ABC GOP New Hampshire 2/6/16 Debate
Moderators:
Martha Raddatz
Josh McElveen
David Muir
Mary Katharine Ham
Something very strange happened when Dr. Ben Carson initially refused to go to his podium. Then Donald Trump did the same. No explanation was given.
The first question dealt with Cruz’s comments about Trump’s temperament. He defended his temperament and mentioned his opposition to Mexican illegal immigration and Muslim immigration. He stood by his comments.
Cruz went after Obama instead, saying that all the Republicans on stage are better than Obama, Hillary and Bernie. He said the voters will assess Trump’s temperament.
Trump accused Cruz of not answering the question.
Carson was asked about the controversy involving the Cruz campaign saying Carson had dropped out. Carson took the high road and invoked Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment on Reagan’s birthday. Carson decried Washington ethics. His own ethics is “You do what’s right.”
Cruz praised Carson and apologized to him on stage. Cruz learned about the story from CNN.
Carson said people can decide for themselves.
Rubio was asked about his accomplishments.
He cited his protecting the people of Florida from eminent domain abuse, a shot at Trump. He said longevity would favor Joe Biden. “He’s been around 1,000 years.”
Christie contrasted being a governor with being a senator. “You have not been involved in a consequential decision where you had to be held accountable.” He said Rubio missed the Iran sanctions vote. “That’s not leadership, that’s truancy.”
Rubio fired back. It’s “Not just was you did, but how it worked out.” He cited NJ being downgraded 9 times on Christie’s watch. He also said that Obama knew exactly what he was doing.
Christie attacked the notion of the 30 second prepared speech. Governors clear the snow and deal with terrorist attacks.
Rubio and Christie kept going back and forth, and christie was clearly under Rubio’s skin.
Jeb was asked about his past comments praising Marco. Jeb said it was time to focus on the 2016 race and not the past. Jeb cited his endorsements from 12 medal of honor winners and his record as Florida Governor. “Leadership. You learn this by doing.”
Cruz was asked about his readiness in the wake of the North Korea test launch. Cruz cited the failure of the Bill Clinton administration. “North Korea is foreshadowing of where w will be with Iran.” We need missile defense and to harden the electrical grid. He would not speculate on action to take without having the intelligence information.
Radiate was nasty with Cruz. He stayed calm. Rubio defended Cruz, talking about policies in place.
Kasich finally got to speak, and started with a joke that failed. He then said his biggest concern was “non-state actors.” Sanctions on North Korea just like we did on Iran. He went way over time, because he always does.
Jeb spoke about voids being filled. Pre-emptive strikes, if necessary to keep us safe, “Then we should do it.”
Trump disagreed with Marco about Obama, calling him “totally incompetent.”
Trump then pointed out that China has “total, absolute control, practically” over North Korea.
Rubio kept going after Obama, explaining why Obama betrayed Israel to help us in the Arab world. North Korea should be back on the state sponsored terror list.
Jeb was asked about North Korea was detaining an American college student. Jeb noted that this came right after a bad Iran prisoner swap. It sent a signal of weakness throughout the world. Crippling sanctions on North Korea is appropriate, as Jeb backed up Kasich.
Christie would not negotiate with North Korea. “You never pay ransom to the criminals, ever.” “They do not understand anything but toughness and strength.” Obama pays ransom. Obama weak, Hillary even weaker.
Kasich was asked about his disagreement with Trump and Rubio on immigration, and is it Kasich who is out of the mainstream.
Kasich said we need a secure border, but he also favors legalization. He says he can get that passed into law.
Cruz was asked how he would deport people. Build a war, triple border patrol. He joked that he would have Trump build it. Have technology monitor it. Have e-verify. End taxpayer dollars to sanctuary cities. “End welfare benefits for those here illegally.” “You enforce the law.” Bill Clinton deported 12 million people in eight years. George W. Bush deported 10 million people in 8 years.
Rubio was asked about the Gang of 8 immigration Bill, and accusations that he cut and run.
Rubio said that we could not get that legislation past. The people demand a secure border first. That is “the key that unlocks the door.” 20,000 new border guards.
“The legislation passed but it has no support.” Rubio did not run, but people did not want the legislation.
Christie again distinguished between governors and senators. Christie fought the teachers’ unions and those who wanted to raise taxes. “A leader must fight for what they believe in.” Those who run, “That’s not what leadership is. That’s what Congress is.”
Rubio said that “it is not leadership to keep trying something that has no chance of happening.” The people don’t want it.
Mary Katharine Ham took over. She began by asking Trump about his support for single-payer healthcare. Is he close to Bernie Sanders on the issue?
Trump said he would replace it with “something much better” but would not say what. He favors “common sense.” He supported HSAs and selling across state lines. He will not let people die in the middle of the street.
She asked Cruz how repealing and replacing Obamacare was good for people.
Cruz said that socialized medicine was a disaster that leads to rationing. We have “a 90,000 doctor shortage in America.” Purchase across state lines, expand HSAs, delink Health insurance from employment.
