2016 Presidential Campaign Blog

Excerpts from Mike Huckabee at the CNN Reagan Library Debate

Huckabee wins GOP debate with fiery optimism at Reagan Library

Huckabee: "Reagan didn't tell everyone how great he was. He got elected telling the American people how great they were. And he empowered them to live their dreams."

SIMI VALLEY, Calif.- Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee delivered a winning performance that channeled a strong, optimistic vision at tonight's GOP presidential debate.  Huckabee's positive message, coupled with humor, clearly demonstrated he has a positive vision for our future. The following are excerpts from his winning debate performance:

Ronald Reagan: "We're sitting here in the Reagan library that most of us would like to pay tribute to a guy who when he got elected, didn't tell everyone how great he was. He got elected telling the American people how great they were. And he empowered them to live their dreams, which is what I would love to see us do."

Supreme Court litmus tests: "You better believe I will (support litmus tests). Because I'm tired of liberals always having a litmus test and conservatives are supposed to pretend we don't. Do you think that the unborn child is a human being or is it just a blob of tissue?  I'd want to know the answer to that.  I'd want to know: Do you believe in the first amendment?  Do you believe that religious liberty is the fundamental liberty around which all the other freedoms of this country are based? Do you really believe in the 2nd Amendment?  Do you believe that we have an individual right to bear arms to protect ourselves and our family and our country."

FairTax:
"We ought to get rid of all the taxes on people who produce.  Why should we penalize productivity?  It's why I'm an unabashed supporter of the FairTax, which would be a tax on our consumption rather than a tax on our productivity.  We're not going to tax anyone for what they earn whether it's a worker who is working by the hour or it's a hedge fund manager."  

Religious Freedom/Kim Davis:
"We made accommodations to the Fort Hood shooter to grow a beard.  We made accommodations to the detainees in Gitmo.  I've been to Gitmo.  I've seen the accommodations that we make to the Muslim detainees who killed Americans.  You're telling me that you cannot make an accommodation for an elected Democrat county clerk from Kentucky?  What else is it other than the criminalization of her faith?"

Healthcare:
"Why doesn't this country focus on cures rather than treatment? Why don't we put a definitive focus scientifically on finding the cure for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's -- a disease alone that will cause us $1.1 trillion by the year 2050."

Abortion:
"Abortion would be no more.  It would be as much of a scourge in our past as slavery is."  

Future:
"At the end of my presidency...People wouldn't bully us anymore because they would know that that is an invitation to their destruction...We would have a peaceful country, where people respected each other and people respected law enforcement...We would make this country not only safe from our enemies without but safe from our enemies within.  It would be a good place to raise our kids and our grandkids.

Chris Christie: A Christie Presidency Wont Be About Me, It Will Be About You

Chris Christie: A Christie Presidency Wont Be About Me, It Will Be About You

CHRIS CHRISTIE: I turned 18 in 1980. My first vote was for Ronald Reagan. Boy, am I glad I did it. I think the country is too. A Christie presidency won't be about me, it will be about you. Tonight you sit at home in your living room, frustrated that you play by the rules, you pay the taxes, you do the hard things to raise your family, yet you feel like America's generosity is being taken advantage of, that your system is being gamed, and that you're turning out to fall further and further behind. Our presidency, our presidency will be about ending that, about enforcing the law, level the playing field for everybody, and once again reward those folks who play by the rules, and think that justice means more than just a word, but it means a way of life. And I will tell you this, around the world, I will not shake hands with, I will not meet with, and I will not agree to anything with a country that says death to us and death to Israel and holds our hostages while we sign agreements with them. It will be an America that will be strong and resolute and will once again be able to stick out its chest and say, we truly are the greatest nation in the world because we live our lives that way, each and every day.

What They Are Saying About Marco Rubio at the CNN Reagan Library Debate Part 2

Everyone Agrees: Marco "Clear Winner"

Stephen Hayes: Marco Rubio the Clear Winner

@HotlineJosh: Three clear winners, IMO: 1) Fiorina; 2) Rubio; 3) Christie.

@TheFix: Best: Fiorina, Cruz, Rubio

@WillCarrFNC: Winners - Fiorina, Rubio, who else?? #GOPDebate
Rich Lowry: Rubio is very good. Every single answer got applause. He is such a smooth communicator.
 

Fox News’ Carl Cameron: Marco Rubio a short while ago went on a lengthy foreign policy discussion and showed that he, too, has a lot to offer in terms of international relations.
 

TWEETS...
@JohnKingCNN: Incoming from conservative activists so far: @CarlyFiorina @marcorubio getting ++ reviews.
@MedvedShow: For the second half of the debate, could any of the others touch @MarcoRubio in terms of substance, fluency, passion? Bravo, Marco!
@EWErickson: Rubio is just hitting home runs all night.
@SykesCharlie: Unscientific poll of American women: my wife is pretty jazzed about Fiorina and Rubio.

