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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Absence of Trump gives Republican candidates room to talk at NH forum - live | Absence of Trump gives Republican candidates room to talk at NH forum - live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 9.03pm ET02:03 | |
| Jeb's final thoughts | |
| Jeb Lund | |
| I plunked my son in front of the television to try to share the good news, but he crawled away from the GOP message, crossed the room, went to the bookshelf and grabbed this biography of PG Wodehouse. A European. This is your future, America. It’s already over. | |
| 8.58pm ET01:58 | |
| The forum has finally ended | |
| Not sure how much voters learned in the rather rushed periods that candidates had on stage but one gets the feeling that the debate in Cleveland could be quite interesting once Donald Trump shows up. | |
| 8.56pm ET01:56 | |
| Jeb Bush describes his father as “the most perfect man alive.” | |
| 8.56pm ET01:56 | |
| Jeb Bush praises Bobby Jindal’s “reforms in Louisiana” on education. | |
| 8.54pm ET01:54 | |
| George Pataki says “I don’t think we should change the Second Amendment at all.” This will not go down as the most controversial statement of the evening. | |
| 8.52pm ET01:52 | |
| As the Guardian’s Lauren Gambino notes, Chris Christie is not afraid of making self-deprecating jokes. | |
| Christie: “I’m like the bad relative you invite to Thanksgiving. I come early and stay late." | |
| 8.51pm ET01:51 | |
| Chris Christie tells the moderator that he was not ready to serve as president in 2012. | |
| Updated at 8.57pm ET | |
| 8.49pm ET01:49 | |
| All three senators participating in the forum via satellite feed in Washington, DC were apparently in the same room. | |
| So Rubio, Paul and Cruz were in the same room for the #VotersFirst forum. https://t.co/cPiUVuK5Ea | |
| 8.48pm ET01:48 | |
| John Kasich touts his record as chair of the Budget Committee in Washington and gives a shout out to former New Mexico senator Pete Domenici. | |
| 8.46pm ET01:46 | |
| Jeb Lund | |
| Santorum citing his record as “a winner,” which sort of hasn’t been true since 2006 and an 18-point margin. | |
| 8.46pm ET01:46 | |
| John Kasich makes an awkward joke about LeBron James moderating the GOP debate in Cleveland on Thursday. | |
| 8.45pm ET01:45 | |
| John Kasich is touting how successful he was running for re-election in Ohio. He did so in a Republican year against a Democrat who was caught in a parked car at 4AM with a woman who was not his wife. | |
| 8.44pm ET01:44 | |
| Rick Santorum again touts his record winning his re-election in Pennsylvania in 2000. Doesn’t talk about his 2006 re-election bid. | |
| 8.41pm ET01:41 | |
| Santorum dodges a question about putting a woman on a $20 bill and jokes about Carly Fiorina being put on U.S. currency. | |
| 8.40pm ET01:40 | |
| Rick Santorum is now up again at the forum. I spent a day on the campaign trail in Iowa with him in July. | |
| Related: Rick Santorum's slow build: campaigning 'has a way of weeding out candidates' | |
| 8.39pm ET01:39 | |
| Jeb Lund | |
| Fiorina: “We have to have the strongest military on the face of the earth, and everyone has to know it.” So essentially the problem our military faces right now is brand awareness. | |
| She also just explained that she started as a secretary and went on to become a CEO and that “This story only happens in America.” Then she mentioned Margaret Thatcher, the daughter of a grocer. Okay. | |
| Updated at 8.42pm ET | |
| 8.36pm ET01:36 | |
| In case you were playing bingo during tonight’s forum, Carly Fiorina became the first candidate to say the word “pornography” (as in, government workers shouldn’t watch it on the job). | |
| Updated at 8.45pm ET | |
| 8.35pm ET01:35 | |
| Jeb Lund | |
| I’ve kind of missed some of the New Hampshire Speed Date because my baby started screaming. He can’t formulate words right now, but he started crying when he found out that the Democrats are “turning the American dream into the European nightmare” and that everything is going to be Greece when he grows up. | |
| 8.33pm ET01:33 | |
| Lindsey Graham says federal minimum wage should not be increased and goes after Hillary Clinton’s wealth. | |
| 8.30pm ET01:30 | |
| Bobby Jindal is rushing through his 30 seconds here. In Iowa, he has been able to do very well in forums but the rush makes it more difficult for him here. | |
| 8.26pm ET01:26 | 8.26pm ET01:26 |
| Rick Perry continues to emphasize his success in Texas and the approach he used there. | Rick Perry continues to emphasize his success in Texas and the approach he used there. |
| Rick Perry hammering home that cheap energy + low taxes = wage growth. | Rick Perry hammering home that cheap energy + low taxes = wage growth. |