Carson lamented his being unable to discuss North Korea but stuck with the topic of the ACA. h proposed Health Empowerment Accounts that begin at birth. Each family becomes its own insurance company. He has a plan on his website to deal with the indigent.
Josh McElveen took over, and asked Trump about his support for eminent domain seizures.
“Eminent domain is an absolute necessity for a country.” Without it, “You wouldn’t have a country. You wouldn’t have roads.” “Eminent Domain is a good thing.” People get 2 or 3 times their property value if they are smart.
Jeb pointed out that there is a difference between eminent domain for public use and to seize an elderly woman’s property for Trump’s private property.
Trump tried to shush Jeb and got booed loudly. He then attacked the crowd as donors and special interests. The crowd booed Trump repeatedly.
Jeb insisted that Keystone Pipeline was a public use project.
Muir asked more questions.
Kasich was asked how he would change conservatism. This allowed him to recite his record for the eight billionth time. He launched his compassionate conservatism.
Trump was asked if he was a true conservative. He said “I think I am.” We want to conserve, money, how we spend, and we need to conserve our country.
Rubio: Conservatism is about limited government, limited about the Constitution. It’s about free enterprise. It’s about a strong national defense. Trump only mentioned 1 of those 3.
Trump was asked how many jobs he would create in his first term, and how he would do it.
He said he would bring jobs back from China, Japan and Mexico. He bashed TPP. He would cut taxes for the middle class and corporations.
Christie was asked about his record on jobs in contrast to Kasich.
Christie complimented Kasich but said he was using old statistics to measure Jersey. Kasich grew government. Christie said that anyone who thinks O44 knows what he is doing, cannot manage a government themselves.
Kasich did not attack Christie, instead talking about his record. In this case it was appropriate. However, he again went way over time.
Rubio said that anyone who thinks Obama doesn’t know what he is doing does not understand his purpose. Undermining of the 2nd Amendment and gutting the military is deliberate.
Rubio was asked if it was wrong to raise taxes on those making more than one million dollars. “I don’t know of any problem in America that is going to be fixed with a tax increase.” Lower our taxes on people and companies.
Jeb said “I’d like to see more millionaires.”
Christie said his predecessor raised taxes on millionaires and the state lost 70 billion dollars in wealth. To the 68% of Americans who think it’s a good idea, “You’re wrong.”
Raddatz asked how carpet-bombing ISIS would work.
Cruz said the CIC must start with an objective. Then come the tools to carry the objective out. The first tool is overwhelming air power. Saturation carpet-bombing is not indiscriminate. It is targeted attacks. Why is “Jihadist University” still standing? “It should be rubble.” “I would be willing to wait till freshman orientation before bombing.” Sending troops in under current rules of engagement is “immoral” since their hands are tied behind their backs. Use overwhelming force, get out. No nation-building.”
Rubio said we must first say who ISIS is. They are a radical apocalyptic group trying to bring about their messianic savior. “It will take sunni Arabs to reject them ideologically and defeat them militarily.” We have to strike them in every country they operate, not just Iraq and Syria. Sunni areas must be controlled by Sunnis. If Shiites take over, there is sectarian violence leading to a group to substitute for ISIS, who substituted for al Qaeda. Sunnis do not trust this administration, who backs the Shiites.
Trump was asked how he would get rid of ISIS. Trump wants to bomb the oil fields and take the oil. Stop the flow of money to ISIS through banking system. It should have been done 4 years ago.
Raddatz shifted to Libya. Would Jeb support new involvement?
Jeb would. New airstrikes may be necessary. “Leading form behind is not an effective policy.” “Europe doesn’t have the ability to forward lead.”
Carson would consult with military experts and ask them what they need. Renewed airstrikes is a possibility but he wants to hear from his generals.
Cruz was asked if waterboarding is torture. Cruz said no, it is enhanced interrogation. He would not bring it back in widespread use. “The CIC has inherent constitutional authority to keep this country safe.”
Trump cited people in the Middle East who chop the heads off of Christians. “i’d bring back waterboarding, and I’d bring back a whole hell of a lot worse than waterboarding.”
Jeb does not want Congress to restrict waterboarding. It is crazy that killing with predator drones is considered better than capturing bad guys and extracting information. Closing Guantanamo Bay is crazy.
Rubio distinguished between law enforcement and fighting terrorism. We should be putting people into Guantanamo Bay, not emptying it out.
MKH asked how he could implement his agenda without executive orders. How could he work with Congress?
Executive Power, everything done can be undone with executive orders. Foreign policy can change the fastest. Legislation is the third approach. Repealing the ACA and establishing a flat tax are his legislative priority.
Trump was asked if being a deal-maker was bad. Trump said that a good deal-maker will make great deals. You can’t leave DC and go to Hawaii for 3 weeks and golf and still get deals done.
Kasich was asked if there were too many or too few deals now. Kasich said there was no leadership. “You have to have a leader that can inspire.” He then went way over time and inspired nobody.
Jeb spoke of shifting transportation dollars, EPA, and education dollars back to the states.
Kasich said you must have an agenda for the 100 days. If I get elected, buy a seat belt.
Jeb would shift healthcare decisions back to the states.
