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| Republican debate: knives out onstage as Trump steals spotlight offstage – live | Republican debate: knives out onstage as Trump steals spotlight offstage – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.07am GMT | |
| 04:07 | |
| Richard Wolffe | |
| Ted Cruz dodges his ethanol subsidies challenge by asserting again that ethanol will take over the world just as soon as he can stop subsidies for oil. He says all subsidies should go - for ethanol and oil. It’s a curious argument. Corn would not be grown in Iowa without government subsidies. If you remove those subsidies, there won’t be any ethanol to compete with oil. | |
| Cruz likes to say that Representative Steve King stands with him so he can’t be all bad on ethanol. The first half of that sentence is true: King is with Cruz. But whenever Cruz starts talking about ethanol subsidies, King looks like he’d rather be somewhere else. The smile disappears and he looks shiftily across the Iowa crowds. | |
| 4.04am GMT | |
| 04:04 | |
| Video – Donald Trump: Fox begged me to rejoin Republican debate | |
| 4.01am GMT | |
| 04:01 | |
| Mona Chalabi | |
| I’m fact-checking Ben Carson’s claim that “Putin is a one-horse country”. I don’t know about horse men but I can tell you that as a country, Russia has an abundance of horses. | |
| In fact, Russia has one of the highest horse populations in the world according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In 2012, Russia produced and/or slaughtered 279,882 horses (just behind the US’s 280,863). China tops the list by a long way though: 1,608,404 horses. | |
| 3.59am GMT | |
| 03:59 | |
| Closing statements | |
| Tom McCarthy | |
| Paul: I’m an eye surgeon. I’m a senator. It’s amazing. I’m worried about the debt. I’m the one true fiscal conservative. [Big wild ridiculous college cheering] | |
| Kasich: We look at each other and say why can’t we solve problems. Well I’ve got news. We can. We need to stay positive. Set the tune as conservatives but invite other people in to be part of that orchestra. Work together. | |
| Christie: 9/11. My wife trapped in her building for 6 hours. Terrorism is scary. We need a president who knows what it means to face the possibility of loss. No one will keep this country safer than I will. | |
| Bush: We need a conservative leader. I’ve a proven record. I have a plan. Restore the military. Keep us safe. Defeat Hillary Clinton. I ask for your support. I will make you proud. | |
| Carson: Thanks Iowa. Recites the preamble to the Constitution. Folks it’s not too late. Enough said. | |
| Rubio: America’s light is shining on the world but Obama dimmed it. Caucus for me. America’s light will shine again. | |
| Cruz: 93 hours. The media noise will soon be over. It’s time for Iowa to decide. Who do you know will kill the terrorists, defend the Constitution and repeal Obamacare. Pray on it. Caucus for us. | |
| Curtain. | |
| 3.53am GMT | 3.53am GMT |
| 03:53 | 03:53 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Vladimir Putin may be a one-horse country, in Ben Carson’s estimation. But is he a one-man guy? | Vladimir Putin may be a one-horse country, in Ben Carson’s estimation. But is he a one-man guy? |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.54am GMT | at 3.54am GMT |
| 3.51am GMT | 3.51am GMT |
| 03:51 | 03:51 |
| Final commercial break – prefatory to closing statements. One last chance to weigh in on who’s winning! Let us have it in the comments. | Final commercial break – prefatory to closing statements. One last chance to weigh in on who’s winning! Let us have it in the comments. |
| 3.49am GMT | 3.49am GMT |
| 03:49 | 03:49 |
| Adam Gabbatt | Adam Gabbatt |
| Ben Carson told the audience in Iowa that Putin is a one-horse country. It’s not clear what the former brain surgeon meant by that. But it is clear that Vladimir Putin sure does like horses. | Ben Carson told the audience in Iowa that Putin is a one-horse country. It’s not clear what the former brain surgeon meant by that. But it is clear that Vladimir Putin sure does like horses. |
| In fact, the “interests” section of his personal website has a whole section devoted to horse riding. He enjoys hand-feeding horses as well as riding them around. Full, sweet, quote: | In fact, the “interests” section of his personal website has a whole section devoted to horse riding. He enjoys hand-feeding horses as well as riding them around. Full, sweet, quote: |
