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A chaotic war of words: Breaking down the third GOP debate

 
Marco Rubio, center, and Jeb Bush, left, argue a point as Donald Trump stands by during the CNBC Republican presidential debate at the University of Colorado in Boulder on Wednesday. [Associated Press]
Marco Rubio, center, and Jeb Bush, left, argue a point as Donald Trump stands by during the CNBC Republican presidential debate at the University of Colorado in Boulder on Wednesday. [Associated Press]
Published Oct. 29, 2015

The third GOP presidential debate of the 2016 race was Wednesday night at the University of Colorado at Boulder. It was moderated by CNBC's Carl Quintanilla, Becky Quick and John Harwood. To summarize the night in three highlights:

Florida men fighting: The rising tension between Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio was apparent from the start. Rubio walked on stage and shook Donald Trump's hand. But when Bush walked out, he and Rubio skipped the formality. In the debate, Bush challenged Rubio on missing votes, noting he was a "constituent" of the senator and suggesting he should resign. But Rubio didn't melt, shooting back that John McCain missed a lot of votes when he ran for president in 2008. The crowd was clearly on Rubio's side.

Media punching bag: Attacking the media for liberal bias has always been smart politics in Republican primaries, and CNBC moderators Carl Quintanilla, Becky Quick and John Harwood struggled to control the chaotic night amid a torrent of criticism. The audience booed at pointed questions and cheered when Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Chris Christie lambasted media bias. "The questions that have been asked so far in this debate illustrate why the American people don't trust the media," Cruz said.

The night goes to Rubio: Marco Rubio had another command performance, his third straight. He was prepared and polished and stood up to criticism from rivals and moderators. He may have been the youngest candidate on stage (44), but it did not show and Rubio got some of the best applause lines. Rubio already had momentum going into the debate and may have convinced some big donors that he's legitimate. "My campaign is going to be about the future of America, it's not going to be about attacking anyone else," he said.

Here's the rest of your water-cooler recap:

Former governor of Florida (1999-2007), son of former President George H.W. Bush and brother of former President George W. Bush.

Quote: "You find me a Democrat for cutting spending 10 dollars (in spending) … I'll give 'em a warm kiss."

Best moment: In an overall weak performance, at least Bush reminded people he has a tangible, conservative record of accomplishment. And he showed a bit of humor referring to his Fantasy Football record. "I'm 7-0 with my fantasy league," he boasted. "But we're not gambling."

Biggest misstep: He failed to assert himself, allowed Rubio to brush him off as a desperate candidate coached to attack a fellow Republican, and looked uncomfortable throughout. He even coughed in his closing statement.

Rating the performance: This was not the performance Jeb Bush needed. His attack on Marco Rubio sounded rehearsed and clumsy, and Rubio clearly got the better of the exchange. A warm kiss for Democrats? Yuck.

Retired neurosurgeon born in Michigan. Resident of Florida.

Quote: "(People) shouldn't automatically assume that because you believe that marriage is between one man and one woman that you are a homophobe. And this is one of the myths that the left perpetrates on our society, and this is how they frighten people and get people to shut up."

Best moment: See his biggest misstep. While his business dealings are fair game, Carson soared when he blasted the question and paused as the audience booed, drawing a smile from the candidate.

Biggest misstep: Struggled to explain his economic plan — effectively a 10 percent flat tax — and dismissed questions about dealings with a medical supplement company as "total propaganda" despite the company featuring his likeness on its website.

Rating the performance: Kept his even-keeled approach and opened by saying he would not criticize opponents. He may come across as lackluster — if not dozing off — but Republican voters are increasingly siding with him over the bombastic Trump. A good night for Carson, especially with Trump failing to dominate.

Governor of New Jersey, elected in 2009.

Quote: "I know who the pessimist is. It's Hillary Clinton. And you put me on that stage against her next September, she won't get within 10 miles of the White House. Take it to the bank."

Best moment: Blasting the Justice Department over what he saw as political decision not go after certain corporations while putting the screws to David Petraeus. "It's a political Justice Department."

Biggest misstep: Kept trying to shift the conversation about how dynamic the GOP field is and how terrible Hillary Clinton and Democrats are. Nice bluster but where's the beef?

Rating the performance: No breakout moment for Christie, who has struggled for traction. He did get in a nice line about the questions — "We're talking about fantasy football?!" — but others had already engaged in the media bashing. Still, he finished strong by talking about being "deadly serious" about changing Washington.

U.S. senator from Texas, elected in 2012.

Quote: "If you want someone to grab a beer with, I may not be that guy. But if you want someone to drive you home, I will get the job done and I will get you home."

Best moment: Slamming the news media is always good and Cruz's indictment on questions he found silly and combative drew raucous applause from the audience.

