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GOP Debate Winners and Losers

February 6, 2016 - 10:30pm
Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, and Marco Rubio
Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, and Marco Rubio

While much of America was getting ready for Super Bowl Sunday, the Republican presidential hopefuls made their last appeals to New Hampshire in a debate on ABC Saturday night. It might be snowing hard in the Granite State, but the debate was often heated as candidates maneuvered to attract voters and explain their positions.

It was a smaller field of candidates, with three candidates -- Mike Huckabee, Rand Paul and Rick Santorum -- dropping out in Iowa, while Carly Fiorina was left out of the debate. This allowed more time for the candidates to respond to moderators' questions and each other. The two candidates who led the field in Iowa often took a step back on Saturday night while some candidates who weren’t factors on Monday night stepped up to try to make an impact.

With the Tuesday primary looming, Donald Trump leads the polls in New Hampshire. There is a tight battle for second and several candidates need a good showing to move on to South Carolina. 

Here’s a look at some of the winners and losers Saturday night: 

Winners 

Jeb Bush. Battling to stay alive, the Florida governor made the most of his opportunities. Bush stayed out of the fray for the most part, not a bad place to be if New Hampshire Republicans were turned off by the squabbling between Chris Christie and Marco Rubio. Bush also got under Trump’s skin during the fight over eminent domain and made his case for fiscal conservatism and government restraint. When the debate turned to foreign policy and rebuilding the military, Bush was solid while not getting into a battle over his brother’s legacy. Bush also scored points as he offered his take on federalism and called for more power to the states instead of the federal government. In one of the finer moments of his campaign, Bush made the case for reforming the VA and offering veterans more choices in their health-care.With Rubio easily having one of his worst debates of the cycle, Bush benefited Saturday night. He hopes to survive New Hampshire and move on to South Carolina in a position of strength. 

Chris Christie. The New Jersey governor is struggling in the polls in New Hampshire where he once looked to be a contender. That being the case, Christie came out swinging at Marco Rubio at the start of the debate and took the fight to the senator from Florida. Christie obviously thought his path to success in New Hampshire was going after Rubio and he did just that on immigration, experience and other fronts. For the most part he did well but Christie was a bit too aggressive in his attacks against Rubio. When the debate turned to taxing higher-earning Americans, Christie was excellent in showing how higher taxes have hurt New Jersey. Asked about battling drugs, Christie highlighted his record in Trenton for expanding rehab and how he helped in the heroin epidemic in the Granite State. Under fire from the right on the issue, Christie was also lucky not to get fire from his rivals over abortion in the closing moments of the debate.  New Hampshire is make-or-break for Christie, and he left it all on the field Saturday night. 

Ted Cruz. The winner of the Iowa caucus started off on a down note as the debate focused on his camp spreading rumors that Ben Carson was bowing out of the race. Donald Trump also piled on Cruz, but the Texan responded nicely when the conversation turned to North Korea’s missile launch. Cruz also did well when asked about immigration. While he disappeared during the middle of the debate, he bounced back, offering his take on how to battle ISIS. Considering Cruz won the Iowa caucus earlier in the week, he avoided fire during most of the debate, though Trump threw a last-second jab about Team Cruz's efforts against Carson in Iowa. Asked about heroin abuse, Cruz offered a moving response, bringing in his family’s experience with drugs and talking about his half sister’s death due to an overdose before saying drug smuggling is another reason to secure the border. Cruz already has his ticket punched to get out of New Hampshire. Cruz’s performance did not hurt him in the slightest, even with the rocky start. 

John Kasich. A good night for Kasich despite the slow start. The Ohio governor was simply not a factor at the beginning of the debate but, after 20 minutes, he did well when he was asked about North Korea launching a missile. Foreign policy is actually a strong point for Kasich who did sit on the Armed Services Committee during his time in Congress. Sounding more calm than he has in past debates and highlighting his outreach in the Granite State, Kasich also showcased his record in Washington and in Ohio. The polls show Kasich is in the hunt in New Hampshire and his performance Saturday night will help him, though how far he can go remains to be seen. 

