Rubio under pressure as Republicans debate in South Carolina

[rooster59]

Rubio under pressure as Republicans debate in South Carolina

JULIE PACE, Associated Press
WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press


GREENVILLE, South Carolina (AP) — Florida Sen. Marco Rubio enters Saturday night's Republican presidential debate facing immense pressure to right his campaign after faltering badly in the last contest and finishing a disappointing fifth in the New Hampshire primary.

Rubio's stumble re-energized some of his rivals as the race heads to the South and reignited questions about whether the 44-year-old first-term senator has the experience to be president. While he's sought to shed some of his reliance on well-rehearsed talking points in recent days, the debate will be a prime test of whether he can rebound.

Just six candidates will face off Saturday in Greenville, South Carolina, far from the long line of candidates who took the stage in earlier Repubican debates. But even with a streamlined field, the Republican race remains deeply uncertain. In recent presidential races, the South Carolina primary has played a pivotal role in further winnowing the field.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and celebrity billionaire Donald Trump each have a state in their win column after respective victories in Iowa and New Hampshire, and both appear to be in a strong position heading into South Carolina's Feb. 20 Republican primary. They've been sparring from afar for weeks but have so far kept their acrimony off the debate stage.

Whether that pattern continues in Saturday's contest is unknown. Cruz released a television advertisement before the debate accusing the real estate mogul of a "pattern of sleaze," spurring Trump to fire back on Twitter with another round of questions about his Canadian-born rival's eligibility to be president.

If Cruz "doesn't clean up his act, stop cheating, & doing negative ads, I have standing to sue him for not being a natural born citizen," Trump wrote.

While Trump will be standing at center stage, signifying his lead in national preference polls, Rubio will be the center of attention.

Rubio headed into New Hampshire with a bit of momentum fresh from a stronger-than-expected third-place finish in the leadoff Iowa caucuses, and it looked like he would emerge as the more mainstream alternative to Cruz and Trump. The party establishment is concerned that the two front-runners both have high disapproval ratings and are too polarizing to do well in the general election.

But Florida's junior senator came into last weekend's debate facing criticism from rivals who said that while he delivers a good campaign speech and sharp answers in debates, he lacked depth. He played into that characterization when he repeated the same practiced line multiple times under pressure from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Rubio won't have to face Christie in Saturday's debate because the New Jersey governor dropped out of the race after a disappointing sixth place finish in New Hampshire.

Rubio's poor performance in New Hampshire has created a potential opening for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Ohio Gov. John Kasich to consolidate support among the party establishment and challenge Trump and Cruz. Bush in particular will need a solid showing in South Carolina, given his prominent political family's ties to the state, while Kasich is just hoping to remain viable until the race heads to friendly territory for the Midwestern governor.

Also on stage Saturday will be Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon who has struggled to stay relevant in the debates as his standing in the race sharply slipped. Carson pledged that he wouldn't allow himself to be ignored.

Katon Dawson, the former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, said he expects the debate to have more of an impact on his state's voters than the results in either Iowa or New Hampshire.

"In the last couple of races, we have seen our voters hold their final pick until a couple of days before," Dawson said. "After the church bells ring on Sunday, people are going to start paying a lot of attention."

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-01-14

[Publicus]

At the 40 minute mark the "debate" had been a WWF matchup.

Jeb is fighting Trump for a change and Trump is looking rattled also for a change. The two were hollering simultaneously at the other while the CBS News mod let 'em go at it.

Cruz is sitting back to enjoy. Kasich is calling it all "crazy" while he makes a lot of specific policy points based on his being governor. Kasich is sticking up for his choice to include Medicare in Ohio in support of Obamacare. Jeb spent time attacking Kasich who returned the favor effectively.

Rubio is trying to come back strongly.

Six of 'em is so much better than ten cause each can sink his teeth into the other(s). (Chris Christie has already thrown his shoes through three tv's ha ha.)

[Chicog]

Trump as usual is dragging it into farce.

[Ulysses G.]

Nobody is doing too badly, but Trump got some boos that I did not expect. Rubio fought Ted Cruz off quite easily and as been handling himself well. He is the best communicator on the stage. Is it too late?

