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| Republican debate: Trump benefit goes toe to toe with main event – live updates | Republican debate: Trump benefit goes toe to toe with main event – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 1.31am GMT | |
| 01:31 | |
| Tom McCarthy | |
| You asked, we answered. | |
| Google trends is tracking the top questions about Donald Trump posed to Google in advance of tonight’s main event debate, which is scheduled to start in about a half hour. | |
| Here are the top trending questions on @realDonaldTrump ahead of the #GOPDebate https://t.co/gmZioSFk5K pic.twitter.com/kWxExthLEK | |
| Let’s give these a crack. | |
| 1. Because he could. | |
| 2. All of them except for Fox? | |
| 3. Are you kidding? The networks broadcast his every phone call. When there’s not even a picture. | |
| 4. Let’s go to the tape: | |
| 5. No. | |
| Trump campaign just confirmed to me that he WILL NOT participate in Fox News debate tonight | |
| 1.24am GMT | |
| 01:24 | |
| Ben Jacobs | |
| Donald Trump is holding an event next week in a state that is not holding a primary anytime in the near future. The Republican frontrunner will be headed to Little Rock, Arkansas, on Wednesday. | |
| The event, combined with former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee’s appearance at Trump’s event tonight, will be sure to get tongues wagging about whether the Republican candidate might drop out and endorse Trump there. Huckabee has set his hopes on a strong performance in Iowa, but the former Iowa caucus winner has been lagging in the polls in the Hawkeye State. | |
| 1.20am GMT | |
| 01:20 | |
| Ben Jacobs | |
| The concert hall where the Trump event is taking place is an old-fashioned venue with red velvet curtains and wooden chairs and is filling up with a mix of Trump supporters and veterans. The headgear is a blend of Make America Great Again hats and caps representing various American Legion posts that veterans belong to and naval ships which they served on. | |
| Many attendees had come from out of state to be there like Doug Banker, a Marine veteran from Los Angeles. The long haired bearded veteran was sitting calmly wearing a white and gold Make America Great Again hat and checkered blue suit. He had flown out to Des Moines to support his fellow veterans at the event. | |
| Banker, a conservative who wasn’t committed to supporting Trump, though the real estate mogul’s decision to boycott the debate could be a good thing. It showed Trump “was not going to give into Fox News and what not and to what everyone expects.” | |
| 1.12am GMT | |
| 01:12 | |
| From the comments / who won the undercard? | |
| Tom McCarthy | |
| You’ve weighed in – some of you - on the undercard victor. But browsing through the comments in fact there is not a rich store of enthusiasm for any of the candidates onstage tonight. Or for their positions. Or anything about them, really. | |
| Here’s a sampler: | |
| I'm all for Gilmore, Schrödinger's candidate. | |
| Both of these events are right wing pantomimes with no intellectual worth. | |
| The moderators are the only possible undercard winners. If they do well, Megyn and Trump will both look silly in comparison.The main debate will surprise almost everyone by making the leftovers appear almost palatable - if they all resist the temptation of taking potshots at Trump. | |
| 1.01am GMT | |
| 01:01 | |
| That’s it. The undercard is over. Who won? We’re joining you below the line right now. | |
| 1.01am GMT | |
| 01:01 | |
| Mona Chalabi | |
| Fiorina took a swipe at Hillary Clinton when she said that she would never forgive her husband if he did what Bill Clinton did. We assume that’s a reference to Clinton’s infidelity rather than that time he laughed his head off with Yeltsin. | |
| A lot of Americans would say the same as Fiorina. In Gallup survey in 2008, 38% of respondents said they would not forgive a spouse who had a sexual affair with someone else and 26% said they would probably not forgive. | |
| Maybe Fiorina would think differently if she was born under a different red, white and blue flag. A Pew survey in 2014 found that the French were the least likely to say “married people having an affair is morally unacceptable” - only 47% of French respondents agreed with the statement compared to 84% of people in the US and 92% in Pakistan. | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.07am GMT | |
| 1.00am GMT | |
| 01:00 | |
| Closing statements | |
| Tom McCarthy | |
| Gilmore: Son of a meatcutter and a secretary. My father talked character. I’m not about to go across town tonight and carry the coat for some billionaire. Second amendment. | |
