After the huge controversy over the CNBC debate, the Fox Business moderators were on their best behavior. They weren’t disrespectful, they didn’t try to push the candidates to fight with each other, they just asked questions of interest to GOP primary voters and let the candidates answer — well, and they said Hillary Clinton had an impressive resume.
Wait, Hillary Clinton has an impressive resume? #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/A4e7kEkl6E
— Steven Crowder (@scrowder) November 11, 2015
Other than that, they did a great job. This time around, there were only 8 candidates on the stage. That meant Huckabee and Christie got booted down to the kids’ table debate. It’s probably the right time to winnow the field a bit, but given that Bobby Jindal is showing some life in Iowa, I think you could make an argument that he deserved a chance to be in the real debate. Here’s a quick review of how everyone did, although in all fairness, I would say there was less of a gap between performances tonight than usual. Kasich was horrible, but everyone else was at least competent. 8) John Kasich: Kasich is so unlikable that it’s hard to pay attention to what he’s saying. You always get this “I’m wagging my finger in your face” vibe from him constantly. He’s awful.
You could make good money selling people in the #GOPDebate audience things to throw at John Kasich tonight. — John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015 John Kasich: We’re not deporting anyone now, but we will later. Pinky swear! #GOPDebate — John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015
Kasich just scored the lowest ever in my focus group. His support of bailouts “for people who can afford it” scored an 8. #GOPDebate
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) November 11, 2015
7) Jeb Bush: On the upside, this was probably Jeb’s best debate performance.
Jeb Bush: “It’s not embracing American values” to deport illegal aliens. Good Lord…. #GOPDebate
— John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015
6) Rand Paul: This was a more substantial, wonkish debate that better fit Rand’s style and because of that, he came across better. Rand’s big weakness is the same one that Rick Santorum has: He just doesn’t sound good in nasty back and forth fights with other candidates.
“You can be strong without being involved in every Civil War in the world.” — Rand Paul #GOPDebate — John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015
5) Carly Fiorina: She’s very good at coming across as well informed and spewing out lists of things she’d do. Fiorina generally sounds good.
Fiorina’s suggestion on zero baseline budgeting and the Reins Act are great ideas & very doable if we win #GOPDebate
— John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015
4) Ben Carson: Carson is always likable, but upped his game tonight and seemed a little more energetic.
“First of all, thank you for not asking me what I did in the tenth grade. I appreciate it.” — Ben Carson #GOPDebate — John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015
“How do we help people ascend the ladder of opportunity instead of give them everything and make them dependent?” — Ben Carson #GOPDebate
— John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015
3) Marco Rubio: The moderators always seem to protect him a bit by shielding him from uncomfortable questions, but he’s a smooth talker. Maybe a litle too much for his own good. Marco can come across as a bit slick at times.
“Welders make more money than philosophers. We need more welders and less philosophers.” — Marco Rubio #GOPDebate — John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015
2) Donald Trump: Trump sounds much more informed and dare I say it, presidential than he did in the first three debates. Also, he was right on immigration, TPP and Syria when a lot of people on the stage were off base.
Trump is 100% right about the TPP trade deal. It needs to die. #GOPDebate
— John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015
“If Putin wants to go knock the hell out of ISIS, I’m all for it.” — Donald Trump #GOPDebate | Agree
— John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015
Trump: Let Putin smash ISIS in Syria. Jeb: Take on Russia, put in a no-fly zone & take over. Who’s right?#GOPDebate — John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015
1) Ted Cruz: Cruz was strong all night, killed on immigration and, yes, he was the one guy on the stage willing to say he wouldn’t bail out a “too big to fail” bank. He was just STRONG.
Cruz KILLED on that illegal immigration question. Not as good as his moderator slam, but the highlight of the #GOPDebate so far.
— John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015
“There are more words in the IRS code han there are in the Bible and not a one of them is as good.” — Ted Cruz #GOPDebate — John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015
.@TedCruz scores big (hits 98) with “I’m tired of being told I’m anti-immigrant. It’s offensive.” Actually outscores trump on immigration.
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) November 11, 2015
“You think defending this nation is expensive, then try not defending it. That’s really expensive.” — Ted Cruz #GOPDebate
— John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015
Neil Cavuto seems shocked that Ted Cruz wouldn’t bail out Bank of America if they made terrible business decisions. #GOPDebate — John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 11, 2015