| 8.24pm ET01:24 | 8.24pm ET01:24 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| Scott Walker: “I didn’t just win three elections in four years in a blue state, I won three elections in four years in a blue state where over four years we had three blue state elections. Thank you. Gracias. Shalom.” | Scott Walker: “I didn’t just win three elections in four years in a blue state, I won three elections in four years in a blue state where over four years we had three blue state elections. Thank you. Gracias. Shalom.” |
| 8.23pm ET01:23 | 8.23pm ET01:23 |
| Rick Perry gets asked “what agencies would you eliminate or cut?” He jokes “I’ve heard this question before.” | Rick Perry gets asked “what agencies would you eliminate or cut?” He jokes “I’ve heard this question before.” |
| 8.21pm ET01:21 | 8.21pm ET01:21 |
| Scott Walker dodges on raising the age of retirement for Social Security but notes the need for some kind of entitlement reform. | Scott Walker dodges on raising the age of retirement for Social Security but notes the need for some kind of entitlement reform. |
| 8.16pm ET01:16 | 8.16pm ET01:16 |
| Marco Rubio now takes his 30 seconds to talk about his father’s work as a bartender and hit the portions of his stump speech that we haven’t heard yet. | Marco Rubio now takes his 30 seconds to talk about his father’s work as a bartender and hit the portions of his stump speech that we haven’t heard yet. |
| 8.16pm ET01:16 | 8.16pm ET01:16 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| Ted Cruz is going to make 2016 a referendum on repealing Obamacare. FINALLY. I’m sick of the last six years of these guys horsing around on the Obamacare issue. It’s time to finally cinch ‘em up and hunker down. | Ted Cruz is going to make 2016 a referendum on repealing Obamacare. FINALLY. I’m sick of the last six years of these guys horsing around on the Obamacare issue. It’s time to finally cinch ‘em up and hunker down. |
| 8.13pm ET01:13 | 8.13pm ET01:13 |
| Cruz uses his 30 seconds to talk about his father fleeing Cuba for the United States. | Cruz uses his 30 seconds to talk about his father fleeing Cuba for the United States. |
| 8.12pm ET01:12 | 8.12pm ET01:12 |
| There in spirit | There in spirit |
| Three candidates – Cruz, Rubio and Paul – stayed in DC for the failed attempt to defund Planned Parenthood. They are appearing at the forum via video feed: | Three candidates – Cruz, Rubio and Paul – stayed in DC for the failed attempt to defund Planned Parenthood. They are appearing at the forum via video feed: |
| 8.10pm ET01:10 | 8.10pm ET01:10 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| Just skimming his book is going to make Rubio’s campaign sound really repetitive from the get-go. Everything he’s said apart from his medical marijuana remarks is pretty much paraphrased from there. | Just skimming his book is going to make Rubio’s campaign sound really repetitive from the get-go. Everything he’s said apart from his medical marijuana remarks is pretty much paraphrased from there. |
| 8.09pm ET01:09 | 8.09pm ET01:09 |
| Rand Paul describes himself as “a different kind of Republican” who leads Hillary Clinton in five states that Barack Obama won when given 30 seconds to talk directly to the audience. | Rand Paul describes himself as “a different kind of Republican” who leads Hillary Clinton in five states that Barack Obama won when given 30 seconds to talk directly to the audience. |
| 8.08pm ET01:08 | 8.08pm ET01:08 |
| Rand Paul is asked about how philosophy compares to that of his father, former Rep. Ron Paul. He immediately says that he is a “constitutional conservative” and launches into talking points. | Rand Paul is asked about how philosophy compares to that of his father, former Rep. Ron Paul. He immediately says that he is a “constitutional conservative” and launches into talking points. |
| 8.07pm ET01:07 | 8.07pm ET01:07 |
| Round Two of the forum has begun. | Round Two of the forum has begun. |
| The moderator promises shorter questions, whatever that means. | The moderator promises shorter questions, whatever that means. |
| Updated at 8.08pm ET | Updated at 8.08pm ET |
| 8.06pm ET01:06 | 8.06pm ET01:06 |
| The evening has not exactly been short of cliches spouted by all 14 candidate participating. | The evening has not exactly been short of cliches spouted by all 14 candidate participating. |
| Top conservative talk show host Steve Deace points this out: | Top conservative talk show host Steve Deace points this out: |
| GOP bylaws since 1989 demand all debates/forums must include the following terms: reform, growth, Reagan. Carry on. | GOP bylaws since 1989 demand all debates/forums must include the following terms: reform, growth, Reagan. Carry on. |