Donald Trump. Leading in the polls in New Hampshire, Trump did nothing Saturday night to hurt his position in the Granite State. Nor did he draw too much fire from his rivals though his handling of eminent domain led to some bad moments that Jeb Bush took advantage of. Trump only made it worse by dismissing the audience as made up of donors. In one of his better moments in the debate, Trump defended law enforcement, which will play well with Republican primary voters. While he did not have that many memorable moments in the debate, Trump had a solid night, especially as the primary is just around the corner. Even with the spat over eminent domain, Trump was more substantive than he ever was in previous debates and did nothing to hurt his standing in New Hampshire. 

Losers

Ben Carson. Once one of the top candidates, Carson has faded and he placed a distant fourth in Iowa. But he started off Saturday’s debate well, winning a clash with Ted Cruz over the Texan’s campaign spreading rumors that the good doctor was pulling out of the race. Carson showed the charm and command that helped lift him to the top of the polls. But then he vanished, a reminder that he is simply not a contender in New Hampshire and, increasingly, at the national level. When asked about health-care, which should be in Carson’s wheelhouse, he responded by complaining about not being asked about North Korea before stumbling at the end of his answer, saying he needed more time. While he was sidelined for much of Saturday night -- through ABC's making, not his own -- Carson had some good moments, especially at the start. But he needed a far better performance to get himself back in the game. 

Carly Fiorina. This dark horse candidate wasn’t on the stage on Saturday night and that is clearly to her detriment. Fiorina offered some strong performances in the first debates but she never offered much of a second act and was sent back to the undercard debates. Proving a non-factor in Iowa, Fiorina looks headed for a similar fate in New Hampshire. Missing the Saturday night debate did not help her chances in the Granite State. If she gets out of the race after New Hampshire -- and that’s a real possibility if her poll numbers continue to lag -- Fiorina has at least made herself more of a national figure for the GOP and could be on a vice presidential shortlist and will probably get Cabinet consideration if the Republicans win in November. But her presidential campaign is coming to an end and being excluded from the debate only accelerated that. 

Marco Rubio. After his strong showing in Iowa, Rubio moved up in New Hampshire where most polls showed him in second. Rubio knew he was going to draw fire on Saturday night and he did. Getting into a shoving match with Chris Christie did not help him. Even worse, Rubio started repeating his talking points, showing the New Jersey governor’s comment about the Floridian going on the attack before pivoting to a set speech was spot on. Rubio walked right into that one.  Christie kept on the attack and Rubio faced questions over his experience and his position on immigration. To be sure, Rubio had his moments, namely on foreign policy, social issues, religious freedom and taking aim at Hillary Clinton during the second half of the debate. But that only redeems his performance so far. While he has done well in most of the debates, Rubio was clearly off on Saturday night and his exchanges with Christie will get most of the headlines. Not the best time for that kind of performance.

Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN

Comments

Yjis embarassing rubio is a goofer for billionaires who bought him a long time ago..he works for thir interest and memorizes their wants and desires..he has never been a representative of the florida people and is in politics as his way up from proverty..he exists at the will of the wealthy..keep memorizing their talking points and maybe you wont have to be a bartender or bellhop..you wont do that well because you dont show up for work.

Career ending performance for Marco. He should go back to shaking down Miami car dealers.

Trump White House Cabinet & Staff... Pres. - Donald J. Trump Vice Pres. - Ted Cruz Chief of Staff - Jeb Bush Homeland Sec'y - Jim Gilmore Sec. of State - Rand Paul Sec. of Defense - Marco Rubio Treasury - Perry Justice - Christie Interior - Huckabee Transportation - Kasich Agriculture - Herman Cain Commerce - Fiorina Labor - Walker Health & Human - Carson Housing & Urban - Pataki Energy - Jindal Education - Santorum Veterans - Graham UN Ambassador - Bolton ...... maid - Hillary butler - Bernie pool boy - O'Malley gardener - Webb

It was the very 1st question directed to Donald Trump that we knew this was going to be another duh bait instead of a debate so w changed stations and never returned. We knew ABC would not play by the rules when they wouldn't allow Carly on the stage and why, she is over shadowing on Clinton and she would have won the debate as she has done throughout all the debates. Women are not treated equally are they HRC, and you never stood up for Carly as a woman and shows your a liar to women.

