Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush finished second-to-last in total speaking time during the third GOP presidential debate, according to an NPR analysis, a surprising development for a candidate who finished among the top two in total talk time during the second debate.
His struggle to gain attention nearly mirrored Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s performance during the last GOP presidential debate in September. Walker quit the 2016 race five days after finishing dead last in total speaking time at the second debate.
Three presidential candidates who polled below Bush won more time on the microphone on Wednesday night: Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Amid across-the-board financial cuts to his presidential campaign, Bush was under pressure from supporters to assert himself more aggressively into the debate. But the governor was not the only candidate who saw his total speaking time drop dramatically between debates.
Trump dominated the first two presidential debates in total speaking time, but fell to fourth place at Wednesday’s debate. Carly Fiorina led the field in total speaking time during the CNBC debate, followed by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Kasich.
Final:
Fiorina: 10:32
Rubio: 10:10
Kasich: 9:42
Trump: 9:26
Christie: 8:31
Huckabee: 7:39
Cruz: 7:34
Carson: 7:02
Bush: 6:39
Paul: 6:15— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) October 29, 2015
Ben Carson, who has moved into the top spot in some Iowan and national polls, suffered behind the podium as well. Despite his surge to the top of the polls, he finished in eighth place in terms of total speaking time.
While the candidates’ speaking time varied from commercial break to commercial break, Fiorina and Kasich appear to have outperformed their poll position greatly, while Carson and Bush underperformed based on their status in the polls.
