Luke Skywalker
Super Moderator
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A technician adjusts a television camera before the start of the CNN Republican presidential debate at the Reagan library on Sept. 16, 2015 in Simi Valley, Calif.(Photo: Tom Stathis, AP)
SIMI VALLEY, Calif.— It's time for the main event.
Eleven Republican candidates gather for the prime-time debate at the Ronald Reagan Library, with insurgent front-runner Donald Trump at center stage.
The New York billionaire<span style="color: Red;">*</span>is joined by two other self-proclaimed outsiders -- retired neurosurgeon<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Ben Carson and businesswoman Carly Fiorina -- as well as former Florida governor<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Scott Walker, Texas Sen.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Ted Cruz, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former Arkansas governor<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Mike Huckabee, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, and<span style="color: Red;">*</span>New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Get ready for the fireworks, and follow our live updates.
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8:39 p.m.
The subject of Vladimir Putin comes up.
Trump says Putin will respect him, unlike the way he has disrespected President Obama.
Rubio outlines Russian behavior in Ukraine and Syria, and said he will confront Putin over it.
Fiorina says we've talked about enough Putin; we should build up our military, and "Vladimir Putin will get the message." She also refers to Trump's recent failure to identify a key Iranian official.
8:35<span style="color: Red;">*</span>p.m.
Bush and Trump mix it up over .. casino gambling in Florida, which Bush helped<span style="color: Red;">*</span>block.
"Yes, you did -- you wanted it," Bush told Trump, who denied it.
"I promise, if I wanted it, I would have gotten it," Trump said.
Trump also repeated his claim that Bush would be a puppet of his political donors; Bush says Trump is being less than honest about his past support for Democrats.
8:30 p.m.
The issue of outsiders-vs.-the-establishment surfaces.
Christie says he's also an outsider -- "a Republican (governor) in New Jersey."
Carson, one of the self-described outsiders, says career politicians are too often expedient while the country heads in the wrong direction. He declines to identify bad politicians by name.
Fiorina, who has also never held public office, says people believe current politicians have failed them. "This is about changing the system," she says.
8:27<span style="color: Red;">*</span>p.m.
Not surprisingly, the first question is about Trump (who mugs for the camera as candidates are asked if he is qualified to be president.)
Fiorina calls Trump a "wonderful entertainer," but is not presidential material.
Trump, following form, first says the low-rated Paul -- another Trump critic -- doesn't even belong on the stage. Also says he has the business experience and temperament to be president.
Paul hits Trump for a "sophmoric quality" to his attacks on people's looks and personality.
Trump assails one of the earlier debaters -- Pataki -- as a failed governor.
Bush, invited to critique Trump, says it's up to the voters to judge him, but says he can't be rude to foreign leaders.
Walker also jumps into the bash Trump-fest, saying the nation doesn't need another "apprentice" in the Oval Office because have one already; Trump responds by attacking Walker's record as governor of Wisconsin, and notes his drop in the polls.
Kasich, meanwhile, criticizes the entire line of questioning, saying the issues are more important than Trump.
8:19<span style="color: Red;">*</span>p.m.
And we're (finally) off ... The candidates are asked to introduce themselves.
Paul says he spends his days defending the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Huckabee says there are no socialists in the field, and nobody is under investigation; calls the Republicans "the A Team."
Rubio praises Ronald Reagan's legacy -- and jokes about his water drinking habits, playing off the Californian drought.
Cruz says he will "stand up to career politicians in both parties."
Carson says he's very concerned about the direction of the country and our children's futures; welcomes Fiorina to the prime stage.
Trump notes he wrote the "The Art of the Deal," and wants to bring his business talents to the White House.
Bush describes himself as a "committed conservative reformer."
Walker says Ronald Reagan liked to go "big and bold" -- which just happens to be his own campaign slogan.
Fiorina says the government has grown too big and powerful -- and too "inept" and "corrupt."
Kasich notes he actually flew the Air Force One airplane that provides the stage backdrop.
Christie asks the audience if they believe their children are better off under President Obama -- no one in the Republican crowd says yes.
8:04<span style="color: Red;">*</span>p.m.
The candidates walk to the stage to applause, and pose for pictures.
Republican presidential candidates, from left, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former New York Gov. George Pataki, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, businessman Donald Trump, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, businesswoman Carly Fiorina, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie take the stage during the CNN Republican presidential debate.<span style="color: Red;">*</span> Chris Carlson, AP
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