| Vladimir Putin feels confident in the saddle so horseback riding for him is a chance to rest. On August 3, 2009 Putin took a one-day break and spent it in Tuva. At one of the stops he met with a local shepherd, who invited him to his home, and they went there on horseback. | Vladimir Putin feels confident in the saddle so horseback riding for him is a chance to rest. On August 3, 2009 Putin took a one-day break and spent it in Tuva. At one of the stops he met with a local shepherd, who invited him to his home, and they went there on horseback. |
| During his working visit to the Republic of Khakassia, Putin travelled to the foothills of Karatash, near Abakan. There, he hand-fed local horses and drank a cup of tea, cooked over a campfire, and then went riding. | During his working visit to the Republic of Khakassia, Putin travelled to the foothills of Karatash, near Abakan. There, he hand-fed local horses and drank a cup of tea, cooked over a campfire, and then went riding. |
| Obviously there is this, too: | Obviously there is this, too: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.51am GMT | at 3.51am GMT |
| 3.49am GMT | 3.49am GMT |
| 03:49 | 03:49 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Cruz is asked about the six-term governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad, opposing his candidacy, particularly over Cruz’s opposition to ethanol. | Cruz is asked about the six-term governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad, opposing his candidacy, particularly over Cruz’s opposition to ethanol. |
| “I don’t believe that Washington should be picking winners and losers, and there should be no mandates, or no subsidies whatsoever,” Cruz says. | “I don’t believe that Washington should be picking winners and losers, and there should be no mandates, or no subsidies whatsoever,” Cruz says. |
| He says he does not oppose ethanol: He would phase out the ethanol mandate over five years but in the context of no mandates for anyone. | He says he does not oppose ethanol: He would phase out the ethanol mandate over five years but in the context of no mandates for anyone. |
| Cruz points out that Iowa Rep. Steve King, local boy made good, supports his candidacy. | Cruz points out that Iowa Rep. Steve King, local boy made good, supports his candidacy. |
| 3.46am GMT | 3.46am GMT |
| 03:46 | 03:46 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Bush goes back to Trump. He says Trump’s call for a Muslim ban creates a toxic environment in the country. “It’s important for us to be careful about the language we use. Disparaging women. Disparaging Hispanics. That’s not a sign of strength. Making fun of handicapped people?” | Bush goes back to Trump. He says Trump’s call for a Muslim ban creates a toxic environment in the country. “It’s important for us to be careful about the language we use. Disparaging women. Disparaging Hispanics. That’s not a sign of strength. Making fun of handicapped people?” |
| 3.45am GMT | 3.45am GMT |
| 03:45 | 03:45 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| They’re back. Paul’s asked about Bill Clinton’s history with women. Paul says “I don’t blame Hillary Clinton at all for this, I don’t think she’s responsible.” | They’re back. Paul’s asked about Bill Clinton’s history with women. Paul says “I don’t blame Hillary Clinton at all for this, I don’t think she’s responsible.” |
| But: “If any CEO in our country did what Bill Clinton did with an intern, they would be fired, never hired again, and probably shunned in their community.” | But: “If any CEO in our country did what Bill Clinton did with an intern, they would be fired, never hired again, and probably shunned in their community.” |
| He accuses Clinton of hypocrisy: | He accuses Clinton of hypocrisy: |
| “She can’t be a champion on women’s rights with this behavior.” | “She can’t be a champion on women’s rights with this behavior.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.45am GMT | at 3.45am GMT |
| 3.40am GMT | 3.40am GMT |
| 03:40 | 03:40 |
| Fifth commercial break. It’s time to pick your favorite. We’ve heard from them all in multiple rounds. Cruz is lonely on this stage. Trump’s absence makes him seem like more of an outlier? | Fifth commercial break. It’s time to pick your favorite. We’ve heard from them all in multiple rounds. Cruz is lonely on this stage. Trump’s absence makes him seem like more of an outlier? |