| Santorum: Thanks to the people of Iowa. I have done 700 (million) events here. A pastor gave me a stone to slay Goliath. Good people of Iowa: pick the leader you know is best. | |
| Huckabee: This week people thought my Adele video was bad (or did he say there was a “dust-up” over the video). So: “Hello, Iowa, it’s me. You know me.” I won here in 2008. Vote me. | |
| Fiorina: I have come to know and love the people of Iowa. We need a citizen government. Stand with me, fight with me, caucus for me. | |
| 12.58am GMT | 12.58am GMT |
| 00:58 | 00:58 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| Some of the candidates in the kid’s table debate are clearly touchy about being ignored. Jeb Lund thinks they need to get over it. | Some of the candidates in the kid’s table debate are clearly touchy about being ignored. Jeb Lund thinks they need to get over it. |
| The undercard debate should be renamed the H Ross Perot Memorial Can I Finish? Can I Finish? Can I Finish? Debate. I think at least one quarter of all comments addressed to the moderators and America so far have been about the candidates’ inability to deliver comments to America. | The undercard debate should be renamed the H Ross Perot Memorial Can I Finish? Can I Finish? Can I Finish? Debate. I think at least one quarter of all comments addressed to the moderators and America so far have been about the candidates’ inability to deliver comments to America. |
| Now, that’s actually a somewhat fair complaint from someone like Rick Santorum, who has been written off by the media as a failure at the expense of Donald Trump, who is inevitably entertaining. But it’s pretty rich coming from Jim Gilmore, who I’m willing to believe has hosted only one campaign event, which was seeing for how long he could eat the unlimited appetizers at TGI Fridays. (The potato skins.) | Now, that’s actually a somewhat fair complaint from someone like Rick Santorum, who has been written off by the media as a failure at the expense of Donald Trump, who is inevitably entertaining. But it’s pretty rich coming from Jim Gilmore, who I’m willing to believe has hosted only one campaign event, which was seeing for how long he could eat the unlimited appetizers at TGI Fridays. (The potato skins.) |
| 12.54am GMT | 12.54am GMT |
| 00:54 | 00:54 |
| Mona Chalabi | Mona Chalabi |
| On abortion, these Republican candidates are largely trying to speak to the estimated 44% of Americans who describe themselves as “pro-life” according to Gallup’s data. | On abortion, these Republican candidates are largely trying to speak to the estimated 44% of Americans who describe themselves as “pro-life” according to Gallup’s data. |
| For the past 15 years, though the percentages have wobbled, the overall picture remains the same: America is deeply divided on the issue. | For the past 15 years, though the percentages have wobbled, the overall picture remains the same: America is deeply divided on the issue. |
| 12.54am GMT | 12.54am GMT |
| 00:54 | 00:54 |
| Final commercial break in the undercard. Last chance: Who, if not Gilmore, is winning the undercard ? | Final commercial break in the undercard. Last chance: Who, if not Gilmore, is winning the undercard ? |
| 12.53am GMT | 12.53am GMT |
| 00:53 | 00:53 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Santorum says Obama is the “most divisive president” in his lifetime. “He personally attacks people... and then he tears them down,” Santorum says. | Santorum says Obama is the “most divisive president” in his lifetime. “He personally attacks people... and then he tears them down,” Santorum says. |
| Santorum says that when he was in Washington he passed “a whole laundry list of things... because I was able to be respectful in disagreements.” | Santorum says that when he was in Washington he passed “a whole laundry list of things... because I was able to be respectful in disagreements.” |
| 12.51am GMT | 12.51am GMT |
| 00:51 | 00:51 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Huckabee is asked about Democrats who identify as socialist. “Guess you could say they’re feeling the Bern!” says Hemmer, the moderator. | Huckabee is asked about Democrats who identify as socialist. “Guess you could say they’re feeling the Bern!” says Hemmer, the moderator. |
| He is rightly and justly booed. | He is rightly and justly booed. |
| “I honestly don’t understand how anybody with an IQ above plant life would think we’d be better off if we let the government have all the property...” Huckabee says. | “I honestly don’t understand how anybody with an IQ above plant life would think we’d be better off if we let the government have all the property...” Huckabee says. |
