He says Clinton came to his wedding in exchange for his donation.
9:46 p.m. Trump called Obamacare a “complete disaster.” He is asked to defend his prior stance on single payer which he previously endorsed. He says it worked well in Canada and Scotland. He says it will work better here if we removed the “artificial lines.”
9:45 p.m. Obamacare!
9:44 p.m. Dr. Carson was asked if he would bring back waterboarding. He said he wouldn’t broadcast what it is that we’re going to do.
9:43 p.m. Walker was asked to name an Arabic country not already in our coalition that we should partner with. He did not specifically name a country in his answer.
9:42 p.m. Bush is asked about whether he would have invaded Iraq. He has since said that it was a mistake. He says the lesson we should take from this is that we need to take out ISIS with every tool at our disposal.
9:40 p.m. Cruz asked how he could defeat ISIS in 90 days. He says we need a Commander in Chief that is willing to say “radical Islamic terrorists” and he will do that.
9:40 p.m. Facebook question asks about ISIS.
9:36 p.m. Christie was asked to comment on security issues as they relate to terrorism. Paul rebuts that he wants to collect more information from terrorists and less information from Americans. Christie asks “How are we supposed to know who are the terrorists?” (And it’s on! A yelling match ensues between Christie and Paul.)
9:36 p.m. Conversation turns to terrorism.
9:34 p.m. A number of the questions submitted by Facebook about Kate Steinle’s law (which would impose a mandatory sentence) and sanctuary cities. Cruz was asked if he would support Kate’s law. He says yes. He says that the GOP’s own leaders blocked the vote. No comment on sanctuary city defunding (no time).
9:33 p.m. Walker has been asked why he changed his view on the “Path to Citizenship.” He says that he changed his mind because he listened to the people of America. He says no amnesty.
9:31 p.m. Rubio is also asked to react to Trump’s statement. Rubio clarifies that most of the people coming over illegally are not coming from Mexico (they’re coming from Guatemala, etc.). Rubio notes that there are people waiting to come legally who are being ignored.
9:29 p.m. Kasich is asked to react to Trump’s statement. He notes that Trump is hitting a nerve because people are frustrated.
9:27 p.m. Commercial break.
9:24 p.m. Trump is asked about his statement that the Mexican government is sending criminals across the border. Trump says that nobody would be talking about illegal immigration if not for him. He said that we need to build a big wall to keep illegals out. Wallace then pressed Trump on the accusations. Trump says that people he knows at border control say it’s happening because our leaders are “stupid.” Mixed reaction from the crowd.
9:23 p.m. Bush was asked about his statement about illegal immigration and earned legal status. He still believes in earned legal status. He wants to do away with sanctuary cities. He says we need to “fix this once and for all.” Earned legal status, not amnesty.
9:22 p.m. Immigration!
9:20 p.m. Kasich opted to expand Medicaid and it’s already over budget. He was asked to justify expanding government. He says that being proactive with services ultimately saves dollars and protects families.
9:18 p.m. Paul is asked about the rise of ISIS, which he had previously blamed on GOP hawks. He clarified that “only ISIS” is responsible for ISIS. He wants to stop them by not funding them and not arming them.
9:17 p.m. Huckabee is asked about his stance on same-sex marriage and abortion and how he could persuade Democrats and Independents to side with him in an election. Huckabee does not answer specifically but instead speaks out against abortion.
9:16 p.m. Walker is asked about his pro-life stance that would ban abortion even if the life of the mother is at risk. He notes that he defunded Planned Parenthood four years ago.
9:14 p.m. Christie is asked about the New Jersey economy and how that would translate nationwide. Christie says, about New Jersey, “If you think it’s bad now, you should have seen it before I got there.” He touts his record, noting job growth and fighting tax hikes.
9:13 p.m. Chris Wallace asks Cruz how he can win when he is accused of being divisive. Cruz says that he speaks the truth, that he won’t get into bed with lobbyists.
9:10 p.m. Trump is asked about slurs that he has made against women. He quips, “Only to Rosie O’Donnell” to wild applause. He is asked to defend these stances. He blames the country’s “political correctness.” First invocations of China and Mexico. He says “we need strength” to turn the country around.
9:09 p.m. Bush is asked to defend dynastic politics, specifically about his father and his brother. He says “I’m my own man… I govern effectively.”
9:08 p.m. Rubio says the election needs to be about the future, not the past, when talking about whether experience in politics matter.
9:06 p.m. Dr. Carson gets the first question. He is asked about his lack of understanding of certain international affairs. Dr. Carson says that as the debate goes on, he will make it clear that he “has a brain” and knows what is important.
9:04 p.m. Only hand-raising question of the night. Asking if anyone might pledge not to endorse the GOP candidate and not run as an Independent. Only one answer: Trump raises his hand. He says he wants to run as the GOP candidate but will not confirm that he will not consider an Independent run. Dr. Paul jumps in, says that Trump will do whatever it takes for his own gain.
9:03 p.m. The debate rules are being explained.
9:02 p.m. The candidates are introduced individually. So far, it feels like Bush, Rubio and Kasich had the warmest welcome. Keep in mind, of course, that Kasich is from Ohio.
9:01 p.m. The moderators are explaining that questions were also submitted by potential voters via Facebook.
8:59 p.m. The moderators are discussing the two tiers of debate (10 candidates now, 7 earlier) with Chris Wallace remarking that the process was still “fluid” and that the polling could well change.
8:56 p.m. The candidates take the stage. The run up to the debate has a bit of a “rock star” feel. There’s a very different vibe than the earlier GOP debate.