The CNBC GOP Debate was filled with big moments and memorable quotes. Here are two big winners and one big loser.
WINNER: Marco Rubio
Rubio had two big moments. First, there was this smackdown of Jeb Bush:
Then, in response to a ridiculous question vaguely referencing Super PACs targeted at Donald Trump, Rubio chimed in:
The Democrats have the ultimate Super PAC. It’s called the mainstream media.
Rubio won the debate. And he’s likely to see a big jump after this debate.
WINNER: Ted Cruz
But let’s not forget Ted Cruz. This was the single best moment in the debate.
[facebook url=”https://www.facebook.com/tedcruzpage/posts/10153673718457464″]That smackdown was incredible. Just incredible. Ted Cruz deserves a lot of credit for taking on the CNBC moderators… and he got the ball rolling for the rest of the candidates, who then proceeded to do the same thing over the course of the rest of the debate.
THE BIG LOSER: CNBC
This may have been the most ridiculously biased, poorly moderated debate of all time. The questions were ridiculous. The moderators seemingly spent more time talking than the candidates. The bias in the questions was approaching absurd levels. And the moderators repeatedly lost control of the debate.
It was a joke, pure and simple. The candidates rose above it. But this should not be forgotten for future GOP debates. Why are we handing control over OUR debates to the liberal mainstream media? It makes no sense. It’s a mistake that the RNC has repeatedly made for years, and it was once again on display on Wednesday night. It needs to stop.
The good news? This Republican field is so strong it didn’t even matter. Nearly all of the candidates came off looking very good, with the possible exceptions of Jeb Bush and John Kasich.
Jon Schweppe is Deputy Director of Communications for the American Principles Project.