You have made an outstanding point. My opinion Hillary missed a golden opportunity by not supporting supporttng Carly. Hillary shows her true colors and it is obvious she cares about no one but herself

Ben did NOT vanish and will NOT vanish. The media, be it newspapers, TV, radio are unfair to Ben. I've never seen anything like this. All they did last night was to call on the actors (politicians). We do NOT need another politician. A President selects a cabinet (well informed men) that meet continuously and they all reach their intended goals. I'd advise you to go back, get a history book and read about some of our past leaders. They don't have to be those that are able to entertain us! I am so alarmed at the direction our country is headed. How about you?

Carson is toast, get the butter ready...

Just another clowncar show of people who should never be allowed to be president. Really can't repubs come up with better candidates!------------------------------------------------------------- But that is what happens when one panders to bigots, racists and spreading hate and fear instead of doing the things America needs.----------------------------------------------------------------------------- And mostly they all still back the stupid repub economic, regulation, tax, energy and war policies that caused the worldwide depression and $19T national debt. Just how is that fiscally conservative?

Fools, all. Dangerous to one's national and personal health - and long term survival.

Let's face it, Sen. Rubio was off his game tonight. He didn't come prepared and it didn't help that he kept uttering the same canned stump speech "When I become POTUS, America will be the greatest nation on earth...". It was almost painful to watch him be humiliated onstage by other candidates. There's not really one big winner tonight, but if I have to name someone it would be in this order: 1. Ted Cruz (Substantive answers) 2. Jeb Bush (Woah, he's on fire tonight!) 3. John Kasich (His ideas are refreshing and sincere.) 4. Chris Christie (Two words: Attack Dog) The consensus is Sen. Rubio is the biggest loser tonight. 1. Marco Rubio (canned speeches didn't work this time) 2. Donald Trump (he got booed, repeatedly!) 3. Ben Carson (my cat Sheena was yawning the whole time)

WORST DEBATE EVER SEEN.. IM NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR THESE CLOWNS!!! NOTHING DEEP DICSUSSIONS.. NO SUBSTANCES.. I HAVE HEARD ALL OF THEM BEFORE.. NOTHING NEW.. IM CONSERVATIVE IM GOING TO WRITE IN INSTEAD FOR PRIMARY AND IN GENERAL ELECTION.

I thought the ABC format was far more fair than Kelly on FOX has ever been. TRUMP did well, but they not give him enough time to tell that , the actual eminent domain was started by the previous owner, not him, and he did not make her sell. Jeb is a liar and not the same person as when he was governor, believe me. He now wants exactly---- what Hillary wants...one world govt.....new world order...agenda 21. .Look it up and you will be very afraid. But that is exactly what most will do as they are BOUGHT. Only TRUMP is completely not buyable and it would be hard to buy off Cruz or Carson. I saw eminent domain locally where an elementary school needed more land and they paid the people 4 times where their houses were worth. There was one hold out, a piece of trash I would call her who held out for a fortune for her little shack, and then stayed 6 months more while she dug up her plants. Eminent domain is never a grab on residential. It has only been a grab out west, taking farmers land. Usually the owner gets 4-5 times what their land is worth, which I think is very much taking advantage of the system.

Didn't like the ABC format either. Moderators are better at reporting. David was ok but Martha was frequently snarky. No competition for Fox News

Was disappointed in the ABC format. The questions were in the form of candidate vs. candidate, from the start, e.g., "Senator X, Governor X said that you....". Questions should have been set up as fact vs. candidate, e.g., "Gov. Kasich, Ohio ranks 23rd in education, why do you support common core,? ".

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