The duel in Des Moines unfolded on two very different stages. This debate will not feature an undercard round of low-polling candidates, a feature of earlier Republican debates with so many candidates vying for the party’s nomination. Huckabee told the audience that he, Santorum and Trump are political competitors but “tonight we are colleagues” in supporting veterans. Why do Americans contribute millions of dollars to charity?
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Rubio at times figured in both arguments, while also presenting himself as the best choice for Republicans eager to turn the page after nearly two terms of President Barack Obama’s leadership. He boasted of his “amazing polls”.
Debuting a sleek, powerful new look, Kelly’s moderation of the Republican presidential debate on Fox News drew widespread accolades, particularly for hard-hitting questions directed at candidates’ positions.
Fox had been “extremely nice”, he said, asking him to attend the debate, but it was too late. He questioned whether the event would hurt or help his campaign, concluding: “Who the hell knows, but it’s for our vets”.
Retired electrician John Shypkowski, 70, said he likes Trump because he thinks he’s “way ahead of everybody else and clearly the smartest guy in the room”.
Mr Trump insisted his decision to skip the debate was because of his long-running feud with the Fox television network and its presenter Megyn Kelly.
“I saw Ted Cruz say if we take citizenship off the table and then the bill will pass and I’m for the bill”.
“Now you want to trump Trump on immigration”, Rubio incredulously asked Cruz.
If any of that had gotten to Kelly, she didn’t show it. “Positioning this election as a showdown between Trump and Cruz does a disservice to the majority that can’t stand either one”. That all has changed as Cruz became a threat to win.
I have not insulted Donald personally and I don’t intend to Sen.
“That is what this debate is all about”, Cruz concluded, “and I would suggest let’s stay focused on this issue rather than just attacks directed at each other”.
Noll was irritated they kicked off the evening with a question about Trump. She asked what it said to Iowa voters that Trump chose to skip the debate.
Not so former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore. He was a little teddy bear to me. “We always had such a loving relationship in these debates and in between and the tweets”. He joked that he “kind of miss[ed] him”. “I wish he was here”.
Trump pulled out this week, citing unfair treatment from host Fox News. Ronald Reagan made the same mistake in 1980 and wound up losing the Iowa caucus vote in a stunning upset to George H.W. Bush.
Rubio asked Iowans to caucus for him because he can unite Republicans and defeat Clinton. “I honored my commitments”, Cruz said.
He also tried to portray himself as the only candidate who directly attacked Trump during debates on conservative values.
Three clips rolled. In each Rubio did, indeed, say that he would never support amnesty. Bush reminded that he wasn’t necessarily a clone of his brother and father, both former presidents. But as Ronald Reagan learned in 1980, many Iowa Republicans don’t make up their minds about their caucus vote until the last week, and Trump has given them a good reason to reconsider whether he deserves their support.
“It’s making everybody nervous to get out of your cars if you’re a law enforcement officer”, Christie said.
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Huckabee says on CNN the move should not be seen as an endorsement of Trump’s candidacy. Tell thousands of people that, by the way folks, I’m going to go do the debate?