@JeffreyGoldberg: Rubio and Fiorina seem to have done well for themselves tonight.
@FinnyGo: . Both @marcorubio & @CarlyFiorina showed real strength in their debate performances  tonight in Ronald Reagan's Simi Valley. #GOPDebate

ON FOREIGN POLICY...
International Business Times: “Marc continues to win points on stage during the GOP presidential debates. Rubio's remarks on foreign policy earned him praise from pundits Wednesday night during a prime-time debate moderated by CNN. Asked about the Syria intervention, Rubio said he opposed Obama's use of force in the past because the tactics are a "pin prick." Instead, he said the military is designed to use more force and ‘should only be engaged to win.’ ‘We are not going to authorize use of force if you're not putting the [US military] in a position to win,’ Rubio said. Pundits applauded the impassioned response about the US military. ‘Rubio also admirably passionate on putting our troops abroad in a position to win,’ Ann Coulter tweeted.” (International Business Times, 09/16/15)
FOREIGN POLICY TWEETS…
@ABCPolitics: .@MarcoRubio emphasizes importance of foreign policy knowledge in #GOPDebate

@JohnRoberts: @MarcoRubio showing strong command of foreign policy and not afraid to voice his opinion about what he believes is the right thing to do

@RalstonReports: Rubio is crushing it. And he's right: Ask Trump detailed foreign policy questions as his new best friend Hugh did.

@SethAMandel: On foreign policy, it's Rubio's show. No surprise there, but there's no one on that stage that comes close.

What They Are Saying About Rand Paul at the CNN Reagan Library Debate Part 2

Sen. Rand Paul's Debate Performance

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In case you missed it, here's what they are saying about Sen. Rand Paul's performance and messaging during tonight's CNN Republican Primary Debate:

Rand is right: "Sometimes both sides in a civil war are evil." -Andrea Tantaros
 
Rand Paul just gave the smartest comments on foreign policy from a GOP debate stage in decades. -Tim Carney

@RandPaul is right: Sometimes intervention makes us less safe; many have backfire. We need a new foreign policy, not repeats of failed one -Nick Gillespie

@RandPaul makes a good point after CarlyFiorina says don't talk to Russia:  Reagan wasn't afraid to talk to USSR. -Paul Begala

Great point by Rand Paul. You MUST keep talking to others. He invokes Reagan and Gorbachev. And he's 100% right. - Rolands Martin

Whoa, Rand Paul talking about foreign policy right now like a person who reads newspapers, not a character in an action movie.-Jonathan Chait
 
Rand Paul hits back directly and intelligently. No dodging or politispeak.-Frank Luntz

Rand Paul shows up for 5 seconds to talk sense about blowback and the pitfalls of militarism. -Andrew Kirell
 
Thank you, Rand Paul for actually understanding the Middle East and presenting a rational foreign policy.-Justin Amash
 
Rand FTW -David Graham
 
I am absolutely with Rand Paul on this question of weed: on the federalism question, and on the issue in general -Charles C. W. Cooke
 
First candidate to bring up race, Rand Paul in response to a marijuana question.-Roland Martin
 
Again Rand Paul is 100% right on 10th amendment -Andrew Wilkow
 
Rand Paul with the best answer of the evening, in the moral sense. -Ciara Jeffery
 
Rand Paul is right on this issue.  His work with Cory Booker on reforming our criminal justice system has been admirable -Michael Skolnik

Thank you Rand Paul- John Legend

Rand's answer was basically: no boots on the ground, but don't leave our regional allies hanging. It's a v popular position-Seth Mandel
 
Rand owns Christie on the question of states rights and pot legalization- Matt Kibbe
 
Does anyone besides Rand want the votes of young GOP voters? I dont know any young Republicans against marijuana decrim -Zaid Jiliani

Rand Paul Campaign Statement on Tonight's CNN Reagan Library Republican Presidential Debate

Rand Paul Stands Out With Common Sense Foreign Policy and Bold Tax Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Tonight Senator Rand Paul stood out as the only Republican promoting a common sense foreign policy as well as the boldest and most detailed tax plan.  A strong Constitutional Conservative, Sen. Paul understands war should not be the first option-and it certainly wasn't Ronald Reagan's approach to our defense.   

Sen. Paul also pushed for bold conservative reform of our broken tax code with his fair and flat tax of 14.5 percent that's simple, fair, and cuts taxes for every single American.