| 3.39am GMT | 3.39am GMT |
| 03:39 | 03:39 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Christie is asked about Isis in Libya. Would he deploy troops to Libya to fight Isis. | Christie is asked about Isis in Libya. Would he deploy troops to Libya to fight Isis. |
| “This is another one of those places where Hillary Clinton has so much to answer for,” Christie says. “She refuses to be held accountable for anything that goes wrong.” | “This is another one of those places where Hillary Clinton has so much to answer for,” Christie says. “She refuses to be held accountable for anything that goes wrong.” |
| Christie says he’d bring together European and Sunni Arab allies and develop a strategy to take Isis out. He does not mention US troops in Libya - or not. | Christie says he’d bring together European and Sunni Arab allies and develop a strategy to take Isis out. He does not mention US troops in Libya - or not. |
| 3.37am GMT | 3.37am GMT |
| 03:37 | 03:37 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Rubio gets an Iran question. He says the country is led by an apocalyptic cultist. He said that under a Rubio presidency, nations would have to choose whether to deal with the United States or with Iran. | Rubio gets an Iran question. He says the country is led by an apocalyptic cultist. He said that under a Rubio presidency, nations would have to choose whether to deal with the United States or with Iran. |
| Kasich then takes the question. “The president needs to be laying the groundwork to slap those sanctions back on,” Kasich says. | Kasich then takes the question. “The president needs to be laying the groundwork to slap those sanctions back on,” Kasich says. |
| “If they violate [the nuclear deal], we need to move against them, and if we find out they are developing a nuclear weapon and we can get to it, we need to take it out.” | “If they violate [the nuclear deal], we need to move against them, and if we find out they are developing a nuclear weapon and we can get to it, we need to take it out.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.38am GMT | at 3.38am GMT |
| 3.36am GMT | 3.36am GMT |
| 03:36 | 03:36 |
| Mona Chalabi | Mona Chalabi |
| Rubio seems to imply that America is taking more than its fair share of immigrants when he says “every single year, close to a million people immigrate to the United States legally. There’s no nation on Earth that comes close to that number.” | Rubio seems to imply that America is taking more than its fair share of immigrants when he says “every single year, close to a million people immigrate to the United States legally. There’s no nation on Earth that comes close to that number.” |
| Well, if you really want to understand immigration statistics, it makes much more sense to look at the foreign-born population as a percentage of the total population. When you view things that way, the US, where 14.3% of the population is foreign-born, really isn’t an exceptional country. | Well, if you really want to understand immigration statistics, it makes much more sense to look at the foreign-born population as a percentage of the total population. When you view things that way, the US, where 14.3% of the population is foreign-born, really isn’t an exceptional country. |
| Of the 232 places that the United Nations considers in its data, the US ranks in 68th place in terms of the foreign-born population. Top of the list is the Holy See where 100% of residents were born elsewhere, followed by the United Arab Emirates (83.7%) and American Samoa (75.9%). | Of the 232 places that the United Nations considers in its data, the US ranks in 68th place in terms of the foreign-born population. Top of the list is the Holy See where 100% of residents were born elsewhere, followed by the United Arab Emirates (83.7%) and American Samoa (75.9%). |
| In joint bottom place are China, Cuba, Indonesia, Lesotho, Madagascar and Vietnam - all countries where just 0.1% of their population are immigrants. | In joint bottom place are China, Cuba, Indonesia, Lesotho, Madagascar and Vietnam - all countries where just 0.1% of their population are immigrants. |
| 3.35am GMT | 3.35am GMT |
| 03:35 | 03:35 |
| Carson: 'Putin is a one-horse country' | Carson: 'Putin is a one-horse country' |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Now, just in time for Ben Carson to answer, a switch from a series of questions about faith and values to one about Nato’s military posture in eastern Europe. | Now, just in time for Ben Carson to answer, a switch from a series of questions about faith and values to one about Nato’s military posture in eastern Europe. |
