The third Republican presidential primary debate on Wednesday night did not disappoint. Here are the most interesting moments of the night so far–
Ted Cruz attacks media, brings down the house
Asked a question about the debt limit, Ted Cruz responds: “The questions asked so far in this debate illustrate why the American people don’t trust the media. This is not a cage match.”
“Let the record reflect I asked you a question about the debt limit and I got no answer,” retorted CNBC’s moderator Carl Quintanilla.
“You’re not interested in an answer?” asked Cruz as the moderators cut him off and moved on to their next question.
Bush-Rubio feud explodes on-stage
Marco Rubio, asked about an editorial calling on him to resign over his rate of missed votes in the Senate and the contempt he’s expressed for the job, responds: “This is another example of the double-standard that exists in this country between the mainstream media and the conservative movement.”
Jeb Bush jumps in and calls Rubio a “gifted politician,” but tells him to either show up for votes or quit. “What is it like, a French work-week?” he said of the Senate’s manageable work-week.
Rubio responds, “Someone has convinced you that attacking me is going to help you.” Donald Trump can’t get a word in edgewise.
The crowd boos the moderators
The moderator asks Ben Carson about his apparent endorsement of a nutritional supplement company that made dubious claims about curing cancer and autism. Carson denies any relationship, calling the question “propaganda.” The moderator says that Carson’s photo appeared on the company’s website. Carson said he never gave his permission for his image to be used.
“Does that not speak to your vetting process or process in any way?” asks the moderator. The crowd boos the moderators. “See, they know,” Carson says, gesturing to the crowd. The jeers continue in the hall as the debate cut to a commercial break.
Jeb’s winning something, but Christie’s heard enough about fantasy football
“I’m 7-0 in my fantasy football league,” brags Bush in a response to a question about regulating sports betting. “Gronkowski is still going strong.”
Then Chris Christie cuts into to lament the bigger issues being ignored. “We have ISIS and al–Qaeda attacking us and we’re talking about fantasy football?” The crowd cheers.
Trump vs John Harwood
After describing some of Trump’s plans, including deporting 11m undocumented immigrants and building a wall on the US-Mexico border, moderator John Harwood asks “Let’s be honest: Is this the comic book version of a presidential campaign?”
“That’s not a very nicely asked question the way you said that,” Trump responded, then cited CNBC contributor Larry Kudlow, who’s praised his tax plan.
Harwood then followed up, saying he had talked to economic advisers who have served presidents of both parties about Trump’s tax plan: “They say you have as much chance of cutting taxes that much without increasing the deficit as you would of flying away from that podium by flapping your wings.”
“Then you would have to get rid of Larry Kudlow … who came out the other day and said ‘I love Trump’s tax plan,’” Trump retorted.
Rubio turns questioning of financial competence into book plug
Rubio said that early in his marriage, he had to explain to his wife why “Sallie Mae” was taking thousands out of his paycheck each month. He rejected critiques of his fiscal management skills as a “litany of discredited attacks.”
“We’re raising a family in the 21st century,” Rubio said of his family’s rise from modesty to moderate wealth.
Asked about how he encountered financial problems even after landing a million-dollar book deal, Rubio plugs the book. “It’s available in paperback if you’re interested in buying it.”