| I’m not feelin’ the Bern, Bill. | I’m not feelin’ the Bern, Bill. |
| 12.51am GMT | 12.51am GMT |
| 00:51 | 00:51 |
| Against all odds, presidential candidate Jim Gilmore is trending nationwide on Twitter. | Against all odds, presidential candidate Jim Gilmore is trending nationwide on Twitter. |
| 12.49am GMT | 12.49am GMT |
| 00:49 | 00:49 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| This election has been turned on its head by populists. Jeb Lund takes a look at which candidates are best at talking to the people. | This election has been turned on its head by populists. Jeb Lund takes a look at which candidates are best at talking to the people. |
| Santorum is a good populist. Apart from Trump’s defense of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, he and Huckabee are the strongest on this issue. He really genuinely wants to bring back a functional economy for high-school graduates in rust belt America, where you can buy a house and send your kids to college. | Santorum is a good populist. Apart from Trump’s defense of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, he and Huckabee are the strongest on this issue. He really genuinely wants to bring back a functional economy for high-school graduates in rust belt America, where you can buy a house and send your kids to college. |
| It’s just that he’s still a Republican, so in spite of diagnosing the disease, all his cures are still poison. A flat tax, and tax repatriation are going to be great for rich guys, but the annual savings from both aren’t going to offset the fact that Santorum is talking about $20/hour jobs with benefits that you can fill in China for $2/hour and a handful of dust. | It’s just that he’s still a Republican, so in spite of diagnosing the disease, all his cures are still poison. A flat tax, and tax repatriation are going to be great for rich guys, but the annual savings from both aren’t going to offset the fact that Santorum is talking about $20/hour jobs with benefits that you can fill in China for $2/hour and a handful of dust. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.58am GMT | at 12.58am GMT |
| 12.49am GMT | 12.49am GMT |
| 00:49 | 00:49 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| There it is: the Gilmore Google spike. | There it is: the Gilmore Google spike. |
| This just in: searches for @gov_gilmore are up 700% during the early #GOPdebate. pic.twitter.com/hH40gB6vsd | This just in: searches for @gov_gilmore are up 700% during the early #GOPdebate. pic.twitter.com/hH40gB6vsd |
| 12.48am GMT | 12.48am GMT |
| 00:48 | 00:48 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Santorum is asked why he did not attend this year’s March for Life, the anti-abortion rally. He says he’s been the last 20 years but it was snowing a bunch this year so he skipped. | Santorum is asked why he did not attend this year’s March for Life, the anti-abortion rally. He says he’s been the last 20 years but it was snowing a bunch this year so he skipped. |
| “Twice in my life we were counseled to have an abortion,” says Santorum, whose youngest daughter, Bella, has a rare genetic disorder. He says he and his wife never once considered it. | “Twice in my life we were counseled to have an abortion,” says Santorum, whose youngest daughter, Bella, has a rare genetic disorder. He says he and his wife never once considered it. |
| Then Fiorina jumps in on Santorum’s side. | Then Fiorina jumps in on Santorum’s side. |
| It is outrageous, frankly, that Fox News, and you, would question the pro-life credentials of Rick Santorum. That is outrageous. | It is outrageous, frankly, that Fox News, and you, would question the pro-life credentials of Rick Santorum. That is outrageous. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.54am GMT | at 12.54am GMT |
| 12.46am GMT | 12.46am GMT |
| 00:46 | 00:46 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Fiorina says that most Americans find Clinton’s and the Democratic party’s position on abortion “horrific.” She says as president she would fund women’s health. | Fiorina says that most Americans find Clinton’s and the Democratic party’s position on abortion “horrific.” She says as president she would fund women’s health. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.54am GMT | at 12.54am GMT |
| 12.45am GMT | 12.45am GMT |
| 00:45 | 00:45 |