| 8.04pm ET01:04 | 8.04pm ET01:04 |
| Marco Rubio continues to back away from comprehensive immigration reform tonight. | Marco Rubio continues to back away from comprehensive immigration reform tonight. |
| Immigration "cannot be fixed in one massive comprehensive piece of legislation" says Rubio, who co-authored said massive comprehensive bill | Immigration "cannot be fixed in one massive comprehensive piece of legislation" says Rubio, who co-authored said massive comprehensive bill |
| 8.04pm ET01:04 | 8.04pm ET01:04 |
| Waiting in the wings | Waiting in the wings |
| Updated at 8.07pm ET | Updated at 8.07pm ET |
| 8.02pm ET01:02 | 8.02pm ET01:02 |
| Marco Rubio’s first question is about marijuana policy and makes clear “I don’t support the legalization of marijuana.” | Marco Rubio’s first question is about marijuana policy and makes clear “I don’t support the legalization of marijuana.” |
| 8.02pm ET01:02 | 8.02pm ET01:02 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| Ted Cruz says “Washington cartel” with the emphasis and frequency of someone who trademarked it two months ago. | Ted Cruz says “Washington cartel” with the emphasis and frequency of someone who trademarked it two months ago. |
| 8.02pm ET01:02 | 8.02pm ET01:02 |
| While reporters are wearied of hearing the standard stump speeches of Republican candidates repeated yet again at the forum, this may be the first time many Americans tune in so it’s fresh to them as James Pindell of the Boston Globe points out | While reporters are wearied of hearing the standard stump speeches of Republican candidates repeated yet again at the forum, this may be the first time many Americans tune in so it’s fresh to them as James Pindell of the Boston Globe points out |
| This #fitn #VotersFirst forum basically all talking points, but probably new for the country | This #fitn #VotersFirst forum basically all talking points, but probably new for the country |
| 8.01pm ET01:01 | 8.01pm ET01:01 |
| Cruz is now attacking Mitch McConnell, not by name, “as a leader who doesn’t follow his commitment.” | Cruz is now attacking Mitch McConnell, not by name, “as a leader who doesn’t follow his commitment.” |
| 7.58pm ET00:58 | 7.58pm ET00:58 |
| Ted Cruz now gets asked what his Iran deal would like. His response is to attack Obama’s deal with Iran as “catastrophic.” Cruz also stands by his description last week that, if the deal goes through, “Obama will be the world’s leading financier of radical Islamic terrorism.” | Ted Cruz now gets asked what his Iran deal would like. His response is to attack Obama’s deal with Iran as “catastrophic.” Cruz also stands by his description last week that, if the deal goes through, “Obama will be the world’s leading financier of radical Islamic terrorism.” |
| 7.56pm ET00:56 | 7.56pm ET00:56 |
| It’s worth noting that Rand Paul has no sympathy for enemy combatants, even if they are U.S. citizens. | It’s worth noting that Rand Paul has no sympathy for enemy combatants, even if they are U.S. citizens. |
| Rand Paul says US citizens fighting alongside ISIS should have their citizenship revoked. #VotersFirst | Rand Paul says US citizens fighting alongside ISIS should have their citizenship revoked. #VotersFirst |
| 7.55pm ET00:55 | 7.55pm ET00:55 |
| Rand Paul is now emphasizing his civil liberties record and the need to uphold the 4th Amendment. | Rand Paul is now emphasizing his civil liberties record and the need to uphold the 4th Amendment. |
| 7.53pm ET00:53 | 7.53pm ET00:53 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| Still not over Walker saying “I’m not a scientist, I’m an eagle scout.” Can we do this for everything now? “Mr Lund, you owe Comcast Cable $142, but we will accept a late payment of $71.”“I’m not a mathematician. [weary sincere sigh] I make pizzas.”George Pataki is talking, but I assume he will stop soon. By December at the latest. | Still not over Walker saying “I’m not a scientist, I’m an eagle scout.” Can we do this for everything now? “Mr Lund, you owe Comcast Cable $142, but we will accept a late payment of $71.”“I’m not a mathematician. [weary sincere sigh] I make pizzas.”George Pataki is talking, but I assume he will stop soon. By December at the latest. |
| 7.53pm ET00:53 | 7.53pm ET00:53 |
| The forum now segues to the three presidential candidates who stayed in Washington for the vote to defund Planned Parenthood today. There is a noticeable lag which matters in a forum that is more speed date than debate. | The forum now segues to the three presidential candidates who stayed in Washington for the vote to defund Planned Parenthood today. There is a noticeable lag which matters in a forum that is more speed date than debate. |
| 7.50pm ET00:50 | 7.50pm ET00:50 |