| “Putin is a one-horse country: oil and energy,” Carson says. Then he says he would go into one of the Baltic states if Russia attacked. “Absolutely.” | “Putin is a one-horse country: oil and energy,” Carson says. Then he says he would go into one of the Baltic states if Russia attacked. “Absolutely.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.10am GMT | |
| 3.33am GMT | 3.33am GMT |
| 03:33 | 03:33 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Q for Paul: Should abortion be a states’ rights issue? | Q for Paul: Should abortion be a states’ rights issue? |
| Paul calls for “both a federal and a state approach,” including a “life at conception act” on the federal level. | Paul calls for “both a federal and a state approach,” including a “life at conception act” on the federal level. |
| “If you had the court reverse Roe v Wade, it would become a state issue once again,” Paul says. | “If you had the court reverse Roe v Wade, it would become a state issue once again,” Paul says. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.34am GMT | at 3.34am GMT |
| 3.32am GMT | 3.32am GMT |
| 03:32 | 03:32 |
| Richard Wolffe | Richard Wolffe |
| “We innovated the government,” said John Kasich, who goes on to talk about low rates of recidivism, drug addiction and mental health. It may just be the most substantive, meaningful response in what feels like a full year of TV debates. | “We innovated the government,” said John Kasich, who goes on to talk about low rates of recidivism, drug addiction and mental health. It may just be the most substantive, meaningful response in what feels like a full year of TV debates. |
| Which obviously means, in this year, that was a terrible debate line. | Which obviously means, in this year, that was a terrible debate line. |
| There were no quips about the government of Sweden, no promises to kill Isis, and no canned lines attacking his rivals. What kind of presidential candidate talks about social policy solutions at a debate? | There were no quips about the government of Sweden, no promises to kill Isis, and no canned lines attacking his rivals. What kind of presidential candidate talks about social policy solutions at a debate? |
| 3.31am GMT | 3.31am GMT |
| 03:31 | 03:31 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Rubio riffs on the “role of faith in our country” and “Judeo-Christian values” in the United States. | Rubio riffs on the “role of faith in our country” and “Judeo-Christian values” in the United States. |
| “In this nation we are influenced by Judeo-Christian values that teach us to care for the less fortunate.” | “In this nation we are influenced by Judeo-Christian values that teach us to care for the less fortunate.” |
| “When I’m president... my faith will not just influence the way I’ll govern as president, it will influence my way of life. Because my goal is not just to live on this earth for 80 years, it is to live for eternity with my creator.” Snappy line! | “When I’m president... my faith will not just influence the way I’ll govern as president, it will influence my way of life. Because my goal is not just to live on this earth for 80 years, it is to live for eternity with my creator.” Snappy line! |
| My faith “will always influence everything I do,” Rubio says. | My faith “will always influence everything I do,” Rubio says. |
| 3.29am GMT | 3.29am GMT |
| 03:29 | 03:29 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Christie is asked about Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who declined to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple. | Christie is asked about Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who declined to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple. |
| “The law needs to be followed, and someone in that office needs to do their job,” Christie says. Not necessarily Davis. | “The law needs to be followed, and someone in that office needs to do their job,” Christie says. Not necessarily Davis. |
| Then Christie makes a rather unlikely leap from Kim Davis to... Isis.: | Then Christie makes a rather unlikely leap from Kim Davis to... Isis.: |
| They want everyone in this country to follow their beliefs just like they do. Not religious liberty. | They want everyone in this country to follow their beliefs just like they do. Not religious liberty. |
