Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina delivered the strongest performance in Thursday’s opening debate of lower-polling Republican presidential candidates, making an effective case for why she deserves to be on the main stage with the top-tier contenders for the nomination.
With 17 GOP candidates running for president, Fox News divided the field into two camps — a main, primetime debate featuring 10 candidates, and a 5 p.m. debate featuring candidates who didn’t make the cut. The earlier debate left candidates at a disadvantage, because of the decreased attention, and the lack of a live audience. The absence of a crowd, in particular, deprived candidates of any applause lines, and their jokes were greeted by awkward silence.
But within these limitations, Fiorina made the most of her time. She offered a strong rejoinder when asked about the rise of Donald Trump. In what was the line of the night, she said, “I didn’t get a phone call from Bill Clinton before I jumped in the race,” a reference to the report that Trump spoke with Clinton prior to announcing his candidacy.
She also highlighted Trump’s shifting policy positions on immigration, abortion and healthcare, and added, “I would just ask what are the principles on which he would govern?”
Beyond Trump, Fiorina delivered a blistering attack on Hillary Clinton and showed knowledge and polish when discussing issues from the philosophical distinction between conservatism and progressivism, to the proper reaction to the rise of the Islamic State and the prospect of a nuclear Iran.
None of the other candidates had major gaffes, but they didn’t do anything to particularly improve their standing in polls, either.
Rick Perry had a forceful argument for why he could secure the U.S. border with Mexico, an attempt to tout his bona fides on the issue of immigration, which dogged him in his first run for president in 2012. But he didn’t improve enough over his poor 2012 debate performances to substantially change impressions.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal delivered answers that would probably resonate with conservatives. In response to a question about whether he’d shutdown the government to defund Planned Parenthood, he smartly turned the tables, arguing that it would be President Obama who would be defunding government in order to protect Planned Parenthood.
He also gave a substantial defense of his decision to reject Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion, but he missed an opportunity to directly attack Gov. John Kasich for his decision to participate in the expansion. Given his placement in the polls, it’s hard to see how he comes out of this with a major boost.
Sen. Lindsey Graham lacked energy and he seemed to be hurt the most by the lack of an audience, as many of his quips seemed designed to play off of a crowd. Rick Santorum struggled to explain why he needed to run again after losing in 2012.
Former governors Jim Gilmore and George Pataki didn’t do anything to provide a justification for why they’re running. In perhaps the clearest sign that nobody thinks Pataki is going anywhere, none of his rivals bothered to attack him for being in favor of abortion rights.
The bottom line: We don’t know if this debate will matter. But if it matters at all, Fiorina should see a bounce in national polls.
