5 most memorable moments from the Republican debate

Either way, they are running out of time: there is only one debate (scheduled for January 28) before Iowa votes on February 1.

Here’s our take on the winners and losers that made for a rowdy night in SC.

“Donald Trump! Stop the hate”, they chanted before being removed from the coffee shop.

To qualify for the debate, a candidate had to place in the top six in an average of recent national polls, or in the top five in an average of recent Iowa or New Hampshire polls.

A raucous showdown of the top GOP hopefuls hit the North Charleston Coliseum, where the much anticipated face-off between front-runner Donald Trump and leading rival Texas Sen.

But the questions could hamper his ability to rally the broad Republican support he would need to win the party’s nomination to run for the presidency in November’s election.

Cruz also renewed his criticism of Trump’s “New York values”, a coded questioning of his rival’s conservatism.

Mr. Trump turned the table on Mr. Cruz by recalling New York’s response to the September 11 terror strikes.

Cruz said, “Since September, the Constitution hasn’t changed, but the poll numbers have”.

On Friday, the feud between the Texas senator and America’s largest city escalated when the New York Daily News told Cruz, in bold, headline font on the front page of the paper: “Drop dead, Ted”. Cruz was born in Canada of an American mother and a Cuban father. Cruz suggested Trump was only turning on him because he’s challenging for the lead in Iowa – and the businessman agreed. “When you’re a senator what you get to do is talk and talk and talk and no one can keep up to see if what you’re saying is accurate or not”, Christie said. I would be disqualified, Marco Rubio would be, Bobby Jindal would be disqualified. Some people are just unsure about Marco Rubio.

The heat continued after a commercial break, this time between Rubio and Christie.

When even the candidate you criticized on national television talks you up as a “friend”, you know you’ve got influence.

Haley, the popular SC governor praised by both establishment and tea party figures, basked in goodwill from those on the stage – likely pining for her powerful SC endorsement.

Separately, Christie warned, “If you’re anxious about world being on fire, you can not give Hillary Clinton a third term of Barack Obama’s leadership”. Trump, though, dismissed her VP prospects on CNN after her speech. Ben Carson seems to be fading. Bush blasted Trump for his stance.

Arguments for why he’d be a better president than the rest, however?

Ohio Gov. John Kasich welcomed Sanders’ rise in the polls.

“I am from NY”.

Only 47 percent of all voters surveyed responded that they thought Cruz is qualified to be president with regard to his citizenship, with 26 percent saying they were not sure. In fact, his attack was so cutting that it nearly elevated him into the list of winners. The moderators also brought up an issue that had little discussion until now: how would Trump separate his personal wealth and his concerns about his businesses if he were elected president?

I hate to interrupt this edition of “Court TV”. But worldwide issues such as fighting the Islamic State group dominated the discussion, reflecting the increasing concerns by Americans of terrorism on USA soil.

“But I was born here, big difference”, Trump interjected. “I’m exhausted of seeing what’s going on”.