| George Pataki cites his service as Governor of New York to argue he can convince Democrats to vote to repeal Obamacare. | George Pataki cites his service as Governor of New York to argue he can convince Democrats to vote to repeal Obamacare. |
| George Pataki suggests that as president, he would be able to convince Democrats to repeal Obamacare. #VotersFirst | George Pataki suggests that as president, he would be able to convince Democrats to repeal Obamacare. #VotersFirst |
| 7.49pm ET00:49 | 7.49pm ET00:49 |
| As MSNBC’s Benjy Sarlin notes, the moderator hasn’t exactly been making it tough for candidates so far. | As MSNBC’s Benjy Sarlin notes, the moderator hasn’t exactly been making it tough for candidates so far. |
| Moderator keeps asking candidates two questions, candidates keep answering the easier one, ignoring the hard one. Doesn't work. | Moderator keeps asking candidates two questions, candidates keep answering the easier one, ignoring the hard one. Doesn't work. |
| 7.48pm ET00:48 | 7.48pm ET00:48 |
| George Pataki starts off by saying “we should get rid of Obamacare and we should get rid of Common Core” in an attempt to appeal to the GOP base. | George Pataki starts off by saying “we should get rid of Obamacare and we should get rid of Common Core” in an attempt to appeal to the GOP base. |
| 7.46pm ET00:46 | 7.46pm ET00:46 |
| Scott Walker is asked “are you anti-union or anti-worker.” Shockingly, his response is “No, I am pro-worker and pro-taxpayer.” | Scott Walker is asked “are you anti-union or anti-worker.” Shockingly, his response is “No, I am pro-worker and pro-taxpayer.” |
| 7.45pm ET00:45 | 7.45pm ET00:45 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| Bobby Jindal’s really taking it to those people who “measure success in the growth of the government.” Those guys are bad. But a big, big unforced error on Jindal’s part to not condemn the Romulans, the Sith, and the bugs in Starship Troopers. (Also bad.) | Bobby Jindal’s really taking it to those people who “measure success in the growth of the government.” Those guys are bad. But a big, big unforced error on Jindal’s part to not condemn the Romulans, the Sith, and the bugs in Starship Troopers. (Also bad.) |
| Updated at 7.52pm ET | Updated at 7.52pm ET |
| 7.45pm ET00:45 | 7.45pm ET00:45 |
| Scott Walker is now on stage. He is very skilled at both staying on message and talking quickly. Expect his stump speech to be delivered on fast forward. | Scott Walker is now on stage. He is very skilled at both staying on message and talking quickly. Expect his stump speech to be delivered on fast forward. |
| 7.42pm ET00:42 | 7.42pm ET00:42 |
| In a forum that values the ability to speak quickly, Bobby Jindal has a big advantage. | In a forum that values the ability to speak quickly, Bobby Jindal has a big advantage. |
| No one. i mean NO ONE, can talk faster than Jindal. This is his moment | No one. i mean NO ONE, can talk faster than Jindal. This is his moment |
| 7.41pm ET00:41 | 7.41pm ET00:41 |
| Like every other candidate, Bobby Jindal uses another line from his stump speech. This one praises Bernie Sanders for being honest about being a socialist, unlike Hillary Clinton. | Like every other candidate, Bobby Jindal uses another line from his stump speech. This one praises Bernie Sanders for being honest about being a socialist, unlike Hillary Clinton. |
| Bobby Jindal: "Give Bernie Sanders credit -- a least he's honest enough to call himself a socialist." #VotersFirst | Bobby Jindal: "Give Bernie Sanders credit -- a least he's honest enough to call himself a socialist." #VotersFirst |
| Updated at 7.43pm ET | Updated at 7.43pm ET |
| 7.39pm ET00:39 | 7.39pm ET00:39 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| There’s an irony here in Carly Fiorina taking nearly nearly three of her four minutes of her time to illuminate the problem of merely talking about the status quo without doing anything, then not mentioning anything to do about the bad status quo. | There’s an irony here in Carly Fiorina taking nearly nearly three of her four minutes of her time to illuminate the problem of merely talking about the status quo without doing anything, then not mentioning anything to do about the bad status quo. |
| She also dropped your first official “Benghazi” of the night. Finish your drink. I know we didn’t post a list of drinking game rules, but I just assume you made your own. | She also dropped your first official “Benghazi” of the night. Finish your drink. I know we didn’t post a list of drinking game rules, but I just assume you made your own. |
| Updated at 7.41pm ET | Updated at 7.41pm ET |
| 7.38pm ET00:38 | 7.38pm ET00:38 |