[Srikcir]

For someone who has given up re-election to the U.S. Senate (Florida) to run for President, Rubio doesn't seem to have a sense of political urgency. He is not a politically incompetent person as proven by his winning the Florida U.S. Senate seat. But he seems overwhelmed by bigger than life Presidential GOP contenders.

Time for Rubio to return to Florida politics.

[Publicus]

Trump hammered not only Jeb as a Bush but GW for lying about WMD to create the humongous trail of death, destruction and economic disaster that continues and is going to take a long time for the country to work its way through.

Establishment Republicans and rightwhingers won't like that, but people in general relate to it in a big way. Even people who would never consider voting for Trump relate to it big time. Expect this will continue to keep Trump towering over Jeb going forward when JeBush needs to gain significant traction as his bro GW arrives this week in SC to campaign with JeB.

Somebody in the race in either party pounding on a political dynasty that wreaks war after war and devastation on the country and the world is going to make big points with many voters, which is what is happening for Trump as he continually pursues this theme. Trump does believe it and strongly so.

[Ulysses G.]

Time for Rubio to return to Florida politics.

Huh? Rubio is not "overwhelmed" by anyone. He had a few bad minutes in ONE debate. He is the best communicator running for president.

[Chicog]

Trump just doesn't seem to be able to keep his fat mouth shut.

Since everyone gets a right of reply when they are mentioned, it's simply disrespectful not to let others finish speaking.

He's so ill-mannered it's unbelievable.

God help the American people if they think that's going to work against Russia, China and Mexico.

[NeverSure]

Remember, these live audiences are stacked by the Repub establishment which wants Bush or Cruz. Trump couldn't get many seats as they were awarded to donors. This whole Repub and Dem machine thing stinks to high heaven.

The delegates are stacked toward Hillary before it starts. Trump can't get tickets. Plants boo those who the insiders don't want including Trump. Trump's answer is to point at the audience and say "I don't work for you. I work for the American people."

It's time for The People to take down these big political machines on both sides. They rig the process.

[elgordo38]

Bringing George Bush into the campaign to stump for you is like introducing a "weapon of your destruction". If the world and justice worked as it should George would be on trial as a war criminal in La Hague. Sadly the Bush name has be air brushed since the days of Prescott Bush. Now the Bush dynasty wants you to believe that they are the flavor of the month. If you have a computer with "Google" on it you can delve into history.

[stevenl]

Thanks guys, now we know all how to have a decent and civilized discussion about the issues.

[lannarebirth]

Bringing George Bush into the campaign to stump for you is like introducing a "weapon of your destruction". If the world and justice worked as it should George would be on trial as a war criminal in La Hague. Sadly the Bush name has be air brushed since the days of Prescott Bush. Now the Bush dynasty wants you to believe that they are the flavor of the month. If you have a computer with "Google" on it you can delve into history.

I agree with you. Now, please provide any notable distinctions between George Bush, His father George the Ist, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.

[Usernames]

BUSH: "My mom is the strongest woman I know."

TRUMP: "She should be running."

Hah! If Trump does nothing else, at least he will dethrone and destroy this villainous would-be American dynasty.

[NeverSure]

Here's the first poll I can find for tonight's debate winner.

[Chicog]

Hmmm, clicked on the link for that poll and Trump's already down to 65%, Rubio up to 14%.

39,000-odd votes cast.

I think of more importance is when people like Frank Luntz chip in:

Frank Luntz

✔@FrankLuntz

Seriously, this is insane.

The GOP is destroying itself tonight, and they have no one to blame but themselves. #GOPDebate

Have yet to see his focus group analysis of this debate yet; always quite interesting.

[Usernames]

Trump continues to show that he is the only one who will fight. The rest will just turn over and whimper. For the frist time in decades, somebody is fighting back on immigration and also fighting to put Americans' interest above the rest of the world.

[Chicog]

Trump continues to show that he is the only one who will fight. The rest will just turn over and whimper. For the frist time in decades, somebody is fighting back on immigration and also fighting to put Americans' interest above the rest of the world.