Rand Paul was the only candidate on stage who stood for personal freedom and getting the government out of our lives--that liberty means to live life as you see it, with your family, without interference from the government.  Republicans have always embodied smaller government-that the government that governs least, governs best.  It's this America that Rand Paul is fighting to bring back, and it's a message that is resonating around the country.

Jeb Takes The Reagan Approach Video From Tonight's CNN Reagan Library Debate

JEB TAKES THE REAGAN APPROACH
 
Miami, FL — At tonight’s debate, Governor Jeb Bush was firm, confident and optimistic – and demonstrated that he is the real conservative reformer with a proven record in this field, and he knows how to keep our country safe.

The Citadel Republican Society Town Hall with Gov. John Kasich in Charleston, South Carolina on Friday, September 25, 2015

The Citadel Republican Society Town Hall with Gov. John Kasich in Charleston, South Carolina on Friday, September 25, 2015

When:
Friday, September 25, 2015 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (EDT)

Where:
The Citadel
Buyer Auditorium, 2nd Floor
Mark Clark Hall
Charleston, South Carolina 29409

Hosted By:
Kasich for America

Register for this event now at :
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-citadel-republican-society-town-hall-with-gov-john-kasich-tickets-18659051726

Event Details:

You're invited to a special town hall event with Ohio Governor and Presidential Candidate John Kasich at the historic Citadel Campus.

This event is hosted by the Citadel Republican Society.

RSVP today! All guests must register in advance to attend.

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus Statement On CNN/Salem Republican Presidential Primary Debates

RNC Statement On CNN/Salem Republican Presidential Primary Debates
 
WASHINGTON – RNC Chairman Reince Priebus released the following statement in response to the CNN/Salem Republican presidential primary debates:
 
“Tonight, the country saw a healthy and robust debate from the most diverse and qualified field of candidates in the history of either party. There should be no doubt that the Republican Party’s nomination process will be a true competition, and voters will be the ones who decide our nominee.

“It’s a stark contrast with the Democrat Party establishment, which is rigging their debates and would rather coronate Hillary Clinton.

“Americans want new ideas, new leadership and a new direction from their next President. Any one of our highly qualified candidates would be a better president than Hillary Clinton and offer the new direction Americans want and need." 

What They Are Saying About Rand Paul at the CNN Reagan Library Debate

WTAS: Sen. Rand Paul's Debate Performance

WASHINGTON, D.C. In case you missed it, here's what they are saying about Sen. Rand Paul's performance and messaging during tonight's CNN Republican Primary Debate:

Rand is right: "Sometimes both sides in a civil war are evil." -Andrea Tantaros
 
Rand Paul just gave the smartest comments on foreign policy from a GOP debate stage in decades. -Tim Carney

@RandPaul is right: Sometimes intervention makes us less safe; many have backfire. We need a new foreign policy, not repeats of failed one -Nick Gillespie

@RandPaul makes a good point after CarlyFiorina says don't talk to Russia:  Reagan wasn't afraid to talk to USSR. -Paul Begala

Great point by Rand Paul. You MUST keep talking to others. He invokes Reagan and Gorbachev. And he's 100% right. - Rolands Martin

Whoa, Rand Paul talking about foreign policy right now like a person who reads newspapers, not a character in an action movie.-Jonathan Chait
 
Rand Paul hits back directly and intelligently. No dodging or politispeak.-Frank Luntz

What They Are Saying About Marco Rubio at the CNN Reagan Library Debate

What They Are Saying About Marco Rubio at the CNN Reagan Library Debate

The Weekly Standard: Marco Rubio Dominates on Foreign Policy

@KevinMaddenDC: This Marco Rubio on stage tonight strikes the most fear in Democrats re: a general election. #CNNDebate

@RichLowry: Rubio has been good when he's gotten a chance, about 3 times by my count

@charlescwcooke: The former hasn’t spoken much tonight. But for my money the long-term winners of this debate are Marco Rubio and Carly Fiorina.

@GeraldFSeib: Marco Rubio hasn't had many openings in this debate, but he has seized them pretty well.

@HotlineJosh: Rubio, not getting many pitches. But two home runs -- both on f policy.

Watch Marco Rubio: My Grandfather Taught Me The American Dream In Spanish
 

@tobyharnden: Powerful almost spine-tingling moment for Rubio as he talks about his Spanish-speaking grandfather. Can see why Clintonland fears him.

@StephenFHayes: Rubio just stole the Spanish-language exchange between Bush/Trump and made it a moment.

@JeffZeleny: We interrupt this Trump-Bush fight for @marcorubio to inject an optimistic page from his biography.  He wins this moment. #CNNDebate

@EdMorrissey: Very good answer from Rubio on using Spanish on the campaign trail. "I want them to hear from me, not a Univision translator."