Low-polling GOP presidential candidates talk taxes, jobs in undercard debate
During the first of two Republican presidential debates hosted by Fox Business Network on Tuesday in Milwaukee, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal fielded questions about taxes, jobs, and business, while getting in a few jabs against each other and Hillary Clinton.
It was the first time Christie and Huckabee appeared at an undercard debate; they were bumped down from the primetime stage after failing to reach the 2.5 percent threshold in national polls.
When asked about taxes, Santorum said he supports a 20 percent flat tax, adding "I think that's a fair number." Huckabee said he would like to abolish the IRS.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Christie said he would fight back against cyberwarfare waged by China, and would fly over the islands being built by the country in the South China Sea so "they'll know we mean business."
Each candidate was asked which Democratic member of Congress they most admire, but Jindal, Huckabee, and Christie demurred; only Santorum responded, saying he respects the party because "they fight, they're not willing to back down and are willing to stand up and win."
Jindal got in several jabs against his fellow governors, calling out Huckabee for spending too much and Christie for attempting to be a conservative in a blue state. "I'll give you a ribbon for participation and a juice box but in the real world it's about results," he said. Christie used every opportunity to go after Clinton, saying the Democratic presidential candidate is "coming for your wallet" and is afraid to debate him. "Hillary Clinton doesn't want one minute on that stage with me next September when I'm debating her and prosecuting her for her vision for America," he said.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Political cartoons for October 25Cartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include hospital bill trauma, Independence Day, and more
-
Roasted squash and apple soup recipeThe Week Recommends Autumnal soup is full of warming and hearty flavours
-
Ukraine: Donald Trump pivots againIn the Spotlight US president apparently warned Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept Vladimir Putin’s terms or face destruction during fractious face-to-face
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deploymentSpeed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ ralliesSpeed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