| Carly Fiorina, who is now on stage, is the first candidate to bring up Benghazi and slam Hillary Clinton. She also is the first to go out of her way to praise Joe McQuaid, the publisher of New Hampshire’s largest newspaper, the Union Leader. | Carly Fiorina, who is now on stage, is the first candidate to bring up Benghazi and slam Hillary Clinton. She also is the first to go out of her way to praise Joe McQuaid, the publisher of New Hampshire’s largest newspaper, the Union Leader. |
| 7.37pm ET00:37 | 7.37pm ET00:37 |
| The unanimous opinion of the forum so far is that candidates are rushing and that there are no follow up questions. Shane Goldmacher of National Journal sums this disappointment well | The unanimous opinion of the forum so far is that candidates are rushing and that there are no follow up questions. Shane Goldmacher of National Journal sums this disappointment well |
| Theproblemwiththisforumisthatitdoesntprovideanytimeorspaceforfollowups | Theproblemwiththisforumisthatitdoesntprovideanytimeorspaceforfollowups |
| 7.33pm ET00:33 | 7.33pm ET00:33 |
| Jeb Bush takes the first shot at the media of the evening as well. When talking his economic plan, he says “the fact that Paul Krugman disagrees with me warms my heart.” | Jeb Bush takes the first shot at the media of the evening as well. When talking his economic plan, he says “the fact that Paul Krugman disagrees with me warms my heart.” |
| 7.32pm ET00:32 | 7.32pm ET00:32 |
| Jeb Bush seems to somewhat contradict himself about Syria. He says we “don’t need boots on the ground” but that we should deploy Special Forces there. | Jeb Bush seems to somewhat contradict himself about Syria. He says we “don’t need boots on the ground” but that we should deploy Special Forces there. |
| 7.31pm ET00:31 | 7.31pm ET00:31 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| Bold move by Ben Carson to refuse to speed up the space of his comments to maximize the time allotted. Because there are fewer words per minute, each one is actually MORE meaningful. Also, it’s interesting that the mechanics of his replacement for Obamacare are, evidently, “Pay for health care and try to save money.” My God, why didn’t we try this? | Bold move by Ben Carson to refuse to speed up the space of his comments to maximize the time allotted. Because there are fewer words per minute, each one is actually MORE meaningful. Also, it’s interesting that the mechanics of his replacement for Obamacare are, evidently, “Pay for health care and try to save money.” My God, why didn’t we try this? |
| 7.31pm ET00:31 | 7.31pm ET00:31 |
| Jeb Bush takes the stage and is the first candidate to praise an opponent. “Senator Graham is absolutely right” says the former Florida governor in response to a question about Homeland Security. | Jeb Bush takes the stage and is the first candidate to praise an opponent. “Senator Graham is absolutely right” says the former Florida governor in response to a question about Homeland Security. |
| 7.29pm ET00:29 | 7.29pm ET00:29 |
| Ben Carson gets the first question about Planned Parenthood of the night. He warns about “the level of depravity we have sunken to as a nation” and says that the organization should not receive federal funds. | Ben Carson gets the first question about Planned Parenthood of the night. He warns about “the level of depravity we have sunken to as a nation” and says that the organization should not receive federal funds. |
| 7.27pm ET00:27 | 7.27pm ET00:27 |
| Top Republican consultant Stuart Stevens has his own take on the forum so far and the rush of candidates on and off the stage. | Top Republican consultant Stuart Stevens has his own take on the forum so far and the rush of candidates on and off the stage. |
| Have to say the "40 Year Old Virgin" version of this NH forum was more fun. #speeddating | Have to say the "40 Year Old Virgin" version of this NH forum was more fun. #speeddating |
| 7.26pm ET00:26 | 7.26pm ET00:26 |
| Ben Carson deviates ever so slightly from GOP orthodoxy on Obamacare. Instead of “repeal and replace,” the renowned neurosurgeon says it “needs to be replaced before we repeal it.” | Ben Carson deviates ever so slightly from GOP orthodoxy on Obamacare. Instead of “repeal and replace,” the renowned neurosurgeon says it “needs to be replaced before we repeal it.” |
| However, Carson is still vague on what he would replace Obamacare with. | However, Carson is still vague on what he would replace Obamacare with. |
| Updated at 7.28pm ET | Updated at 7.28pm ET |
| 7.25pm ET00:25 | 7.25pm ET00:25 |
| Chris Christie says “the war on drugs is a failure” and calls drug abuse “a disease.” | Chris Christie says “the war on drugs is a failure” and calls drug abuse “a disease.” |
| Updated at 7.27pm ET | Updated at 7.27pm ET |
| 7.22pm ET00:22 | 7.22pm ET00:22 |
