Wednesday's GOP debate was often contentious, acrimonious, redundant, and to put it in the words of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, "rude." Below is our recap of the issues covered in the debate. The GOP debate began with a question regarding the candidates' greatest perceived weakness. John Kasich took this opportunity to advocate against cuts to Social Security, Medicade, and ending "tax schemes." Mike Huckabee joked that he had no weakness, and then admitted to "playing by the rules" too often. Jeb Bush said he was impatient and can't fake anger, Donald Trump said he can be too trusting of people, Carly Fiorina "doesn't smile enough" and Chris Christie neglected to state a weakness.
The next question was posed to Donald Trump regarding the feasibility of his immigration plan, which NPR called "unrealistic and unworkable," and asked if he was a comic book presentation of a campaign. This question elicited many boos among the crowd (a common theme of the evening) and criticism from Trump. Trump also used his time to tout his tax plan and the viability of making Mexico build a wall along its border with the U.S.
Jeb Bush retorted that Trump's tax plan is completely impossible.
Ben Carson was asked about his plan for a 10% flat tax rate, which economists argue would leave us "in the hole" Carson disputed the 10 percent figure, saying 15% is closer. It was noted that this still leaves us with revenue hole. In response, Carson spoke of ending tax loopholes.
John Kasich was grilled over his criticism of the party in recent days, and asked why he felt it was necessary to turn against his peers. Kasich responded with criticism of the plans of other candidates, says he is the only one candidate that has a comprehensive idea of what he would do in office. He offers a scathing criticism of Carson, Bush and Trump and garners massive applause.
Trump retorted that Kasich's Ohio had an economic boom because of fracking and not the policies of John Kasich. Further, he blamed Kasich for the financial collapse, his attacks, and he ridiculed him for his low poll numbers poll numbers.
Ted Cruz was then asked about tax reform, and replied that he would tax giant corporations, although he advocated for a flat tax like many others on the stage.
At this point, Fiorina chimed in for an impassion plea for tax reform. She advocated a 3 page tax code to "level the playing field", and explained that most Americans needed to hire specialists to do their taxes.
Marco Rubio was then asked about his retrospective lack of support for his own immigration bill. He was also asked, "why not slow down and finish what you started in the Senate?" Rubio replied, "Why wait in line [as the Republican Establishment wants]? We don't have time to wait."
At this point Bush interjected to counter the negativity and pessimism of the other candidates while presenting an optimistic vision for the future of America.
Carly Fiorina's business record was called to question, with moderators arguing that stocks of Hewlett-Packard (of which Fiorina was a CEO) fell terribly under her tender. They asked "why should we hire you, when your own board fired you?"
Fiorina claimed to have saved 80,000 jobs at HP, and is proud of her record at the company.
Ted Cruz was then asked if his opposition to budget meant he wasn't a problem solver. Cruz immediately criticized the questions of the debate and the media, saying, "this is not a cage match."
Rand Paul was asked if he opposed the recently passed budget, to which he replied "yes", as it is "taking money from entitlements and spending it on military and domestic spending."
Chris Christie began an impassioned speech about the "lie" of entitlements, saying, "The government has lied to you, and stolen from you" Christie claims all Americans' social security money is in IOU's.
Mike Huckabee countered Christie by defending Social Security for moral reasons.
Ted Cruz came out against the recently passed budget.
The hosts then focused on Donald Trump's past use of U.S. bankruptcy laws, claiming that though he made out all right, the bondholders in his casinos did not. In response, Trump touted his business record, record in Atlantic City, and his ability to lead the country.
When Ben Carson was asked if pharmaceutical companies were taking advantage of consumers with massively high prices, the former neurosurgeon failed to take a position.
Chris Christie got the microphone again to say the bankers responsible for the 2008 financial crisis "belong behind bars." He goes on to blame the Justice Department, and "doesn't want DC running pharmaceuticals."
Jeb Bush claims "The middle class has 2300 dollars less in their pockets since the day that Barack Obama got elected president"
Carly Fiorina says crony capitalism is what happens "when the government gets so big and so powerful that only the big and the powerful can handle it. When the government gets big and powerful the powerful feel they need to get bigger. You see, folks, this is how Socialism starts."
Rubio was grilled about his fiscal record, saying he cared more about the money of Americans than his own.