Kasich tried to interject yet again but the debate moved on.
Josh McElveen turned the conversation to heroin overdoses. He took a cheap shot at Cruz for missing a vote on the issue.
Cruz spoke of his half-sister Miriam’s lifelong struggle with addiction. She was even found in a crack house. He took a 20,000 credit card loan to put his nephew through military training. 6 years ago Miriam died of a drug overdose. He will secure the border and end the deluge of drugs.
Christie would absolutely deal with bad guys in Mexico with or without cooperation from the Mexican government. Christie abolished jail for first time non-violent drug offenders in NJ. “It’s a disease, not a moral failing.” He called helping 16 year old drug-addicted girls a “pro-life” thing to do.
Radio host Larry O’Connor asked how a GOP candidate could run against the first woman candidate for president.
Trump cited polls showing him beating Hillary. He had 12,000 people at his rally in Florence, South Carolina. Trump mentioned Hillary’s email scandal. “The Democrats are protecting her.”
Rubio cited the historic turnout in the Iowa Caucus. Rallies for all candidates are up. Hillary is unqualified. “She thinks she is above the law.” He cited Benghazi.
Carson called Hillary a “deceitful individual that he would “never let go.” “When did we in the United States not send help to help our own people. This is not our own people.” “Honesty and integrity vs receipt and the Washington Way.”
The conversation moved to racial issues.
Trump stood up for the police. He also said most minorities respect the police. We need to give far greater respect to the police than we do know.
Kasich interjected again, he formed a collaborative between community and police.
Rubio said he would visit a mosque as president, and praised Muslims who love America. However, we face a homegrown threat of violent Islamic extremism. Obama being sued by the Little Sisters of the Poor because he discriminates against them.
Radiate asked Christie about the Zika virus. He quarantined a nurse with Ebola last year. Would he quarantine people with Zika?
Christie said “You bet I would.”
Carson said Zika was not “a simple issue.” If we “have evidence that they are infected,” and that the infection can spread, then yes he would quarantine them. This is where “We need rapid response.”
Radiate asked Rubio if women should register for selective service if there is a draft.
Rubio is fine with people of either gender serving in combat if they meet the standards required to serve.
Jeb agreed and said we should impose any kind of political agenda on the military. We also need to focus on morale and eliminate the sequester.
Christie told his daughters that self-worth comes from within.
Carson noted that the 14% decrease in voluntary service is because of how we treat our veterans. 22 veterans committing suicide per day. Take care of veterans the right way, we won’t eve have to talk about a draft again.
McElveen noted that none of the men on stage had served in the military. How would they care for the 23 million people in the military in some capacity.
Jeb spoke about career civil service reform, which could fire people such as those who ruined the VA.
Kasich spoke about college or community credit for veterans.
Rubio spoke about his veteran brother losing his teeth and having to deal with the VA bureaucracy to get dental care.
The debate shifted to whether we should negotiate with terrorists, citing Diane Foley, whose sone James was kidnapped.
Cruz said absolutely not, citing the Bergdahl deal. Those deals put a bounty on Americans traveling abroad.
Trump empathized with Ms. Foley, but said you cannot negotiate that way with terrorists or you will have more James Foley situations. Trump raised 6 million for vets recently, vets love him. Tremendous fraud, waste and abuse in VA.
The discussion shifted to social issues. MKH brilliantly showed the distinct differences on gay marriage and abortion among millennials.
Rubio said that being against gay marriage does not make you a bigot. He does not hate people who disagree. “On abortion, Democrats are extremists.” In 5 debates, Democrats have not been asked once about abortion. Hillary favors same day birth abortions.
Jeb noted that he was a very pro-life governor and cited his record. Jeb favors exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. Having no exceptions is a problem.
Rubio favors an exception to save the life of the mother. He will sign a law that contains exceptions. “I would rather lose an election than be wrong on the issue of life.”
Christie said he was “one of the most helpful people to the pro life cause in one of the pro choice states, New Jersey.” He defunded Planned Parenthood. Only radical extremists can support what Planned Parenthood does. He passionately said exceptions for rape and incest must be allowed, it is an act of self-defense.
Super Bowl:
Panthers: Kasich, Rubio, Trump, Cruz
Broncos: Jeb, Christie
Either Denver or Carolina: Carson
Closing Statements:
Kasich: He loves doing Town Halls. He waxed poetic. He has a conservative but positive message to bring people together.
Christie: his last 13 years has been about serving people. He was on the front lines in the War on Terror and after Hurricane Sandy.
Jeb: Mentioned Reagan’s greatness and his hopeful optimistic vision. Jeb has the skills and leadership to maintain that vision.
Carson: Media and pundits have tried to bury him. He is still here and not going anywhere. Faith, integrity and common sense still matter.
Rubio: In 72 hours, New Hampshire will decide what kind of country we will be.
Cruz: Everyone says they will stand up to Washington. He does it. He stood up against the ethanol mandate in Iowa. Iowans put country above corporate cronyism.
Trump: Said Cruz won because he got Ben Carson’s votes. The crowd booed. If he is elected, we will win.
eric