| 3.29am GMT | 3.29am GMT |
| 03:29 | 03:29 |
| Scott Bixby | Scott Bixby |
| Spotted by the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs at the conclusion of Donald Trump’s rally in Des Moines, Iowa: | Spotted by the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs at the conclusion of Donald Trump’s rally in Des Moines, Iowa: |
| This guy was at the Trump event pic.twitter.com/hUNLo8BGep | This guy was at the Trump event pic.twitter.com/hUNLo8BGep |
| LaVoy Finicum was a member of a group of armed protesters who occupied a federal wildlife refuge in rural Oregon. Finicum, the spokesman of the group, was killed in a shootout with police after he allegedly attempted to draw a weapon on an Oregon Swat team. | LaVoy Finicum was a member of a group of armed protesters who occupied a federal wildlife refuge in rural Oregon. Finicum, the spokesman of the group, was killed in a shootout with police after he allegedly attempted to draw a weapon on an Oregon Swat team. |
| 3.27am GMT | 3.27am GMT |
| 03:27 | 03:27 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| They’re back. Q for Kasich about his faith, which he cited for expanding Medicaid in his state under Obamacare. Kasich defends the decision and cites a slew of statistics to prove it was a good one. He culminates to a twin call to treat mental illness and drug addiction. | They’re back. Q for Kasich about his faith, which he cited for expanding Medicaid in his state under Obamacare. Kasich defends the decision and cites a slew of statistics to prove it was a good one. He culminates to a twin call to treat mental illness and drug addiction. |
| “When I study scripture, I know that people who live in the shadows need to have a chance,” he says. | “When I study scripture, I know that people who live in the shadows need to have a chance,” he says. |
| “The mentally ill, they’ve been stepped on for too long in this country.” | “The mentally ill, they’ve been stepped on for too long in this country.” |
| 3.24am GMT | 3.24am GMT |
| 03:24 | 03:24 |
| Mona Chalabi | Mona Chalabi |
| Over on the other channel where Trump was having his alternative whatchamacallit, the discussion focused heavily on veterans – in particular, their suicide risks. | Over on the other channel where Trump was having his alternative whatchamacallit, the discussion focused heavily on veterans – in particular, their suicide risks. |
| Donald Trump was even presented with a “22Kill Honor Ring,” a black band worn on someone’s right index finger that aims to raise awareness of suicide among US military veterans. | Donald Trump was even presented with a “22Kill Honor Ring,” a black band worn on someone’s right index finger that aims to raise awareness of suicide among US military veterans. |
| In 2011 (the latest year of data) the US Department of Veterans found that 40 per 100,000 male veterans and 14.4 per 100,000 female veterans killed themselves. That data summary also found that overall suicide rates haven’t changed much over the past several years. | In 2011 (the latest year of data) the US Department of Veterans found that 40 per 100,000 male veterans and 14.4 per 100,000 female veterans killed themselves. That data summary also found that overall suicide rates haven’t changed much over the past several years. |
| A separate study looked at the suicide risk for veterans who served during the Iraq or Afghanistan wars between 2001 and 2007. It framed the numbers slightly differently: almost a quarter of all veteran deaths were due to suicide. | A separate study looked at the suicide risk for veterans who served during the Iraq or Afghanistan wars between 2001 and 2007. It framed the numbers slightly differently: almost a quarter of all veteran deaths were due to suicide. |
| If you or someone you know needs help, the VA has a helpline (1-800-273-8255) as well as a range of other ways to speak to someone. | If you or someone you know needs help, the VA has a helpline (1-800-273-8255) as well as a range of other ways to speak to someone. |
| 3.23am GMT | 3.23am GMT |
| 03:23 | 03:23 |
| Fourth commercial break. And who’s in the lead? In the comments, please! | Fourth commercial break. And who’s in the lead? In the comments, please! |
| 3.23am GMT | 3.23am GMT |
| 03:23 | 03:23 |
