The Republican presidential contest took a substantive and serious turn in Wednesday’s prime-time debate, with candidates wrangling over immigration and foreign affairs amongst other matters, the Associated Press reported.
The policy shift quieted Donald Trump, the brash billionaire who has roiled the GOP field, for long stretches during the debate that stretched past three hours and it appeared to come as a relief to other candidates who have struggled to break through.
Carly Fiorina, the only woman in the GOP field, was one of the main benefactors, launching an emotional plea for defunding Planned Parenthood, touting her experience in business and taking aim at Trump for derogatory comments he made about her appearance. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who came into the debate facing questions about whether he had the grit to take on Trump, also engaged directly with the real estate mogul while still trying to fulfill his promise to run a joyful campaign.
As the contest lasted deep into the night, the candidates were polled on such matters as their choices for a woman to be depicted on the $10 bill and what their Secret Service code names would be if elected president. Bush drew the biggest applause when he picked “Eveready,” then turned to Trump to note it was a “high-energy” name — a nod to Trump’s criticism of Bush as a low-energy candidate. They smiled and slapped hands at that.
Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard executive, is also seeking to capitalize on her outsider status. She was making her first appearance on the main debate stage after a standout performance in an undercard event last months.
Fiorina emphasized how their business backgrounds would help them negotiate with difficult world leaders, including Russia’s president.
“Vladimir Putin would get the message,” she said.
A third outsider — soft-spoken retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson — entered the debate with high expectations after a recent rise in the polls that determine debate participation.
Even in a lengthy debate, the 11-candidate field limited the amount of time each participant had to make his case to the American people.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio sought to take advantage of his moments, reminding voters about his compelling personal story, including his parents’ move to the U.S. from Cuba. He also argued he was most qualified to be commander in chief in a turbulent world.
“You better be able to lead our country on the first day, not six months from now, not a year from now, on the first day in office,” he said.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also tried to capitalize on his limited time, saying that while he was entertained by Trump and Fiorina trying to one-up each other’s business records, “for the 55-year-old construction worker out in that audience tonight who doesn’t have a job, who can’t fund his child’s education — I gotta tell you the truth — they could care less about your careers.”
Perhaps more than any other candidate, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker entered the debate needing a breakout performance. He spoke vigorously about his conservative record as governor but still struggled for attention.
On foreign policy, the candidates were split on whether they would tear up President Barack Obama’s nuclear accord if elected. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz argued for walking away from the deal, despite the fact that it was negotiated alongside allies.
The lengthy debate also veered into discussions on climate change, drug policy and childhood vaccinations. The last resulted in a respectful dispute between Carson, a doctor who cited studies showing no link between vaccines and autism, and Trump, who predicted lower rates of autism if there were “smaller doses over a longer period of time.”
Even as Trump faded somewhat in the policy discussions, he was hardly invisible. He praised himself while deriding and scoring his rivals in the opening minutes of the debate at the Regan Presidential Library in southern California.
Standing at center stage, Trump said he had a “phenomenal temperament” and a record in business that would help him on the world stage.