CNN has released the lineup for next week’s Republican presidential debates.
The main stage will play host to:
- Donald Trump
- Ben Carson
- Jeb Bush
- Scott Walker
- Carly Fiorina
- John Kasich
- Chris Christie
- Ted Cruz
- Marco Rubio
- Mike Huckabee
- Rand Paul
Meanwhile, the early debate field has been narrowed down to 5 players:
- Rick Perry
- Bobby Jindal
- Lindsey Graham
- George Pataki
- Rick Santorum
Former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore’s overall numbers didn’t make the cut (average 1% support in any three polls released during the two-month window,) so he won’t be participating in the debate.
CNN changed its ranking criteria after fielding criticism concerning the placement of one candidate—Carly Fiorina. In the wake of last month’s first Republican debate, pundits and debate watchers came out in force to praise Fiorina for her performance.
#LikeAGirl (photo via @kesgardner ) pic.twitter.com/a5MNNZ4mXX
— Amy Miller (@ThatAmyMiller) August 6, 2015
When CNN released its initial strategy for filling the podiums at this month’s debate, it quickly became apparent that, in spite of her excellent performance (83% of the focus group Fox polled believed that she won,) Fiorina would once again be relegated to the junior debate alongside candidates who had underperformed.
CNN bowed to pressure, and changed its criteria, and now we could be in for some fiery moments between Fiorina and the field’s most popular contender—Donald Trump.
Trump recently made some less than diplomatic comments about Fiorina’s looks (or, as he claims, her persona.) She has since taken the opportunity to hit back against Trump’s comments:
When asked this week to respond to Trump’s churlish criticism of Fiorina’s looks – “Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?!” – Carly simply said, “I think those comments speak for themselves.”
After her pivot – a move Fiorina uses so effortlessly and so regularly that it is recognized by some observers as the best in politics right now – she spiked the ball with this: “But maybe, just maybe, I’m getting under his skin a little bit, because I am rising in the polls.”
I’m inclined to believe that Trump will make hay of this tension, because he thrives in any environment that gives him the opportunity to one-up the competition. Similarly, Fiorina has proved herself an adept match for the media’s (and her fellow candidates’) nonsense.
I predict fireworks!
The second Republican primary debate will take place on September 16 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California and will air live on CNN, CNN International and CNN Espanol. The Salem Radio Network will broadcast the debate.
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Comments
Jim Gilmore is out, and Carly Fiorina has been moved to the main debate.
Also, the two debates will now be broadcast back to back.
To each his own, but I think Fiorina is a whole lot easier to look at than Hillary. Hillary will have to do a whole lot more yoga to even get close to Fiorina’s shape. But still, what Fiorina has to say is far more important than the physicals.
Nothing against Fiorina, but the method would not have been changed for one of the males. And they would not have been included.
Glad she isn’t sinking to his level. Upon receiving a comment about my looks/face from The Donald, I can’t say I wouldn’t come back with, “Well, you’re obviously thinking about me. I for one am happy to be living rent-free under that comb-over!”
What a sexist line-up.
But all 3 of Carly’s supporters must be over-joyed!
And jumping up and down on used Oprah coaches!
Ugh. Couches!
Too bad they could not have switched Gov Huckabee and Carly
Then we could have had Trump in the middle with the minority/senators wing and the governor wings in full display.
A – black man, two Cuban Senators, a woman, and the libertarian
B – Govs Bush, Walker, Huckabee, Kasich, and Christie
Once again we get to hear about Valerie great and magnificent printer without a model name ( It wouldn’t be that she never tells us which model because she doesn’t want us checking on her story? After all my HP LJII worked until I got rid of it 5 years ago. If it wasn’t for a leaky cap, it would still work. ). The printer made when Carly descended into the bowels of HP Engineering and single handedly designed it.
The printer that HP stopped supporting when Carly “retired”. Never mind that she probably fired the engineers that would have supported it.
I greatly lament and assign much of America’s decline to the fact that national elections have become all about style and celebrity drama and very little about substance.
Ya call that “style?????”
Nurse Rachett had such “style” as that……
Don’t forget the faith angle — by which I mean Trump fans’ unwavering belief that he will be whatever they want him to be, and everything those evil “politicians” are not. And please don’t bother them with facts, because that just means you’re a RINO and you love Jeb.
“…because that just means you’re a RINO and you love Jeb.”
I believe you are and you do.
Hopefully they wolnt ask gotcha questions and will stick to the issues this time