GOP Debate Focuses On ISIS And Not Much Else

Ted Cruz at The Venetian Las Vegas on December 15, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Christie never exhausted of reminding viewers that he was a former US attorney. If you’re watching along tonight, feel free to discuss in the comments.

“We’re not talking about religion”. They are recruiting people, including Americans, to join them, with the promise that they are joining this great apocalyptic movement that is going to defeat the West.

After the debate, Christie cited his background in a fundraising letter. “We need toughness.” Then he attacked Bush as being soft on immigration from Mexico, because it’s all the same to him. He was followed by Rubio (13:33) and Trump (13:25).

“I am reminded of what FDR’s grandfather said”.

“We are at a time when we need more tools in our intelligence toolbox not less”. He called it “a massive amnesty plan”. In one testy exchange, Rubio noted that Cruz had voted against the Defense Authorization Act, which includes funding for Iron Dome, the short-range anti-missile program Israel has used to deflect rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.

Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio also squared up to each other.

Jeb Bush, former Florida Governor who is struggling in the polls, argued that a large number of Muslims in the Middle-East were fighting for the U.S.

“Poor Bush”, Trump said at a rally at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, adding that he wouldn’t mind it if Bush chose not to endorse him if he becomes the nominee. He’d be a chaos president.

Trump responded by calling the Bush campaign “a total disaster”.

Instead, moderator Wolf Blitzer provided a platform for the GOP candidates to uncork frightening – and unfathomably expensive – proposals for the United States to take the fight to ISIS, and Syria, and Russian Federation, and China, and North Korea, and, well, you get the idea. Trump held his ground, however, sticking to predictable boasts about his high poll numbers.

“Well, let’s see”, he said. “I’m at 42 [percent in the polls], you’re at 3!”

All of which means that I expect this to be a big night for the Cruz campaign. “And that’s bringing Republicans and Democrats together”.

On Tuesday night, Kentucky Sen. Front-runner Donald Trump has sharply clashed with challenger Jeb Bush in a national security debate, but managed to escaped any severe criticism from his other rivals.

“There is nothing we are allowed to do under this bill that we were not allowed to do before”, he said. “And that is not reckless”. The Texas senator is on the rise, particularly in Iowa’s lead-off caucuses, where he is challenging Mr Trump’s months-long lead. He said he had changed his mind.

“Jeb doesn’t really believe I’m unhinged”, Trump said. “He has a wonderful temperament”.

The question many are asking is whether or not Trump has a real chance to win.