The top 10 Republican U.S. presidential candidates officially launched the 2016 campaign season with their first debate in Cleveland, Ohio. And despite the hype and the buildup, in many ways the debate rose to expectations.
Billionaire Donald Trump gave notice he is not going to collapse anytime soon and that he will eagerly respond to attacks. But Trump may have sparked doubts among some Republicans about his commitment to the party. He was the only candidate on stage who refused to commit to supporting the eventual Republican nominee, nor would he rule out a possible third party bid for president. “I will not make the pledge at this time,” Trump said when pressed by one of the moderators.
That brought a sharp response from Kentucky Senator Rand Paul: “He’s already hedging his bets because he’s used to buying politicians.” But in fact Paul was one of the few to go on the offensive against Trump in the two hour debate.
Trump was also aggressive in fending off criticisms of past comments offensive to women. Trump told moderator Megyn Kelly of the Fox News Channel that he has been challenged by so many people that “I don’t frankly have time for political correctness. This country is in big trouble.”
But some of the voter focus groups questioned on the Fox News Channel after the debate had some negative reactions to Trump’s tone and what they saw as evasiveness on some issues.
Illegal Immigration a Flashpoint
Trump defended his previous controversial comments about illegal immigrants from Mexico, some of whom he described as “criminals” and “rapists.” Trump said in the debate, “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be talking about illegal immigration.” Trump also noted former Florida Governor Jeb Bush had objected to his “tone” when he talked about immigration.
In the debate, Bush said he found Trump’s language “divisive” and he stood by his view that immigrants trying to come to the U.S. do so out of “an act of love.” Senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas also urged better control of the U.S. borders as part of the immigration discussion.
Foreign Policy Issues
Several of the contenders strongly criticized the Obama administration over the nuclear deal with Iran and its efforts to counter the Islamic State. Cruz said the U.S. would not be victorious until there is a president willing to “utter the words radical Islamic terrorists.”
On the Iran deal, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said he would “terminate the deal on day one” in office. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said President Obama’s approach on the deal seemed to be “trust but vilify.” The day before the debate, Obama made an impassioned defense of the deal in a speech in Washington.
One other clash was worthy of note. Rand Paul and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had a spirited exchange over how to balance defending the country from terrorist attack with protecting the Bill of Rights.
One thing is certain; the Iran deal and the fight against the Islamic State will remain as key issues in the presidential campaign for the foreseeable future.
The First Big Test
The Cleveland debate was the first major test for the Republican contenders. But at least eight more debates are scheduled and there will be plenty of opportunity for voters to take their measure of the candidates as they appear on stage. “Thinking on their feet is going to be an interesting moment because right now they are all pretty much still mouthing talking points and staying within their individual campaign bubbles,” said Republican analyst Scot Faulkner.
Watch video report from VOA’s Kane Farabaugh:
Ohio Governor John Kasich and retired surgeon Ben Carson also took part in the prime time debate but may have been overshadowed by Trump. Trump has tapped into an anger and frustration among conservative Republicans that has carried him to the top of the polls, at least for now. But many analysts expect that Republican voters will eventually focus on a handful of candidates who they believe have a realistic chance of winning the White House next year. “Certainly among Republicans there is a great mood for change,” said Karlyn Bowman, who monitors public opinion at the American Enterprise Institute. “They would like to see a Republican president. They have been out of the presidential office for quite a while and so they are going to be very competitive and aggressive.”
The Rest of the Field
Prior to the main debate event, the seven other Republican contenders who did not make the cut took to the stage in Cleveland for what some called the “Happy Hour” debate, or the “undercard.”
There were no major fireworks in the earlier debate but there were some slashing attacks on President Obama’s leadership and on Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said Clinton would “represent the third term of a failed presidency.” Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina also went after Clinton, asserting that “lies” about the Benghazi terrorist attacks in 2012 when she was secretary of state and that she “lies” about the email controversy involving her use of a private email server while at the State Department.
Fiorina, former Texas Governor Rick Perry and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal all had strong moments in the earlier debate. That round also featured former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore, former New York Governor George Pataki and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, who finished second to Mitt Romney in the 2012 race for the Republican nomination.
Democratic Party officials, meanwhile, have announced their debate schedule. Six debates are planned, with the first on October 13 in Nevada. At least one of Hillary Clinton’s challengers, former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, said he would like more. “In an ideal world, we’d have more debates before the Iowa caucus,” which will take place in February.
VOA’s Jim Malone discusses the debate:
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