Live Coverage Of The First Republican Debate

Two out of seven candidates in the JV debate were asked about their immigration policies. In the prime-time debate, more than half (six of 10) have been asked about immigration so far. And the big league questions have been more detailed than the “What would you say to a deportee?” open-ended question of the first debate. Tougher moderators or Trump’s presence forcing the issue front and center?

Rubio just made a nice pivot to legal immigration from illegal immigration. It should be noted that 50 percent to 60 percent of Republicans are in favor of keeping legal immigration levels the same or increased. This is the opposite of immigrants who are here illegally, who most Republicans do not want to give citizenship.

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.