Pundits will argue who won last night’s debate, but for Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, there is absolutely no doubt: the event was a huge win, a breakout evening for a campaign that has been gaining significant momentum after Paul’s Senate floor fight railing against robbing the Social Security trust fund went viral
With Iowa and New Hampshire just weeks away, Paul may find himself peaking just when he needs it the most.
Paul’s debate performance at Tuesday’s Fox Business/Wall Street Journal debate has received rave reviews from media outlets and Republicans nationwide.
From correcting Trump on China, tangling with Marco Rubio over spending, and repeatedly differentiating himself from the rest of the field-especially on foreign policy issues-Paul proved he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
Here is a collection of media clips talking about Paul’s night:
>>>Overall Performance
Why Rand Paul was the stealth winner of the GOP debate
The Week
“Nevertheless, it was Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) who made the most persuasive case that he could win over voters who aren’t committed conservative Republicans.”
http://theweek.com/articles/588216/why-rand-paul-stealth-winner-gop-debate
Rand Paul Went On The Offensive, Reshaped The Debate And Had His Strongest Performance Yet
Huffington Post
“He did more to create a real debate than any of the moderators.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rand-paul-gop-debate-milwaukee_5642dbbbe4b060377346ef28
Rand hit his stride in the debate—by letting his true self shine
Rare
“Paul had great moments challenging his opponent’s conventional charges…”
Rand Paul Shuts Down Donald Trump, Moderators, and Commercial Breaks
Vanity Fair
“A little more than an hour into Tuesday night’s G.O.P. presidential primary debate, most of the Republican hopefuls were ready for a commercial break. Most of the moderators were, too. So were the majority of viewers, and certainly, the advertisers who paid a pretty penny for their spots to air. But Rand Paul and debate moderator and Wall Street Journal editor Gerard Baker had another idea.”
http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/11/rand-paul-debate-commercial-break
In Republican Debate, Candidates Battle Sharply on Immigration
NY Times
“Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who had perhaps the best night of his campaign, delivered a sophisticated explanation of his libertarian-leaning views on foreign policy. And he made a forceful case about conservatism, portraying Mr. Rubio as a big spender who would not adhere to small-government values.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/11/us/republican-debate-fox-business.html?_r=0
Rand Paul’s Hail Mary
Slate
“The Kentucky senator had little left to lose—and delivered his strongest debate performance yet.”
The Most Substantive Republican Debate Yet
The Federalist
“Paul managed to disagree with others on stage without seeming peevish about it, defended his tax plan well, and challenged others to defend their policy positions with a good command of the issues.”
http://thefederalist.com/2015/11/11/the-most-substantive-republican-debate-yet/
The GOP’s Amateur Hour
Slate
“… Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul had his first great night, challenging Sen. Marco Rubio on tax expenditures and defense spending, pushing Donald Trump on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and stepping into his father’s role as the libertarian gadfly in the race.”
>>>Trump & TPP
Rand Paul drops the mic on Donald Trump over China’s participation in trade deal
LA Times
“Boom. That was the implied sound effect Tuesday night as Sen. Rand Paul casually corrected Donald Trump on China’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the sweeping trade deal among the U.S. and 11 other countries.”
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-rand-paul-trump-china-trade-deal-20151110-htmlstory.html
Rand Paul Scores Direct Hit On Donald Trump
Huffington Post
“During Tuesday night’s GOP debate, Donald Trump predictably pivoted to China in a long-winded response explaining his opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal the U.S. has forged with 11 other Pacific Rim nations. But Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was not having it.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rand-paul-donald-trump_5642b260e4b060377346eaee
Rand Paul fact-checked Donald Trump when the Republican debate moderators didn’t
Vox
“After a lengthy exchange in which Donald Trump rambled about how China will take advantage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Sen. Rand Paul did some on-the-spot fact-checking at the Republican debate tonight, pointing out that China is not a part of the trade deal and may, in fact, lose because of it.”
http://www.vox.com/2015/11/10/9710284/rand-paul-donald-trump-republican-debate
Rand Paul Shuts Down Donald Trump, Moderators, and Commercial Breaks
Vanity Fair
“A little more than an hour into Tuesday night’s G.O.P. presidential primary debate, most of the Republican hopefuls were ready for a commercial break. Most of the moderators were, too. So were the majority of viewers, and certainly, the advertisers who paid a pretty penny for their spots to air. But Rand Paul and debate moderator and Wall Street Journal editor Gerard Baker had another idea.”
http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/11/rand-paul-debate-commercial-break
Paul reminds Trump: China not party to Obama’s trade deal
Washington Examiner
“When Donald Trump fielded a question on the Obama administration’s Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement, the business mogul criticized the deal because of its beneficial effect on China. But as Trump raged against the Chinese, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul interjected to point out that China was not even included in the deal.”
Rand Paul embarrassed Donald Trump over China and the TPP during the GOP debate
The Week
“Calling it a “horrible deal,” Donald Trump spoke out against the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership during the Fox Business Republican debate, saying it would cause Americans to lose their jobs and was “designed for China to come in as they always do through the back door and totally take advantage of everyone.” As soon as he was finished, Sen. Rand Paul made an important clarification: China is not part of the deal.”
Rand Paul Corrects Donald Trump’s Claim That China Is Part of the TPP
Free Beacon
“Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) corrected Donald Trump by pointing out that China was not a part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) at the Fox Business GOP debate Tuesday.”
>>>Rubio & Conservatism
Republican Debate 2016: Is Marco Rubio True Conservative? Rand Paul Takes Shot At Rising Star On Values
IBT
“Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul dueled with Florida Sen. Marco Rubio over the intersection of military spending and conservative values in one of the most heated exchanges of the Fox Business Network debate Tuesday.”
Rand Paul says Marco Rubio is “not very conservative” for wanting more military spending
Rare
“Senator Rand Paul called out Senator Marco Rubio at the Republican presidential candidates debate tonight, attacking his tax plan and his desire to spend more on the military as “not very conservative.”
Rand Paul Fights Rubio: You’re ‘Liberal on Military Spending’!
Mediaite
“Rand Paul picked a fight with Marco Rubio during tonight’s Fox Business debate over spending, basically accusing him of being “not very conservative” when it comes to that particular issue.”
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/rand-paul-fights-rubio-youre-liberal-on-military-spending/
‘How Is It Conservative?’: Rubio, Rand Clash Over Military Spending
Daily Caller
“Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Rand Paul entered into a heated argument over military spending during Tuesday’s GOP debate, with the former asking “how is it conservative to add $1 trillion in military expenditures?”
http://dailycaller.com/2015/11/10/how-is-it-conservative-rubio-crushes-rand-for-questioning-his-military-spending-video/#ixzz3r9jiSNCb
Rand Paul: Rubio’s Plans Not Conservative
Newsmax
“Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul fought over taxes and military spending at Tuesday’s GOP presidential debate, with Paul saying Rubio’s plans weren’t conservative.”
http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/marco-rubio-rand-paul-gop-debate/2015/11/10/id/701600/#ixzz3r9jN35NN
Marco Rubio, Rand Paul clash over conservatism
Washington Times
“MILWAUKEE — Sen. Rand Paul challenged Sen. Marco Rubio’s conservative credentials at the Republican presidential debate Tuesday, saying his plan to give families child tax credits was a $1 trillion giveaway and not conservative.”
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/nov/10/marco-rubio-rand-paul-clash-over-conservatism-repu/