Biggest misstep: His answer for how women earn less than men? "Well, we've gotta turn the economy around for people who are struggling." Cruz then spoke about his single mother but offered little by the way of policy.

Rating the performance: Used his moments well and showed off his speaking skill. He's a rebel in Washington and was strongest when telling voters about battles over Obamacare and "amnesty." Cruz remains one to watch.

Former chief executive officer of Hewlett-Packard.

Quote: "These are very serious times; 75 percent of the American people think the federal government is corrupt. I agree with them. And this big powerful, corrupt bureaucracy works now only for the big, the powerful, the wealthy and the well-connected. Meantime, wages have stagnated for 40 years."

Best moment: She kicked things off with a self-effacing joke about her prior debates when asked what her biggest weakness is: "Well, gee, after the last debate, I was told that I didn't smile enough," she said, beaming.

Biggest misstep: Fiorina could have been more aggressive inserting herself into the debate — something Cruz did well — but instead kept mum most of the night.

Rating the performance: Calm, confident, and authoritative, Fiorina showed again why debates are the best thing her campaign has going. But she didn't make the most of it Wednesday, remaining unnoticed most of the night.

Former governor of Arkansas (1996-2007). Former Southern Baptist pastor. Resident of Florida.

Quote: "I don't really have any weaknesses that I can think of. But my wife is down here in the front, and I'm sure, if you'd like to talk to her later, she can give you more than you'll ever be able to take care of."

Best moment: He was largely invisible, but showed his characteristic humor: "As few questions as I got, the last thing I need is to give him more time," he said at one point when asked about Donald Trump.

Biggest misstep: Failing to stand out, to create a memorable moment.

Rating the performance: His personal charm and likability showed more than in previous debates, but he did nothing to jump-start his long-shot campaign.

Governor of Ohio, elected in 2010. Former congressman representing Ohio.

Quote: "Folks, we've got to wake up. We cannot elect somebody that doesn't know how to do the job. You have got to pick somebody who has experience, somebody that has the know-how, the discipline."

Best moment: When he went after his opponents for offering unrealistic proposals, dismissing them as "schemes" and saying plans to slash Medicare and Medicaid would just scare seniors.

Biggest misstep: Couldn't really explain why he supported corporate subsidies in Ohio while opposing the Export-Import Bank, which helps businesses nationwide but is under attack from conservatives. He danced around the question.

Rating the performance: Came across as assertive and feisty (too much so?) and compassionate. He touted his record in Ohio and likely won over some Republicans, and perhaps some Jeb Bush fans.

U.S. senator from Kentucky, elected in 2010. Ophthalmologist.

Quote: "We borrow a million dollars a minute. Now, on the floor of the Congress, the Washington establishment from both parties puts forward a bill that will explode the deficit. It allows President Obama to borrow unlimited amounts of money. I will stand firm. I will spend every ounce of energy to stop it."

Best moment: Calling out both parties for the budget deal, and casting himself as a principled, anti-establishment deficit hawk.

Biggest misstep: Paul wasted precious moments before the camera complaining about the rules for follow-up answers. "What are the rules on who gets to follow up? How do we decide on who gets to follow up? I've seen plenty of other people follow up."

Rating the performance: He had some strong moments, but mostly stayed in the shadows.

U.S. senator from Florida, elected in 2010. Former speaker of the Florida House. Lawyer.

Quote: "You know the Democrats have the ultimate super PAC. It's called the mainstream media."

Best moment: When asked why he was in such a rush — a hallmark of his political career — he effectively made the argument for his campaign, saying there was no time to spare and the country's problems need to be addressed.

Biggest misstep: Asked about a weakness, he could come up with nothing other than saying he has a sense of optimism for America that is eroding for too many. It was a scripted line that came across as such and revealed nothing about himself. Also gave uneven answer about his personal finances.

Rating the performance: Rubio put in another A performance, holding his own against Bush and pushing back against talk he was too eager. He showed humor — joking his book is now in paperback and for sale on Amazon — and poise. Moderators had tough questions for Rubio and he was prepared.

Real estate mogul, TV personality.

Quote: "We can do a wall. We're going to have a big, fat beautiful door right in the middle of the wall. We're going to have people come in, but they're coming in legally. And Mexico's going to pay for the wall."

Best moment: Ripping Kasich after the governor attacked him as "somebody who doesn't know how to do the job."

Biggest misstep: Staying quiet on the sidelines most of the night — and falsely denying that he called Rubio Mark Zuckerberg's "personal senator."

Rating the performance: Nobody is better at taking down critics than Trump, but he had limited time Wednesday night. He seemed more like just another candidate than the domineering frontrunner.