Six takeaways from the GOP Colorado debate
GOP candidates line up for the main debate on Oct. 28, 2015, in Boulder, Colo. (Andrew Burton, Getty Images)
With Hillary Clinton With Hillary Clinton With Hillary Clinton shoring up her front-runner statusstand out in their third debate
Here are six takeaways from the Republican debate in Boulder, Colo.
Donald Trump and Ben Carson smile during the GOP debate in Colorado.
(Justin Sullivan, Getty Images)
Trump vs. Carson fizzles with no fireworks
Donald Trump pulled his punches when it came to Ben Carson, who is Donald Trump pulled his punches when it came to Ben Carson, who is Donald Trump pulled his punches when it came to Ben Carson, who is eclipsing him in recent polling out of Iowa
Still, the real estate billionaire had a better night than the previous debate last month in Simi Valley. In one of his most animated moments, Trump bashed the role of super PACs, the outside spending groups pouring more money into the election than the campaigns.
Trump, the only candidate not relying on such groups, slammed them as “a disaster†and “scam†that’s “causing a lot of bad decisions to be made†by “good†people.
Ted Cruz gestures during the CNBC Republican presidential debate in Boulder, Colo., on Oct. 28, 2015. (Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images)
Attacking the media is a time-tested GOP winner
The candidates seemed to turn on the media questioners more than each other.
Several candidates Several candidates Several candidates trained their fire on the panel of moderators
Cruz and Rubio delivered the sharpest attacks. Cruz said the panel’s questions “illustrate why the American people don’t trust the media,†drawing raucous audience cheers. Rubio said Democrats have “the ultimate super PAC, and it’s called the mainstream media.’’ He cited favorable press coverage of her Benghazi testimony in Congress last week.
Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio face off on Oct. 28, 2015, in Boulder, Colo.
(Robyn Beck. AFP/Getty Images)
Jeb came out swinging … and Rubio returned fire
Everybody said he had to do it. And he did.
With his campaign showing signs of financial distress, Jeb Bush was probably the candidate under the most pressure to deliver a strong performance.
He came out of the gateHe came out of the gateHe came out of the gate throwing punches
“You should be showing up to work,’’ said Bush. “What is it, like a French work week?’’
But Rubio knew it was coming: “We’re running for the same position and someone has convinced you that attacking me is going to help you.’’
Early reviews of Bush’s performance Wednesday night were not kind, and it seems clear he likely didn’t reverse his slide.
Chris Christie speaks while Rand Paul looks on during the CNBC debate on Oct. 28, 2015. (Justin Sullivan, Getty Images)
Social Security is becoming a major GOP fault line
Opposing Social Security benefit cuts used to just be a Democrat thing.
The debate exposed a major divide in the GOP field. Chris Christie, Bush, Rand Paul and John Kasich cast themselves as realists who want to raise the retirement age and means test.
They clashed with Mike Huckabee and Trump who said there’s no need for benefit cuts. “You can’t do nothing,’’ said Paul. “That’s absurd.’’
Carly Fiorina speaks during the CNBC Republican debate on Oct. 28, 2015, in Boulder, Colo. (Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images)
Fiorina and Hillary: Get your popcorn
Carly Fiorina has taken the lead in attacking Hillary Clinton through the entire campaign, and Wednesday was no exception.
Among her attacks was probably the night’s most entertaining closing statement. She asked GOP voters to just admit it: You want to see a fight night between her and Hillary.
“I’m Hillary Clinton’s worst nightmare,’’ she said. “In your heart of hearts, you want to see a debate between Carly Fiorina and Hillary Clinton.’’
Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum, George Pataki and Lindsey Graham take part in the undercard debate on Oct. 28, 2015. (Justin Sullivan, Getty Images)
Undercards didn’t really break through, but Graham drew some laughs
The four undercards The four undercards The four undercards struggled to stand out
“I’m tired of losing,’’ said Graham, raising his voice. “My God, look who we’re running against,’’ he said, singling out presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist from Vermont. “The number two guy went to the Soviet Union on his honeymoon and I don’t think he ever came back,’’ said Graham, delivering one of the night’s “I’m tired of losing,’’ said Graham, raising his voice. “My God, look who we’re running against,’’ he said, singling out presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist from Vermont. “The number two guy went to the Soviet Union on his honeymoon and I don’t think he ever came back,’’ said Graham, delivering one of the night’s “I’m tired of losing,’’ said Graham, raising his voice. “My God, look who we’re running against,’’ he said, singling out presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist from Vermont. “The number two guy went to the Soviet Union on his honeymoon and I don’t think he ever came back,’’ said Graham, delivering one of the night’s most memorable lines