“The big questions of the night: Which senator did a better job convincing voters they can best take on Trump? Did Rubio’s attacks and interruptions show a new side of himself? Did Cruz do enough to persuade people he’s worth another look?”

– Eric Bradner, CNN Politics

Rubio appeared to own the stage on Thursday night, going after Trump for his business ethics and plans on healthcare. Not to be outdone, Cruz ripped into Trump after being called a liar by the businessman.

Why did the stakes seem so high on Thursday night? On March 1st, Super Tuesday will have 13 states deciding who will be their GOP candidate. There are many more states to go, but a poor showing on that critical day can either solidify or derail a campaign. Expect more attacks in the coming days from Rubio and Cruz, and expect them often. Some say it is nearly a mathematical lock for Trump to win the nomination.

“They chose war with Mr. Trump. But amid the relentless back and forth, a question hovered: Was it too late?”

– Michael Barbaro, New York Times

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The post Republican Debate Showdown Before Super Tuesday appeared first on Follow My Vote.

Next week’s prime-time Republican presidential debate will feature 11 candidates, including surging businesswoman Carly Fiorina, CNN announced Thursday.

Fiorina, front-runner Donald Trump, and other Republican candidates will gather Wednesday at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in Simi Valley, Calif., for the second debate of 2016 election cycle, this one sponsored by CNN.

In addition to Trump and Fiorina, the 8 p.m. ET session will include Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, Scott Walker, Chris Christie, Mike Huckabee and Rand Paul.

An earlier debate, at 6 p.m. ET, will feature Republicans who have finished outside the top 10 in an aggregate of polls: Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Lindsey Graham, Bobby Jindal and George Pataki.

“Thursday marked the close of the two-month window for determining eligibility based on averages of national polls,” CNN said in a report.

Trump led the Republican field in the aggregate of polls used by CNN, scoring nearly 24% support. Bush finished second at 11.5%, followed by Walker (9.4%), Carson (8.9%), Cruz (6.3%), Rubio (5.6%), Huckabee (5.6%), Paul (4.7%), Kasich (3.2%), Christie (3.1%), and Fiorina (2.2%).

The candidates in the early debate: Perry (1.8%), Santorum (1.2%), Jindal (1.1%), Pataki (0.5%), and Graham (0.5%).

The prime-time debate could be a contest between insurgent “outsider” candidates and so-called “establishment” Republicans.

Trump, Fiorina and Carson, a retired neurosurgeon who has finished second in more recent GOP polls, are stressing the fact they have never held public office, arguing that the GOP establishment has failed party supporters on items like federal spending and immigration.

More traditional Republicans — including Bush, Walker, and Rubio — have seen their poll numbers drop in recent weeks. They have questioned whether Trump and other newcomers are qualified for the presidency, and can win a general election.

Read more at: usatoday.com

The post Second Republican Debate appeared first on Follow My Vote.