| Chris Christie is now on stage and trying quickly give his stump speech on entitlement reform as quickly as he can. | Chris Christie is now on stage and trying quickly give his stump speech on entitlement reform as quickly as he can. |
| 7.22pm ET00:22 | 7.22pm ET00:22 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| Both Rick Santorum and Lindsey Graham have talked about protecting American industry (with Graham specifically focusing on China tweaking their currency). It’s always awkward to watch them walk right up to suggesting that free trade might not always be great, then slink away. The 240 seconds of interview time (or whatever it is) and the 60-second allotments on Thursday are going do vagueness a lot of favors. | Both Rick Santorum and Lindsey Graham have talked about protecting American industry (with Graham specifically focusing on China tweaking their currency). It’s always awkward to watch them walk right up to suggesting that free trade might not always be great, then slink away. The 240 seconds of interview time (or whatever it is) and the 60-second allotments on Thursday are going do vagueness a lot of favors. |
| 7.20pm ET00:20 | 7.20pm ET00:20 |
| Graham says “I’m fluent in Clintonspeak. When Bill says I didn’t have sex with that woman, that means that he did.” | Graham says “I’m fluent in Clintonspeak. When Bill says I didn’t have sex with that woman, that means that he did.” |
| 7.19pm ET00:19 | 7.19pm ET00:19 |
| While not on the stage, C-Span’s camera takes a brief shot of John Kasich and Rick Santorum sitting together and smirking about something as Graham talks. | While not on the stage, C-Span’s camera takes a brief shot of John Kasich and Rick Santorum sitting together and smirking about something as Graham talks. |
| Updated at 7.24pm ET | Updated at 7.24pm ET |
| 7.19pm ET00:19 | 7.19pm ET00:19 |
| Lindsey Graham gives a hometown shout out to former New Hampshire senator Judd Gregg as he rushes to fit in more and more of his stump speech in the five minutes allotted. | Lindsey Graham gives a hometown shout out to former New Hampshire senator Judd Gregg as he rushes to fit in more and more of his stump speech in the five minutes allotted. |
| Updated at 7.26pm ET | Updated at 7.26pm ET |
| 7.18pm ET00:18 | 7.18pm ET00:18 |
| Lindsey Graham now argues for “hitting back” against China and says “we’re getting walked all over.” He sounds almost Trumpian in his foreign policy going after how Putin and the Iranians have taken advantage of what he perceives as the weakness of the Obama Administration. The difference, of course, is Graham is a three-term senator with a long and vocal history speaking out on foreign policy issues. | Lindsey Graham now argues for “hitting back” against China and says “we’re getting walked all over.” He sounds almost Trumpian in his foreign policy going after how Putin and the Iranians have taken advantage of what he perceives as the weakness of the Obama Administration. The difference, of course, is Graham is a three-term senator with a long and vocal history speaking out on foreign policy issues. |
| 7.16pm ET00:16 | 7.16pm ET00:16 |
| Lindsey Graham gets a question the very instant he sits down on stage and becomes the first candidate of the night to go after China. He won’t be the last. | Lindsey Graham gets a question the very instant he sits down on stage and becomes the first candidate of the night to go after China. He won’t be the last. |
| 7.16pm ET00:16 | 7.16pm ET00:16 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| John Kasich just called for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, and the Alexander Hamilton on the ten-dollar bill in my pocket just went: “Uh...” | John Kasich just called for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, and the Alexander Hamilton on the ten-dollar bill in my pocket just went: “Uh...” |
| 7.15pm ET00:15 | 7.15pm ET00:15 |
| John Kasich dodges a question on NAFTA and urges the need to “protect” workers | John Kasich dodges a question on NAFTA and urges the need to “protect” workers |
| 7.12pm ET00:12 | 7.12pm ET00:12 |
| Tonight’s forum is already showing how awkward the debate will be on Thursday as candidates only have a few minutes to speak and try to rush in their entire platform in one whole breath. Santorum now rushes off and Kasich comes on the stage in what feels more like a substitution in a football game than a political debate. | Tonight’s forum is already showing how awkward the debate will be on Thursday as candidates only have a few minutes to speak and try to rush in their entire platform in one whole breath. Santorum now rushes off and Kasich comes on the stage in what feels more like a substitution in a football game than a political debate. |