If by "fight" you mean to shout down and insult his opponents, then you are right.

Because his plan to deport 12 million people without due process is about as feasible as putting a man on the sun.

And his plan to start a trade war with China isn't the most brilliantly thought out idea, either.

[Ulic]

I was only able to see a few highlights but I have to say I do like Trumps frank, no nonsense

statements. He does not say the PC "you misspoke" of even you were wrong. He calls

people liars and has no problem saying it to there face. Not diplomatic, not PC, but accurate.

Of course he tells his own whoppers, but hey, others have to call him out or don't.

Up to you. The little I saw was fiery and passionate and yes entertaining.

And as already pointed out, the GOP establishment has stacked the audience with any

one but Trump boo birds. Not really treating him fairly at all.

[Ulic]

Here's the first poll I can find for tonight's debate winner.

deb copy.jpg

I have to say that is the way I saw it in the short highlight I watched.

[fakename]

Anybody but Trump!

[TheCruncher]

Hmmm, clicked on the link for that poll and Trump's already down to 65%, Rubio up to 14%.

39,000-odd votes cast.

I think of more importance is when people like Frank Luntz chip in:

Frank Luntz

✔@FrankLuntz

Seriously, this is insane.

The GOP is destroying itself tonight, and they have no one to blame but themselves. #GOPDebate

Have yet to see his focus group analysis of this debate yet; always quite interesting.

That's only a 50 percentage points gap anymore between the first and the second

[Chicog]

Hmmm, clicked on the link for that poll and Trump's already down to 65%, Rubio up to 14%.

39,000-odd votes cast.

I think of more importance is when people like Frank Luntz chip in:

Frank Luntz

✔@FrankLuntz

Seriously, this is insane.

The GOP is destroying itself tonight, and they have no one to blame but themselves. #GOPDebate

Have yet to see his focus group analysis of this debate yet; always quite interesting.

That's only a 50 percentage points gap anymore between the first and the second

Yes, settled at 48,000 and he's at 66%.

Amazing.

[NeverSure]

Washington Times

[SgtRock]

NeverSure, on 14 Feb 2016 - 19:52, said:

Washington Times

WT.jpg

I think that is commonly known as a complete landslide.

[Jingthing]

NeverSure, on 14 Feb 2016 - 19:52, said:

Washington Times

WT.jpg

I think that is commonly known as a complete landslide.

The Washington Times is a joke newspaper.

It's not an actual scientific poll.

It got as much meaning as a "poll" on this forum.

[TheCruncher]

NeverSure, on 14 Feb 2016 - 19:52, said:

Washington Times

WT.jpg

I think that is commonly known as a complete landslide.

The Washington Times is a joke newspaper.

It's not an actual scientific poll.

It got as much meaning as a "poll" on this forum.

But that doesn't make Time less credible.

[SgtRock]

Jingthing, on 14 Feb 2016 - 20:08, said:

SgtRock, on 14 Feb 2016 - 19:59, said:

NeverSure, on 14 Feb 2016 - 19:52, said:NeverSure, on 14 Feb 2016 - 19:52, said:

Washington Times

WT.jpg

I think that is commonly known as a complete landslide.

The Washington Times is a joke newspaper.

It's not an actual scientific poll.

It got as much meaning as a "poll" on this forum.

If Trump had came bottom of the poll. Would it still be a joke newspaper ?

[Jingthing]

Yes. Of course.

[Usernames]

Black, White, Hispanic. I wonder how many of these 1400 just became Trump supporters. http://www.mediaite.com/online/video-shows-exact-moment-1400-employees-learn-they-are-losing-their-jobs-to-mexico/

[NeverSure]

Black, White, Hispanic. I wonder how many of these 1400 just became Trump supporters. http://www.mediaite.com/online/video-shows-exact-moment-1400-employees-learn-they-are-losing-their-jobs-to-mexico/

That's been happening for decades. This is Bill Clinton's legacy. How many union workers are going to vote for Trump because he said "That wouldn't happen on my watch"?