GOP Debate 2015 Review: Chris Christie, Bobby Jindal Dominate Undercard Debate, Attacks Clinton
The fourth Republican presidential debate focused on the economy and social services with four candidates who failed to reach the main debate criteria.
Participating in the 7 p.m. EST GOP debate from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, were former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
When on attack-mode, Christie focused on Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton, even when fellow Republican candidates began to grill him, namely Jindal. The Louisiana governor criticized Christie by using statistics, noting the New Jersey governor expanding food stamps and Medicaid.
Jindal also attacked Huckabee for insinuating the former Arkansas governor did not cut government spending.
"For the people who are out there right now, I want to guarantee you one thing quite clearly. If you think that Mike Huckabee won't be the kind of president who will cut back," said Christie, adding, "she is the real adversary tonight, and we better stay focused."
"Hillary Clinton's coming for your wallet, everybody. The bottom line is, believe me, Hillary Clinton is coming for your wallet, everybody, don't worry about Huckabee or Jindal," said Christie. "Worry about her."
Santorum reiterated his opposition to bailouts for the automotive and banking industry. "We have a president, and an economy right now, that is killing, choking our ability to compete."
Huckabee responded to his stance on not accepting Syrian refugees into the U.S. He said he is concerned with the "slaughter of Christians" but claimed 1 in 5 refugees were not Syrian and cited the $19 trillion U.S. debt as the cause for not immediately accepting them. He said he's tired of the U.S. always having to save or come to the rescue while the Saudis should step in.
On China, Christie said Clinton and Obama have a "feckless" policy on the communist nation despite the Asian country's hackings and spying on Americans. Christie said he would create cyberwarfare and expose the Chinese government's actions to fellow Chinese nationals.
"They took my Social Security number, my fingerprints as a U.S. attorney that were on file there, and what has this president done? Not one thing," Christie said, later adding, "If the Chinese commit cyberwarfare against us, they are going to see cyberwarfare like they have never seen before."
Jindal said the electorate should not vote for a big-government Republican who would essentially represent a second-class Democratic Party. He criticized Christie's economic record for not being conservative enough, but the New Jersey governor reverted to grilling Obama and Clinton's record instead of continuing negative comparisons with the Louisiana governor.
In regards to Obamacare, Jindal said his healthcare reform plan would reduce costs and reiterated his refusal to expand Medicaid. He further criticized the Republican-led Congress for not taking action to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Christie said he refused the ACA by not letting New Jersey participate in the federal exchange. Christie continued to focus on Clinton, stating she would move the country to a single-payer healthcare system.
"Chris, look, I'll give you a ribbon for participation and a juice box, but in the real world it's about results, it's about actually cutting government spending, not just talking about cutting government spending," said Jindal.
In response to which Democratic member of Congress they like to work with, none of them answered it. Jindal said he would fire everyone in Congress and would push for term limits. Christie said the Democratic Party is "allowing lawlessness to reign on this country" by not supporting law enforcement. Santorum
Santorum spoke about the 20 percent flat tax for corporations and individuals. Christie's tax plan would 28 percent "for those doing the most" but 8 percent for those doing less. Jindal said he believes everyone "should have skin in the game" as he includes a 2 percent plan on top of 25 percent and 10 percent levels. He also said he would eliminate the corporate tax. Huckabee said all taxes on work, savings and investments should be eliminated as part of his "fair tax."
As the debate occurred on the eve of Veterans Day, Santorum said he would improve the Veterans Affairs Department's healthcare system by abolishing it since the best method is the private sector health insurance industry, but unique problems can be addressed in a "centers of excellence."
On closing statements, Jindal echoed his message of shrinking the government and cutting spending and said the other candidates spoke "hot air" on the issue. Santorum said "working families" is the key to winning the election. Huckabee said people should vote for someone who never forgets their beginnings. Christie said he will go to Washington, D.C. to bring this country together for all children and grandchildren.
The debate ended at 8:15 p.m. EST.
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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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