Live Coverage Of The First Republican Debate

Both Huckabee and Santorum have now suggested they would simply defy the Supreme Court on abortion. Huckabee went further than most candidates I can recall by saying he would invoke the 5th and 14th Amendments and take some kind of executive action to overturn Roe v. Wade. It’s an interesting contrast to repeated criticism of Obama for his executive actions. And a sharp contrast with Pataki, who said Roe was settled law and shouldn’t be changed. Wonder if the other candidates will eventually have to take sides on whether the Supreme Court is truly supreme.

We’ve written repeatedly about how opposition from the Republican Party establishment will ultimately make it difficult for Donald Trump to win the nomination, even if it helps him capitalize on anti-elite backlash in the short term. But Fox News — if it’s relationship with the GOP is more complicated than some observers might acknowledge — is a part of the Republican establishment too in many respects and is highly trusted by most Republicans. How it covers Trump will play an important role in how viable his campaign might remain over the next weeks and months, and if tonight is any indication, that coverage could be pretty tough.