| Fiorina: 'If my husband did what Bill Clinton did, I would have left him long ago' | Fiorina: 'If my husband did what Bill Clinton did, I would have left him long ago' |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| They’re back. Question for Fiorina. She had said, “Unlike the other woman candidate in this race, I actually love spending time with my husband.” Why didn’t she stick with an earlier vow not to level personal attacks? | They’re back. Question for Fiorina. She had said, “Unlike the other woman candidate in this race, I actually love spending time with my husband.” Why didn’t she stick with an earlier vow not to level personal attacks? |
| “It wasn’t a personal attack. I was pointing out the fact that Hillary Clinton will do anything to gain and hang on to power,” Fiorina says. | “It wasn’t a personal attack. I was pointing out the fact that Hillary Clinton will do anything to gain and hang on to power,” Fiorina says. |
| If my husband did what Bill Clinton did, I would have left him long ago. | If my husband did what Bill Clinton did, I would have left him long ago. |
| Then she gets off some Clinton zingers. She says she belongs in the big house, not the White House. | Then she gets off some Clinton zingers. She says she belongs in the big house, not the White House. |
| She’s escaped prosecution more times than El Chapo... the woman should be prosecuted! | She’s escaped prosecution more times than El Chapo... the woman should be prosecuted! |
| The sharp attack on Clinton wins big applause and cheers. | The sharp attack on Clinton wins big applause and cheers. |
| Carly Fiorina: I don't do personal attacks . . .but Hillary Clinton is just like El Chapo | |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.15am GMT | |
| 12.40am GMT | 12.40am GMT |
| 00:40 | 00:40 |
| Jim Gilmore’s “when I’m president of the United States” line is starting to look more and more unfeasible, according to ABC’s Ryan Struyk. | Jim Gilmore’s “when I’m president of the United States” line is starting to look more and more unfeasible, according to ABC’s Ryan Struyk. |
| Gilmore has already missed ballot deadlines in: GA, AL, AR, ID, OK, OH, MI, UT, TX, AZ, ME, MO, IL, LA, KY, DC, NV, VT, MS, KS. | Gilmore has already missed ballot deadlines in: GA, AL, AR, ID, OK, OH, MI, UT, TX, AZ, ME, MO, IL, LA, KY, DC, NV, VT, MS, KS. |
| 12.40am GMT | 12.40am GMT |
| 00:40 | 00:40 |
| Commercial break! Who’s winning? Still Gilmore? | Commercial break! Who’s winning? Still Gilmore? |
| 12.39am GMT | 12.39am GMT |
| 00:39 | 00:39 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Santorum is asked how his flat tax would create jobs. He doesn’t say that it’s not the job of the tax code to create jobs. But he turns to regulation, saying he would cut “every single Obama regulation, including Obamacare.” He lists ozone regulations, mercury regulations and emissions. | Santorum is asked how his flat tax would create jobs. He doesn’t say that it’s not the job of the tax code to create jobs. But he turns to regulation, saying he would cut “every single Obama regulation, including Obamacare.” He lists ozone regulations, mercury regulations and emissions. |
| “You want to help the environment?” Santorum says. “Bring jobs back to America.” | “You want to help the environment?” Santorum says. “Bring jobs back to America.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.39am GMT | at 12.39am GMT |
| 12.38am GMT | 12.38am GMT |
| 00:38 | 00:38 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Huckabee takes a familiar question, about the anti-tax Club for Growth’s negative appraisal of his governorship. They say he raised taxes. He says he did not. | Huckabee takes a familiar question, about the anti-tax Club for Growth’s negative appraisal of his governorship. They say he raised taxes. He says he did not. |
| “Look at the overall record, and it’s fine,” he says. Maybe. But in any case, Huckabee raised taxes in Arkansas. | “Look at the overall record, and it’s fine,” he says. Maybe. But in any case, Huckabee raised taxes in Arkansas. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.41am GMT | at 12.41am GMT |
| 12.36am GMT | 12.36am GMT |
| 00:36 | 00:36 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| When Jim Gilmore’s president of the United States, gun control is not going to be an issue. | When Jim Gilmore’s president of the United States, gun control is not going to be an issue. |
| He says he’d veto gun control legislation as “fast as it takes Hillary Clinton to delete her emails.” | He says he’d veto gun control legislation as “fast as it takes Hillary Clinton to delete her emails.” |
| The crowd’s not too enthusiastic about Gilmore. | The crowd’s not too enthusiastic about Gilmore. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.41am GMT | at 12.41am GMT |