| 7.11pm ET00:11 | 7.11pm ET00:11 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| Rick Perry took about 0 seconds to pivot from the question about illegals already in the United States to a pre-packaged comment about securing the border, and Carly Fiorina is already totally checked out, looking at her phone. This is how Carly Fiorina can generate enthusiasm across the aisle. | Rick Perry took about 0 seconds to pivot from the question about illegals already in the United States to a pre-packaged comment about securing the border, and Carly Fiorina is already totally checked out, looking at her phone. This is how Carly Fiorina can generate enthusiasm across the aisle. |
| 7.10pm ET00:10 | 7.10pm ET00:10 |
| Rick Santorum praises Maine’s controversial governor Paul LePage on stage as he discusses welfare reform. | Rick Santorum praises Maine’s controversial governor Paul LePage on stage as he discusses welfare reform. |
| 7.09pm ET00:09 | 7.09pm ET00:09 |
| Perry is off the stage after three minutes and it’s now Rick Santorum in a rather speedy switcharoo. | Perry is off the stage after three minutes and it’s now Rick Santorum in a rather speedy switcharoo. |
| Santorum immediately pushes his tax plan to incentivize manufacturing. | Santorum immediately pushes his tax plan to incentivize manufacturing. |
| 7.06pm ET00:06 | 7.06pm ET00:06 |
| Perry dodges on reducing legal immigration while pushing for a stronger effort to track those illegal immigrants who have overstayed their visas in the United States. | Perry dodges on reducing legal immigration while pushing for a stronger effort to track those illegal immigrants who have overstayed their visas in the United States. |
| 7.03pm ET00:03 | 7.03pm ET00:03 |
| Rick Perry takes the stage as the forum begins | Rick Perry takes the stage as the forum begins |
| Perry gets the event kickstarted and the first question is about immigration reform. | Perry gets the event kickstarted and the first question is about immigration reform. |
| Interestingly, all the candidates are sitting in the first row and watching the forum while sitting together. | Interestingly, all the candidates are sitting in the first row and watching the forum while sitting together. |
| Updated at 7.06pm ET | Updated at 7.06pm ET |
| 7.03pm ET00:03 | 7.03pm ET00:03 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| I’m glad that the candidates are being introduced on a small triangular stage, because that means that, like in the Octagon, it’s more difficult to evade strikes and takedowns. | I’m glad that the candidates are being introduced on a small triangular stage, because that means that, like in the Octagon, it’s more difficult to evade strikes and takedowns. |
| 7.00pm ET00:00 | 7.00pm ET00:00 |
| As Evan McMorris-Santoro from Buzzfeed reports, some candidates are bonding while standing together on stage. | As Evan McMorris-Santoro from Buzzfeed reports, some candidates are bonding while standing together on stage. |
| Rick Santorum & Rick Perry kinda bro hugged on stage after Perry stood on his tiptoes for a sec next to the towering Pataki | Rick Santorum & Rick Perry kinda bro hugged on stage after Perry stood on his tiptoes for a sec next to the towering Pataki |
| Updated at 7.07pm ET | Updated at 7.07pm ET |
| 6.58pm ET23:58 | 6.58pm ET23:58 |
| All 11 candidates present are now being brought on stage in alphabetical order so that the audience can give them a round of applause and they can stand awkwardly together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. | All 11 candidates present are now being brought on stage in alphabetical order so that the audience can give them a round of applause and they can stand awkwardly together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. |
| 6.52pm ET23:52 | 6.52pm ET23:52 |
| The audience at St. Anselm is told that “the show will begin momentarily” over the PA system. | The audience at St. Anselm is told that “the show will begin momentarily” over the PA system. |
| It’s a very interesting choice of words for a presidential forum. | It’s a very interesting choice of words for a presidential forum. |
| 6.47pm ET23:47 | 6.47pm ET23:47 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| I am extremely excited for the 2016 Republican Candidates “Voters First Forum” live on C-Span and broadcast from the KIA Sign-and-Drive Sales Event. | I am extremely excited for the 2016 Republican Candidates “Voters First Forum” live on C-Span and broadcast from the KIA Sign-and-Drive Sales Event. |
| 6.46pm ET23:46 | 6.46pm ET23:46 |
| Austin Barbour, a top strategist for a pro-Rick Perry superPAC, tweets that the former Texas governor will be the first candidate to appear on stage tonight | Austin Barbour, a top strategist for a pro-Rick Perry superPAC, tweets that the former Texas governor will be the first candidate to appear on stage tonight |