| Christie on Bridgegate: 'I didn't know' | Christie on Bridgegate: 'I didn't know' |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Christie is asked about Bridgegate, the lane closures scandal on the George Washington bridge. He says “I didn’t know about it” and he fired the people involved when he found out. He says there have been three investigations and no evidence of his involvement has emerged. | Christie is asked about Bridgegate, the lane closures scandal on the George Washington bridge. He says “I didn’t know about it” and he fired the people involved when he found out. He says there have been three investigations and no evidence of his involvement has emerged. |
| Then he pivots to attacking Clinton, again. He says he’s a former federal prosecutor who could prosecute her. And furthermore, when he’s president, “Hillary Clinton won’t get within ten miles of the White House.” | Then he pivots to attacking Clinton, again. He says he’s a former federal prosecutor who could prosecute her. And furthermore, when he’s president, “Hillary Clinton won’t get within ten miles of the White House.” |
| “The days for the Clintons in public housing are over.” | “The days for the Clintons in public housing are over.” |
| 3.22am GMT | 3.22am GMT |
| 03:22 | 03:22 |
| Here are some more clips from the debate so far: | Here are some more clips from the debate so far: |
| 3.20am GMT | 3.20am GMT |
| 03:20 | 03:20 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Rubio is asked about faltering popularity in Florida. “There’s only one savior, and it’s not me. It’s Jesus Christ who came down to Earth and died for our sins” he says, somewhat literally. | Rubio is asked about faltering popularity in Florida. “There’s only one savior, and it’s not me. It’s Jesus Christ who came down to Earth and died for our sins” he says, somewhat literally. |
| Then he gets off a couple good lines about the Democratic candidates: | Then he gets off a couple good lines about the Democratic candidates: |
| Bernie Sanders is a socialist. I think Bernie Sanders is a good candidate for president ... of Sweden! | Bernie Sanders is a socialist. I think Bernie Sanders is a good candidate for president ... of Sweden! |
| On Clinton: | On Clinton: |
| In fact one of her first acts as president may be to pardon herself! | In fact one of her first acts as president may be to pardon herself! |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.23am GMT | at 3.23am GMT |
| 3.18am GMT | 3.18am GMT |
| 03:18 | 03:18 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Bush is asked why he’s losing to Hillary Clinton in polls. Bush denies the premise. He says he can take on Clinton. In any case, he says, the Clinton fight will be an ugly one. “It’s not beanbag.” | Bush is asked why he’s losing to Hillary Clinton in polls. Bush denies the premise. He says he can take on Clinton. In any case, he says, the Clinton fight will be an ugly one. “It’s not beanbag.” |
| Rubio adds: “Hillary does not want to run against me, but I cannot wait to run against her.” | Rubio adds: “Hillary does not want to run against me, but I cannot wait to run against her.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.23am GMT | at 3.23am GMT |
| 3.17am GMT | 3.17am GMT |
| 03:17 | 03:17 |
| Tom McCarthy | Tom McCarthy |
| Wallace basically asks Cruz why his colleagues hate him. “Does your style get in the way of your message?” | Wallace basically asks Cruz why his colleagues hate him. “Does your style get in the way of your message?” |
| “I am not the candidate of career politicians in Washington,” Cruz says. He says the endorsements he’s proud of are thousands of volunteers, Rep Steve King of Iowa and evangelical leader James Dobson. He don’t need no stinkin colleagues. | “I am not the candidate of career politicians in Washington,” Cruz says. He says the endorsements he’s proud of are thousands of volunteers, Rep Steve King of Iowa and evangelical leader James Dobson. He don’t need no stinkin colleagues. |
| Cruz says if he’s elected he will, every do, “tell the truth and do what I said I would do.” And we have that on video. | Cruz says if he’s elected he will, every do, “tell the truth and do what I said I would do.” And we have that on video. |
| 3.14am GMT | 3.14am GMT |
| 03:14 | 03:14 |
| Scott Bixby | Scott Bixby |
| Donald Trump, thanking the audience again, exits the stage to the strains of Adele’s “Rolling In the Deep.” | Donald Trump, thanking the audience again, exits the stage to the strains of Adele’s “Rolling In the Deep.” |