Students share their opinions about recent Republican debate
Molly Hurley
Staff Writer
The third republican debate is in the books and not all candidates were left smiling. Maria Bartiromo and John Harwood were the moderators for this event hosted by CNBC.
Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Donald Trump, Chris Christie, Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Mike Huckabee, Carly Fiorina, and Rand Paul participated in what people are saying – a disaster.
While some of the candidates shined, the GOP debate didn’t make a very great leap forward.
Marco Rubio had a strong night, starting after Jeb Bush shed light on Rubio’s poor voting attendance record as Senate. Rubio defended himself while including snide attacks against Bush.
“The only reason why you’re doing it now is because we’re running for the same position, and someone has convinced you that attacking me is going to help you,” Rubio said. “I’m not running against Governor Bush, I’m not running against anyone on this stage. I’m running for president.”
Frankie Manzo, Junior at BSU found Rubio to be the winner of CNBC’s GOP election. “I think Rubio would make a great leader of our country. He’s quick and knowledgeable. He doesn’t sweet-talk anyone; instead he talks about real issues. In this debate only, Rubio made a point to discuss the republican establishment, democrats and the media, which I found helped him shine over the other candidates.”
Other candidates that fell on the winners board behind Rubio were Kruz, Kasich, Trump and Christie.
Cruz set the tone for this debate when he argued against the CNBC moderators Maria Bartiromo and John Harwood. “This is not a cage match,” Cruz said. “And you look at the questions: ‘Donald Trump are you a comic book villain? Ben Carson can you do math? John Kasich will you insult two people over here? Marco Rubio why don’t you resign? Jeb Bush why have your numbers fallen?’ How about talking about the substantive issues people care about?”
Jennifer Snow Sophomore at BSU agreed with Cruz. “I was really looking forward to this debate! I’m interested in journalism and watching the moderators ask these candidates such foolish questions drove me crazy. These debates are supposed to help us decide who we should vote for next November, not make a mockery out of our potential leaders. I feel like none of this nonsense would have happened had it been a democratic debate.”
The Republican National Committee has since canceled the upcoming republican debate hosted by NBC and Telemundo due to extreme backlash over CNBC’s debate.
“Good for them” Said Snow. “A lesson needs to be learned. Moderators are there to moderate; candidates are there to debate. Period.”
NBC responded by releasing a brief statement: “This is a disappointing development. However, along with our debate broadcast partners at Telemundo, we will work in good faith to resolve this matter with the Republican Party.”
Molly Hurley is a Staff Writer for The Comment newspaper.