| At 7:00 EST @GovernorPerry is up first in the Voters First Presidential Forum live on @cspan | At 7:00 EST @GovernorPerry is up first in the Voters First Presidential Forum live on @cspan |
| 6.41pm ET23:41 | 6.41pm ET23:41 |
| Earlier today … | Earlier today … |
| 6.37pm ET23:37 | 6.37pm ET23:37 |
| The forum doesn’t start until 7PM but several new polls have come out tonight. | The forum doesn’t start until 7PM but several new polls have come out tonight. |
| The most eye popping poll comes from South Carolina where, according to a poll conducted by Gravis, Donald Trump is supported by 34% of Republican primary voters. This is more than the next three Republican candidates, Ben Carson, Jeb Bush and Scott Walker combined. | The most eye popping poll comes from South Carolina where, according to a poll conducted by Gravis, Donald Trump is supported by 34% of Republican primary voters. This is more than the next three Republican candidates, Ben Carson, Jeb Bush and Scott Walker combined. |
| The poll also contains some rather detailed crosstabs which show that Trump is supported by 64.5% of self-identified Hispanics who plan on voting in the Palmetto State’s Republican primary. However, considering that the poll also indicates that 100% of Jewish Republicans in the state will back Chris Christie, it is likely those numbers have a high margin of error. | The poll also contains some rather detailed crosstabs which show that Trump is supported by 64.5% of self-identified Hispanics who plan on voting in the Palmetto State’s Republican primary. However, considering that the poll also indicates that 100% of Jewish Republicans in the state will back Chris Christie, it is likely those numbers have a high margin of error. |
| In another poll released today by NBC and the Wall Street Journal, Trump is in first place among Republican primary voters nationwide with 19% of the vote. He is closely followed by Scott Walker at 15%, Jeb Bush at 14% and Ben Carson at 10%. | In another poll released today by NBC and the Wall Street Journal, Trump is in first place among Republican primary voters nationwide with 19% of the vote. He is closely followed by Scott Walker at 15%, Jeb Bush at 14% and Ben Carson at 10%. |
| 6.29pm ET23:29 | 6.29pm ET23:29 |
| Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Voters First Forum in Manchester, New Hampshire, which won’t be a full-fledged debate but will offer a good preview of the fireworks expected in Cleveland on Thursday for the first official 2016 presidential debate. | Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Voters First Forum in Manchester, New Hampshire, which won’t be a full-fledged debate but will offer a good preview of the fireworks expected in Cleveland on Thursday for the first official 2016 presidential debate. |
| Tonight, 14 of the 17 Republican candidates for the White House are scheduled to take turns answering questions on stage at Saint Anselm College in a forum broadcast nationally from 7pm ET on C-Span. Eleven of them will be there in person, while senators Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Marco Rubio will participate remotely from Washington DC. (They couldn’t miss a scheduled vote on defunding Planned Parenthood.) | Tonight, 14 of the 17 Republican candidates for the White House are scheduled to take turns answering questions on stage at Saint Anselm College in a forum broadcast nationally from 7pm ET on C-Span. Eleven of them will be there in person, while senators Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Marco Rubio will participate remotely from Washington DC. (They couldn’t miss a scheduled vote on defunding Planned Parenthood.) |
| The only two candidates not participating are former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and real estate mogul Donald Trump. | The only two candidates not participating are former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and real estate mogul Donald Trump. |
| The event in Manchester will be the largest gathering of presidential candidates so far in the 2016 campaign and allow voters to compare and contrast how each candidate performs while under pressure. Ben Jacobs will be here with your liveblog, Sabrina Siddiqui is in New Hampshire, and Guardian columnist Jeb Lund will be keeping a watchful eye on the candidates. | The event in Manchester will be the largest gathering of presidential candidates so far in the 2016 campaign and allow voters to compare and contrast how each candidate performs while under pressure. Ben Jacobs will be here with your liveblog, Sabrina Siddiqui is in New Hampshire, and Guardian columnist Jeb Lund will be keeping a watchful eye on the candidates. |