GOP Debate: RNC Chairman, Democratic Presidential Candidates Respond to Republican Debate
The reviews are coming in after the final Republican presidential debate of 2015 on Tuesday night.
For the Republican National Committee (RNC), which co-organized the debate with broadcaster CNN appears to have found the debate as a success compared as there was no criticism on the moderation compared to the CNBC debate in late October.
"It's clear from tonight's debate that our Republican field understands the threats we face from radical Islamic terrorism and that we must change course from the failed Clinton-Obama foreign policy to destroy it," RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement on Tuesday night.
According to Priebus, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, during her tenure as President Barack Obama's secretary of state, was the "chief architect" of an agenda that has left the U.S. with a more chaotic world and at a greater risk of attack.
"Our candidates understand we must defeat radical Islamic terrorism, while Hillary Clinton refuses to acknowledge we're at war with ISIS or even call the enemy by its name. The fundamental differences between our exceptionally qualified candidates and the Democrat field couldn't be more clear, which is why the American people will elect a Republican president next November," Priebus said.
Meanwhile at the Democratic National Committee, Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz called the GOP debate "a complete disaster." She explained not one of the Republican presidential candidates has a record to keep the country safe.
"From Donald Trump on down, the Republican Party's candidates have allowed their dangerous rhetoric to get them in way over their heads on national security," Wasserman Schultz said.
Wasserman Schultz, who also serves as the congresswoman for Florida's 23rd Congressional District, said the debate ignored the topic of gun safety and regulation. She also criticized Priebus for his reference that the RNC has made strides on minority outreach.
"Perhaps most embarrassing for the GOP, their Chairman went on stage to tout the Republican Party's outreach to minorities just as his candidates lined up to bash immigrants, while continuing to insult the entire Muslim religion," Wasserman Schultz said.
"We need to keep America moving forward. Our country just can't afford to take a risk on any of these reckless Republican candidates."
According to Mi Familia Vota (MFV), a non-profit organization promoting social and economic justice for Latinos and immigrants, the Republican debate showed why the GOP is losing the Latino and immigrant communities. In a statement following the debate, MFV blasted Sens. Marco Rubio of Texas and Ted Cruz of Texas, both Latinos with familial history in Cuba.
"It is appalling that Cruz and Rubio, sons of immigrants, the sons of refugees whose families benefited from the generosity and the opportunities that our country provides to immigrants, are now spearheading the attacks on the immigrant community started by Donald Trump," MFV said, adding the GOP candidates' solution to the immigration crisis is building bigger walls and more border agents.
"Today, the Republican Presidential hopefuls, kissed good-bye to any support from the immigrant and Latino communities, a division that will probably last for decades. It is now up to us to educate, motivate, and mobilize the Latino community to march to the ballots next November and hold accountable candidates and elected officials for their word and actions against immigrants."
The Democratic presidential candidates also shared their opinions of the final GOP debate of the calendar year.
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley said not one Republican candidate showed the "thoughtfulness and leadership."
"Instead, we saw a cattle call of fear mongers more eager to stir up uncertainty than serve responsibly as Commander in Chief. In times of fear and uncertainty, what we need to unite us are our shared values as Americans. We cannot let ourselves be divided by race or religion, but that's what the Republicans are promising. Make no mistake: Trump's fascist strategy will not make us safer," O'Malley said.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., used Twitter to write a series of messages.
Repeat after me: We must combat anti-Muslim bigotry and all forms of discrimination in our country and in our world. #GOPDebate
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 16, 2015
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We will not destroy ISIS by undermining our civil liberties and religious freedoms. #GOPDebate — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 16, 2015
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A lot of talk about war. No talk about the 500,000 men and women who came home with PTSD, and traumatic brain injury. #GOPDebate
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 16, 2015
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What's reckless is turning our backs on the refugees who are fleeing Syria and Afghanistan. #GOPDebate — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 16, 2015
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Fifth #GOPDebate is over. Like the first, not one word about income inequality, climate change, or racial justice. The Rs are out of touch.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 16, 2015
Clinton did not personally write Twitter messages, but her campaign was active in writing bilingual tweets.
We need serious leadership to keep us safe. Hateful words and extreme proposals that go against our values aren't serious. #GOPdebate — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 16, 2015
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No estamos en guerra contra una religion. Estamos en guerra contra el yihadismo radical. Hillary entiende la diferencia. #GOPdebate
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 16, 2015
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This election is about keeping American families safe and strong. The ideas we're hearing from Republicans won't do that. #GOPdebate — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 16, 2015
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Only one candidate in this election knows how to build coalitions and make the world safer—because she's done it. #GOPdebate
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 16, 2015
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Solo un candidato en esta elección sabe cómo trabajar con otros países para mantenernos seguros—ella tiene la experiencia. #GOPdebate — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 16, 2015
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The candidates on stage talk tough—but they won't even support legislation preventing suspected terrorists from getting guns. #GOPdebate
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 16, 2015
The Democratic presidential candidates are scheduled to have their third debate on Dec. 19, from New Hampshire. The Democrats' debate will air on ABC.
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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.
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