John Kasich proposed an end to subsidies over seas and a system to clean up corporate welfare for the wealthy.
The issue of poverty among women is brought up, with Ted Cruz and Carly Fiorina issuing sharp criticism to the admistration of Barack Obama for failure to act on this issue.
Ben Carson assrts that he is not a homophobe because of his opposition to gay marriage. When asked about his involvement in Mannatech (a company who claims its products cure autism and cancer and who are being sued for false advertisement) to which he replied he had "no involvement- total propaganda. I did speeches for them... Do I take the product? Yes?" The hosts revealed he was on the homepage of the site with the logo on his shoulder. When asked if this affected his vetting process, the hosts received vehement boo's from the audience, to which Carson replied "they know".
Marco Rubio then made a speech imploring leaders not to send jobs overseas, and to invest in vocational education in America.
Donald Trump is then questioned for his criticism of Mark Zuckerberg, to which he responds he was never critical of Zuckerberg, and rails against the danger of Super PACS (Political Action Committees)
Rick Santelli is then called out, and proceeds to criticize Cruz for being a fierce critic of The Federal Reserve. He asks "should Congress be involved in monetary policy?" Cruz replies that we should audit "The Fed" and create a bipartisan commission for rules based on monetary policy
When asked the same question, Rand Paul called Ben Bernanke arrogant. He then goes on to blame "The Fed" or income inequality, the housing boom and crisis, and all its ensuing economic chaos. He advocates that "The Fed" "free up interest rates", for which he receives modest applause.
Ben Carson is asked about his opposition to subsidies, but his support of oil subsidies being given to ethanol. Carson replies that he "...was wrong. The best policy is to get rid of all government subsidies."
Mike Huckabee then took this opportunity to rail against income inequality, saying bankers should go to jail for the financial crisis.
Bush is questioned for taxing labor higher than investment, to which he responded "simplifying the code is what we need to do to give tax breaks to the middle class". He then went on to criticize Bernie Sanders and others for their "Bolshevik" policies.
Ted Cruz advocates the elimination of the IRS by having citizens send in their taxes on "postcards."
When asked about the legalization of marijuana, John Kasich says that the government should, in no way, be involved in "the scourge" of drugs, and doesn't want to see the controlled substance in the hands of children.
Regarding his immigration plan Rubio said a legal immigration system for permanent residents is preferable.
After a question about his own gun permit, Donald Trump said he "would feel more comfortable if his employees came [to work]with guns." He went on to say gun free zones are "target practice for sickos"
Huckabee took this opportunity to praise Trump, saying, "Donald Trump Would be a better president every day of the year- and twice the president of Hillary Clinton...I'm wearing a trump tie."
Chris Christie chimes in once more to mention the FBI's claims that crime has gone up because of new government limitations on police.
Carly Fiorina is asked about her corporation, which offered 401k plans, although more than half of Americans don't have access to that. She said the government should not play larger role in helping set up retirement plans for these workers. "Every time the government gets engaged in something, it gets worse."
John Kasich advocated a public service program to pay off student debt.
In regards to regulating Fantasy Football, Jeb Bush said "let the States do this. I'm 7-0 in my Fantasy Football League...but we're not gambling. It's day trading without any regulation at all"
Christie took massive issue with the idea of government in Fantasy Football, to raucous applause.
Christie went on to say climate change is caused by humans, and to fix it"we don't do what Clinton and Kerry and Obama do--more taxes. DC. We should be investing in all types of energy" Becoming irate with the host of the debate after an interruption, Christie interjected "John do you want to answer or do you want me to answer? Cause, let me tell you something, even in New Jersey, what you're doing is rude."
Rand Paul aid private market does a better job than government in almost every single sector.
Mike Huckabee came out for health prevention as a part of the American health program.
Trump says he will grow the economy so social security doesn't need to be touched. "We're gonna bring jobs back from Japan...China, etc."
Rand Paul advocates raising the retirement age for Social Security, saying it would have extremely beneficial effects on the American economy.
Overall, tonight's breakout winners seem to have been John Kasich and Ted Cruz, both of whom earned rapturous applause for their policies, and had plenty of speaking time to prove their worthiness for the position.
CNBC provided a backstage interview with Trump:
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